Redwood City Initiative Aims To Promote Outdoor Dining

REDWOOD CITY, CA — When San Mateo County late last month lifted restrictions on outdoor dining, it marked the return to a semblance of normalcy for many residents.

For local restaurant owners, it was a lifeline.

"The return of outdoor dining in Redwood City is an absolute job and business saver,” said Greg St. Claire, who owns Milagros, a popular Redwood City Mexican restaurant.

“This business is all about math and it ultimately comes down to our ability to replace the lost indoor dining with seats outside.”

Redwood City Improvement Association has launched an initiative that hopes to make the math work for downtown restaurants such as Milagros.

The “Eat, Sip & Be in RWC” program has expanded outdoor dining capacity, bringing some seating to eateries that previously had none at all, the RCIA said in a statement.

“This unique dining experience is the Redwood City Improvement Association’s (RCIA) way of providing restaurants with an opportunity to continue providing worldly eats to the community and begin recovering some of the sales that were lost over the last several months,” the RCIA said.

Automatic hand sanitizer stations have been installed throughout the dining area. Mask-wearing is required when customers are not seated and social distancing protocols are being enforced, the RCIA said.

Reservations are recommended for participating restaurants.

“Thanks to the City and Chamber of Commerce that have taken proactive measures including street closures and the allowance of large parklets, there is hope for saving the restaurant industry in Redwood City,” St. Claire said.

“It is essential to our survival"

The following streets will be closed or modified to allow businesses to expand their offerings:

• Broadway between Jefferson and Main Street
• Main Street between Stambaugh and Middlefield Road
• Theatre Way
• Broadway between California and El Camino Real (vehicle traffic allowed, parking stalls are closed for outdoor dining)

Current list of participating restaurants:
Alhambra Irish House
831 Main St.
650-366-4366

Angelicas
863 Main St.
650-679-8184

Arya Steakhouse
885 Middlefield Rd.
650-367-4939

Blacksmith
2048 Broadway
650-365-3320

Bobby D’s
700 Winslow St
650-366-1043

Broadway Masala
2397 Broadway St
650-369-9000

Coffeebar
2020 Broadway
650-779-0466

Crouching Tiger
2644 Broadway St.
650-298-881

Gourmet Haus Stadt
2615 Broadway St.
650-364-9232

HoM Korean Restaurant
2639 Broadway St
650-273-5858

Kemuri Japanese Baru
2616 Broadway
650-257-7653

LV Mar
2042 Broadway St.
650-241-3111

Lovejoys Tea Room
901 Main St
650-362-3055

Mademoiselle Colette
2401 Broadway
650-260-2260

Milagros
1099 Middlefield Rd
650-369-4730

Naranjo Taqueria
2647 Broadway St.
650-369-9196

Nick the Greek
2034 Broadway
650-260-0081

Nighthawk
2033 Broadway
650-503-8025

Peet’s Coffee
2600 Broadway
650-362-1000

Pho Dong
2610 Broadway St.
650-298-9900

Quinto Sol
2201 Broadway St.
650-365-6765

Rockn Wraps & Kabobs2053 Broadway
650-299-9551

Rolled Up Creamery
2621 Broadway St.

Sakura
2198 Broadway
650-368-0800

Talk of Broadway
2096 Broadway St.
650-368-3295

The Hub
2650 Broadway St.
650-364-3579

The Patty Shack
900 Main St.
650-364-1400

The Sandwich Spot
2420 Broadway St.
650-299-1300

Venga Empanadas
822 Main
650-549-8932

Vesta
2022 Broadway St.
650-362-5052

Vino Santo Bistro
2030 Broadway St.
650-780-0793

Yokohama
2050 Broadway St.
650-298-9011

Zadna
2653 Broadway St.
650-366-9600

Zareen’s Restaurant
2039 Broadway St.
650-257-7185