New York Post

Sidewalk showcase of NYC’s ‘in’ crowd

Who has the most creative outdoor dining setup amid the pandemic?

- By GABRIELLE FONROUGE

Fur-lined seats, beautifull­y lit glass cabins, miniature electric fireplaces . . .

The Big Apple’s outdoor dining scene will be a winter wonderland this year, thanks to creative restaurant owners who have been forced to adapt to ever-changing coronaviru­s restrictio­ns imposed by Gov. Cuomo.

To help illustrate the amazing work being done by restaurate­urs, The Post is asking its readers to take snapshots of the most imaginativ­e setups they have seen and e-mail them to outdoordin­ing@nypost.com. The best of the bunch will be chosen by our food critic Steve Cuozzo.

In lower Manhattan, designers for Pier 17’s The Rooftop created winterized, individual cabins that offer panoramic views that diners can enjoy while sipping on hot smoked toddys and yule ciders and feasting on cheese fondue and buttermilk fried chicken.

Each of the cabins costs $50 to reserve on weekends.

At the Meatpackin­g arm of Fig & Olive, which serves up Mediterran­ean fare, designers created a cozy retreat that includes fur throws draped across seats, plastic igloos and wood floors.

The Upper East Side’s Daniel, known for being one of the best — and most exclusive — restaurant­s in all of New York, has applied its Michelin-star energy to its sidewalk setup in its creation of “Boulud Sur Mer bungalows.”

The bungalows, described as a “personal doorway” to “the South of France,” are completely private with curtains that shut out the sidewalk riffraff and cabin heaters that keep diners warm.

Another impressive effort has come from Cafe Du Soleil on the Upper West Side.

Owner Alain Chevreux decked the eatery’s sidewalk setup with red, white and green Christmas decoration­s to go along with chic dining bubbles to bring some holiday cheer to diners. “We have the typical Christmas decoration­s, lighting all over, the ornaments,” Chevreux said. “The place looks magnificen­t at night.”

Positano in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, has made great use of its ample space by hand-creating a series of cabanas that are designed to mimic the indoor experience.

“We have heaters, lights, fresh flowers, palm trees,” general manager Valmir Krasniqi said of the southern Italian hot spot.

“We’re just trying to make a regular restaurant experience outside because there’s not much else we can do.”

 ??  ?? OUT TO EAT: Daniel’s bungalows promise a trip to “the South of France,” while Fig & Olive is adding fur throws (inset top) and Pier 17’s The Rooftop (inset bottom) created winterized, individual cabins for diners.
OUT TO EAT: Daniel’s bungalows promise a trip to “the South of France,” while Fig & Olive is adding fur throws (inset top) and Pier 17’s The Rooftop (inset bottom) created winterized, individual cabins for diners.
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 ?? NY Post: Brian Zak ?? OUI LIKE: At the French favorite Cafe Du Soleil on the Upper West Side, stylish outdoor dining bubbles are decorated with Christmas-themed items to make it “magnificen­t,” said owner Alain Chevreux.
NY Post: Brian Zak OUI LIKE: At the French favorite Cafe Du Soleil on the Upper West Side, stylish outdoor dining bubbles are decorated with Christmas-themed items to make it “magnificen­t,” said owner Alain Chevreux.
 ??  ?? GO FOR IT: The renowned Marea has created an elaborate overhead garden, while Positano in Brooklyn (right) is cozy with a focus still on the Italian fare.
GO FOR IT: The renowned Marea has created an elaborate overhead garden, while Positano in Brooklyn (right) is cozy with a focus still on the Italian fare.
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