Calls to Make Outdoor Dining in NYC a Permanent Fixture Are Gaining Momentum

More politicians voice their support of extending the city’s Open Streets program

City Comptroller Scott Stringer and State Senator Jessica Ramos in Queens wrote an open letter to Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday expressing “disappointment” that the city’s Open Streets program — which allowed restaurants to set up outdoor dining areas in the streets on blocks closed to car traffic — is set to shut down at the end of October. Instead, Stringer and Ramos argue that the program should be made permanent in the city, extend to cover more streets, and include retail businesses as well as restaurants.

“It makes no sense to forfeit these vital public spaces, especially as the pandemic and the need for social distancing continues,” they write.

Earlier this week, several City Council members introduced new legislation to make outdoor dining permanent in the city. Separately, de Blasio said in a press conference on Tuesday that an announcement on whether or not outdoor dining will be extended is coming “very soon.” The mayor has previously voiced his support of making outdoor dining permanent in the city, and the outdoor dining program is already slated to return in 2021.

In other news

— Neighborhood fixture Carroll Gardens Classic Diner has permanently shut down, Brooklyn Paper reports.

— Food festival “Tastes of Brooklyn” is swinging through Crown Heights and Prospect Heights next weekend. There are over 20 participating restaurants, including 95 South Soul Food, Mexican spot Citrico, and Gloria’s Caribbean Cuisine. Tickets are $30 for four tastes or $80 for 12 tastes.

— LES food hall the Market Line will be hosting a Waroeng pop-up on October 22 highlighting dishes from Indonesia’s Padang region, including Rendang Daging, or dry curry beef, and Gulai Kepala Ikan, or fish head curry. Tickets are $125 apiece and include a set 15-course meal for two people.

— Time Out recommends top restaurants to hit on a food tour through Brooklyn’s Little Caribbean.

— Ramen chain Kyuramen, which currently only has one NYC location in Flushing that has made headlines for its extensive outdoor dining setup, will be opening a second outpost in Manhattan, near Union Square, according to Commercial Observer. The opening date was not disclosed.

— A poll to usher in the weekend: