When Dining at Home Is Good for Bethel Restaurants

With a staggering number of deaths in the U.S., not to mention the sheer number of cases, Covid-19 has had horrific consequences. Its broad reach has negatively impacted our economy, some sectors more than others. The National Restaurant Association reported more than $120 billion of lost revenue in the restaurant industry alone during just the first three months of Covid-19.

Restaurants have had to be creative in their response to the pandemic. This has spawned many variations on outdoor dining, but winter has temporarily curtailed that option for many Connecticut restaurants. However, one trend that is growing – and weatherproof - is family meal take out. Many Bethel restaurants offer this economical way to take a break from cooking and enjoy restaurant-prepared dinners at home.

Although pizza has long been a takeout favorite for families, especially on weekends, family meals to go allow a broader range of entrée choices, often with sides and salads. Putnam House Restaurant and Tap Room, at 12 Depot Place, has a Family Meal To-Go menu on its website that lists meals for four or six. Diners can select one entrée from several choices (ranging from chicken or veal francese to macaroni and cheese), one side from among five, and salad is included. Price is based on the entrée. Portofino Restaurant & Wine Bar, in Dolan Plaza, advertises $55 family-style takeout trays that feed four or five: penne a la vodka and salad plus a choice of chicken parmigiana, marsala or piccata.

The J. Law Family Pick Menu from J. Lawrence Downtown (186 Greenwood Ave.) has a different spin on the family option: when ordering for two ($35), you can pick two different mains, or four when ordering for four ($55). You can also pick one appetizer from a choice of three. “Mains include our southern fried chicken sandwich, one of our most popular items, and chicken cutlet, J. Law Salad, cheeseburger and shrimp tacos,” said Kelly LeReau, who has owned J. Lawrence for over three years with her husband, Jason. “We have a child with celiac, so there is always a gluten-free option.” Family Pick is available Tuesday-Thursday.

Note Kitchen & Bar (227 Greenwood Ave.) and sister restaurant Notch8 (1 Front St.) have yet another take on family meals. Family Meals and Take-Home Items on Note’s website list soups and Bolognese sauce by the quart ($12, or $20 for two quarts) that are sold frozen but reheat easily. Other Take-Home Items vary from week to week. Notch8’s takeout menu includes salad, garlic bread and a veggie platter for four, and its catering menu has half- as well as full-tray options.

Family meal takeout at La Zingara Ristorante, 8 P.T. Barnum Square, offers chicken parmigiano, with linguini, salad and garlic bread for two ($29) or four ($52) and a special that rotates. A recent special was chicken saltimbocca with roasted potatoes and roasted vegetables ($32/$55). Current Covid-19 guidance for Connecticut restaurants include a 50% indoor dining capacity and 11 p.m. closing. When Lisa Tassone, owner of La Zingara, was asked about the guidelines, she said she will probably continue to close at 10. And, although the takeout business is strong, she added, “I can’t wait until we can have a full restaurant.”

No doubt she speaks for all restaurateurs and the dining public.