Atlanta Restaurants Go Above and Beyond with Enhanced Safety Measures
The restaurant industry has drastically changed due to COVID-19, causing closures and service industry employees to lose their jobs. Many establishments turned to takeout and delivery to stay afloat while others remained completely closed. As COVID-19 cases fluctuate, restaurants are preparing their dining rooms and heated patios for the winter season, and some are going above and beyond required measures to ensure the safety of staff and guests.
At Georgia Boy, a safe and healthy environment for guests and staff is always a priority. As they reopen the patio for dining, they are taking extra precautions to protect the health and well-being of guests, staff and the community. The new patio layout provides extra distance between all tables. Georgia Boy is completing thorough sanitation of the restaurant and kitchen daily, and all employees are required to wear masks and have their temperatures checked and logged each shift. Employees are changing their gloves frequently and after handling anything removed from the table. The restaurant is seating by reservation only and has limited each party to a maximum of six guests. All guests’ temperatures are checked at arrival. Hand sanitizer, handwashing access, one-time-use menus and contact-free payment with QR code are available to every guest.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, HOBNOB Neighborhood Tavern continues to update and train staff on best practices daily and how these relate to a safe dining experience. The staff has intensified the continuous cleaning of commonly touched areas such as phones, doors and handles to ensure guests’ well-being and confidence while dining. HOBNOB has placed sanitizing dispensers and antibacterial soap all over its dining rooms and kitchens for ease of use by guests and staff. Disposable paper menus and contactless payments via mobile phone are available. The tavern has installed Plexiglas partitions between booths and has decreased seating in the dining rooms to allow for proper social distancing. Spacious patio seating is available to allow for proper distancing outdoors. For guests who would like to dine at home, all of the restaurants offer to-go by calling the restaurant directly or ordering online. Each HOBNOB location is on Uber Eats, Postmates and DoorDash.
Johnny’s Hideaway, the iconic Atlanta nightclub, has partnered with CleanWell, the exclusive certified applicator of Monofoil in the Southeast. Johnny’s is the first nightclub to use this nanotechnology-based cleaner that sticks to surfaces and provides protection for 30-60 days. It molecularly bonds to any surface and provides ongoing efficacy in physically killing pathogens that can carry viruses. CleanWell comes to Johnny’s every 45-60 days to reapply the cleaner.
Krystal has implemented COVID-19 prevention practices in every location to ensure the safety of guests and staff. All areas of the kitchen and dining room are cleaned and sanitized daily with frequently touched surfaces, such as doors, handrails, handles, counters, tables, chairs, highchairs, booster seats and trash cans disinfected every 30 minutes. Trays are no longer used, and all condiments and utensils are in single-serve packages. Guests’ drinks must be refilled in a new cup. All Krystal employees are required to wear masks and gloves and must follow directions from the shift’s “Safety Captain.” Hand sanitizer is available for guest use. All tables in the dining room are spaced at least six feet apart, and no more than six guests are allowed at each table.
Marlow’s Tavern has installed an upgraded Reme Halo air filtration system that kills 99% of all germs and viruses. They have temporarily installed Plexiglas dividers between booths and sanitation stations throughout the taverns. Single-use paper menus and QR code menus are available for guests to read on their phones. Marlow’s Tavern also is controlling the number of guests entering the building.
Storico Fresco and Forza Storico have each installed hospital-grade Merv-13 air filters to combat microorganisms, dust and allergens and utilize RGF UV equipment that creates gaseous hydrogen peroxide to kill mold, fungi, bacteria and viruses in the air and on non-porous surfaces. The gas has no odor and circulates within the conditioned air to continuously sanitize. Both eateries disinfect weekly following CDC and EPA guidelines, to mitigate the chances of COVID-19 residing on hard surfaces. Each location is cleaned three times per week by Georgia Janitorial Group. Storico Fresco installed fans to improve air circulation inside the restaurant, and Forza Storico has covered the outdoor patio and installed heaters to allow al fresco dining all winter long.
Taco Mac is continuing to follow strict sanitation guidelines and several additional safety recommendations from the local, state and federal governments, as well as the CDC. Staff performs a thorough cleaning and sanitation of the entire restaurant before opening a dining room, utilizing ready-to-use peroxide disinfectant to regularly spray all contact surfaces. All employees are required to wear masks while in the building. Taco Mac installed sanitation stations throughout the restaurant and removed all caddies and condiments from tables. Team members bring out sanitized salt and pepper shakers as well as single-use condiments upon request. Dining areas are rearranged for intentional social distancing through limited seating as well as planned traffic flow and taped six-foot markings in key areas to show guests where to stand when waiting. Taco Mac is continuously monitoring the situation and applying additional measures as needed. View detailed guidelines and safety measures here.
Umi recently unveiled the Bonsai Room, its newest heated outdoor patio addition. The beautiful alfresco dining space is anchored by a towering eight-foot bonsai tree. Now more than ever, guests are opting for tasteful outdoor dining experiences, remaining extra cautious to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The elegant aesthetic of the Bonsai Room matches the sophistication of Umi’s sleek interior, and all of the restaurant’s beloved menu favorites including lobster toban-yaki, sautéed foie gras and black cod miso, selected “aburi,” sashimi, nigiri and specialty house rolls are available.
At Wild Wing Cafe, guest and employee safety is a top priority. The restaurant urges everyone to stay #wildwingstrong by wearing a cloth face covering, remaining six feet apart when waiting for tables and washing hands or using hand sanitizer often. For added safety, each location sanitizes tables, chairs, food contact surfaces, restrooms and other high-touch areas with Ecolab’s Peroxide Multi-Surface Cleaner and Disinfectant. They clean all surfaces after use and every 30 minutes regardless of use. Employees wash hands at least every 15 minutes, wear gloves and masks that they change frequently and complete a symptom check-in sheet daily to adhere to local, state and federal guidelines.
It is important for people’s livelihoods that these restaurants stay open, and guests need to know that their health and safety are of the utmost importance to the owners of these establishments. As patrons spend time at their favorite local restaurants, they can take comfort knowing restaurants have gone above and beyond to enhance protocols for their wellbeing.