Outdoor patio at Harlem restaurant remains popular – even in the winter
When Harlem Tavern opened last summer, it was the place to be uptown – especially the spacious outdoor patio.
But it left customers constantly asking employees the same question what would happen to the outdoor space when the weather turned cold?
Owner Gareth Fagan said the solution was to enclose the patio so customers can continue to dine on the popular outdoor space.
“The patio was the draw,” said Fagan, whose restaurant on the corner of W. 116th St. and Frederick Douglass Blvd. opened in July.
The busy corner eatery, once the site of an auto body shop, often had a long line of people waiting just for a seat outside.
“It just shows you what a need there was ,” he said. “It’s kind of like the ‘Cheers’ of the neighborhood. People can come in and see people that they know.”
Outdoor seating has become increasingly popular in Harlem, with many restaurants along Frederick Douglass Blvd. and Lenox Ave. offering the option for their customers.
But Harlem Tavern is one of the only restaurants to keep the seating option available all year round.
Fagan said the initial vision was to enclose the patio during the winter. The patio seats more than 200 people, but only about 140 were included when the space was enclosed.
“We wanted to create the atmosphere that you’re outside. Almost like a conservatory,” he told the Daily News this week, looking up as the rain hit the tent. “It’s too much square footage to lose.”
Since November, the patio has been enclosed and there are heaters placed throughout the tent to keep customers warm. The space will remain enclosed until the end of April, Fagan said.
“This is like an extension of the restaurant,” he said, adding the red vinyl tent, held up by carefully constructed steel beams, is still attractive. “It doesn’t look like an eyesore.
“We brightened it up,” he said. “I hope [the restaurant] becomes a staple in the community, like the town hall of Harlem.”
Locals packed the restaurant on Sunday to watch the Giants defeat the 49ers to advance to the Super Bowl. Now, Fagan and his team are planning for a big Super Bowl party.
“We wanted somewhere where everyone could come, and just feel comfortable,” he said.
Nathan Karpowich, 35, and Julia Sable, 35, enjoyed their lunch at the restaurant with their two-year-old daughter Phoebe on a rainy Monday afternoon. They first came to the restaurant and sat outside in the summer. Since then, they’ve frequented the restaurant about once a month. It’s Phoebe’s favorite place to eat, and her parents like the restaurant because they said it’s one of the few “kid-friendly” eateries in the neighborhood.
“We were super happy they put this here,” Sable said of the tent. “We love it. This is her favorite place to eat.”
By Michael Feeney / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/outdoor-patio-harlem-restaurant-remains-popular-winter-article-1.1011770#ixzz1kcEc7LqO