From birthday car parades to Zoom happy hours, the coronavirus has made celebrating milestones, such as anniversaries and graduations, an exercise in creativity. One of the most common ways to celebrate—restaurant dining—remains severely restricted in many states.

How do we make a take-out meal feel more special, especially when ordering takeout to celebrate a memorable event or accomplishment?

Here are a few tips to turn takeout into more than "just another meal."

It's All About Presentation

Food presentation can drastically change the perception of food quality—which is why many high-end restaurants carefully plate their food, topping it with a drizzle of sauce or balancing it in a tower.

When you order takeout, however, your food is packaged in a paper or plastic box. There's not much plating potential in a take-out container.

To create the illusion of dining out, try your hand at those decorative plating techniques. Try pulling out the fancy dishes and arranging your food in an abstract work of art.

You can also add a swirl of sauce to your plate before laying out the food. Burgers can be upgraded by adding a crunchy pickle or homemade bacon. Pasta and salads become a touch fancier with a sprinkle of parsley, feta, or grated parmesan cheese.

Eat Somewhere Different

Are you tempted to plop on the couch and watch Tiger King while you stuff your face straight from the to-go box?

Rather than eating at your usual spot, look for a way to brighten your meal by dining somewhere new. An outside patio or a grassy courtyard at an apartment complex will offer breeze and a vista change. If you don't have outdoor space, spread a blanket on the living room floor for an indoor picnic.
 
For many people, at-home days are monotonous. Mixing it up by eating somewhere different helps lend a take-out meal a sense of occasion.

Make a Fancy Cocktail (or Mocktail)

What's the first thing a server asks when you sit down at your favorite restaurant?

At most dining establishments, the first thing the waiter asks is, "What can I get you to drink?" At home, however, there's no waiter to bring you that refreshing strawberry margarita you've been craving.

Before you eat, mix up a cocktail (or mocktail) in a fancy glass. Add a few garnishes, such as an umbrella, lime wedge, or salted rim. A little bit of creativity can help turn your standard take-out meal into a fun event.

Set the Scene

Restaurants focus on creating a relaxing setting where diners can relax, unwind, and focus on enjoying their meal.

While you may not be able to recreate the atmosphere of your favorite Italian restaurant or that hip Thai place down the street, you can make the dining-in experience a bit more special by setting the scene.

Dress your table with a fine tablecloth, for example. Light a candle and add fresh flowers from your garden. Even a small potted plant can serve as a table centerpiece. For a birthday or graduation, add streamers, balloons, and a homemade sign. Play music, and your dining room ambiance will lift into a new space.

Take the Party Online

Want to celebrate with family far and wide? Host an online dinner party where everyone orders takeout (or cooks) and then eats together as a virtual group. Ask one attendee to make a special cocktail recipe, another to create a playlist. Someone else could be in charge of hosting a game or coming up with icebreaker questions to keep the conversation flowing.

Celebrating entails coming together and making memories. Hosting an online dinner party is a simple way to celebrate an occasion—even when we can't all be together.

Celebrating Milestones

Diners are turning to food takeout and delivery to support their favorite local restaurants and celebrate milestones while staying at home. Yet one of the most important parts of dining is often missing from the take-out experience—the sense of occasion.

Even small changes, such as eating somewhere different or plating your food, will make the meal feel special and can turn a take-out dinner into a celebration.

Celebrate by ordering takeout or delivery at www.menufy.com or by downloading our mobile app (Android or iOS).