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Several weeks into novel coronavirus-based seclusion and with untold weeks to go, some self-isolationists might be feeling stumped in the kitchen, as if they’ve exhausted their go-to recipes.

Meanwhile, when the new pandemic reality kicked in last month, Ottawa’s restaurants were mandated to offer only take-out and delivery service as part of the city’s efforts to limit the spread of the COVID-19 outbreak.

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Many eateries chose to close outright, laying off employees who could then apply for Employment Insurance. But scores of others, including independently operated and even upscale restaurants, re-did their business models and are offering dishes, family dinners, frozen dinners and more for delivery or curb-side pickup.

How then is a homebody to keep track of these new dining-in options? Several online lists provide help.

Photo by Wayne Cuddington / Ottawa Citizen

The website together-apart.ca is a good-looking, well-organized and searchable omnibus listing of not just Ottawa restaurants that have remained open during the pandemic, but also other small businesses, including coffee spots, breweries, grocery stores and other retailers. It is far from complete and downtown-centric — both are also true of some of the lists that follow — but that doesn’t mean the site isn’t helpful.