"The evening was an eerie experience. I have been to Ruth's Chris dozens of times. It is almost always bustling, noisy, and delicious. This time it was only delicious It was Tuesday, March. The corona virus was suspected to be penetrating into the Bay Area. Though still a couple of weeks from being locked down, San Francisco was nearing the precipice, and people were already abandoning its vibrant restaurant scene. When we arrived at RC, there were only four people at the bar and two deuces occupied in the front dining room. The two of us were shown to a booth in the rear dining room, where we would be the only diners for about half an hour, when a party of two couples was shown in. I have never experienced the dining room to be so quiet. It was a joy, but it was the right thing for the wrong reason. Dinner was excellent, as usual, and we couldn't remember, except for a few very late dinners there, when the restaurant had allowed us such comfortable conversation. It would be wonderful were it to be so every time we go there, but not for the terrible reason it was that way. Anyway, too-noisy restaurants are omnipresent San Fransisco curse. The wait staff was truly wonderful, but bore an unmistakable aura of worry. How much longer would they have employment? Would they be able to provide for their families? What might happen to the restaurant and their jobs if the virus' visit were an extended one? Uncertainty was definitely a damper on our night out. We left an especially generous tip. There were a few more people at the bar, and two more couples in the front dining room when we left. But no more had been seated in the rear dining room Among the many, many restaurants in San Francisco there are several that bill themselves as steak houses. Some are OK, some are good, a mere handful rise above the others. We hope they will survive all of them but we have no idea when we will be able to return"
