NYC launches first-ever outdoor Dining Week’ — here are the deals on the menu

New York City is gearing up for its first-ever Curbside Dining Week, set to launch this week with nearly three dozen eateries offering exclusive discounts and specials for outdoor diners. The event will run from September 5 to September 12, showcasing the city’s love for outdoor dining.

Jackson Chabot, the director of advocacy for OpenPlans, the group behind Curbside Dining Week, expressed excitement about highlighting outdoor dining in the city. Partnering with the guided tour group Untapped New York, they have curated a list of top offerings for the event.

Some of the standout deals include a 20% discount at The Mansion on York Avenue in the Upper East Side, a 15% off the bill at Ray’s on Chrystie Street in the Lower East Side, a $35 prix fixe menu at Sean Og’s Tavern in Woodside, Queens, and complimentary house-made limoncello at Osteria Radisa in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn.

During the peak of the pandemic, approximately 12,500 restaurants had outdoor dining setups as a lifeline to survive the shutdown. However, challenges arose with restrictions imposed by the City Council and subsequent rules from the Department of Transportation, leading to a significant decrease in participating eateries.

Now, there are nearly 800 eateries with permits for outdoor dining under new regulations, including a limit on operating between April 1 and November 29 each year. While outdoor dining proved to be a crucial business-saving strategy during the pandemic, some restaurateurs have faced obstacles due to regulatory burdens.

Michael Fuquay, owner of The Queensboro in Jackson Heights, Queens, emphasized the importance of outdoor dining in sustaining his business through challenging times. However, he highlighted the administrative barriers imposed by the City Council, such as the requirement to deconstruct and store outdoor setups over winter, as hindrances to participation.

Megan Rickerson, owner of Someday Bar in Brooklyn’s Boerum Hill, shared similar sentiments and hopes that the success of Curbside Dining Week will encourage the DOT to streamline and make the process more affordable for small bars and restaurants.

Coffee lovers can also join in the outdoor dining experience, with The Barn Coffee Shop in Long Island City offering a 10% discount on the bill. The Postmark Cafe in Park Slope, Brooklyn, is providing a 15% break off bills for outdoor patrons, creating a sense of community hub through outdoor seating.

As New Yorkers embrace outdoor dining, Curbside Dining Week aims to celebrate the vibrancy and diversity of the city’s culinary scene while highlighting the challenges faced by restaurateurs in navigating the evolving landscape of outdoor dining regulations.