Welcome Back! Many Eateries And Bars In BoCoCa Now Offer Outdoor Seating On Smith And Court Streets

Brooklyn Social, 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.


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Place Blocks In Carroll Gardens Now Closed To Traffic From 8am to 8pm As Part Of City's "Open Streets"

First Place looking towards Smith Street

First Place at Smith Street, next to PS58

First Place looking towards Court Street

Intersection of First Place and Court Street

4th Place at Court Street looking towards Henry Street

As of today, several stretched of street in Carroll Gardens have been closed as part of New York City's "Open Streets" campaign.  Barriers across these streets have been erected:

1st Place: Smith Street to Henry Street
2nd Place: Smith Street to Henry Street
4th Place: Smith Street to Henry Street
(* note that 3rd Place is NOT included)

The streets will remain closed to traffic from 8 am to 8 pm so that pedestrians and cyclists can  maintain the proper 6 feet distance while walking through the neighborhood.
Please see New York City's statement below.

One resident already asked fellow members of an online Carroll Gardens group if one could still park on those blocks or if one needs to move one's car during the closure hours.
Apparently, local traffic at 5 mph is allowed. Drivers can also move the barriers to park on these blocks. The expectation is that the barriers will be moved back by the driver after parking.

Here is the statement from New York City

New York City is opening 40 miles of streets to allow for greater social distancing during the COVID-19 crisis, with a plan to expand to a total of 100 miles.

Open Streets are available daily, 8 am to 8 pm (unless otherwise noted) for pedestrians and cyclists to use the roadbed of the street while maintaining at least six feet of distance from others. Opening hours may vary by location due to NYPD staffing.

No through traffic permitted while Open Streets are in effect. Vehicle traffic is limited to local deliveries, pick-ups/drop-offs, necessary city service vehicles, utility vehicles and emergency vehicles only. These drivers are advised to be extremely cautious and to drive 5 MPH or slower.

Members of the public and organizations wishing to have other New York City streets considered for the Open Streets program may fill out an online survey. NYC DOT, NYPD and others will evaluate all suggestions for viability. If you have questions, please contact your NYC DOT Borough Commissioner's office.

***UPDATE***

Reader Stella F. reached out to the 76th Precinct for clarifications and was kind enough to share with PMFA. See the Precinct's response below.

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Carroll Gardens Corona Diary: Whacky Predictions

Don‘t worry! The big Orange Oracle said this will all be over by Easter.

Decorations spotted on Baltic Street in Cobble Hill.

#coronadiary

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Carroll Gardens Corona Diary: Finding Beauty

Finding beauty in the most desperate times.
A section of Smith Street in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn
emptied of pedestrians and cars due to the Corona Pandemic

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Picture Of the Day:Eerily Empty

Eerily empty.
Court Street during the pandemic of 2020

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