Local restaurants open the doors to outside seating in backyards, on patios and on sidewalks
This article was originally published in Boro Magazine in July 2020.
Astoria has always been known not only for its great restaurants, but, as many locals likely already know, for the kind of backyard seating you only get in an outer borough.
Now that outdoor dining is allowed, restaurants are welcoming customers back with updated safety guidelines and procedures, more (distanced) outside seating and classic menu items — plus some new choices.
We spoke with six restaurant managers and owners in Astoria and Long Island City that offer outdoor seating. Every restaurant is handling changes differently, so be prepared to be patient and understanding and follow the rules when you go back to support these local businesses.
American Brass
Corner of Center Boulevard and 49th Avenue, LIC
Owner Robert Briskin opened American Brass, his second Long Island City restaurant, about a week before the lockdown. Despite the poor timing, the community supported the brasserie through its first few months.
The menu blends seasonal French cuisine with an American flair. Briskin narrowed down the offerings for now, but you can still get a “beautiful platter” from the raw bar — choose from six to seven options instead of the original 16 — like shrimp cocktail, king crab or lobster. All beers offered are brewed less than a mile away. Plus, the cocktail menu was designed by Aidan Bowie, the mixologist from the number one bar in London, so it’s “really legit,” Briskin said.
American Brass can seat about 80 people outdoors with its tables on the back patio, sidewalk and roadway. Briskin said he’s following all New York City guidelines and taking precautions. Tables are spaced out; the brasserie isn’t taking groups larger than six; there are hand sanitizing stations to use before entering the indoor space or using the bathroom; masks are required inside; and staff wear masks and gloves and get daily temperature checks.
Briskin said American Brass won’t be one of the first restaurants to offer indoor dining again even when it’s allowed to reduce the risk of virus spikes.
“We have plenty of room outside,” Briskin said. “We can definitely go the rest of the summer this way.”
Astoria Bier and Cheese
34-14 Broadway, Astoria
Even with all the disruption in the past few months, Erin Barnacle, bar manager and beer director of Astoria Bier and Cheese, said the Broadway spot has been keeping the craft beer — and charcuterie, sandwiches and cheese — flowing.
“We're so incredibly lucky to have a loyal and devoted customer base that has supported us through all of the changes over the last four months,” Barnacle said. “Whether they're physically coming into the store or ordering delivery or pickup via our website, they've been holding us up through all of this.”
You can sit outside with a drink and one of their new seasonal sandwiches, like the spicy Hawaiian grilled cheese featuring caramelized onion jam and spicy pineapple hot sauce from Astoria company Damn That Burns. The backyard now has custom-designed plant boxes from nearby Charles Florals to help space out the seating while still feeling inviting, Barnicle said. One of their “favorite customers” hand-crafted additional curbside seating with high walls, lots of plants and the same familiar green paint used in the store. A canopy covering is coming soon.
If you’re shopping inside, face coverings are required for entry. Only five people are allowed inside at a time, and the floor has markings for distancing. High-touch surfaces are disinfected throughout the day.
Djerdan Burek
34-04 31st Ave., Astoria
Balkan restaurant Djerdan Burek is a family-run business that has served authentic, homemade and affordable dishes to the community for the past 22 years.
“We actually never closed during this COVID-19 and have had local support the whole time,” said co-owner Selma Medunjanin-Ismajli.
The restaurant is famous for the house special, phyllo dough pies called “burek.” You can get a slice of spinach, cheese or beef pie for $6, said Medunjanin-Ismajli. Other menu items include soups, grilled dishes and pastries like baklava.
Outdoor dining is available in the “private and quiet” garden in the back of the restaurant featuring wood flooring and walls, an awning and planters. Employees are required to wear masks and the restaurant is operating at 50 percent capacity to keep customers and staff safe, the co-owner said. Staff members are using disposable menus and single-use plates and utensils wherever possible.
Il Bambino
34-08 31st Ave., Astoria
Il Bambino has made some changes as of late — customers now order “picnic” style without servers and the popular brunch panini is available every day, not just on the weekends, said owner Melanie Lawless. Outdoor dining is still available in the backyard with fewer tables to meet social distancing guidelines — but there’s additional seating under the awning and more coming on the street. Customers can either pick up their food inside (with their masks on) or Lawless will bring it over to the table, depending on how busy she is.
“The people that come in here, they’re so amazing, so patient, so understanding,” Lawless said. “We love our customers.”
Although the staff is minimal for now, one bonus is that her husband, the chef and owner, is now handling food prep himself.
“I feel like it’s even better than it was because he makes it,” Lawless said.
The menu is smaller than usual, but they’re rotating favorites like the chicken mozzarella with spicy mayo and the ginger braised pork, and hours are limited.
Maiella
46-10 Center Blvd., LIC
This five-year-old Italian restaurant offers modern, fresh fare overlooking the East River near the iconic Long Island City Pepsi-Cola sign. Briskin, the owner of Maiella and American Brass, said he just launched a new menu. Popular specialties include agnolotti di aragosta (lobster ravioli) and the burrata with peach appetizer. The terrace and sidewalk seat 60 to 70 people even after spacing out tables to adhere to social distancing rules.
Maiella’s staff is taking the same precautions as Briskin’s neighboring restaurant, American Brass. Even with new restrictions, he said the staff is “unwavering in quality and makes sure to put out the best product. The experience is still special.”
no5nyc
35-43 37th St., LIC
No5nyc is known for vegan cuisine with popular items like macaroni and cheese, tacos and homemade gluten-free zucchini ravioli, aid owner Rado Ganev. Now that customers can come back, they can enjoy the 2,000-square-foot patio surrounding the restaurant. Gaven said he has spaced out the tables, removed the outdoor bar, and added more plants between seats to keep people separated without overcrowding the restaurant.
Other precautions: Waiters wear gloves and masks, and they don’t set tables ahead of time because people don’t feel comfortable with dishware sitting out. The restaurant is still using silverware cleaned by a strong, high-temperature dishwasher because Ganev has noticed the majority of customers don’t want to use disposable dishware; they want somewhat of a normal dining experience.
“Most people, after such a long time, actually want to sit down and enjoy and be served by a waiter,” Ganev said.
While he says the past few months have not been easy, he’s proud of what they’ve done. During lockdown, his staff has also expanded delivery farther to reach more customers, and even now that outdoor dining is available, the eatery is still busier than he expected with takeout and delivery orders. Ganev is also considering opening a vegan pastry shop this fall.