Cafe Tu Tu Tango, the eclectic restaurant with an artist’s garret mien, will open its dining room under the state’s Phase 1 strictures on Thursday, May 14.
First Watch, the popular daytime cafe that closed operations nationally on April 13 after a period of takeout and delivery service, is aiming for a June 1 reopening.
Cafe Tu Tu Tango, along with Mia’s Italian Kitchen, recently began offering takeout and delivery from the Tango facility on International Drive. Both restaurants are owned and operated by Alexandria Restaurant Partners (ARP). Mia’s will remain closed for now but some of its menu items will continue to be offered at Cafe Tu Tu Tango. Takeout and delivery options will still be available as well.
In a press release, ARP listed several safety measures that will be implemented when Cafe Tu Tu Tango opens:
- All employees will wear masks and gloves.
- All employees will have their temperatures taken and logged upon entering the building.
- Employees will change their gloves and wash their hands every 15 minutes at minimum.
- Café Tu Tu Tango will allow seating for parties of up to 10 guests.
- Menus have been reprinted on disposable paper for single use.
- All tables will be spaced a minimum of 6 feet apart.
- Guests will be encouraged with signage at the host stand and near the restrooms to adhere to social-distancing guidelines.
- Guests will pay using mobile payment terminals that will be sanitized after each use.
Hand sanitizer will be available on all guest tables, and the bottle will be sanitized during busing.
In addition to dining room seating, which is limited to 25 percent of capacity under the Phase 1 guidelines, Cafe Tu Tu Tango will utilize its outdoor seating area. Cafe Tu Tu Tango is at 8625 International Drive, Orlando.
First Watch, in an announcement on its website, said that although several states where it has restaurants have begun reopening, including Florida, where it is based, “we are not yet confident that opening our dining rooms is in the best interest of our employees and customers.” June 1 is mentioned as a goal rather than a set date.
When the cafes do reopen, personal protective equipment will be made available to all staff and wellness checks for each employee will be conducted prior to each shift.
Low-contact payment methods, including Apple Pay and Google Pay, have been implemented, and advance ordering will be available via the First Watch mobile app. At the restaurant, guests may view the menu on their personal smart devices or on a single-use disposable menu.
