Lake Stevens Recommends Residents Grocery Shop on Separate Days, Organized by Last Name

Welcome back to Eater News. Here are some of the latest stories on how the novel coronavirus is affecting the restaurant scene in Seattle.

Lake Stevens Recommends Residents Grocery Shop On Separate Days, Organized by Last Name

As cities around Washington adjust to the recent statewide stay at home order due to COVID-19, at least one neighbor to the north is experimenting with ways to further encourage social distancing. Last week, Lake Stevens, WA, mayor Brett Gailey issued suggested guidelines, along with its official stay at home order, that ask residents to partake in essential activities — such as grocery shopping — organized by last name. Specifically, people whose last name begins in A-M would shop on even numbered dates, and those whose last name begins in N-Z would go on odd numbered dates. Mayor Gailey clarified that he does not expect local authorities or businesses to police these recommendations, but hopes that residents will voluntarily comply. “There’s no science to this,” he tells Eater Seattle, adding that he was compelled to issue the guideline after seeing shoppers packed into Lake Stevens grocery stores in recent weeks. “It’s just an opportunity for people to think twice before they go out.”

International District Mainstay Jade Garden Vandalized

As if restaurants in the International District haven’t dealt with enough difficulties during the coronavirus outbreak, last week dim sum specialist Jade Garden found several large cracks in one of its windows. Seattle police are investigating the vandalism, but right now said there’s no evidence this was a targeted incident. “It was part of our banquet hall,” co-owner Eric Chan tells Eater Seattle. “If it had completely broken, whoever did this could have walked right in.” The window has since been boarded up and Jade Garden, which has been in the neighborhood for 17 years, is still open for takeout and delivery. It has also received support through the local community to help paint over the boards with artwork.

Canlis Airs Piano Music from Its Dining Room on YouTube

Though its dining room has been closed for weeks, iconic fine-dining restaurant Canlis is still trying to keep the fancy vibe going. Right now, there’s a recorded performance of improvisational jazz and pop piano music from performer Jason Lux, airing on YouTube (plus a virtual tip jar that goes to Lux), after it was streamed live Friday. The restaurant also had a takeout service and drive-thru earlier this month, but has started to pivot away from that to more delivery. Currently, there are family meals and boxes of products from area farmers available for delivery, as well as wine and cocktail kits offered for takeout or delivery.