Restaurants and caterers do to social cohesiveness and human bonding what gyms do to physical bodies, what laboratories do to to the progress of science and what concert halls do to the music industry. 

"Of course he is going to write about it" - you will say - "that's how he makes a living".

However, it's not just about me but the entire industry - its past contribution, its present survival and its future reemergence.

Please read on.

I have always believed that along with good food, the real value of any restaurant is a establishing safe neutral space where you  can "hang out with friends" or "celebrate special occasion with family.

Yes the benefits are more emotional of communal than pyshical, but the two feed off each other. 

Being able to see, smell and taste chef's particular dish and being “served” rather than having to do the mundane cooking and cleaning yourself can make a person feel good..elevate the spirit and save time for things of particularly high values, like sitting with the family, learning Torah, getting more work done etc…

Even so, and understandably so, our government has classified the dine in restaurant experience and get togethers, even holy Simchas like a Shabbos kiddish or wedding receptions, as “non-essential” , thereby sending us home en masse isolation making it ILLEGAL to get together. 

Sure one can live without the pleasure of a smiling usually female face making you feel like your opinion of the special really matter, but the truth is when your pièce de résistance arrives lukewarm in a cardboard box, dropped in front of your door by a faceless dude in a motorcycle helmet it just doesn’t do the meal justice and definitely not the same value for money.  As a restaurant owner I should tell you to order takeaway because the industry can’t survive without your support, we are a service industry; but as a chef I would hope you don’t judge the quality and presentation of any food establishment based on what you see in a box. By ordering from us now you ensure there is an US in the future.

The bottom line is, we humans are not designed to be isolated. 

According to NIA (National Institute of Ageing), research has linked social isolation and loneliness to higher risks for a variety of physical and mental conditions including high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, and even Gd forbid death.

The bottom line is, we humans are not designed to be isolated. 

Zoom and Skype will never make up for sensation of finding yourself in a company of good friends.

We  need to acknowledge what we've been missing in terms of our social needs and people who have helped us become who we are and who we are to each other.  Those precious times at a table when we can

1. Reconnect with family and friends

2. Break the ice of awkwardness

3. Seal the deal with a glass of wine

4. Impress and sweep of her/his feet our date

5. Celebrate special occasions 

6. Get an opportunity to experience culinary art and share inspiration with others

7. Facilitate necessary atmosphere of serenity for an intimate conversation 

8. Take advantage of the buzz and booze to lift our spirits

All above-mentioned social criteria can not be substituted with take away meal (no matter how great it is). Let's remember this.

"Not by the bread alone a man will live" - says famous biblical quote, but also by the waitress  smile, by the chef who serves this bread with his meal and, most certainly, by the people who shared that meal with you. 

Sadly, for the time being, the only way to ensure the survival and continuity of the entire hospitality industry and its workers are to order a take away meal.

As a business owner, it’s a challenge.  Now, finally, it is about the quality of the food, not the enchanting waitress that can smooth over any of the house's flaws.

Ordering a meal now from your favorite restaurant enables it sustain itself now, so it can exist in the future. Soon we should all be able to say chapter from the Psalms: “Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” 

Until then, let's order TAKE AWAY MEAL.