DAMN–$1400 is an amazing deal!
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Posted by the Buttered Biscuit this morning on IG. I suspect we’re going to see a lot of this as towns figure things out…
Sorry folks but the town of Bradley Beach has shut our outdoor seating down for the moment. Unfortunately I read an email incorrectly that was sent to me from the Boro on Wednesday, I thought it was my outdoor cafe permit l because they had already cashed my $600 check in March. I did not realize it was a new application for outdoor seating during Covid.
The police came over and informed me that we have to put the tables away until the new application is approved.
I’d like to add that we are right across the street from the police station and Boro hall and a friendly visit from them letting us know that we needed this “new” permit aside from a one email they had sent on Wednesday to me would have been nice. I know ultimately it’s my responsibility but I am just in shock at the lack of communication from public officials during such a hard time.
I miss all of you and hope to see you soon.
It’s similar to restaurants who already have a liquor license have to pay an additional fee, for a special permit to serve it to go / outdoors. Why charge an additional fee? Why not just grant license holders the exemption until September (or whenever). They just have to get their money however they can.
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Yup… and that was one of the comments on her post–is BB going to refund the $600 you paid in the spring for this year’s permit? CRA.ZY.
UPDATE to my post above: Buttered Biscuit worked things out with Bradley Beach and they’ll be open for outdoor seating tomorrow.
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OK, so yesterday was the “grand reopening” of a lot of places. Outdoor dining started and some other restaurants came back to join the takeout only crowd. But all was not wine and roses. Between the Facebook groups I’m on and some texts from friends, I heard a few stories.
Most of them were about restaurants trying to figure out how to serve. @NotJrvedivici posted about enjoying his favorite Chinese restaurant again but not being happy with the pickup process. Another friend posted pretty much the same thing about takeout from a Red Bank Mexican joint.
No less than three other people posted about mixed experiences dining outside. A prominent Long Branch eatery opened up outside dining but two people posted about how close the outdoor tables were to each other. One poster complained that their favorite dishes “didn’t taste the same.”
My point here is not to disparage. A few friends own restaurants and they all have said what a challenge this new reality is.
My thoughts. 1) Lower your expectations. Until we get some time under our belts, things are being figured out on the fly. These first few weeks will be a bit off. 2) Expect to pay more and possibly get a few misses on your food and drink. Everyone is out of practice and food prices are higher so some substitutions are inevitable. 3) Don’t whine. If you are not happy with your experience, maybe waiting a few weeks will make a difference. 4) Finally, let the restaurant know how you feel. The owners are eager to please and your feedback will be taken seriously.
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An article about restaurants re-opening for outdoor dining in Hazlet contained this:
Other businesses, such as Ae’s Thai and BBQ – located just steps from Perkins – will remain takeout-only for the meantime. General manager Steve Bartow expressed that, because his sidewalk space is extremely limited, he would only be able to accommodate two tables at most. As a large percentage of his business is already focused on a loyal fanbase of carry-out customers, Bartow says he is unsure if outdoor dining is in the cards for the establishment.
“I’m really not sure about such a small storefront. I would only really have room for two tables,” Bartow told Patch. “That really means bringing in a server, but a server that could really only generate an income off of two tables. Right now, I don’t know if it really makes sense.”
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The only thing you forgot was to tip generously! (Although I suspect our fellow HOs don’t need to be reminded of that…)
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Please please please do so with tact. Everyone is so on edge from being locked up I think many of us are looking forward to our first time(s) out to erase the memories of what we have been through and give us some semblance of “normal”. The escape of fantasy will most likely NOT live up to our expectations because of well…everything. So please do be patient, be appreciative that you are out and remember the circumstances (most) restaurants are operating under are not by their own wishes, they are also trying to survive and provide a service under extremely difficult circumstances and new rules. There will be an adjustment period for sure, please set your expectations correctly and just be thankful to be “out” again.
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this is one of my fears for the restaurant scene- all the people dying to rush back to dine out have that fantasy in their heads of how it will go and when that doesn’t get mad it ends up with angry disappointed customers when reality doesn’t match the nirvana they were expecting. I see people coming back to earth quickly on a 90 degree day in July in a parking lot inhaling truck exhaust while smelling emptying grease traps when they were expecting Pina coladas in the sand with a cool ocean breeze. Then we’re left with business owners in a worse spot than before when everyone was pushing for re-open as a fix all solution and owners planned for such. I am guessing those spots on the water that sell booze who can figure out how to handle the crowds will do well. I truly hope people are patient and understanding for a long while.
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Our first foray will be tomorrow at a waterside place. I have zero expectation, and will go with the flow… as long as the delay for alcohol is not interminable. 
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Hey, what FB groups are you on? I’d like to join them too. PM me if preferred. Thanks!
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The two foodie groups I’m in are Curbside pickup Monmouth County and Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Fan Group, Dishes & Your fav Recipes. I doubt you want the Teaching groups I’m in, but I run the Social Emotional Learning group and my blog is at:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/dreauthor/posts
I’m also in a small business owner group but that one is by invite only. I can ask if you like.
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This advice is the key to life!
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Looks like SCG has it together. Large space, good amount of room between tables. I’d feel comfortable there.
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Yes SCG is lucky to have that large area by the water (although I might think differently at low tide/dusk when it gets buggy)…I am friends with the owners at Barnacle Bills and they were talking last week about how to make a go of it outdoors…haven’t seen them since nor been down there so not sure what the outcome was. I’m not a huge fan of the prospect of sitting in a parking lot to eat anywhere. Val’s put a tent up over their small parking area and while it looks ok, its still only about 6 tables in a parking area. Not sure I am all that desperate to go out just yet.
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Amen. I’m ready and not at the same time.
Aside from what @curlznj said about places needing time to work out the kinks, I want to see if there are any spikes. As a food blogger, I have the itch to go (haven’t done a restaurant since March), but as everyone else is learning what they can and cannot live without, I too am seeing what matters. Dining out is not as important as I thought it was. While I’ll always be a food nut with cooking, it might be time for me to put the blog out to pasture, or change the direction from eating out to my own cooking (which is what I’m focusing on lately).
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Trust me, I’m concerned about the spike as well!
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We broke our long fast last last night at Tramas One Willow. Some nice touches in an effort to open up and keep patrons and staff safe.
I was expecting service and kitchen issues after being shut down for so long but all in all there were no issues there. Now, I made early reservations hoping for a sunny day with light winds to enjoy libations and sustenance in the basking glow of my family. The weather didn’t cooperate and that didn’t happen so the restaurant was not exactly insanely busy, so that may have been a factor.
Hostess seated you, and asked that you remain masked while moving around the restaurant. (ETA: also the hostess reminded you of the 90 minute time limit on the reservation. This was not a surprise as it was mentioned during the res process…and understandable to me with diminished capacities) Out of respect to the waiter I tried to remember to mask up when he approached. No menus, scan a QR code and open the menu on your phone. Can see that being an issue with the older crowd as I watched a waitress show an older couple how to do it…they got frustrated and she produced a disposable paper menu.
As we sat there I was thinking that really the only people within 6’ of us were the hostess, the waiter, and a food runner. Obviously back of the house is an entirely different thing.
Only hiccup was getting the tableside contactless card reader to work . Had to do it the old fashioned way inside.
Some new items on the menu. This fried potato and yucca app was really tasty.
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I was out walking one of the dogs yesterday and walked by Barrio Costera in AP and noticed that they appeared to be building an enclosure/ covered area in the parking lot next to the building.
I would imagine it is to expand what very little outdoor dining space they have
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