STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Restaurant owners will break out the champagne flutes and dust off the flatware come Friday, as indoor dining is permitted once again at 25% capacity. This is two days earlier than previously stated, as per Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Monday announcement.
“Twenty five percent — woohoo!” cheered Edward Gomez. Not to miss Valentine’s Day, he’ll be open for dining at 120 Bay Cafe in St. George and the Fort Wadsworth DaNoi. The DaNoi in Travis is normally open for pickup and delivery but will be closed this weekend so as to consolidate staff from both locations.
Fort Wadsworth's DaNoi is open for Valentine's Day weekend but closed in Travis so as to consolidate the staff on this Valentine's Day weekend. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)(Staten Island Advance/Pamela Si
“I’m happy,” Gomez confessed, adding that he’s been following developments on the RESTAURANTS Act in Congress.
He explained, “What’s more important is the restaurant relief right now. Let’s see where that brings us before we go out of business. I hate to be cynical. They have us grasping at straws here. We look forward to the 50%, the 75% and 100%.”
“A weekend gift from the king himself,” quipped an East Shore owner upon hearing the news.
“I’ll be happy when we have a bar crowd and full indoor dining — which I’d be surprised if that happens this year,” said Ken O’Toole of Joyce’s Tavern in Eltingville.
It’s “a lot more than zero,” said O’Toole. “But it’s not enough of an occupancy percentage for only being responsible for 1.43% of COVID spread.” The governor himself had reported that number in December when he said that house parties were to blame for “Living Room Spread.” In the meantime, restaurants like Joyce’s have invested heavily in new air purification systems and electric-wired outdoor setups.
“Twenty-five percent works when you have 25% of bills to pay,” said O’Toole. He continued on the mandatory closing times between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., “There is no reason for a curfew either. If we can follow the COVID guidelines at 9:30 a.m. why can’t we do the same at 11:30 p.m.? Atlantic City is now serving 24/7 on the casino floor. And like everything else, there’s no reason or logic for anything.”
Robert Chi of Loon Chuan will not reopen his dining room until capacities are 50%. This is a sentiment voiced by other borough proprietors who say that otherwise it’s not worth turning on utilities and bringing in inventory for such little return.
Vongole Casino, Littleneck clams prepared with peppers and bacon at DeLuca’s of Tottenville, will be served on a plate indoors come Valentine's Day weekend. (Staten Island Advance/Pamela Silvestri)Rob DeLuca
“The return of indoor dining starting Friday is fantastic news for everyone,” enthused Rob DeLuca of DeLuca’s Italian Restaurant. As the de facto head of restaurant lobbying group IROAR — the Independent Restaurant Owners Association Rescue — he’s been advocating for the return to indoor dining since the group formed in May.
Members of IROAR have lobbied politicians over the year to be heard in Albany and had hosted numerous meetings with the borough’s legislators. Feeling abandoned by all of them, a group of 14 owners appealed to the governor and mayor directly starting in the spring. Their original letter requested to be part of the state’s “Phase 1″ and demanded for immediate reopening at 50% indoor capacity.
Restaurants rally in front of the Richmond County Courthouse, St. George, on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020 as lawyers for proprietors file suit and push for injunction to terminate ban on indoor dining.
After Labor Day weekend, an incorporated IROAR filed its first lawsuit against the city and state to ease restrictions. Although that suit was quashed weeks later, an announcement came in October from the governor’s office that 25% capacity would be permitted. That allowance lasted about six weeks until indoor dining shut once again in mid-December. Bar service has remained illegal since March 16, 2020.
DeLuca said, “Customers will have the luxury of coming out all weekend. Restaurant staff will be able to work the entire weekend and not worry about losing shifts. And for me — that’s the greatest gift as all 35 of DeLuca’s employees will be getting their jobs back as it’s all-hands-on-deck Friday through Sunday.”
Melissa Fleischut, president and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association (NYSRA), said, “Valentine’s Day weekend is a traditional bright spot for our industry during the winter months, especially when it falls on a Sunday. By allowing us to safely reopen and welcome couples looking to celebrate, we can play a role in helping to revive New York City’s economy.”
Pamela Silvestri is Advance Food Editor. She can be reached at silvestri@siadvance.com.