Rosemary's Bistro Blocking Connecticut Avenue

[Anonymous]

Curious if anyone knows why Rosemary's Bistro has been allowed to keep up its tent that blocks a lane of Connecticut Avenue? No other restaurants or stores have a tent up in a lane on Connecticut. Is it just that no one else wants one or does Rosemary's Bistro have special dispensation? It creates a traffic backup every morning at the light at Nebraska and is something of an eyesore. It also doesn't seem very safe because cars come through the intersection in that lane and then have to quickly move over mid-block. Maybe the concrete barriers give a sense of protection, but why not just move the tent to the sidewalk so people aren't dining in the middle of traffic?

[Anonymous]

And next week when school starts it is going to be nuts

[Anonymous]

I am totally in favor of all the restaurants having more outdoor space - but I hate that particular space. It's in a bad spot for bottlenecking traffic and it is so ugly. Some of the ones down on 14th or Mt. Pleasant are actually attractive. Those concrete barriers. Get rid of them.

[Anonymous]

I am all for adding amenities like this in our public space. Yes, it could have been better executed, but it would otherwise be parking for two or three cars. This is a much better use.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am all for adding amenities like this in our public space. Yes, it could have been better executed, but it would otherwise be parking for two or three cars. This is a much better use.

But why just them? Why are they allowed to set up in the street whereas all the rest of the restaurants’ outdoor space is on the sidewalk? Can a store set up a retail space in a traffic lane? If not, why not?

Not worried about the parking spaces, but hate the bottleneck it creates (and the ugliness…if we’re going to have streateries, we need some aesthetic and safety standards).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am all for adding amenities like this in our public space. Yes, it could have been better executed, but it would otherwise be parking for two or three cars. This is a much better use.

But why just them? Why are they allowed to set up in the street whereas all the rest of the restaurants’ outdoor space is on the sidewalk? Can a store set up a retail space in a traffic lane? If not, why not?

Not worried about the parking spaces, but hate the bottleneck it creates (and the ugliness…if we’re going to have streateries, we need some aesthetic and safety standards).

It wasn't just them. I'm Eddie Cano next door had one for years. They just took it down. Rosemary's space is pretty nice. Has plexiglass and everything. I've enjoyed brunch there a few times on that streetery.

[Anonymous]

I don't know, but I eat their often and love that they have this unusual setup

[Anonymous]

Rosemary’s setup looks like a dirty and disheveled homeless encampment. Says a lot about how the owners think about the neighborhood, their patrons, and themselves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rosemary’s setup looks like a dirty and disheveled homeless encampment. Says a lot about how the owners think about the neighborhood, their patrons, and themselves.

Agree, not a good look. Plus who wants to sit in a traffic lane with cars whizzing by while you eat?

[Anonymous]

Thank you OP! I commute along Conn Ave and have wondered about this for the past two years. Many of the pandemic streeteries have been adjusted or taken down entirely now that indoor dining is no longer a concern and traffic has returned. This is the only restaurant that using a lane of a major artery for its business - why? If it's such a great idea, why not give a lane to the Politics & Prose cafe on the other side of the street? Or the dozens of other restaurants that have real estate up and down Conn Ave? Does Rosemary's Bistro pay rent for that space? Does the restaurant even get enough patronage for this extra space?

And why would anyone think it's a smart idea to stick a street shed in the middle of a major intersection that also happens to have a lot of kids and families walking to/from area schools? It's bizarre and dangerous.

These are the questions that go through my mind every day when I see near accidents and sit in unnecessary gridlock as cars try to merge around this stupidity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rosemary’s setup looks like a dirty and disheveled homeless encampment. Says a lot about how the owners think about the neighborhood, their patrons, and themselves.

Oh jeez. I'm so sorry its not laden with gold. Get the f out of here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rosemary’s setup looks like a dirty and disheveled homeless encampment. Says a lot about how the owners think about the neighborhood, their patrons, and themselves.

Oh jeez. I'm so sorry its not laden with gold. Get the f out of here.

Who said anything about gold? Scores of restaurants in the region have created simple and attractive streateries that complement or integrate with their surrounding neighborhoods. By contrast, Rosemary’s is on par with the grubby food tents at county fairs. The setup is lazy and clearly shows no care for the neighborhood.

So, maybe you get the f out of here…

[Anonymous]

I would call 311. Maybe they've just slipped below the radar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would call 311. Maybe they've just slipped below the radar.

Negative, sorry to bust your bubble. The third lane will remain closed.


https://www.foresthillsconnection.com/news/business-in-brief-laliguras-closes-more-progress-in-filling-vacant-connecticut-ave-retail-sprucing-up-the-place/

Rosemary Bistro Cafe’s streetery at 5010 Connecticut has undergone a major upgrade, which ANC 3F commissioner Courtney Carlson praised on July 18th. Owner Fred Darricarrere “has really done an amazing job of investing in his streetery,” Carlson said. “He cleaned the top, painted it, installed Plexiglas on the side. It really opens up that side of the avenue while still allowing his business to have a lot of extra outdoor seating in the summer months. So kudos to him, and I think it’s a great addition to how that streetscape looks on that side of the street.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you OP! I commute along Conn Ave and have wondered about this for the past two years. Many of the pandemic streeteries have been adjusted or taken down entirely now that indoor dining is no longer a concern and traffic has returned. This is the only restaurant that using a lane of a major artery for its business - why? If it's such a great idea, why not give a lane to the Politics & Prose cafe on the other side of the street? Or the dozens of other restaurants that have real estate up and down Conn Ave? Does Rosemary's Bistro pay rent for that space? Does the restaurant even get enough patronage for this extra space?

And why would anyone think it's a smart idea to stick a street shed in the middle of a major intersection that also happens to have a lot of kids and families walking to/from area schools? It's bizarre and dangerous.

These are the questions that go through my mind every day when I see near accidents and sit in unnecessary gridlock as cars try to merge around this stupidity.

Great idea. If we're going to turn over public space to private property, restaurants are a much better use than cars.