The
Inn at Little Washington, a three Michelin-star restaurant
located about 90 minutes west of Washington, D.C. and sprawled
across 24 acres and charming gardens, reopened on Friday after
nearly two months of closure as part of measures against the
coronavirus pandemic.
Because of the new restrictions, the first phase of reopening
can only serve customers food in the outdoor space on the porch.
When it moves into the second phase, the restaurant will limit
dining room seating to 50% of its usual capacity.
More than 100,000 people in the United States have died from
COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Over 1.7
million U.S. cases have been reported
As chef and owner Patrick O'Connell grappled with the new health
restrictions, he had the theatrical idea of filling the empty
seats in his opulent dining room area with glamorous post-war
mannequins seemingly engaging in conversation or romantic
actions.
At first glance some of these customers could seem a little
stoic, with their vacant eyes and bygone poses. But Chef O'
Connell hopes when the dining area opens they will elicit smiles
from patrons, even among those who may find the dummies a bit
eerie.
"And so between each table, we have these very charming and
alluring mannequins sort of acting out their own narrative and
they'll be distant table companions next door to you," said
O'Connell. "So the restaurant will be full of ambiance and it'll
look full."
(Reporting by Gershon Peaks and Temis Tormo; Writing by Diane
Craft; Editing by Daniel Wallis)
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