issue 27// vol 47 life & style // no. 15

Patio time: a history of eating outdoors

» Chillin’ on patios is one of life’s simplest pleasures

Brandon Yip
Senior Columnist

 

uring the pandemic, BC residents

have been advised by Provincial
Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, to stay
home to help reduce the rise in COVID-19
cases in the province. In March 2021,

Dr. Henry made an amendment to the
restrictions allowing people to gather
outdoors with no more than 10 people.

The CBC reported on March 29
that BC once again implemented further
restrictions banning indoor dining in
restaurants, group fitness, and worship
services in effect from March 29 till April
1g. All establishments serving food and
alcohol must pivot to takeout or delivery
service. Although indoor dining has
been suspended, patios remain open.
People who dine on patios should do so
with their immediate household (core
bubble) only.

Speaking of patios, the evolution and
appeal of patios are one of the simplest
pleasures to enjoy—especially when the
weather is nice and sunny. According
to Craig Zola, in an article published on
herculite.com, the history of patios and
outdoor dining can be traced back to the
Middle Ages. It was here that lords in
their leisure time hunted for sport later
partook in hunting feasts. Predominantly
for much of history, having outdoor
meals was an activity exclusively for the
rich. During the 18th century, wealthy
Americans paid money to be seated
in private gardens to enjoy numerous
outdoor treats. It was only in the Victorian
era that picnics became another common
form of outdoor eating across class

boundaries.

During that era, people
for the most part had to
bring their food.
However, that
would change
in the early
19008
inthe

Brooklyn,
New York

neighbourhood

of Coney Island. It
was here that a seaside

restaurant ignited the trend of

buying food and eating it outdoors after
the invention of the hot dog. Afterwards,

 
 
  
  
  
 
  
   
 
  
 
 

many food vendors began offering
outdoor seating especially in
popular tourist areas like
Coney Island.
Interestingly,
Chris
Bateman, in
his 2015
article
about

patios
for
spacing
says New
York’s St.
Moritz On-
The-Park opened a
European-style outdoor
seating area in the 1950s considered
the city’s first sidewalk café. Also, the
Chateau Briand, a French-themed café

YouTube channel spotlight: ‘Off
Camera with Sam Jones’

» Pop culture on the pulse of casualness with artists you know and love

Jonathan Pabico
Senior Columnist

 

f you want a break from social media or

youre not into Zoom-operated talk shows,
you probably turn to YouTube for your pop-
culture cravings. One channel you can check
out is Off Camera with Sam Jones.

The titular host of the series is a
photographer from California who created
the show for non-agenda conversations
with famous artists from actors to
musicians and aims to talk to interesting
icons without expectations. Presented in
black-and-white visuals, every episode
takes place in a white room where Jones
and his guest sit on comfy armchairs with
a small coffee table between them. The
aesthetics have the light mood of a down-
to-earth hangout at your local café.

Jones provides more authentic
interactions you wouldn't find in
mainstream talk shows. The channel is
super-casual, straightforward, and simple.
Each artist doesn't feel pressured to present
a tailored public image like they have to in

conventional interviews. It feels like they’re
comfortable and free to talk about their
vulnerabilities or experiences with their
respective art world.

Guests unpack funny anecdotes, life
advice, and what they have learnt about
themselves. A memorable segment is Foo
Fighters’ Dave Grohl’s inspiring philosophy
about what it takes to be a great musician.

However, celebrities also discuss
their hardships like mental health and
past sexual harassment within the acting
industry. The show covers timely stories
from how negatively Constance Wu's
mental health was affected after being
treated unfairly in middle school to Mary
Elizabeth Winstead’s history of dealing
with sexism in her career.

The show bravely tackles difficult
topics, especially about Hollywood’s harsh
realities. Viewers receive relevant content
that demystifies America’s entertainment
culture.

If you want more insight into a
celebrity's political views or the latest
gossip, this series may not be for you. One

could argue that Off Camera is just a bunch
of mini-biographies in YouTube channel
form. However, it’s more than that. Unlike
talk shows, there are no comedy bits, host
monologues, studio audiences, or interview
cue cards. If Jones does ask questions, he
keeps them brief because he wants to really
listen to his guests. The series is entirely
professional and completely respectful; it
has no inappropriate comments or queries.
Off Camera doesn't feel like a typical
Q&A session, it simply promotes easygoing

 

with outdoor seating opened in July 1960
in Toronto—the city’s first patio. It only
lasted three years, as it was replaced by
the Sidewalk Café at 34 College Street
opening in 1963.

Although, Bateman claims there
were ice cream and milkshake stands
in Toronto in the 1920s that “offered
patrons outdoor seating (even during
the winter) [...] and there are pictures of
bundled up men hunching over warm
cups of coffee during the frigid winter in
the city archives.”

Zola states that today, there is an
entire culture that has been created
surrounding outdoor dining. This ranges
from luxurious rooftop restaurants to
popular beer gardens. People appear
to enjoy the outdoor patio experience,
whether it is savouring the outdoor
experience that contains a unique
atmosphere, or mainly just to get fresh air.

Although enjoying patios under the
current provincial health restrictions
is not the same experience before the
pandemic, people can still enjoy the
restricted patio experience and try
to make the best of it (with the same
household bubble). But it appears the
best part of a patio is that it is the perfect
setting to unite friends and family
who can sit together and eat and drink
while enjoying the hot weather and a
beautiful sunset. Perhaps a quote by Kurt
Vonnegut best describes why patios are
indeed one of life’s simplest pleasures:
“Enjoy the little things in life because
one day you'll look back and realize they
were the big things.”

Illustration by CJ Sommerfeld

conversations between two human beings.
Whether you already know about all,

most, or even some of his featured artists’
backstories, Jones makes his channel a safe
and compassionate space by always putting
his interviewees first. He welcomes them to
lead the conversation openly and remains
self-aware that he’s just along for the ride.
If you're eager for more grounded online
content minus the Hollywood glamour,
then look no further than Off Camera with
Sam Jones.

 

Still from ‘Off Camera with Sam Jones' interview via theoffcamerashow on YouTube