Buffalo, NY (WBEN) For restaurant owners, this Valentine's Day leaves a lot to be desired as a result of the continued COVID restrictions on how and when they operate.
One renowned restaurant owner is going as far as challenging the governor to have a dinner within a time limit.
Russell Salvatore of Russell's Steaks, Chops and More says it's the biggest challenge he's faced in his 70 years in the restaurant business. "It's absolutely ridiculous to tell a person to wrap up their coffee and dessert and eat it in the car on the way home," says Salvatore. "They ask why, we tell them it's the restrictions. They tell us we pay $200 a head for dinner and we're chasing them out. It's like this every night."
Salvatore says Valentine's Day weekend will be busy but it's trimmed from 400 to 250 dinners. "How do you expect someone to come at 8pm, a party of four, be done by 10pm? Impossible. We're a linen restaurant. We don't chase people out of a restaurant," says Salvatore. He issues a challenge to Governor Cuomo. "Governors don't have the slightest idea of the hospitality business. Tell Cuomo to come in and see if he's done in an hour and a half," says Salvatore, who adds he cries every night about how he has to treat people.
"I wish they would've never opened the restaurants at all," says Salvatore. "(t's because I'm not used to serving people, and telling them to get out. I'm not in the business to make money right now. I don't need money. Every single penny I make I donate to charity. I do it because I love to do it," says Salvatore. "How would you like to run a restaurant, and you can only seat four at a table and you have to seat a party of five?"
Salvatore recalls that party of five. "A young boy waited a year to go to Russell's for his 7th birthday. I was lucky, I pushed the tables together. I would sacrifice if if they came in and pay the fine to make them happy. They came in the same car together, why can't they eat together?" ponders a frustrated Salvatore. "You just can't break up a party of five."
Salvatore adds he's is not meeting payroll because of the limits. "Our help gets $20 an hour, they make $800 a week, and I'm not meeting payroll. I do it because I love the business," says Salvatore.
