The Sidewalk Restaurant Hostess: New Trend On Smith Street's Restaurant Row?

Smith Street has gotten more and more difficult to navigate as a pedestrian, what with outdoor dining areas in the summertime, the A-frame blackboards announcing specials and those vestibule tents in the wintertime. All make walking along the already rather narrow Smith Street sidewalks difficult on a week-end and in the evening.

Now, there may be another obstacle to navigate around: the sidewalk restaurant hostess.

For the last week and a half, newly-opened Verde Restaurant at 216 Smith Street has planted a hostess, a lectern, complete with orchids in a vase, and planters with evergreens and a sign advertising its Happy Hour drinks in front of its restaurant in order to lure in costumers. (One wonders if that is even legal without a permit, but then anything seems to be possible on Smith Street.)

I wonder if other restaurants will follow suit. I am also wondering if this is a sign of the ever increasing competition amongst the eating establishment on Smith Street.

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Restaurant Verde On Smith Street Ready To Open Its Doors On April 5th

A last spritz of Windex and one more dusting and restaurant 'Verde' at 216 Smith Street is ready to open its doors on Monday, April 5th.
According to BococaLand, Smith Street's latest Italian eatery will be upscale. "Dino Castri, the head chef at Verdi, promises only sophisticated, well-thought out dishes. His signature, Spaghetti Chitarra, will feature sea urchin and jumbo scallops tossed in a light, creamy sauce."

Until last year, number 216 Smith Street was the home of Valentina's Laundromat.




Related reading:
Former Valentina's Laundromat On Smith Street To Become Yet Another Bar/Restaurant

Valentina's Laundromat Says Farewell To Smith Street

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Restaurant "Verde" Taking Shape On Smith Street

image courtesy of The Redd Group

Once the home of Valentina's Laundromat, the new restaurant at number 216 Smith Street is slowly taking shape.
Just last week, the wooden construction fence came down to reveal a new ground floor façade of Verde. It actually looks very similar to Clover, just a few doors down. The new restaurant was designed by The Redd Group.
Back in September, Verde,N.Y., Inc applied for a beer and liquor license.

It would appear that work on the space will be completed fairly soon.
I have no idea yet what kind of food "Verde" will be offering. Does anyone know?



Related reading:
Former Valentina's Laundromat On Smith Street To Become Yet Another Bar/Restaurant

Valentina's Laundromat Says Farewell To Smith Street

For Home Page, click Pardon Me For Asking

Read more

Former Valentina's Laundromat On Smith Street To Become Yet Another Bar/Restaurant

Groan! Not another one...don't we have enough bars and restaurants on Smith Street already?

Valentina's, the little laundromat that used to operate at 216 Smith Street, closed its doors in April. Back then, one of my readers commented:

"Another victim of rising rents on Smith St. They fought a losing battle to work with the landlord. So another 18 year tenant is displaced. Valentina and her husband Nissen will be missed."

Now, months later, a restaurant/bar is replacing it. A certain Verde N.Y., Inc has applied for a beer, wine and liquor license.

Honestly, I think at this point, we need a laundromat more than another dinner spot. But of course, only a place with a liquor license can pay the rents on Smith.

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Valentina's Laundromat Says Farewell To Smith Street

Oh, no! Another casualty on Smith Street. Valentina's Laundry at #216 has recently closed its doors. Reader Shawn sent me an email a few days ago asking me if I knew anything about Valentina's closing, but frankly, I had not even noticed until he mentioned it.
A quick walk down Smith Street yesterday confirmed Shawn's suspicion. The place was shuttered and the business' name hurriedly pained over.
At this rate, there will not be any service oriented businesses left on Smith.



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