Just like almost everything else in 2020, the holiday season will be unprecedentedly weird. No awkward office year-end dinners at a buzzy restaurant. No packed bars for New Years Eve. No big. day-long family gatherings with a massive feast, presents, and wine.
In fact, by the time the holidays fully kick off, it’s likely that most non-essential activities outside the home will be forbidden, as will multi-household gatherings, sit-down dining, and most out-of-the-house things one might do after 10 p.m.
But that doesn’t mean that the 2020 holidays are canceled. Bay Area’s restaurateurs are already creating amazing take-home menus for seasonal celebrations, cocktail bars are whipping up Santa-themed drinks to go, and there’s a remarkable selection of gifts from restaurants, bars, and local makers to send to the loved ones you’d normally be with this time of year.
This is our guide to how the region’s restaurant and food industry is going above and beyond to make sure your holidays remain merry and bright. It’s been a rough year, and we’ll all be glad to see the end of it — but there’s no reason we can’t do our best to safely enjoy the last few weeks of 2020, while supporting our favorite restaurants, makers, and chefs.