The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Outdoor dining: Restaurants ready for partial reopening
It will take time, a couple of phases and a bunch of alterations for the restaurant industry in Connecticut to come back after the May 20 reopening date set by the state, but it’s a start. And for now, the only place you can get served by eateries is at a table outdoors. So let’s do that.
Cleaning and staff protocals will be in place, with new signage, hand sanitizers and tables at least six feet apart. Also: rolled or packages utensils, single-use condiments and either disposable paper menus or a chalkboard or wipeboard of offerings, not to mention contactless payment.
Oh, and don’t make this some kind of tiresome political squabble; just bring a mask to wear while you’re not actually eating.
“My family and I are very excited to welcome our community back to Consiglio’s (of New Haven),” said owner Trish Perrotti in an email exchange. “We’ve missed them very much and are counting down the days until we can serve them again. See you on the patio!”
Here’s a partial list of places with outdoor dining areas (check their websites for the latest information):
⏩ Consiglio’s on Wooster Street is indeed raring to go with its attractive patio, as are Goodfellas on State Street, Shell & Bones Oyster Bar & Grill on the water at City Point in New Haven, along with Lenny & Joe’s on the Sound at Long Wharf.
⏩ In Bridgeport, we expect outdoor service at Dolphin’s Cove Restaurant and Captain’s Cove Seaport on the water. Stratford has Knapp’s Landing on the Housatonic River. Also well-known for outdoor service are The Whelk in Westport and Paloma in Stamford.
⏩ To the east of New Haven, John and Maria’s in East Haven added a large patio area a few years ago. Other great spots are Lenny’s in Branford, Guilford Mooring in Guilford, Lenny & Joe’s in Madison, Gelston House in East Haddam and Blue Oar in Haddam.
⏩ Hamden has Mickey’s Restaurant & Bar and Cheshire has Viron Rondo with outdoor tables.