A dozen people were waiting in line when Imani in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, opened for brunch on a recent Saturday morning. In Jackson Heights, Queens, two restaurants across the street from each other, Angel Indian and Phayul Himalayan, put out outdoor seating and were eagerly awaiting customers. Nearly 10,000 restaurants have set up outdoor seating since July, even as the ban on indoor service continues. Though outdoor dining has been a hit with patrons, restaurant owners said they were operating at a fraction of regular seating capacity. A local emergency law shields restaurant owners from personal liability for commercial leases.

Source: New York Times August 23, 2020 06:56 UTC