Sitting Outside On E Street? *Updated*

I hope not! There are some really foul smells coming out of the garage next door… very unappetizing!

I don’t really care whether they have outside seating or not – I might not sit there, but would probably make the street look nicer – but don’t you need to get permits and stuff for that?

I walk by there frequently and haven’t noticed anything posted?

I think, although I could be wrong, they got the permits back when they first opened. I think they’ve just waited to start putting the seating outside.

As for the smell, I haven’t noticed one but that doesn’t mean it’s not there. The reality is outside seating = smoking section, so I suspect cigarettes will be the smell out there soon.

Will the snake be back ??

Could we please ban smoking?!? Everywhere, at all times!!!!!

You know, after looking at them closer, it seems like the chairs are more suited for a front porch than outdoor restaurant seating. Although, they look like they’d be very comfortable to sit in.

Regarding the topic of smoking in outdoor seating sections, I’ve walked by Proof’s huge outdoor seating area several times and no one was smoking. However, I will concede that Proof and Asia 9 probably serve slightly different demographics.

Sure, let’s ban smoking. & perfumes. & guns. & alcohol. & obnoxious people. & everybody I don’t like. please!!!

Ahhhhh … there’s nothing quite like sitting at an outside table in Paris during summer. Waaaaaahhhhh!

They better do something to attract customers. Every time I’ve eaten there or walked by it’s been pretty dead. Personally, I’m not all that surprised based on the bland food and horrendous customer service experienced I’ve experienced.

I’ve dined inside at the bar once. The sushi was pretty good, and the sake selection is outstanding. The bar service was excellent.

I’ve eaten sushi there a half dozen times at the front bar and the back bar. it’s always been above average, fresh and tasty. the service has varied from average to above average. YMMV.

an option to eat outside is always a plus in my book.

Agree with pqresident, outdoor seating is always good. And this stretch of E ST needs something to liven it up.

outdoor seating is now on D,E,F and other streets. Some outdoor seating at CoCo would make that block a more attractive location.

By the way, what happened to Sei?

Anyone have any intel?

I believe that smell isn’t coming from the garage, but is currently coming from under the sewer cap on the sidewalk near MacDonald’s, (partially because this part of the city still has the combined storm water runoff and untreated sewage system). I park in the garage, and although there used to be a smell problem apparently caused by MacDonald’s, that was resolved.

I’ve notice a couple restaurants slowly but surely pushing their seating areas farther and farther into the sidewalk, making it more difficult to walk (NOT Asia9). Presumably, they were measured correctly according to their permit when they first put them out. The most annoying is the Gordon Biersh at 900 F St. Since their construction materials disappeared, they clearly put the new railings and tables a good foot and a half into the sidewalk from where they were previously screwed in. That along with the tree planters makes it difficult for two way pedestrian traffic to get by.

On my way home from work, I mentioned to the manager at Gordon Biersh how it had become difficult for people using the sidewalk because they had creeped so far into it. He said he’d have it taken care of “right away”. I was skeptical, by sure enough when I walked by a couple hours later, it was indeed taken care of. Impressive!

Good short-term solution. But most would agree that sidewalk dining and improves the neighborhood. If the diners are crammed into a small space use of the sidewalk dining is likely to decline and then there goes a nice dynamic that has added to the neighborhood buzz. District Department of Transportation should probably take one of those three lanes away (as part of its policy to give the streets back to the neighborhoods and discourage too much car traffic) and make the sidewalk more expansive. But D. implements this very unevenly and penn quarter.