Brooklyn Social, Smith Street
Brooklyn Social and Planted on Smith Street
Brooklyn Social and Planted on Smith Street
Kittery, Smith Street
Bar Great Harry, Smith Street
Cubana Café, Smith Street
Brooklyn Pizza Market, Smith Street
White Maize, Smith Street
Wing Bar, Smith Street
Union Grounds, Smith Street
Angry Wade's, Smith Street
Café Luluc on left, Leyenda on right, Smith Street
Café Luluc, Smith Street
Purépecha on Smith Street
Clover Club, Smith Street
Fragole, Court Street
East One on Court Street
Gersi on Court Street
The Chocolate Room, Court Street
Buddy's Burrito on Court Street
Kitchen on Court Street
After months of quarantine due to the Covid-19 pandemic, New Yorkers have embraced Phase Two of the long awaited re-opening of New York City.
As of last week, New York City has allowed bars and restaurants to place tables and chairs outside on the sidewalk as well as permitted establishments to take over parking spots in front of their place of business.
Business owners have taken advantage of the outdoor seating to kick start their businesses after the three months closure, and it appears that customers were happy to patronize them over the week-end.
The City imposes quite a few regulations about distancing customers from each other while outdoor dining. Some restaurants seemed to be pushing the limit in placing tables and chairs too close to each other and not maintaining a safe 6 feet between groups. Some others were more cautious and followed the rules to a tee, it seems.
As a pedestrian walking past the eateries, it can be a bit intimidating seeing people without a mask, eating and drinking, while one has to walk past them on the sidewalk.
This Morning, Governor Cuomo warned that perhaps, he would reverse the reopening if people continue to meet up in large crowds at bars.
What do you think? Have you eaten in one of our neighborhood's eateries yet? Or are you waiting a bit longer to dine al fresco on Smith or Court Street?
Which restaurant or bar are you most excited to return to?
We would love to hear from you.
I chose Abilene as it seemed like they were bending over backwards to do things correctly and safely... plus I am a fan of Abilene. Even so, it felt very odd to stand at a table without a mask while others were nearby without a mask. I don't see myself venturing out to eat again. Too stressful.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean.
DeleteI understand the need to leave the house and get some social time in, especially at this time of year, but I also sort of think these people are all crazy to do this. Texas, Arizona and California all relaxed their rules and are all dealing with huge upticks in the number of Covid-19 patients.
ReplyDeleteIt just seems so short sighted after we have all spent the last three months at home trying to control this thing. And here, we are encouraging people to dine without mask next to strangers.
DeleteConsidering the number of people going and walking around with out a face mask of any covering on their face and the very bigg increase in case in other state where restaurants have been opened, one must be nuts to eat out. get the food to go and go home. I don't have time for people who are going crazy staying at home. And now that Covid19 seem to be targeting the younger folks (which makes up the majority to the people in Carroll
ReplyDeleteGardens and Cobble Hill, I will skip the restaurant scene. I prefer my home and family to a Covid19 sick bed. I can always order for pick up or have it delivered
For outdoor dining, it's about risk management and self-control over your own behavior. If you go early before a venue gets crowded, and limit your group to at most four people who are already part of your trusted circle and keep your mask on until you are seated, while also maintaining the discipline not to interact closely with other guests, then I think it's a reasonably low risk activity.
ReplyDeleteHowever, if you are part of a group that's standing around a table, no masks (or wearing your mask like a chin strap), having loud conversations (as one often does while out with friends) then you are putting yourself and others at higher risk, even more so with every round of drinks. And that risk is then extended to EVERYONE ELSE you interact with after visiting the restaurant or bar.
And that's the thing, the virus is fully able to exploit opportunities whenever people let down their guard, such as after a few drinks. It only needs one chance.
exactly. and unfortunately, that is what happened in Florida and Texas.
ReplyDeleteWe spent three months in quarantine here just to have the number of infected spike nationally. That's crazy.
As much as I want to support our wonderful local restaurants in person, I’m just not comfortable in the current environment. I know outdoors is much safer, but after what we went through the past few months, I’m really uncomfortable removing my mask in public situations. I will continue to order takeout and delivery as much as possible and buy gift cards to local places, but until I know that I can’t infect the vulnerable people in my life, I can’t take additional risks.
ReplyDeleteI totally hear you. I feel the same.
DeleteRegulations exist for outdoor tables that these restaurants are grossly violating. If patrons and staff want to take the risk, that's on them. By not leaving the required 8' of unobstructed sidewalk for pedestrians they are putting me at risk and they do not have the right to jeopardize my health/life so they can socialize and make money.
ReplyDeleteI do not feel comfortable walking down Smith Street and being forced to walk through a narrow strip of sidewalk with people on my left and right not wearing masks. It's unfair to those of us who are trying to stay safe but need to walk down the street to get somewhere.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I'm calling out PLANTED coffee shop - they hog up almost the entire sidewalk and always have several people and unruly children running around, and barely anyone is wearing masks. It's very inconsiderate to the folks to have to walk there - are we supposed to walk in the street just so you can have plants (and tables, chairs, and toys) outside your store?
Just yesterday, I told my husband that I will avoid Smith Street as best I can, especially in the evening hours.
DeleteHave added a photo of the sidewalk in front of Planted in the post. It really is quite a show and leaves no space to social distance while walking by.