Blue Wing restaurant to reopen for limited garden seating this weekend

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Paul Kemp and Machiko Shimada return to the Tallman Hotel veranda on Friday, May 29, 2020. Photo courtesy of the Tallman Hotel.

UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The Blue Wing restaurant in Upper Lake has completed its COVID-19 reopening plan and is prepared to welcome customers back to a limited number of well-spaced tables in its sycamore-shaded garden.

As per county guidelines, service will be confined to the outdoor spaces for the time being.

At the outset, service will be limited to the hours of 1 to 7 p.m. Fridays through Mondays, with the first day of service being Friday, May 29.

The popular take-out service will continue during those hours with pickup at the front door of the restaurant.

“We’ve put a lot of thought into how we can reorient our procedures to provide the same quality of food and service in a relaxing atmosphere while protecting the health of customers and staff alike,” said Blue Wing owner Bernie Butcher. “We’re starting with just a few tables and we’ll be wearing masks and taking extra time to disinfect all surfaces. But all of us at the Blue Wing are excited to be taking this first step back into business.”

As an added incentive for people to venture out again, local musicians will be playing background music on the hotel veranda each night from 5 to 7 p.m.

First up on Friday, May 29, will be jazz standards from Paul Kemp and the Majide Trio. Pianist David Neft will entertain on Saturday, songstress Saran Tichava on Sunday and an acoustic blues trio headed by guitarist Jim Williams on Monday.

“Our local musicians are getting a bit rusty from all the inactivity,” said Butcher, “so it will be good to see them out again doing what they love to do.”

The revised layout of the Blue Wing garden can seat a maximum of 30 people, so it will be important to make advance reservations by calling 707-275-2233.

If the restaurant is not open, please leave a message and manager Allie Schell will get right back to confirm a time.