Oyamel Seeks Outside Seating

we need MORE outdoor seating places in this city! its not like its going to be some bar soutside. its just a mexican tapas place. im so sick and tired of people protesting everything.

There are so many rats that run on that stretch of the block to begin with that I cannot see an outdoor cafe being a good thing.

I’d rather have more outdoor seating in PQ, but I do hate walking down that stretch of E ST with Jaleo and Austin Grill. In the long run I’d take the outdoor seating over wider sidewalks, but I can understand the frustration.

I do have some philosophical issues of businesses exclusively appropriating public space for their own profit regardless of what type of business it is, if that space appropriation has a negative affect on the public. After all, if they wanted to expand their seating capacity inside, the physical expansion would cost them. Expanding outside, they get the taxpayers and the neighboring community to bear the cost for them while they get the extra profit.

Some sidewalks are wide enough to allow a restaurant to operate on part of the sidewalk and others aren’t – there has to be a balance

You’ve got to be kidding me. Outdoor seating is one of my favorite things about our neighborhood restaurants. We should have more of it. I think it gives the neighborhood a nice European vibe. I usually go out of my way to walk by Jaleo and Austin Grille, perhaps because I like to see what people are eating.

If you look at old pictures of our neighborhood, when there were A LOT more people using the sidewalk, almost every storefront and restaurant jetted out into the sidewalk. Many were covered by awnings.

If we are going to complain about sidewalks, lets talk about the real problem. Why do construction sites get to close sidewalks for years on end? How I would love to walk down 7th street without crossing at F. If you can build a skyscraper in NYC without closing a single sidewalk, why do we close sidewalks (and sometimes parts of the street) to house portapotties and forklifts?

I like outdoor seating in general – I think it contributes to a lively street atmosphere. So I would, by default, welcome it outside Oyamel.

The one thing I HATE about it is when people eating outside are allowed to smoke outside. Then it turns a vibrant streetscape into a tunnel of nasty, polluted smoke. I like walking by the people enjoying themselves out front of Austin Grill and Jaleo, but NOT when people are smoking. It’s like being forced to run a gantlet of smoke. It just sort of hangs in the air there, too.

So let the teeming masses eat outside; just confiscate their cigarettes.

Bring on sidewalk dining. I see why it might inconvienence folks walking during busy hours.

However, later at night, when it isn’t so crowded, sidewalk dining may help deter crime on a crime, as there are tables of folks watching the street. It’s like getting the benefits of a security camera installed.

I imagine women would feel safer late at night walking down a street with outside tables with diners than a street with fewer people there.

One thing I LOVE about outdoor seating is seeing the health nannies running the gantlet of smoke. The look on their face makes my day and I don’t even smoke!

I generally like outdoor seating options but the Jaleo model of having the tables by the curb is inferior to the tables hugging the restaurant a la Austin Grill or Cafe Atlantico. at least leave room on the outside of the sidewalk to get around.

I second it welcome PQGirl!

I live in the Lafayette on D Street, and I’m looking forward to walking past those tables every day on my way home. I hope Rasika follows suit–it’s great seeing people in Penn Quarter, even if they cause a little congestion.

Welcome PQGirl! I say bring on the sidewalk cafes but agree that the smoking should be banned. When it comes to MY health I can be a bit of a NAZI.

And if there’s not enough room on the sidewalk let’s just take over the parking lane. More room for people – less room for cars.

I do not want to live in a neighborhood that brags about preventing restaurants from opening outdoor cafes so we can walk faster on the sidewalks.

I think outdoor cafes are a great amenity to the neighborhood, and if we removed those “obstructions” I simply do NOT believe the neighborhood would benefit overall.

I agree with all, the sidwalk seating adds so much life to the area. This is a welcome site to some of the empty store fronts.

Regarding the smoking…I am not a smoker and don’t enjoy walking past them. However, the smokers have to have someplace to enjoy while they are slowly killing themselves. Just hold your breath for a few seconds as you walk past them.

I rather walk past smokers, than walk past some of the people that live and beg on the street corners. Who knows when they had their last shower.

Outdoor cafes are exactly what’s great about the new DC. The life they bring to the street is worth the congestion. This is a city, after all. Pedestrian congestion is a sign of health and vitality for a city.

Outdoor seating when managed properly could be great for the neighborhood. It is unfortunate Chipotle does not manage their space properly, and if anything, I wish McD’s and Chipotle would just go away- though I love the burritos! Also, at least with outdoor smoking, there are ashtrays, and the streets aren’t littered with butts.

oh wow, i thought everyone would want outdoor seating. like a couple of people have said, it’s what makes eating out fun. and it it adds to the people watching factor. plus, yall live downtown where this sort of thing is supposed to happen. i live in mt pleasant and remember when bella roma (now tonic) had space for like, for two tables on the rather narrow sidewalk and made full use of that space. the outside tables were always in use. too bad the inside tables weren’t. think about rosa mexican. great set up. seems to work well on that corner.

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More sidewalk seating is exactly what we need downtown! We all want a vibrant, exciting downtown, with lots of shopping and restaurant options which means we will have to give a little if we want to entice more restaurants to move in. I say side walk seating should be supported by all in the neighborhood.

Andy in PQ is so right about focusing on the real issues of sidewalk appropriation. Look at the Akridge building going up at 700 6th St NW. They’ve taken the sidewalk away and a lane in the street. And what do they do with that lane? Mostly use it to park their trucks and cars. When restaurants use sidewalks for seating at least its to benefit their customers, not to take public space away for their personal convenience.

Sidewalk seating is good. Go complain about something else.

Yay! Sidewalk seating adds life and vitality to an area–so what if you have to puase every now and then to allow someone to pass in front of you on the narrowed sidewalk? This is exactly the kind of thing that should be encouraged. Good for Oyamel!

to #8

I like outdoor seating and overall support this development in the city, but find the smoking to be enough of a nuissance that I rarely sit outside. If restaurants wish to be smoke free, it should extend to their outdoor space as well. It’s not all sanctimommies who find this objectionable.