The Great Outdoor Dining Debacle: Will It Ever End?
New York City, the concrete jungle where dreams are made (and rents are astronomical), has had a love affair with outdoor dining since the pandemic turned our lives upside down. Remember those days of dining in plastic igloos and praying you didn't get frostbite while enjoying your overpriced brunch? Good times, good times.
When Will Outdoor Dining End In Nyc |
The Shed Life
Let's be honest, those outdoor dining structures were a mixed bag. On one hand, they gave us a taste of normalcy during a pretty abnormal time. On the other, some of them looked like they were designed by aliens who had just discovered human architecture. We went from "charming sidewalk cafe" to "post-apocalyptic dining bunker" in the blink of an eye. But hey, at least we could pretend we were on vacation in Tulum, right?
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A New Era of Outdoor Dining
Thankfully, the city has seen the light (or at least the complaints) and is implementing some new rules. No more enclosed sheds, which is great news for claustrophobics and anyone who's ever had a run-in with a rat while trying to enjoy their dinner. But don't get too excited - outdoor dining is still here to stay, at least for part of the year.
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Sidewalk cafes are now year-round, so you can still enjoy people-watching while sipping your latte in the winter. However, those road-based dining setups will be seasonal, disappearing with the first snowflake. So, if you're planning a winter wedding in a street-side shed, you might want to reconsider.
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So, When Will It Actually End?
The short answer is: probably never completely. Outdoor dining has become a staple of the New York City experience, and it's hard to imagine the city without it. But the days of those sprawling, chaotic setups are numbered. We can expect a more streamlined and aesthetically pleasing approach in the future.
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And who knows, maybe one day we'll even be able to walk down the street without dodging umbrellas and dodging people trying to flag down their waiter. A girl can dream, right?
How To... Outdoor Dining Edition
- How to dress for outdoor dining in NYC? Layers, my friend. Layers.
- How to deal with noisy neighbors at an outdoor restaurant? Earplugs or a strong cocktail. Your choice.
- How to find a good outdoor dining spot? Check online reviews and be prepared to wait.
- How to survive outdoor dining in the winter? Bring a blanket, wear thermal underwear, and order a hot drink.
- How to tip your waiter when outdoor dining service is slow? Be generous! They're dealing with the elements.
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