Joseph's Restaurant adjusts business model

Joseph's Restaurant in Maraval is the latest to be severely affected by the covid19 restrictions that have not let restaurants have in-house dining.

In a September 3 post on the Lebanese restaurant’s Facebook page, it thanked its staff and customers for their loyalty since it opened its doors in September 2001.

Then it added, “However, the time has come for the new generation to take the reins. As such our business model will be changing and the Joseph’s you know will be diversified. Our era will be no more from September 30, 2021 but as one door closes, another opens. So please stay in touch and we’d (sic) keep you posted. Until then, we hope to see you soon, stay safe and best wishes from us.”

Joseph’s Restaurant owner and chef Joseph Habr, was unavailable for comment.

In-house dining at restaurants was stopped on April 15 before restaurants were closed again on April 29, and reopened to drive-through, curbside pickup, take-out and delivery services on July 19.

At a press conference last Friday in Tobago, the Prime Minister said if vaccination rates improve and covid19 infection cases trend downwards within the next four weeks, Government is open to allowing the entertainment sector, including in-house dining at restaurants, to resume,  but only for vaccinated people.

Since the dining restrictions, Chaud restaurant in Port of Spain, and J-ZZ’s Restaurant in Couva have closed for good. Trotters in Newtown and other members of the same chain of restaurants also closed temporarily until in-house dining was again allowed.

Hakka Restaurant & Bar announced the closure of its flagship restaurant in Woodbrook but has a new à la carte menu in all Hakka Express locations. In addition, when the covid19 restrictions on restaurants were lifted, it expected to open a “modern restaurant concept” with indoor and outdoor dining at Brentwood Mall in Chaguanas.