Many of Burnaby’s restaurants and beverage establishments are frantically applying right now to be allowed to open up patio space.
This will allow them to accommodate more patrons due to physical distancing regulations as B.C. deals with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Burnaby’s Hart House, on that point, is way ahead of these other restaurants. It already has the city’s best patio and is now open for business once again.
Thursday produced a sigh of relief for the owner and management of the Hart House, which has been around since 1988 in a Tudor-style heritage house that sits on a three-acre estate with a stunning view off Deer Lake.
The Hart House has reopened after months of detailed planning on how to best serve diners during a pandemic.
As far as physical details, the tables have all been spaced out inside and the staff wear masks. Efforts have been made to reduce touch points, such as no longer offering bread baskets. Menus are covered in plastic and sanitized after each use, although if you don’t want to use a menu, you can go online and read from a digital menu. Plans are in the works to eventually allow diners to order food online from their tables.
Outside, the spacing is even better with that amazing patio. It’s been expanded out onto the grass to allow for far more physical distancing. It’s an incredible experience to sit outside, watching the ducks and people in canoes paddle by on the lake, the wind making the old trees sway back and forth.
As for the menu, the Hart House has slimmed-down its offerings to allow for a more streamlined process in the kitchen. (Don’t worry, however, Hart House’s legendary wine menu is the same size.)
This condensed menu is aimed at making it easier to offer the same items for lunch and dinner. On weekends, the Hart House will also be doing brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sunday, and then the regular dinner menu that includes succulent Haida Gwaii halibut with mussels, beef tenderloin and wild mushroom orzo.
Dr. Bonnie Henry said recently that it’s OK for people to go out for a sit-down meal.
The Hart House has made the necessary changes to ensure your safety and a yummy experience.
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
