'We wanted to get out, have meal outside': Vermont couple basks in outdoor dining

Burlington Free Press

The scene at Church Street Tavern in Burlington on May 23, 2020. Two days earlier, Gov. Phil Scott lifted restrictions on sit-down restaurant dining.

Half of Ann Liscinsky's wrap sandwich was left to finish. Her husband of 49 years, Richard Liscinsky, already devoured his BLT.

The couple's drinks had at least one more sip or gulp to go. A full basket of fries sat between them, hugging an edge of their shaded table at Church Street Tavern on a beautiful Saturday afternoon.

"We decided we wanted to get out and have a meal outside and we haven't eaten out since early March," Richard Liscinsky said.

The return of outdoor dining in Vermont officially was Friday. The next morning, the Liscinskys hit the road to Burlington, 180 miles roundtrip from their home in Quechee, to rediscover an atmosphere lacking for almost everyone since the coronavirus pandemic slammed the country in March.

Quechee residents Richard and Ann Liscinsky ate lunch at Church Street Tavern in Burlington on Saturday, May 23, 2020. Three days early, Gov. Phil Scott announced that restaurants in Vermont could provide outdoor dining.

Lunch in the sun — finally! — is allowed again. And the Liscinskys took full advantage of it.

"Let's go take a ride, go to a couple places we wanted to visit, including North Beach," Richard Liscinsky said. "Going outside on a day like today — it’s perfect."

Opening under guidelines:Vermont restaurants offer outdoor dining starting May 22

Strict guidelines for outdoor dining

Restaurants like Church Street Tavern, a staple among downtown businesses, must follow specific guidelines from the state that include spacing of tables at least 10 feet apart, the required use of disposable menus and limiting capacity.

Restaurants are also being required to maintain a log of customers and their contact information for up to 30 days — in the event that the Vermont Department of Health requires contract tracing — and diners must call ahead for reservations.

The scene at Church Street Tavern in Burlington on Saturday afternoon, May 23, 2020. Three days earlier, Gov. Phil Scott lifted restrictions on outdoor, sit-down restaurant dining.

The Liscinskys tried two other places before finding an opening in their desired timeframe at Church Street Tavern.

Ann Liscinsky said she and her husband were tested for COVID-19 and both received back negative results in the last week. "It was great to hear," Richard Liscinsky said.

Still, Saturday's adventure was just a taste of life before the virus outbreak.

"I think it feels better (being outside), but normalcy won’t be for a very long time," Ann Liscinsky said.

Contact Alex Abrami at 660-1848 or aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @aabrami5.

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