LOS ANGELES — DineL.A. Restaurant Week is underway.

The celebration of over 300 local restaurants happens twice a year, but this time around, changes were made in response to COVID-19 restrictions. Severance Wine Bar is selling at-home fondue kits as part of their deal this year.

Evan Charest, owner of Severance, said it was hard to transition to take-out and delivery during the pandemic.

“Wine is very experiential with interaction with your server," he said. "Figuring out what you like and what you don’t like. But everything is dine-in, it’s very hard to push that to a to-go element."

Severance did try to offer some to-go options like charcuterie boards, wine, and fondue to keep the business afloat. But Charest still had to let go virtually all of his staff.

“Throwing everything at the wall and see what sticks. We used to have a pretty big menu when we were open, but now we are taking those piece by piece and seeing what works with a skeleton crew,” said Charest.

One of those menu items they brought back is the fondue kit, which Charest figured out a way to adapt to pandemic restrictions. This will also be their special item sold for dineL.A. Restaurant Week. With the event completely restructured because of the pandemic, for the first time, they are offering Dine L.A. deals through delivery and takeout, as well as outdoor dining.

“A lot of people don’t feel comfortable going out and that is understandable," he said. "We still want to give them an experience they can have at the restaurant."

DineL.A. has given restaurants more options this year, even getting rid of the traditional prix fixe menu. The bar owner said he is grateful for the help during this already difficult time.

“That’s why it’s wonderful they are able to offer those to-go elements and experiences that isn’t typical of Dine L.A.’s of the past," said Charest. "It’s great to have support from them."

DineL.A. Restaurant week runs until September 18 and the deals are offered for lunch and dinner.