The first restaurant visit after two months during COVID-19 times: Restaurant MASI Wine Bar (14. May 2020)
It is kind of surreal when you walk into a restaurant after more than two months of not eating out. However, in the end, things aren’t so different to how they were before. Sure, there are certain precautionary measures taken like yellow lines on the floor so you keep your distance, the waiter wearing gloves, and there are little ‘glass separators’ between the tables in order to make sure you don’t mix with your next table neighbors.
And of course, there is a note on the table where you’re asked to put down your name and phone number in order for them to be able to trace you back in case someone who has been tested positive for COVID-19 has been visiting the restaurant at the same time as you. It is still voluntary to be filled out, but I think it’s entirely acceptable to do that, especially given the R0.
The process is pretty much the same as always – the waiter comes to take your order. I went for the “Chicchetti alla veneziana (tuna spread, San Daniele ham, Sorpressa Venete, boiled egg and anchovy)” (CHF 10.00) which is an assortment of bruschette which were quite okay.
The “Trancio di tonno alla griglia (grilled tuna, tomatoes, mint, spinach)” (CHF 44.00) on the other hand was quite good. A bit overdone for my personal gusto (could have been a slight bit more on the raw side) but still absolutely fine regarding the quality of the tuna. The side dishes, i.e. the tomatoes were actually delicious and were full of flavor.
All in all, it was good to experience a restaurant visit after more than two months of not having been to one – however, a feeling of discomfort remains as you of course don’t really know if anyone around was infected or not. And the fact that the waiters don’t wear a face mask does not really contribute positively to that. As happy as I was to return to a restaurant, the mere fact of ‘getting something to eat’ does not match the experience of ‘enjoying a meal freely (also mentally)’. Let’s see how long it takes until things finally go back to normal.
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Contact Details:
Restaurant MASI Wine Bar
Seefeldstrasse 5
8008 Zürich (CH)
Tel.: +41 44 252 52 12
Homepage: http://www.masiwinebar.ch/zuerich
About the Author: Sven
I started the blog in October 2009, while living in Milan which I definitely consider to be one of the food capitals of the world. I was in touch with food since my early childhood (as my father is a former chef). Whenever I can, I travel the world to discover new places, to meet people but mostly to try local dishes and to find hidden gems! If you know a place worth going, please drop a line to: info@thediningexperience.org.
Currently, I am a member of the following food-related associations: Chevalier @Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Zurich-Ville; Membre Gourmet Dégustateur @Ordre Mondial des Gourmets Dégustateurs [OMGD]; Gesellschafter @Goldener Fisch and Member @Slowfood Convivium Zurich City. 
