As we try to practice the recommended social distancing to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 novel coronavirus, there’s a difficult question to answer: how do we keep enjoying life? The good news is that many restaurants have expanded their takeaway or delivery options in the wake of the spread of COVID-19, even as the dining rooms are shuttered. When you make a to-go or delivery order, remember to tip. Right now, with revenue dropping more sharply than ever, tip for these orders like you’ve never tipped before and protect our local restaurants during this unprecedented social distancing.
Additionally, many already partnered with various delivery services so you have delivery options that a decade ago would have been unthinkable. BiteSquad in particular is a local favorite and a Rock City Eats stalwart. First, know that BiteSquad is following the same protocols that the CDC has recommended for restaurants providing for the sanitation of their drivers and the food they are carrying. They have taken the concerns seriously and the best way to minimize risk is limiting interaction between the driver and the person ordering so notes to leave the food outside are being honored and anticipated. With all that said, let’s look at a way to enjoy a date night by delivery in these social distancing times.
One of the best parts of this plan is that you can split what you want between different restaurants. While BiteSquad has a one restaurant order-one driver policy, that helps them make sure that your food gets to you in a quick and fresh manner. This will mean that you’ll be tipping multiple drivers, but it’s a small price to pay.
Appetizer
ID’K Platter from Pizza D’Action
Pizza D’Action has quietly turned into one of the best dive bar restaurants around after relaunching under new ownership. The combination of three fried treasures on one platter makes life an easy choice. While not quite as crisp as if you got them right at the restaurant, this meant being able to order from the smoking establishment Pizza D without leaving a pile of clothes as far away as possible. The mushrooms and cheese sticks are great, but it was the dill pickle chips fried to perfection that stole this show and dish. The ranch and marinara are classic dipping sides and serve their purpose admirably.
Entrees
Fish Vindaloo & Paneer Tikka Masala from Star of India
While having Star of India delivered means that you lack the warm hospitality of Sami Lal greeting you home, the food almost makes up for it. The stews travel well for delivery so you get a dish nearly identical to the restaurant’s own offerings. The vindaloo includes potatoes along with fish (or chicken or my personal favorite lamb) and is one of the spicier options regularly available. The combination of the spicy and tangy sauce that seeps into the potatoes with the meat or vegetables of your choice is one of the best bites in town. Tikka masala is iconically a chicken based dish and one of England’s most popular dishes. Only mildly spiced and with a tomato and almond base it is warming to the stomach and soul and the paneer absorbs the flavors of the tikka masala quite well.
Dessert
Funfetti Cake Ice Cream from Loblolly
Dessert was a simple pint of Funfetti Cake ice cream from Loblolly. Loblolly has been around long enough to be a consistent part of the local food topography. The combination of quality and inventiveness deserves its own piece later, but this capped off a great meal for date night entirely by delivery.
We can’t have alcohol delivered under the current state laws, so we paired dinner with a growler of Black Apple Hard Cider Dry Cider! It’s a crisp and bright bone dry, champagne style cider so it matched each of the courses.
What is your three course Date Night by Delivery? Who do you mix & match for your perfect night in when you can’t have a night out? Visit our Facebook page and let us know!
