This was a tough year for all of us in the foodservice industry, particularly in restaurants who’s bread and butter has always been sit-down service. The coronavirus pandemic slammed businesses across the country and restaurants in New York City and the greater metropolitan area have been among the hardest hit—enduring a sizable drop in revenue and, in some cases, permanent closure.
As we all continue to move forward facing these challenges, slowly but surely things have begun to turn around. One sign of better days ahead came recently when Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that restaurants in the city can open for indoor service on Sept. 30 at 25 percent capacity and with a host of restrictions. It’s a move that will certainly help restaurants continue to bounce back.
With indoor service halted since the state-issued lockdown in the spring, it’s outdoor dining that deserves credit for keeping the industry afloat during the dog days of summer. After far too many months of experiencing eerily quiet streets that would typically be lined with lively eateries, the tri-state’s culinary heart began beating stronger once restaurants embraced outdoor dining.
From Long Island through New York City, over to New Jersey and back again, restaurants of all culinary influences ratcheted up their outdoor dining services in order to safely serve hungry patrons. Eateries that continue to serve outdoors are using a variety of service techniques to make it feasible, with some needing only the fantastic views their locations naturally provide.
Back in June, Maria’s Mexican & Latin Cuisine in Nesconset, Long Island, opened their patio to outdoor service, adhering to the state’s Phase 2 reopening guidelines. It offers a taste of the tropics you can see driving down Smithtown Boulevard, as blooming palm trees, relaxing umbrellas, and twinkling lights peek out from a stone patio.
The outdoor configuration designed by the owners lends itself perfectly to the restaurant’s Caribbean vibe, with a menu dotted with a long list of margaritas, Cubana-style quesadillas, churrasco steak, shrimp ceviche, and tamales.
Bouncing over to Manhattan, where outdoor dining among the clamor of the streets and sidewalks has always been part of the charm of big city life, restaurants have a special affinity for al fresco seating. Yuca Bar, a pan-Latin restaurant near Tompkins Square Park in the East Village, has always offered its sidewalk café as an option for patrons.
The outdoor area provides a unique Latin atmosphere to any brunch or late-night meal.
“It’s working out,” said Sergio Aguilar, owner of Yuca Bar. “People are enjoying the outdoors.”
And then there’s Pastis, an old favorite and mainstay of classic New York City. The beloved restaurant in the city’s Meatpacking District, revived after a closure in 2014, now offers outdoor dining in a prime spot for people-watching and downtown culture.
Crossing the Hudson River, we arrive in New Jersey where two restaurants have made the most of a tough situation—thanks in large part to outdoor dining.
One New Jersey restaurant had to contend with quarantine right out of the gate. The Highwood opened in August, so it’s entire business model had to focus on outdoor dining offerings before anything else. Located right on the river in Weehawken, The Highwood boasts unmatched views of the entire island of Manhattan. And since the restaurant is steps from the ferry, it’s incredibly easy to reach from Manhattan.
And finally, with its American flag facade and other outdoor amenities that make it instantly recognizable, Oakland Diner was already a popular destination. Then, owner Harry Mihas built an outdoor deck, filled it with palm trees, and added a ramp. These changes ended up inspiring a business boon for the Oakland Diner.
“It paid off. I’m busier now than I was before COVID-19,” said Mihas. “There are a lot of people who enjoy it and love what we did. You’re going to get what you put into it. If you do it right, and you worry about your customers and you want to take care of them, you’ll do OK.”