Reemerging into Society

BY JIM MATHIS

Never have I been so happy to see an email from a hospital system. One Saturday morning in early March, I got a message from Sanford in my inbox; “Schedule Your COVID-19 Vaccination” it beckoned. I didn’t hesitate and a couple of days later I waited in a happy queue of strangers to get my first jab of Pfizer’s finest. Less than a week later, I drove my beloved to the same spot. There were tears of joy. It felt like a great weight was being lifted. About a month later, fully vaccinated, we did something we had not done in more than a year; we went out to dinner.

Yes, we went OUT to dinner. Not a drive-thru. Not take-out. Not a chilly, al fresco patio meal. We went out to a real restaurant and had a real meal with cocktails, wine, and multiple courses served by a charming (and understanding) team of servers, front-of-house managers, and bussers. To be honest, we were a bit lost. Real clothes, real manners, no dog at our feet to clean up the stray crumbs. The two of us who were proud regulars at many great establishments in Sioux Falls, felt like rookies. It was prom night all over again. Why are there so many knives and plates; what is going on here???

I remember my last meal out before the lock-down began. It was a simple Saturday morning breakfast at M.B. Haskett, which was part of my typical weekend routine in the days before COVID. The small space was not as busy as normal. I shared conversation with other regulars about the virus being detected in Omaha and Minneapolis; Sioux Falls surely would not be far behind. Mike Haskett walked around, thanking each of us for coming. Somehow, he knew more than the rest of us; the next few months would be hard on his business, but even he did not

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predict it would be more than a year before we felt any semblance of normality.

On that first Friday night out, my beloved and I chose Morrie’s for dinner. We discussed whether we were really ready. Was it safe? Had it been long enough after our vaccinations? We determined that Morrie’s was big enough to keep tables apart, and the Vanguard Group was diligent about their staff wearing masks. We committed; I made a reservation.

When we arrived, it felt foreign to us. We had forgotten what it was like to be waited on, but somewhere around the end of my martini and our appetizer (their outstanding slab of Nueske’s bacon) our muscle memory kicked in. We ordered a bottle of wine, split a wedge salad, and indulged in phenomenal steaks; mine with au poivre; hers with blue cheese. We ordered desserts to go, as we’ve done numerous times before. It was a glorious night.

The next Friday, my beloved suggested R Wine Bar. We’ve been ordering take-out from there at least once a month throughout the pandemic. The food is always great, and while we didn’t feel safe eating in, Riccardo and his team were always happy to bring our order to our car. When Kara suggested R Wine Bar this time, she was thinking we’d order take-out yet again, but I assumed we’d dine in. After all, as we’d talked about the places we were looking forward to eating at again in real life, R Wine Bar has always been high on the list. We strapped on our masks and made our way to Riccardo at the host stand. We were dining out again! The second time in a week; the second time in 14 months.

I hadn’t made reservations, and despite it being the last Friday of Restaurant Week, Riccardo made room for us in the event

space in the back. Soon we had the Restaurant Week specials, along with Riccardo’s expertly paired wine choices, delivered to our table. Our second meal out felt much more normal, much more comfortable right from the start. We knew the process; we knew how to act. The bright, open space felt welcoming. As usual, the food was outstanding, and the experience was something that simply can’t come out of a to-go box. Oh, how we have missed that feeling.

So much has changed over the last year. We’ve lost some good restaurants, and the survivors are still recovering. Never has it been more important to leave a little extra tip. Twenty percent is a good place to start, twenty-five is better. Think of all you’ve saved by eating at home for the last year; now it’s time to open your wallet. And even though our Mayor has determined we don’t need to wear masks, the scientists beg to differ; wear a mask on the way in, put it on again on the way out. Stand a few feet back from the host stand and the other patrons when you can. Get vaccinated. Wash your hands. Be a good person.

Soon my routines will begin again; breakfast at Haskett’s, lunch at The Diner, sitting inside at Bread & Circus or Look’s or Grille 26. Sadly, we didn’t get a chance for a last order of lobster corn dogs or cioppino at Turks & Caicos or one last Carne Robusto pizza from Red Rossa, but we look forward to supporting the restaurants that have meant so much to our community. Do yourself a favor, eat something good today.

While Jim loves cooking and eating, he’s just an old ad guy, working in advertising and marketing for more than 30 years.