How We Recreated the Restaurant Feel with Takeout from Domo
In terms of food, pickings can be quite slim during quarantine. I have been sorely missing my favorite restaurants around the city. So when I received the alert that one of my favorite sushi spots - Domo in Hayes Valley - was open for pick-up orders, I jumped for joy and quickly placed an order. And I wanted to share with you my experience of picking up the food, as well as how we recreated the experience of eating at the restaurant at our own dining room table. While there’s nothing like actually being there, it definitely made the meal feel special and kept me looking forward to when we can finally freely wander our favorite neighborhoods in the city.
Tips for Ordering Pick-Up
Call Ahead
To save you time waiting outside the restaurant, I recommend viewing their menu on their website and placing your order over the phone. The initial email I was sent stated that hours are 5-9PM daily. Once you call, they will give you a time to pick it up. I was told to come by about half an hour after I placed my order.
Wear a Mask
With all of the risk of the virus around San Francisco, it’s best to wear a mask over your nose and mouth to the restaurant. Even if you’ll only be there a moment picking it up, it’s the safest way to go. Domo employees are also wearing masks at this time.
Keep Your Distance
When I arrived at the restaurant, a line of a few people had already formed, and more people got behind me in line. Some knew to stay six feet away from each other in line at all times, and others didn’t think to do so at all. But I highly recommend it. Just keep six feet behind the person in front of you in line, ask the person behind you to follow suit if they’re not aware, and do your best to stay a couple feet back from the register when placing your order/picking up. I know this all seems silly right now, but better safe than sorry. Let’s just all be grateful that these businesses are willing to do pick up orders at this time!
Tips Help
Even though it is a pick up order, and no one technically waited on you or made any sort of delivery, tips are super helpful and appreciated by small businesses during this time. So please tip if you can afford to. Think of it as a little investment towards the future of a business you love.
How To Bring the Restaurant Feeling Home
When we got home, I couldn’t wait to set my dining room table in a way that would evoke some of the feeling of the restaurant itself. Sure nothing beats the energy of a bustling restaurant, the upbeat attitude of the staff and the vibe of watching Hayes Valley passersby outside the window, but it still felt like a special night. I hope you’ll consider some of these tips for the next time you order pick-up or delivery from your favorite eatery!
Order What You Normally Would
When placing your order for your food, be sure to get all your usuals. If that includes an appetizer or dessert, so be it. Just ask if they have it available at this time. We sprung for Domo’s fish tacos - which are always a delight. And as for our entrees, Steven ordered the Castro Roll and the Temptation Roll, and I ordered my usual, the Domo Roll and the Daddy Roll (the latter is not typically listed on their menu, but it’s always available to order and I highly recommend it!)
Plan a Themed Drink
If you’re not able to order your favorite drink to-go, be sure to visit your local corner store to pick up what you’d normally drink at the restaurant. We were lucky enough to have some sake in the house to go with our meal.
Make your table setting special
It’s not everyday that I get to bust out my Japanese serverware. The small serving plates and bottle, sake set, and shoyu dishes are from artisan shops at the Japantown shopping center, the slate boards that I displayed the sushi on are from Magnolia, and our special occasion chopsticks are from Muji.
Now is the time to use what you have around your home that you always say you’re saving for a special occasion.
Play some music
It may sound cheesy, but playing music themed with the environment of the restaurant is a fun way to set the mood in your dining area. In our case, we played 2010s pop indie in honor of Domo’s playlist.
I hope these tips inspire you to make one of your many nights in feel that much more special. And for those of you in San Francisco, I highly recommend Domo for pick-up. The food was packaged really well and tasted absolutely delicious. I can’t wait to go back there to sit a spell after all this is over. Happy eating and be well! Until we meet again.
See For Yourself
Call (415) 861-8887 to place an order.