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While many restaurants around the world remain closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a restaurant in Amsterdam, Netherlands, is experimenting with a unique and romantic new way of serving customers.
Mediamatic ETEN, a vegan restaurant located in the Mediamatic Biotoop art center, has built experimental glasshouses, each just large enough for 2-3 people. The purpose of these small glasshouses is to promote social distancing and minimize contact between staff and diners. The restaurant calls this project "Serres Séparées," which in French means "separate glasshouses."
The restaurant manager shared, "We are currently learning how to serve and clean as courteously as possible while minimizing contact between staff and customers." Mediamatic ETEN calls this a new form of safety for diners at their restaurant. Accordingly, restaurant staff will wear face shields, gloves, and use a long wooden board to serve food to customers inside.
During the initial trial period, Mediamatic ETEN was only open to friends and family of the restaurant staff. Janita Vermeulen, who had the opportunity to experience it, shared with Reuters: "It was cozy and wonderful. The food was delicious, the scenery was beautiful, and it was very safe. I was really satisfied and enjoyed it."
With the COVID-19 pandemic gradually coming under control, museums, restaurants, and theaters are expected to reopen with limited capacity from June 1st across the Netherlands. Mediamatic ETEN announced that they began accepting online reservations on May 21st for operations starting in June. However, the project is still awaiting approval from local authorities before officially welcoming diners.
With its innovative service model and, most importantly, its focus on safety, Mediamatic ETEN's project has attracted widespread attention and acceptance. The restaurant owner stated that reservations are now fully booked until the end of June. If approved by local authorities, this model promises to help restaurants, and restaurant services in general, overcome the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
