Outdoor Dining Marks Hopeful ‘First Step’ For Holmdel Restaurants

HOLMDEL-HAZLET, NJ – Monday marked the first opportunity for New Jersey residents to partake in sit-down table service for the first time since March. Announced on June 1 by Gov. Phil Murphy, the Phase 2 plan allows for outdoor dining service and curbside retail throughout the state.

To assist with the June 15 opening of outdoor dining, the Holmdel Township Committee passed a resolution last week to authorize outdoor service for restaurants within the township. The committee also passed a temporary outdoor dining permit – which includes a waiver of all associated fees – in an attempt to help local businesses get back on their feet.

One such business, The Turning Point in Holmdel, reported a spectacular turnout on its first day of outdoor service. Sporting six tables on its outside terrace and a sanitation zone, the popular brunch spot touted an excellent reception.

“We really had a great day,” general manager Alexis Reino told Patch. “By the time lunch came, we had a little bit of a wait going. It was awesome.”

Other local eateries that will be open for outdoor table service include Nic’s Hometown Tavern and Patricia’s of Holmdel.

Hazlet passed a similar resolution on June 2 focused on retail and dining, which allows for restaurants to conduct business on sidewalks in front of their respective establishments as long as shoppers can access businesses on the same property or in the same shopping center. The resolution will expire at the end of 2020 or when the COVID-19 emergency is declared to be over, whichever is earlier.

Perkins Restaurant and Bakery, located in Hazlet’s Airport Plaza Shopping Center, offers 16 large picnic benches for groups of six to dine in a socially distant manner. Owner Mike Marshall says he has hired more staff and will install additional seating to maximize the large overhang space outside of his restaurant.

“My restaurant has a 245-seat capacity restaurant, but I can’t do that outside. I’m just trying to keep moving forward in the right direction and try to provide the best service I can during these times,” said Marshall. “I want to take advantage of the fact that we have the ability to do full-service outdoor dining.”

Other businesses, such as Ae’s Thai and BBQ – located just steps from Perkins – will remain takeout-only for the meantime. General manager Steve Bartow expressed that, because his sidewalk space is extremely limited, he would only be able to accommodate two tables at most. As a large percentage of his business is already focused on a loyal fanbase of carry-out customers, Bartow says he is unsure if outdoor dining is in the cards for the establishment.

“I’m really not sure about such a small storefront. I would only really have room for two tables,” Bartow told Patch. “That really means bringing in a server, but a server that could really only generate an income off of two tables. Right now, I don’t know if it really makes sense.”

But while several restaurateurs’ plans for outdoor service are still up in the air, food establishments preparing for service in the great outdoors all share concerns over one major deterrent to business: weather.

“Even though we are covered, we’re not completely covered, so weather is a big factor,” said Annarita DiMeo-Dragonetti, the manager at La Ginestra Ristorante Italiano & Pizzeria, referring to the wrap-around dining terrace located in front of the restaurant. “When the pandemic started, it was like, ‘how do we pay our bills?’ It’s really paying the bills and staying afloat and keeping our staff that are definitely our biggest concerns.”

Nevertheless, many food establishments considered Monday a step in the right direction. As restaurant owners across the state eagerly await for further developments and an eventual return to indoor service, outdoor dining proved to be a beacon of hope for those in the dining industry.

“I have been in business for over 24 years. I am staying optimistic while trying to navigate through this storm,” concluded Marshall. “I have the most loyal help to back me up … we need the inside to open for this to really work, but this is a very optimistic day.”