Lenox Avenue seems to have a lot of sidewalk dining these days and many were wondering why this was not the case on the wide walkways of FDB/8th Avenue. As of a couple of weeks ago, Les Ambassades at 2200 FDB, between 118th and 119th Street, has had their outdoor seating set up and the boulangerie-patisserie-cafe is looking like it's ready for summer. With this precedent, more restaurants will be sure to follow. Does anyone know why it has taken so long for lower 8th Avenue to get the seating situation set up? The closest subway to this location is the A,B,C,D at 125th Street or the B,C, at 116th. Photo by Ulysses
Friday, June 25, 2010
☞ EAT: Sidewalk Dining Arrives on FDB
Lenox Avenue seems to have a lot of sidewalk dining these days and many were wondering why this was not the case on the wide walkways of FDB/8th Avenue. As of a couple of weeks ago, Les Ambassades at 2200 FDB, between 118th and 119th Street, has had their outdoor seating set up and the boulangerie-patisserie-cafe is looking like it's ready for summer. With this precedent, more restaurants will be sure to follow. Does anyone know why it has taken so long for lower 8th Avenue to get the seating situation set up? The closest subway to this location is the A,B,C,D at 125th Street or the B,C, at 116th. Photo by Ulysses
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$15,000 per year for license is the reason. It is not cheap and the process can take a while. That is why it is important to support the neighborhood establishments.
ReplyDeleteGood Grief. That actually explains a lot.
ReplyDeleteyeah and you have to go before the Community Board and all. . .
ReplyDeleteI know most of the Harlem politicians, in generally they're not very bright people. I am talking about Bill Perkins, Inez Dickens, etc. 3 years ago the NYT addressed this matter,
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/07/realestate/commercial/07sidewalk.html
If a Wall St. firm threatens to leave the foot of Manhattan and go to JC, Bklyn, or CT, NYC moves heaven and earth, gives them tax breaks and perks GALORE!
If a poor brave soul opens an eatery in an area in need of revitalization, and dares to put a few tables out on the sidewalk and capture a bit of business, NYC will fine and arrest them.
The dispensing of perks & breaks (I am not talking about incentives), but out right perks and breaks is SO UNFAIR and UNEVEN in NYC.
The politicians should be the ones making the case to let certain qualifying eateries in certain areas have a break, a perk for taking the risk and opening the business in the first place. All areas are not equal and all city laws and tax rules should reflect that.
It's the Politicians that don't fight the city for "License/Tax (cost free) out door dining" for eateries in Harlem.
In Harlem the sidewalks are used by businesses all the time, illegally, the NYPD does nothing.
I really love this place (ambassades). I go back and forth on wether or not I think they should do something to the interior to make it seem a little cleaner or more organized, not fancy, just put together. But the reality is that they are always very nice people and the food is good.... and I am usually critical about most of the restaurants in Harlem. I cannot emphasize how the service here has really struck me as being attentive and friendly in a way that is genuine yet Harlem casual. If you take the time to look, the cases have delicious enough looking things in them to almost make a decision hard. The food has an authentic feel to me that represents the culture of the restaurants owners. Its unique and charming in such a casual way.
ReplyDeleteAnon @12:20, you are spot on. Great to hear the positive feedback about some of these places when in the past people have often highlighted the negative aspect of things. Lovely place and really hope the outdoor seating is a success.
ReplyDeleteI don't know much about Inez Dickens but Bill Perkins definitely needs to go.
ReplyDeleteMs. Dickens is at least as myopic, pandering, and machine-driven a politician. A similarly empty vessel -- though perhaps less problematic than Perkins on account of her relatively more limited clout.
ReplyDeleteTo Anonymous #1 -- where did the $15,000 figure come from?
ReplyDeletePer the NYT article linked above:
"A 150-square-foot sidewalk berth anywhere between 96th Street and Canal Street costs $4,749.29 annually, about $31 a square foot. (Owners also pay a $510 fee for the two-year license.)"
That's 1/3 of $15,000. And imbecilic uptown politicians notwithstanding, I find it hard to believe that, if there is a different cost below 96th Street than above it, the Harlem price would actually be higher.
Don't get me wrong -- we should do everything possible to encourage sidewalk dining at local establishments (including trying to get fees reduced or waived), but we should also make sure we have our facts straight.
I am right with Anon @12:20, lovely people and a lovely place...I have been drooling over their croissants so much that I did not look at the interior design, really...I think that says it all.
ReplyDeleteTo Pete-
ReplyDeleteThe $15,000 comes from two well established restaurant operators on Lenox Avenue. One on 118th St and the other on 120th St. I happen to be a business owner myself so I know. I go on experience. Not any NY times article. Thank you very much.