Diners, a few of them anyway, return to King County restaurants and cafes

It’s eating – with social distancing. Restaurants in King County can operate at 25% capacity, or 50% capacity for outdoor seating.

Alexandra Pittle was walking by Miro Tea when she noticed the change.

“I was shocked when I saw people sitting outside," she said. "And I thought, 'Oh yeah, I forgot you could do that this weekend. And how does that work?'”

Many customers seen Sunday in Ballard seemed to be starting small, with a glass of beer or a cup of coffee: low commitment stuff.

Gordy Robertson just came out of the Noble Fir, where he sat alone at a table with a glass of wine and just marveled at being around other people.

“It’s part of your social makeup," he said. "I live in a boat in Ballard, and just sitting on a boat in Ballard for three months – I’ll go crazy!”

So the hunger is there, for company if not for food.

But not every restaurant is opening right away. Naomi and Allen McCleod were caught off guard by Friday's relaxation of rules, and won't reopen until Friday June 12.

David Orozco hasn’t reopened his restaurant, Asadero, yet, either. His employees have concerns.

“They’re asking if they'll get enough hours, if they're going to be making enough money, how safe is it going to be, what procedures we put in place.”

After all, customers can’t eat with a mask on.