As restaurants reopen there is hope and excitement - but also caution - in the industry

On the 14th of June restaurants across Delhi were allowed to open on a trial basis after two months. While the industry welcomes the move, there is also anxiousness over the truncated working window, new norms, and the one-week timeline. Most restaurateurs believe that the timeline may just be a formality, but post two intense lockdowns their anxiety is not unexpected. Anubhuti Krishna reports about the preparation and readiness across segments.

Stringent safety norms and sanitization practices

Most restaurants have returned with stringent safety protocols, some even taking it a notch higher than they did during the 2020 reopening. Most restaurants have their staff vaccinated, and are operating at minimal capacity. This not only reduces the chances of infection for the guests but also keeps the internal teams and employees safer.

"The response has been very positive since the reopening of the restaurants. We already have enquiries for the coming days too and are expecting a busy weekend. We are committed to ensuring safety of our guests with enhanced protocols in place and all our team members have also been vaccinated. We are happy to re-open our doors for our customers, " Saurabh Khurana, Executive Assistant Manager, The Lodhi-New Delhi tells us. Their restaurants, ELAN and The Lodhi bakery are open at a 50% capacity and follow strict guidelines under their Stay Safe Assurance program.

The restaurants at ITC Maurya, for example, have reopened with stronger implementation of the WeAssure initiative, that promises a stress free and responsible dining experience to its guests. While all their restaurants are now open, their hours of operations have been truncated. The hotel, like all others, has recently been certified at the platinum level of safety, which just makes it safer for the patrons than ever before. The practices however remain as stringent as ever with screen separators, sanitized and packed cutlery and glassware, and contactless ordering and service.

The IHCL Hotels in Delhi-NCR meanwhile are following a carefully structured approach for the reopening of their restaurants in the capital. The chain is being cautious and plans to monitor the situation closely while continuing to adhere to the prescribed guidelines. With their augmented safety and hygiene protocols that ensure a safe environment for both guests and associates, they have reopened establishments like Machan, House of Ming, Yellow Brick Road, Capital Kitchen, Creo, and at The Hub across its 4 properties, Taj Mahal, New Delhi; Taj Palace, New Delhi; Ambassador, New Delhi; Vivanta New Delhi Dwarka and The Connaught, New Delhi.

While establishments are excited and hopeful about the reopening and return of the new normal yet again, most continue to bank on deliveries. The home delivery services that had taken off after the last lockdown have only become more efficient in this phase. Whether it is the Gourmet Couch from ITC Hotels, Qmin from IHCL or the in-house services from other hotels, the delivery continues to do well. "The changes we have seen post the second wave, is a considerable increase in food delivery orders in the absence of physical dining for more than 2 months now, ” says Vijay Wanchoo, Sr. Exec Vice President & GM at The Imperial New Delhi. “As the restaurant operations resume, we shall be cautious of the eating pattern of our diners and stay focused on our F&B moves. We also plan to continue with our exclusive and customised packages for special occasions while giving priority to safety and hygiene, with our I CARE program.” The program has enhanced health and safety protocols for guests in all areas of operations, especially dining.

Crowd control and guest support

If the larger establishments are following their internal safety protocols in addition to the government guidelines, the smaller, stand-alone establishments haven’t left anything to chance either. The seating capacity has been reduced to 50% in all places and the common areas including waiting areas have been spruced up. The staff is minimal and , in moist places, vaccinated, and double masking and sanitization is paramount.

“We are working on 50% capacity as per the government guidelines, ” informs Sheetal Saxena, of Colocal. “Since we have a lot of space in the cafe, every table now has 10-12 feet of distance; since we are operating at half the capacity that ensures even more distance. The waiting area is now regulated with only a few seats, also safely distant.” she adds. All of her staff is vaccinated either fully or partially, and double masking is mandatory. Chef Vanshika Bhatia, who has reopened her cafe, M Café in Gurgaon, is working with just one person in her kitchen while her sister is taking care of end-to-end operations. “I am doing everything on my own for now, ” she says “and all staff that joins back will do so only after vaccination.” The Café that operates in a premium condominium complex, is already seeing people pour in, but not without precaution.

And what is it that they expect from their patrons? “We need to follow the protocols even more strictly this time, ” quips Sheetal, who also expects the guests and patrons to be responsible towards the establishments and restaurants. “It is important to look after one-another and ensure we practice safe conduct and I am sure we will, " she signs off.

Note: Restaurants across Delhi have been allowed to open on a trail basis by the government from 14th June.

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