[Casa Adela, Avenue C]
Phase 2 is in full swing, with bars and restaurants with the proper permits OK'd to serve food and drinks on newly created sidewalk and street spaces. (Dining inside is still off limits.)
We looked at a few of the outdoor dining options Tuesday... EVG contributor Stacie Joy checked out more of the newly deputized open spaces around the neighborhood, from cafes adding a table or two out front to artificial turf on the street ...
[Lavagna, 5th Street]
[Nowon, 6th Street]
[B&H Dairy, 2nd Avenue]
[Kafana, Avenue C]
[Takahachi, Avenue A]
[Lower East Side Coffee Shop, 14th Street]
[Khiladi, Avenue B at 11th Street]
[Il Posto Accanto, 2nd Street]
[Cortadito, 3rd Street]
[Supper, 2nd Street]
[KC Gourmet Empanadas, Avenue B]
[Hibachi Express Dumplings, 14th Street]
[Au Za’atar, Avenue A at 12th Street]
[San Loco, Avenue C]
[Buenos Aires, 6th Street]
[Gnocco, above and below, 10th Street]
[C&B Cafe, 7th Street]
[Westville East, Avenue A at 11th Street]
[Desi Galli, Avenue B]
[Lil' Frankie's, 1st Avenue]
[Veselka, 2nd Avenue at 9th Street]
48 comments:
I admit I don't know details of these street permits , but it seems some businesses are stretching the rules by taking up way more street space than the with of their storefront, such as Westville Bakery on 9th street. Also, from watching street cleaners over many years before the pandemic, they are certainly not going to weave their trucks between these roped off areas, leaving the streets dirtier then they already are.
@7:31
The Basic rules are public info here https://www1.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/pedestrians/openrestaurants.shtml
and there’s a helpful diagram to show with measurements below in pink.
I don’t mind spreading to another storefront (though it isn’t permitted) but I do mind if they don’t allow the 8 feet of space that pedestrians are supposed to have to pass by the tables. I think that’s going to be the main complaint of neighbors, is obstructing a clear 8 foot pathway, that makes it feel unsafe and doesn’t allow for social distancing without masks (from their diners) which is supposedly a requirement.
I guess it's nice that folks can go out to eat, but this seems like it's going to make walking more dangerous since there's no longer room to stay 6 feet away from people. Guess I can't go out and stretch my legs anymore. :(
Many of the setups aren't different from what the restaurants had previously — there's just more space between diners like at Veselka and barriers up between tables like at Westville. And remember these additions are temporary.
Don't worry — you'll have plenty of space to stretch your legs as soon as all the restaurants have to close as a result of the pandemic. What will you complain about then?
PS
East River Park is a great place for a walk. Look it up.
We're lucky not to have had any rain recently, but there are storms in the forecast, so I hope people are prepared to get up and go.
For people who always talk about transplants and Ohio, it sure seems like some of you would be happier in a HOA controlled cul-de-sac-ridden suburb where you only ever see your neighbor from 20 feet away.
NYC is a cultural epicenter where the parties used to be amazing but now the parties have too much drugs and alcohol unlike the parties of yore that had just the right amount of drugs and alcohol and NYC is a sleepy hamlet town in bed by 9pm so move back to Ohio if you want to party all night where everything shuts down early because it’s not NYC, the city that never sleeps and if people are outside in NYC it’s a disservice to their neighbors who they don’t even make an effort of meeting but they shouldn’t because talking to your neighbors in NYC is something a bright eyed transplant does not a hardened New Yorker. It’s too bad there isn’t some sort of home owners association making sure NYC doesn’t turn into a suburb by not allowing outdoor dining, bars, and new faces moving in, the suburbs are awful and exactly what NYC is missing culturally! Let’s ban everything in the name of making sure NYC stays unique and relevant while blaming everyone under 30 for the present a the future because I was 12 during Woodstock which means I’m young at heart and anyone younger is just a yuppie born at the tail end of the yuppie heyday into a world ruined by yuppies who also attended Woodstock.
Half if people in NYC have moved out to never come back. Get ready for new reality long term.
Generation Corporatist e.g., centennials can't hold their liquor. Its time for a new Temperance movement. Raise the age to 35. I've had enough of being woken up at 3 am by these little turds screaming.
But is it all worth it ?
It might be the camera angle to telephoto compression, but it does not appear there is 6' between seats in the Coffee Shop photo. Yes - it looks like there's 6' between the chairs when no one is sitting in them, but if both tables are filled you'll have diners back to back. I would hate to see them get busted if there is any actual enforcement by the city.
I am growing very frustrated. I consider myself a calm and considerate person. I am also a live and let live, mid-forties kind of guy who pays his own way and minds his own beeswax. I am certainly in favor of creative inventions for others to accrue income during the implemented phases imposed by lockdown. We all have to earn a living somehow, right? However, yesterday, I lost my cool when I saw yet another business on my street making additional room for guests with tables with a huge makeshift bench with little to no room to walk on the sidewalk. It is not cool. I had to walk in the middle of the road with incoming traffic to avoid those individuals who were without masks and chugging beers. So, how are people going to simply get from one destination to another if there is no adequate space? Forget about social distancing with six feet. That notion is out the window. I can't even walk on several streets and avenuesin the EV because many restaurants and bars have taken up space where cars are usually parked. It's a literal maze moving around. I keep wondering how we can survive like this. There seems to be a disconnect and a disregard for residential neighbors living near and along these businesses. The common frame of reference from casual acquaintances and a handful commenters on this site is to get over it or move back to where you came from or check out the east river park for walking, which is asinine, demeaning, and honestly, seething with animosity. I can't walk to east river park to pick up milk and eggs. And, yes. I know where East River Park is located. I have lived here for twenty years and often use it to exercise and clear my mind. But, if I need to go to the market for a few groceries, I shouldn't have to stress or experience a creeping anxiety attack because someone is too eager to be out and about and drink and eat with their buddies while the rest of us are leery when it pertains to being around large clusters of individuals. I continue to respect people whom have decided to move on from the pandemic, go out and be merry. I just wish fellow human beings would respect others like me who are still legitimately concerned and pragmatic while continuing to social distance. Cheers.
So this is the citys plan to reopen restaurants, have people dine on the sidewalk or the parking spaces in the street. People eating
Will not wear mask because they are eating, but they are exposed to people ealking by who should wear a mask and may not. There needs to be a better plan for all restaurants to follow. Do you really want to dine next to a speeding car?
I know I repeat myself, but as has been stated a hundred times, outdoor transmission is exceedingly rare. The pandemic is a big deal, spend a few minutes to read up on the newest research. It's been less than 4 months, but we are finally getting back better information on how COVID is spread. An educated citizen is a good citizen.
8 feet of clear space is virtually impossible on side streets and practically impossible on Avenues. Each sidewalk sq is essentially 4 ft by 4 ft. The widest sidewalks are the avenues at about 12 ft or sometimes 8 ft. The Street sidewalks are either 4 ft to 8 ft. Easy to check once you know the size of sidewalk sq. And let’s not quibble over inches.
I like that some places aren't just taking up street side space for the hell of it. Cars coming and going is helpful for business so better not to take up that space, plus it feels kind of weird to eat in the road. And then of course there are some places trying to take up more room than they're supposed to. August Laura has about one customer a day yet still want the entire wraparound sidewalk area and street space on all sides!
Its an epic expropriation of public space to the bankster debt servicing machine.
It looks like 1987 down on 1st Ave and Houston, a block of pretty outdoor diners on 1st Ave and right below them at the ever-closed pocket park a couple dozen homeless people selling stuff.
@11:18am
Yeah, we all know that and all knew it was going to be a problem so why did they even bother with open dining since it’s not allowing social
Distancing?
Because businesses are supposed to do the right thing. They shouldn’t be self-certifying if they can’t comply. Also neighbors should feel free to ask businesses if they HAVE self-certified if they notice there’s not enough space.
On both sides, It sucks for all...
Casa Adela did this perfectly. And no annoying drunk brunch people there!
@9:37. Right, because covid-19 doesn’t exist. That’s why we’re only at the beginning of phase 2. That’s what most people are concerned about...
I’ve lived here almost all my Life. So disappointed in my neighbors who won’t respect the space that I and other neighbors deserve while we are dealing with covid problem still.
Seriously how are a couple of tables On a narrow sidewalk going to allow a restaurant pay the bills? Encourage takeout and ask your businesses to comply.
"by 9pm so move back to Ohio if you want to party all night where everything shuts down early because it’s not NYC, the city that never sleeps"
The "move to line". Always despicable. Usually, (not always*) posted by some fly over state transient rube.
*As noted in this case. BTW, I born, raised, and still live here.
@10:45am: Agree with you completely.
I will be sitting out this restaurant revival inside my apartment.
The point I was trying to make was that anyone can quickly see that a requirement of 8 ft of open space is literally impossible. For the city to suggest otherwise is disingenuous of them and impossible for anyone to honestly comply with and that anyone armed with a quick metric of distance ( one sidewalk sq equals four feet) can see that.
On a completely different note, TIL after more than 15 years that "Coffee Shop" has a name!
There may not be enough room on the sidewalks but there's always enough room for complaining here. No solution is good enough for anyone with a keyboard.
Remember the City plans to demolish the ERP in the Fall.
@10:45 - I'm right with you. With each passing day, I lose hope in humanity. The utter selfishness and entitled attitude I see from people who clearly don't care about others and the fact we are facing a massive health crisis is really getting me down. There's a reason the US is failing to deal with COVID and thousands of people continue to die each day.
Maybe you should refrain from making definitive statements until the facts are in and what better than see if there is a spike related to the protests
How many of the above who complain (mostly rightfully so) walk down the sidewalk talking with the speakerphone without a mask ?
Well, it certainly ain't Paris but I'm glad these businesses are making the best of an awful situation.
Uhm, I'm sure the trash collectors will love navigating the cordoned off areas to pick up the nightly trash. No more tossing the bags from the sidewalk into the truck 6 or 8 feet away!
The protests started at the beginning of June - we would be seeing big spike about last week/now, if they are going to happen. It’s fairly responsible to be optimistic about outside.
Overall I think it's a good move. Businesses need to survive, many have not. Of course there will be some places that are problematic and need to be told to adjust their set-up. The city should have allowed more outdoor options pre-covid IMO. With the rest of USA not cooperating we may be back to closing up again in a few weeks anyway.
I, for one, enjoy the current street scenes. Cafes, bikes, walking. More barricades to slow traffic and alot less parking spaces and we'll be getting somewhere.
(obligatory EVGrieve comment thread entry: "sob ... won't someone think of the parking ... sob ...")
As we've seen with the swarms of day drinkers appearing the moment bars could sell to-go it's either full lock down or it's not. Much of the city, and the country, are under the growing illusion that Covid-19 is a joke. Trust me, it's not. Even if you're not a statistic it's at least far worse than almost all flues.
I think it is fabulous that NYC is helping save the restaurants.
As a shop owner It would be nice to create something for shops. I am usually an optimist and guess still am since I have faith all will work out Yet being forced to be totally closed tor 3 months and now being allowed to have 1 person at a time in shop and no outdoor selling, told to risky since more that one person at a time may come to table and touch things. Is going to be a challenge to survive and I will not walk around, May enjoy some outdoor dining.
Something is seriously out of balance. And yes , grateful always grateful. Apologies, Not for NYC party streets, its going to be a hot summer and I dont mean the weather! Please stay safe, stay sane and for me please come by and say hola !
@9:37 brilliant, couldn't have said it any better
It’s not impossible. It’s not disingenuous. It’s trying to
help some businesses. There are areas on 2nd ave and others that have the space.There are other neighborhoods in NYC that have the space. But yes, in OUR neighborhood it’s not as likely.
What were they going to do, come up with requirements that DON’T provide social distancing? The other option was none at all.
Frankly, I’m fine with none at all but hey, if they can ensure social distancing then I don’t think I should fight that, unless the covid rates go back up.
Aside from that though, This is a deadly virus, not all Restaurants can have a couple of tables outside that totally block the path for others. Those who can, yes are the lucky ones, perhaps.
Much of the ambience of our neighborhood now feels like Mardi Gras in the French Quarter.
My understanding is that shops are allowed to sell outdoors if merch is the same as what's offered inside.
First, I fully support the restaurants reopening... as long as it is responsible. And right now there are too many tables blocking entire streets that make it unsafe for pedestrians.
If you’re truly an East Villager, you will consider the fact that there are still lifers here who have lived the majority of their lives here, and are now elderly and living in EV. This is their home, and you can’t expect them to “go back where they came from” because they’ve been here a lot longer than anyone else (which says a lot, since I was born here). If the lifers cannot walk safely down the street because Gen Z is out partying and eating without masks, that’s a problem. Just be considerate of others. That’s all.
Also, the tables at Kitchen Sink on 5th st looked like they weren’t even 3 feet apart from each other. That’s more alarming since there’s literally a police precinct on the block that could politely call out that the tables are too close together.
@9:37 Thank you for this! I am so tired of people on here complaining about how these neighborhood isnt as good as it used to while some of the same people complain about noise on a saturday night. for the old time east village people wondering where their neighborhood went, YOU changed. you became the person whining about noise, alcohol, drugs and parking space...
We all want to be considerate of the older folks of the area. On the other hand, the older people here cant complain about the EV becoming boring and fighting against anything interesting from happening here. This time right now is the first time i’m feeling some of the old neighborhood coming back in awhile.
☝️ exactly
To Anon @ 11:19, Funny thing about how it used to be...it actually WAS quieter. There was more going on, but less on the street. There were far fewer restaurants, more interesting little stores, more ad hoc performance and exhibit places, more music being played from living musicians, more unpredictability, and ... well... you didn't see hordes of people on the street, strangely enough. If you did see a large group congregating somewhere, it was probably at the door of a nightclub and would dissipate eventually -- either let in or turned away -- or it was a drug spot and, well, that was a different ball of wax. With the exception of specific areas (like St. Marks between 2nd and 3rd), people weren't hanging out on the sidewalk...too often this would make one into a target.
One of the (many) things that changed this street level atmosphere was the sudden installation of windows that opened onto the street in nearly every restaurant, an increase of sidewalk seating, and, frankly, I think the massive commercial rent increases that meant interesting little stores couldn't meet the demands of the landlords so the density of bars increased.
There also were fewer of these massive organized sports leagues jammed into the parks on weekends with their amplified refereeing. THAT is definitely something new in the last 10/15 years.
Anyhow, just some more context...it isn't the binary that your comment seems to paint.
I'm all for it as long as things are shutdown by 10pm. I need my sleep.
There are so many places in the world and the US and NY that are quiet by 10pm. Please leave our neighborhood if you cant handle noise, this one of the only places where theres a reasonable expectation for things to be loud at night!!
Thanks for the perspective! I think the point of “making one into a target” is at the root of why people hang out outside more nowadays than back then. People are going to be out and about more if it isnt a risk to them and most people live in small spaces that they need to get out of.
Didnt think about how rising rents would impact the use of outdoor space but that makes sense. Its a shame landlords wont support ad hoc performance and exhibition spaces, but based on a lot of the things i read here... it feels like the neighborhood has moved on too.
To the folks who keep insisting this neighborhood has always been noisy and obnoxious, check out this Nelson Sullivan video from the 80s that show a couple of friends hitting the bars on 1st Ave.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6WkpQCDtPA
Note how empty and dark the street is. When they get to the bar (Tile Bar, I believe), they're not even sure it's open, but of course it is. There are no roving swarms of drunks on the street, yet everyone somehow manages to have a good time.
So, before, property owners/real estate developers are selling their air rights. Now, they'd be selling sidewalk or street rights.
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