Deni Reilly and Kelly English want to keep their restaurants open as long as they can, but they also hope for another round of PPP money that will provide some financial relief.

While this is typically the busiest time of the year for restaurants, business is slow now, hindered in in some measure by Health Directive 15 that limits seating and capacity, but in large part because rising COVID-positive numbers have many people staying at home.

We talk about the challenges they’re facing and then take a few minutes at the end of our podcast to talk about holiday traditions. Deni, who owns The Majestic Grille with her husband Patrick Reilly, said that Christmas Eve in her family is all about multiple Italian dishes.

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(If you didn’t know, the Reillys have not reopened The Majestic Grille but instead are using the space for Cocozza American Italian, which serves the food of Deni’s native New Jersey neighborhood.)

But on Christmas Day, it’s hot roast beef sandwiches and soups, and she’s shared her mom’s recipe for curried acorn squash and apple soup; it’s here.

And Kelly? Fajitas. Why not. It’s the holidays, so eat what you want. He promises he’ll get his recipe to us soon and I’ll share that too.