CARBONDALE (WSIL) -- Dressing up and dining out for New Year's Eve is mostly off the table for people in Southern Illinois, as COVID-19 mitigation guidelines only allow for patio seating.
Global Gourmet in Carbondale says they only have a handful of reservations from people willing to brave Thursday night's "cold temperatures" and dine on the patio.
The restaurant lined up dozens of orders for carry out on their bar top, Chef and Owner Andrea Barclay says, it is difficult for a fine-food establishments to compete with the cold. Her establishment provides carry out, but she says a big part of dining with Global Gourmet is the in-person experience.
One reservation for New Year's Eve is traveling from Metropolis. She says they wanted a New Year's experience, despite the forecast calling for temperatures in the 30's.
Barclay called to confirm their reservation, "So he said, 'Let me check with my wife, I'll call you back,' and he did and he said, 'You know we still want to come, we want to have a reason to get dressed up, and go out.'"
She suggested they bring a blankets to bundle up because, "it's going to be cold."
Barclay adds that no matter how many heaters they have outside, the food cools too quickly, which is disappointing as a Chef striving for quality. The restaurant is hoping to seat diners again by Valentines Day, one of their biggest nights of the year.
"I'm really hoping that we get back to indoor dining," says Barclay. "Because if we don't have that, real soon, then I do not know what the future holds."
