My birthday is July 8th and my husband just told me we have reservations somewhere on July 10th. Won’t tell me where but if things start trending in the other way, might do that meal to-go.
Hope you get to go out for yours!
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For us, it was the reverse: eat out five times, cook once, leftovers once. The only time I would cook a lot is during Passover, but Passover has never lasted three months before. 
(I am trying new recipes in addition to running through my two dozen stand-bys. Latest were Shaksuka, and Posole.)
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Looking forward to Donovan’s Thursday.
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Always been very pleased with Thai cuisine at Pokok in Freehold Twp. In the big plaza at 537 intersection across from Moore’s Tavern over on end by Panera & Walgreens, etc… http://www.pokokus.com/ …not 100% sure about pick-up but their webpage seems to suggest it may be available; hope so, give them a call and please let us all know how things went 
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We usually dine out 2 or 3 times a week (on the weekend). Somehow, I haven’t saved any money during COVID-19. We have been ordering takeout on the weekend and leaving at least a $20 to $25 tip each meal. I was trying to singlehandedly keep some restaurants in business 
Hopefully Mrs. P can get her hair highlighted and nails manicured this week and we can slowly try and dine out again. It’s just not going to be the same ambience, wearing masks, and not being able to hug our favorite servers and owners, and everybody treating everyone like they have leprosy. God forbid you cough or sneeze. You would probably clear out the whole restaurant 
I am just glad that we were able to get our deck expanded, and Mrs. P fixed it up with beautiful trees and flowers before the lockdown, so it always felt like we had the best seat in the house.
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@bakersma - I’m practically walking distance to Pokok. Tried it when they opened and found the food okay and pricey. May be time to try again. What do you like?
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Jimmy’s in Asbury has stopped doing takeout
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Yeah they only did it for a week or two and stopped. I tried to order 2 weeks ago and found out they had stopped.
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I was going to order for this Sunday
My wife and I ventured out together last night for the first time since March 3rd (Brando’s, for my birthday). I wanted something good, safe, and simple for us. My pick: Nettie’s House of Spaghetti. They have pavilions set up in the (large) parking lot with well spaced tables of varying sizes. It was a lovely night (Friday) and we had reservations (required) through Resy (which MOSTLY works).
Everyone we saw was appropriately masked and well spaced while waiting to be seated (small minutes). They are trying to get you to use their online phone-accessible menu - but I frankly find the presentation space available on a phone inadequate for menu browsing, A brief conversation with the waitress solidified dinner choices and off we went.
The meals were quite good. I had the meat Lasagna and the fried potato dish - wonderful. My wife did a salad and the fish dish. Again, both wonderful.
So - it was nice to get out. We felt little stress and appreciated the thought that went into their outdoor service. We’ll be back.
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Happy to hear you had a safe and positive experience; I was on a friend’s patio last night and cut across AP around 9:30pm - FAR too many people for my comfort at AP Distillery and at the intersection of Grand and Cookman (Cookman is closed off for restaurant seating and pedestrians on the weekends now). 20-somethings standing in the middle of the crosswalk when I had the green light. Had to toot my horn to get them to look up and move. It’s just typical summer here already and as a result, I’m NOT participating or spending money with the small businesses and restaurants that I love to support.
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We have a reservation for al fresco lunching at Taka Monday. I’ll report back afterwards.
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At that point all streets will be open (they close Thurs 3pm - Sun evening) and parking will be easier…enjoy!
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People regularly reinforce my generally low opinion of them, That’s why the choice of venue - adults and a 1-to-1 relationship between the parking and the restaurant. I felt safe, if a bit silly in my black fashion mask.
I am considering a lunch at Porta - really nothing else around it and the outdoor area is fairly large. But no crowds and no kids.
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AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMEN! Sad, but true, and most especially now in very trying times.
I’ve done takeout from Porta pre-reopening but have been surprised by how few people have been at the tables out front and in Porta Natl Park when I’ve driven or walked by. And just like any summer, it’s better to go mid-week vs. Thurs-Sun in terms of crowds.
This is why animals are better than people, well, to be fair, my cats won’t wear masks either.
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We dined out for the first time in 3 1/2 months! Mrs. P was finally able to get her hair and nails done this week. What better place to return to dining out than Il Nido. We had another spectacular dinner with exemplary service. We really missed dining out. It was nice taking a break in between the 2 hour round trip I have been making for takeout. Below is a link to the details and pictures.
What's For Dinner #58 - the Uncertain Certain Summertime Edition -June 2020
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It all looks and sounds great. How was the outdoor dining setup at Il Nido?
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Thanks! It was very nice.They spared no expense with a few nice canopies in the parking lot and some other tables along the sidewalk of the restaurant with large planters for privacy. Also, when indoor dining resumes they installed Hepa filters and UV-C lights and removed a few tables to space them at least 6 feet apart.
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