Starting this weekend, Little Italy will be San Diego's premier neighborhood to close residential streets to allow expanded al fresco dining.
Beginning on Saturday, June 13, from 4-10pm, Little Italy will close certain streets to expand open-air dining and create a safe 30-foot physical distancing promenade that will help restaurants alleviate the loss of indoor seating. Street closures include India Street from W. Ash to W. Grape and W. Beech, W. Cedar, as well as W. Date and W. Fir Street between Kettner Boulevard and Columbia Street. Physical distancing protocols will be followed and interested diners will be required to make reservations at their restaurant of choice in advance. Fifteen eateries have already signed up to participate in the program. Little Italy may soon expand hours to include additional weekend evenings.
Participating eateries currently signed on to take advantage of Little Italy's Al Fresco program include Isola Pizza Bar, Ironside Fish & Oyster, Davanti Enoteca, Bolt Brewery, Buon Appetito, Cloak & Petal, Civico 1845, Solunto Ristorante & Bakery, Sorrento Ristorante Bar e Pizzeria, Sogno Di Vino, Ristorante Illando, Parakeet Cafe, Landini’s Pizzeria, Caffe Italia, and Buon Appetito.
Participating eateries currently signed on to take advantage of Little Italy's Al Fresco program include Isola Pizza Bar, Ironside Fish & Oyster, Davanti Enoteca, Bolt Brewery, Buon Appetito, Cloak & Petal, Civico 1845, Solunto Ristorante & Bakery, Sorrento Ristorante Bar e Pizzeria, Sogno Di Vino, Ristorante Illando, Parakeet Cafe, Landini’s Pizzeria, Caffe Italia, and Buon Appetito.
Based on the success of this pilot program, more San Diego neighborhoods may begin closing streets to allow restaurants to expand seating, including the Gaslamp Quarter, North Park and Pacific Beach. In mid-May California’s Alcoholic Beverage Control board initiated the Temporary Catering Authorization to permit restaurants and bars to expand the outdoor areas for patrons to consume food and alcohol as a means for restaurants to recover lost revenue due to COVID-19 pandemic precautions. Approved restaurants are allowed to expand service to parking lots, sidewalks, public thoroughfares closed to public access, and other areas within close proximity to the business.
For more information, visit littleitalysd.com/ciao-bella/al-fresco.
