Rick Simone doesn’t mince words when it comes to the success of closing part of Atwells Avenue in Providence on Friday and Saturday nights to allow for outdoor dining at the many restaurants on Federal Hill.
“If we hadn’t done this, we have no doubt restaurants on the Hill would not have made it through the summer,” said Simone, executive director of the Federal Hill Commerce Association.
So far, Simone and more than 30 restaurants on Federal Hill are pleased with the new al fresco experience during this already unforgettable summer.
In the good old days – just last year – the maximum number of tables that any single Federal Hill restaurateur could put out on their sidewalk on Atwells Avenue might have been two or three. There were a few exceptions. Also, there were those eateries that had the good fortune to be located on DePasquale Plaza, which offers a lot of space for outdoor dining.
Then came the pandemic and the shutdown.Outdoor dining was offered as an option for restaurants to reopen. But in an urban setting where there are few parking lots or open spaces, it wasn’t much of an option on Federal Hill. Then, an alternative plan began coming together.
Because the pandemic created an unprecedented reduction in car traffic, Atwells Avenue became a road much less traveled, and some of the restaurateurs had the same vision at once: What about closing off “The Avenue” and turning it into an outdoor piazza reminiscent of those in Italy?
Simone, no stranger to creating event spaces both indoors and outdoors, proposed the idea to the City Council and got the support of Council President Sabina Matos. Then Mayor Jorge O. Elorza got on board, and the city picked up the tab for the first month of the program, which began June 19.
“Al Fresco On The Hill” occupies Atwells Avenue, from Bradford Street near the arch to Dean Street and then from Dean Street to Lily Street. The center of the street is left open as a pedestrian walkway and as a fire and emergency lane. It was a major undertaking to coordinate with the city’s traffic and engineering department, the police and fire departments, and the individual restaurants, each of which has a designated space in front of its location for tables. The avenue is closed to traffic on Fridays and Saturdays from 3:30 p.m. to midnight and dining begins at 5 p.m.
Business has been brisk.
Restaurants have reported about 90% of their capacity booked in advance. Reservations are preferred by restaurants, but there is now the availability to walk up and be seated at a table. Current guidelines require patrons to provide contact information in case contact tracing is necessary. The maximum size for a party is eight people. And Simone said that “thankfully” mask wearing is being practiced, for the most part.
[caption id="attachment_337791" align="aligncenter" width="1000"]
AVE. VENUE: Patrons fill tables outside Ristorante Il Massimo in Federal Hill in Providence as part of the “Al Fresco On The Hill” dining initiative launched in June. / COURTESY FEDERAL HILL COMMERCE ASSOCIATION[/caption]
This is not a food court. The restaurants have gone to great lengths to bring their unique atmosphere and signature style outdoors with flowers, umbrellas, tents, planters and full-service waiters and waitresses.
Simone said guests have traveled from Connecticut and New York, as well as all over Rhode Island. Two hotels have approached the Federal Hill association about developing overnight packages in response to interest from out-of-towners who are making reservations to come and spend the weekend. More restaurants are expected to join the group and strolling musicians are being added. The plan is to continue Al Fresco On The Hill into October. “You will feel like you are in Europe strolling from one end of Atwells Avenue to the other and having your selection of places to go,” Simone said. “It really is a special feeling.”
A note to those dining out on Federal Hill and elsewhere in the state: Kindly manage your reservations.
Some prospective patrons have been booking reservations at multiple restaurants based on wait times or other criteria. Then when only one of the reservations is used, the others are never canceled. This puts restaurants in a difficult position with only 50% or 60% of tables available and no bar to offer a place to wait. If you would like to help rescue the restaurant industry, try to notify the restaurant with a cancellation so that valuable table can be given to another customer. And wear your mask and be nice. n
Bruce Newbury’s “Dining Out” radio talk show is heard Saturdays at 11 a.m. on 1540 AM WADK, on radio throughout New England, through various mobile applications and his podcast. Email Bruce at Bruce@brucenewbury.com.
