One Fort Worth, Texas restaurant owner is putting a unique spin on patrons' dining out experience by incorporating a no cellphone policy.
In the historic Fort Worth stockyards where cattle once roamed, a new Italian restaurant called Caterina’s is bringing back the old days in a unique way.
Customers have to lock their cellphones in a bag that won't be unlocked -- until they walk out the door.
"We wanted to make something that was special," Caterina’s owner, Tim Love said.
It's all the idea of owner and chef Tim Love, who says his staff will be on the lookout for diners who disobey.
"Well, we're going to kindly ask them to put their phone in the bag. We've already had that happen. Some people forget. They just have their phone in their pocket. We give them the bag. They put their phone in the bag. It's not a big deal," love added.
He says he wants to create a place where customers can disconnect, and actually talk to each other without constant distraction.
Caterina's is a cozy place, just 17,000 square feet.
Only 40 seats. That includes the six at the bar.
No cellphones there either.
"If you can't possibly deal without your phone for 2 hours, this is not the place for you. I mean, people go to movies, they don't get on their phone," Love voiced.
Love suggests anyone who just has to be reachable can give someone the restaurant's phone number. They'll bring this old-fashioned landline phone to your table.
And there's one more thing. A dress codes. Men, required to wear jackets. Women, trusted to dress classy.
For men who forget, they'll loan you a jacket.
But it's the no cellphone policy that is getting the attention, and just might be the only restaurant rule like it in the country.
"So, then you're like I’m just going to sit here and enjoy myself and that's what happens. It's been really refreshing," said Love.
A trip back in time, when we weren't all in constant touch.
Caterina's just opened last week, Love says the response from customers so far has been "100%."