With the restaurant industry facing apocalyptic times due to the impact of COVID-19, for some, the ability to add outdoor dining has been the life line needed to keep the lights on.
Italian eatery, Dino, in Fort Greene, has adapted to outdoor dining by adding a handful of tables out front, with pre-existing outside seating in their backyard. Business has been steady since the reopening of the restaurant on June 22 and there have been no layoffs.
The 10-year-old restaurant is named after the owners’ — Thiru and Heather — teenage son, Dino. And while they had grand plans to throw a celebration to honor this milestone, it was canceled due to COVID-19. With outdoor dining ending on October 31, the restaurant is exploring the option of converting the upstairs to expand their capacity for indoor dining.
In the meantime, with Dino serving lunch and dinner 7 days a week, their expanded outdoor dining service is helping to bring in revenue in a time when it’s needed most.
Patrons at Dino, an Italian restaurant in Fort Greene, seated outside at the restaurant, September 14, 2020. Photo by Courtney Guarino
Chris, a bartender and server, makes cocktails at Dino in Fort Greene, September 14, 2020. Photo by Courtney Guarino
The backyard seating area at Dino in Fort Greene, September 14, 2020. Photo by Courtney Guarino
Patrons are served bread at Dino in Fort Greene, September 14, 2020. Photo by Courtney Guarino
Chris, a bartender and server at Dino in Fort Greene, rings up an order, September 14, 2020. Photo by Courtney Guarino.
The front of Dino in Fort Greene, September 14, 2020. Photo by Courtney Guarino
