Quarentine Life March to June

Quarantine Life

So in mid march life changed for everyone, my husband and I saw much change in out daily lives.  While corona virus started to attach China, Italy and the world we started to see our own changes.
My husband was officially laid off as a day time bartender at Red the Steakhouse in Downtown Cleveland in Mid March, I was continuing to work everyday as an "essential Worker" at a nursing home.  Like many others we were scared of the unknown.

I received information through work and trade organizations but let's be honest no one really knew what was going on yet.  

I knew it was a potentially deadly disease for the residents we took care of each day with compromised immune systems living in a congregate environment  My husband was distressed not know anything about his job and dealing with an unemployment system not ready to handle this new influx of people being laid off with new rules.  

Then we got our stimulus, I got "hero pay" at work.  Our financial situation was not horrible.  We were in the process of a kitchen remodel and getting stressed about getting completed.

Now what does this have to do with the married life?  EVERYTHING!  It was a difficult few months.  Trying to cook every meal in an electric skillet, trying to clean pans and dishes in a bathroom sink, getting the vendors to complete the jobs on the house since it is essential to have a kitchen!

One thing we tried to do was eat local.  Even now in June, 3 months later, I do not want anything from fast food or a chain place.  I want to support our local restaurants.  Throughout this time we did takeout at least once a week.  We both agreed that we wanted to support those who have supported us over the years.  

Ronnie and I are both very involved at our church and I work for a non profit.  It is really important to me to support the restaurants who donated to us.  

That means that we definitely were vigilant of what we supported.  Our first actual take out meal was from XYZ on St. Patty's Day.  The restaurants were all "Officially" closed and knowing that we would have gotten  takeout anyway, we went to someplace in the neighborhood.  I should clarify, Ronnie and I consider our neighborhood everything from W 114th through Gordon Square.  This is where we live, work, worship, and play.  

For my birthday we went to Lago.  The meal was great.  I wanted to support Lago because it has been one of my favorite restaurants since they opened.  Even through COVID, the meal was great.  We got a Korea BBQ, Fried Mozzarella, and calamari.  2 apps and one entre was more than enough food for my hubby and I.  

Throughout this time we also frequented My Friend's Deli, Local West, Panda Wok, Landmark, Sweet Moses, Dinerbar, Gypsy Bean, Liquid Planet, Luxe- with take away drinks which will say is the best idea ever, Der Braumeister, Seven Seas- Fish Fry, and our favorite coffee shop- Eagle's Nest.  I have to say that I was so impressed at how so many restaurants adapted to this situation and did things to get meals to people while still making money.
So many restaurants switched to family meals or perfected the take out meal that would still be good and fresh once you got home.  Cleveland has an amazing food scene and we all need to support it in all ways possible.

  

I get the idea that even the chain restaurants are supporting local economy by hiring people to work etc.  But these chain restaurants also have a corporation behind it that can help keep it  float if necessary.  These local places are a one stop shop.  If they fail a person loses their livelihood, waiters, cooks etc all lose jobs in a market that will see more cuts then additions overt the next few months.
Yes I am the wife of a bartender at a local restaurant, but check anything I have ever said even prior to marrying a local bartender, local is always best.  McDonalds will be ok, they may need to close a few stores.  The local restaurant that is family owned, they may lose their house.  We need to come together as a community right now and support the local places.  

We made it through absolute quarantine.  It was rough for all of us.  We supported the West Side Market, Lucky's and tried to do everything local.  Cleveland is resilient and I am confident it will come back.  It may take time, but it will happen!  I implore all of you to pick your favorite or your 10 favorite places and commit to getting dinner from them!  Take out or dine in, whatever you are comfortable with.  The government cannot support us, but we can support each other!

As we see this pandemic continuing as we treat each other and our local vendors will impact our lives for years to come.