Friday, July 17, 2020

Austin Street, Restaurant Row Now Part of NYC Restaurant Open Streets Program

Forest Hill's Restaurant Row is now part of the
NYC Open Streets Program
In order to boost the ability of local restaurants to serve more customers outdoors during the pandemic, the city announced that Austin Street from 72nd Avenue to 72nd Road  and Restaurant Row (70th Road) from Austin Street to Queens Blvd. will now be part of the City's Open Streets Program. 

Also, the program is being extended through October 31st. 

According to Gothamist:
 
"The selected streets will be operational on Friday from 5-11 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 11 p.m. The 26 new locations, which include Chinatown, Forest Hills, Park Slope and more, bringing the citywide total to 47 participating streets. Earlier this month, the city launched the combination Open Restaurants/Open Streets initiative, saying it was a chance to "give maximum options to our restaurants" while indoor dining remains on hold. (Indoor dining will not return in Phase 4 next week, the mayor also confirmed today.)"

 Read the full Gothamist article here: 

NYC Adds 40 New Open Streets For Outdoor Dining, Extends Open Restaurants To October

Friday, July 10, 2020

Forest Hills Restaurants During the Pandemic

Local restaurants have been struggling through the past few months and now some have some welcomed relief in the form of outdoor seating. Some local favorites, unfortunately, have not made it through the hard times. If you have any additional local restaurant updates, feel free to put them in the comments section below or email them to edgeofthecity@gmail.com.

Restaurant Row has expanded its always-popular outdoor dining further out into the street.

It's cool to see local restaurants really doing nice things with their new outdoor seating during the pandemic. Such as this cozy little spot for T-Bone Diner along Queens Blvd.


The always excellent Banter has recently reopened thanks to its outdoor seating area. 

A crowd waits in line to get some of La Boulangerie's delicacies. 

The excellent Nick's Pizza advertising curbside pickup and home delivery.

Portofino's outdoor seating area along Ascan Ave.

The amazing Italian restaurant Tuscan Hills, one of the best local restaurants in Forest Hills, has set up outdoor seating along Queens Blvd.


Unfortunately, the recently-opened RenWen Noodle Factory had to close its doors. It was one of the finest new additions to Forest Hills' thriving culinary scene and I hope it finds a way to return.
The fine little restaurant Jack & Nellie's also had to shutter on Ascan.