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Tired of dining indoors because your favorite restaurant can’t accommodate a table for you under the sky? Don’t worry, as that will change as around 200 eateries across the capital have been granted licenses for open-air dining. This move by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has got restaurant owners and foodies excited about the endless possibilities of winter cuisine.
Foodies lick their lips in thought
The news is a win-win for foodies like Shibendu Mittal. “As a consumer, I am really excited to avail this opportunity to enjoy my favorite food and enjoy the approaching winter at the same time,” said Mittal, who is part of the Gurgaon Foodie Group, which has members across NCR.
Talked to NDMC too
“This order is for the whole of Delhi; Except the area covered by New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC). But the NDMC called a meeting with the NRAI on Thursday, which means they are open to the matter,” said Rahul Singh, CEO and founder of The Bear Cafe and trustee of the National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI). Singh added, “Some restaurants were serving openly anyway, so why should it not be legal despite having a license! We want to legitimize it so no one messes up. For now, 200 (restaurant) licenses have arrived and another 800 to 1,000 will apply soon. I am applying for all my outlets, where there is an open space. Yes, AQI has problems, but it’s a temporary blip. When it’s summer, we all stay in air-conditioned environment all day long. So who doesn’t like a little wind?”
After working indoors all day, stay in the open
Umang Tiwari, owner of Junkyard and Live Bar, a local, also opposes the idea of sit-down diners during mealtimes. He said, “This is a very progressive step as the rest of the world also allows outdoor seating Most working people stay inside closed walls all day. So when they want to be quiet, they prefer to be open.
Purifiers to tackle the problem of air pollution
Addressing the concern of poor air during al-fresco dining, Sahil Sambhi, co-founder, Molecule said, “We have started installing air purifiers and mist fans to keep an eye on pollution.” Naresh Madan, Co-Founder, Imperfecto, chimes in, “We take precautions to clean the open balconies with cleanliness and install air purifiers etc.
Adding to this, Vikrant Batra, Founder, Cafe Delhi Heights feels that as a measure to combat the pollution that has become a part and parcel of every Delhiite’s life, restaurants can “green the surroundings with air purifying plants”. Also, says Naresh Madan, co-founder of Imperfecto, “We take precautions for cleanliness in open balconies and install air purifiers etc. Open food adds a charm and experience that is widely cherished by people. Grateful for allowing us to serve our guests in an officially open space.”
Will high decibels be the next issue?
“The hospitality industry was badly hit during the pandemic and this move will give a good boost to the city’s nightlife scene. However, restaurants now have to take care of loud music or live kitchens,” opines Prabhjot Singh, founder of Delhi-based foodie group, Foodcars.
Adding to this, another foodie Renu Dhir, a member of Delhi Food Freak, said: “Consumers should have a choice between dine-in and open air. Often the younger crowd wants to enjoy the ambiance and good food and perhaps the senior citizens don’t like to sit outside all the time for various reasons. But this is a great initiative as the hospitality sector took a big hit during Covid-19. I’m sure now there will be new restaurants who will love to explore this concept further and fill in what they’ve been missing.”
The author tweeted @NainaRora8
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