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Local restaurants open the doors to outside seating in backyards,
26 JULY 2 0 2 0
FOOD + DRINKS
Astoria has always been
known not only for its great
restaurants, but also for the
kind of backyard seating
you can only get in an outer
borough.
Now that outdoor dining is
allowed, restaurants are welcoming
customers back with updated safety
guidelines, a plethora of socially distanced
outdoor seating and the menu
items locals have been craving.
We spoke with the managers and
owners of six restaurants in Astoria
and Long Island City that offer outdoor
seating. Every restaurant is handling
changes differently, so be prepared
to be patient and understanding and
follow the rules when you go back to
support these local businesses.
American Brass
Corner of Center Boulevard
and 49th Avenue, LIC
americanbrasslic.com
Owner Robert Briskin opened American
Brass, his second Long Island City
restaurant, about a week before the
lockdown. Despite the poor timing,
the community supported the brasserie
through its first few months.
The menu blends seasonal French
cuisine with an American flair. Briskin
narrowed down the offerings
for now, but you can
still get a “beautiful
platter” from the raw
bar — choose from
six to seven options
instead of the original 16 — like shrimp
cocktail, king crab or lobster. All beers
offered are brewed less than a mile
away. Plus, the cocktail menu was designed
by Aidan Bowie, the mixologist
from the number one bar in London, so
it’s “really legit,” Briskin said.
American Brass can seat about 80
people outdoors with its tables on
the back patio, sidewalk and roadway.
Briskin said he’s following all New York
City guidelines and taking precautions.
Tables are spaced out; the brasserie
isn’t taking groups larger
than six; there are hand
sanitizing stations to use
before entering the indoor
space or using the
bathroom; masks are
required inside; and
staff wear masks and
gloves and get daily
temperature checks.
Briskin said American
Brass won’t be the
first restaurants to offer
indoor dining again
even when it’s allowed
to reduce the risk of virus
spikes.
on patios and on sidewalks
BY DANIELLE BRODY
@DLB1022
Photos courtesy of American Brass
/americanbrasslic.com
