L.A.’s dining scene could start to look a lot more European.
Earlier this year, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced the L.A. Al Fresco dining initiative allowing restaurants to use adjacent outdoor parking, sidewalks, and driving lanes as outdoor dining areas. Upon approval, businesses are provided with all the necessary equipment to create a safe outdoor environment for customers, this includes planters, barricades, and parasols.
The program stimulated the struggling dining industry, giving smaller bars and restaurants without outdoor patios a chance to welcome diners and employees back. Around 1,600 restaurants have signed up for the program so far,
Angelenos have seen empty tarmacs transform into outdoor lush havens across the city while enjoying their favorite eateries knowing the familiar faces that have served them over the years are back at work. And communities have taken the opportunity to get creative, giving customers a new way to experience one of the few social activities permitted. The greenhouses at Lady Byrd cafe and in the illuminated historic passageway in Pasadena are perfect examples of this.
Last week, Garcetti announced that the rule would be in place for the rest of 2020 and now, Los Angeles City Councilman David Ryu has put forward a motion to make permanent within L.A. He is also looking into the feasibility of the change on a broader scale by developing the program with major city departments including the Department of Transportation.
Featured Image: Employees Only LA