May 21, 2009 9:53 pm US/Eastern
City Agrees To Allow Outdoor Dining Year-Round
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
Whether it's a scrumptious sea food meal on the wharf, or an elegant Italian eatery in the North End, Bostonians in general love outdoor dining. "I love eating outside it gives you a sense of freedom. As we say in French it's the joy of life. There's an excitement and atmosphere you have outside you just don't have inside," Cheers patron Cathy Bent said.
On Wednesday, Boston City Council agreed to allow restaurant owners the freedom to offer sidewalk dining year round. Roger Berkowitz of Legal Sea Foods has been in the restaurant business for more than 35 years. He says the extra weeks outside will help business.
"Sometimes the weather is great in April and even in the November so the shoulder seasons are really good. And those of us in the restaurant business know our best days are when people can enjoy dining outside," Berkowitz said.
Up until today, sidewalk dining was only allowed from May through October.
"It work two ways they get more business and they're providing a service for people who want to come out and enjoy Boston whether its beautiful or 65 degrees," Legal Sea Foods patron William Minor said.
Now the decision to bring the meal inside is up to the restaurant owner. "Obviously we are not going to be stupid if its 32 degrees we are not going to force anyone to sit outside," Berkowitz said.
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