Courtesy Basso
The interior at Basso, before the social distancing remodel
With the city allowing businesses to reopen next Monday, May 18, it’s decision time for local restaurants and bars. We’re tracking the announcements and finding out what measures venues are putting in place to protect employees and guests.
The Wheelhouse (plus sister concepts The Midwestern and Start Bar), along with Basso and Blood & Sand, are the latest to release plans for reopening their dining rooms and bars.
So how are each of them approaching reopening?
The Wheelhouse will reopen next Friday, May 22, becoming perhaps the first major nightlife venue to announce a return. The downtown spot will be open for late-night business, as well as for dinner and brunch. The announcement was made via a Facebook post.
“The health of our staff and customers remains our number one priority, as we have implemented a number of new safety systems across the block,” read the statement.
Capacity will be limited to a maximum of 25 percent of full occupancy at all times. For the inaugural weekend, reservations are essential for brunch and dinner service and can be made online. Guests are allowed 3-hour slots on Friday and 2.5 hour slots on Saturday and Sunday at both venues. Guests can arrive and dine only within their reserved time period, which accomplished several purposes. "We allowed more than ample time so the next guests aren't standing around waiting for their table," partner Stephen Savage told SLM. "And we allocated extra time to thoroughly clean and sanitize between seatings."
A strict no walk-in policy will remain in operation for the foreseeable future. Similarly, tickets are required for the late-night sessions, which run 10 p.m.–3 a.m. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Tickets are all-inclusive; guests can order mixed drinks, draft beer, and domestic bottled beer from the open bar.
Courtesy Chris Del Gaiso
The Midwestern, with tables removed in preparation for next week's relaunch
The Midwestern will also reopen its doors for the weekend on Friday, May 22, adopting the same reservations only/late night tickets only policy as Wheelhouse.
Start Bar will open that same day as well, operating at reduced capacity for walk-ins during the day, but adopting the same ticket-only policy from 10:00 p.m. to close. "That's our plan for the first weekend, anyway," summarizes Savage. "We'll add additional shifts and hours to the venues as demand dictates."
Basso at The Cheshire is already open for pickup orders, but the restaurant will reopen its dining room at 25 percent capacity next Monday, May 18. Service will resume at 4 p.m., and Basso will follow its regular hours of business. Happy hour will run as normal, with food and drink specials from 4–6 p.m. Monday through Friday. A statement from Basso said its team “has been hard at work creating and maintaining a healthy and safe environment for both team members and guests.” Some of the measures in place include daily health screenings for team members, including taking temperatures and a verbal questionnaire; employees must wear face masks and gloves at all times; diners are encouraged to wear masks; seating arrangements have been modified to maintain at least 6 feet between groups; the restaurant plans to follow a rigorous schedule for cleaning and sanitizing the venue; Basso will use disposable menus; and transitions will be cashless. Given the capacity limit, Basso is encouraging diners to make reservations through Yelp’s No Wait app. For pickup orders, visit basso-stl.com, or call 314-932-7820. Delivery is also available through Postmates and GrubHub.
Courtesy Blood & Sand
The new floor at Blood & Sand
Blood & Sand has also announced plans to reopen its dining room. The downtown restaurant will reopen for business on May 26. Reservations are being accepted now, at first exclusively to the restaurant’s membership. As with other venues, Blood & Sand said it is going the extra mile to guarantee the safety of diners and employees. Tables will be spaced 6 feet apart, disposable menus will be used, and hand sanitizer will be provided at each table. Staff will be wearing gloves and masks at all times, and an infrared thermometer will be used to check guests’ temperature upon entry to the restaurant. The restaurant is also installing new flooring throughout the restaurant. Additional measures are also in planning and will be announced soon.
In the meantime, the restaurant continues to offer contactless curbside pickup or delivery within a 5-mile radius. Visit Blood & Sand's website for the latest menus, gift cards, and for take-home items from the extensive collection of wines and spirits; the restaurant's currently running a cellar sale with discounts on certain items.
Blood & Sand also has a new executive chef, Jon Dreja, whose career includes stints leading the kitchens of Vin de Set, Franco, and 808 Maison. He’s drawn up a new menu to announce his arrival. The restaurant hailed Dreja’s arrival as a “welcomed return to an elevated and innovative dining experience.”
