Seating capacity increases at Long Island restaurants

Restaurants across Long Island were able to increase patron capacity to 75 percent on March 19, which at least three restaurateurs in the Five Towns said is good news and will help them to survive through the coronavirus pandemic.

Results from a New York State Restaurant Association survey found that more than 67 percent of restaurants reported that revenue from increased off-premise sales made up less than 30 percent of the loss in on-premise sales. More than 90 percent of restaurant owners said total dollar sales volume was lower this January than last year.

At Bagel Boss in Hewlett owner Randy Rosner said that he has worked 12-hour days, six days a week and aimed to keep his business running by initially having contactless, curbside pickup — which continues — along with keeping the store open for people that might not feel comfortable during regular hours and connecting with his nephew Alex Rosner’s business bagelofthemonth.com. Bagel Boss ships bagels across the country and handling 200 to 400 orders shipped on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

“It’s going to help tremendously, because we have people that come here for lunch and unfortunately they can’t sit because we are limited on the amount of space but now that we’re going to open up a little more I’m sure people will be a lot happier and they’re going to come in,” Rosner said, about the new increased seating capacity.

He highlighted that the store did “the right thing,” having shields, sanitizer gel at stations by the register and “our friendly service.” “We have the most courteous employees taking care of the customers making sure everybody stays safe,” Rosner said. “Plus our food is good, made fresh daily.” Calling himself “an old rocker,” radio station Q104 plays throughout the store. During our interview Steely Dan’s “Do It Again” hummed in the background.

At Friendlier Restaurant & Bar in Woodmere, Vito Vinceslao said that the increased capacity will “100 percent help” along with people being vaccinated. Exhibiting an upbeat outlook he said, “Things are getting better, we have no complaints. It was a rough winter, but it’s all good.” Since it was allowed, Friendlier has had an outside tent that seats at least eight tables.

To remain a viable business through the past year, Vinceslao said that delivery and take out was huge, there were postings on Facebook and Instagram with enticing images of meals and Friendlier donated food to many organizations. None of the staff was laid off, he said.

“It was a lot of hard work,” Vinceslao said, “we’re thanking the community and they’re thanking us for staying open.” On March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, the Italian eatery offered the traditional Irish dish of corned beef and cabbage. He noted that the menu was expanded through the pandemic to offer burgers, lamb chops and steak.

Remy Kurtaj, owner of Remy’s Italian Restaurant in Hewlett, was cautiously optimistic as the seating capacity increased. “ It will definitely help,” he said, noting that restaurants ill have to close at 11 p.m. “The only thing is we are still being cautious with the customers. We don’t want them to get hurt. We are going step by step.”

Kurtaj credited the Town of Hempstead with allowing the restaurants to put up the outdoor tents. “We worked very hard not to increases prices,” he said. “The most important thing is the outdoor tent. If we didn’t have the help of the Town of Hempstead most restaurants, including me, would be closing.”