5 Natick Restaurants Up For Outdoor Dining Approval

NATICK, MA — The Natick Board of Selectmen on Monday will review five applications from local restaurants for outdoor dining and alcohol service. The applications come as Massachusetts begins to reopen as the coronavirus pandemic slows.

Two weeks ago, Gov. Charlie Baker issued an executive order giving cities and towns the ability to quickly grant outdoor dining and alcohol service approvals. The Natick Board of Selectmen approved the town's own process this week, which begins with restaurants applying through the Temporary Outdoor Dining Review Committee — a panel comprised of members from the police, fire, public health, public works, and economic development departments.

The Board of Selectmen is in charge of granting restaurants the ability to serve alcohol outdoors. The Temporary Outdoor Dining Review Committee meets Thursday to review applications from the previous week.

Restaurants across the state were allowed to start offering outdoor dining on June 8, when Massachusetts entered phase 2. Although coronavirus is still spreading in the state, health officials believe staying outdoors reduces the chance of contracting the virus.

The five restaurants up for approval on Monday include:

• Dolphin Seafood Restaurant
• Morse Tavern
• Zaftig's Delicatessen
• Eli's Breakfast Burgers-Brews
• Natick Elks Lodge #1425