Rosemary's Bistro Blocking Connecticut Avenue
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Anonymous
Right and so ... say it with me.. having fewer travel lanes makes crossing an intersection safer than having more travel lanes.... |
Anonymous
Lol, you've never seen that intersection at rush hour. Because of all the traffic turning onto the two roads it's a giant cluster that is greatly exacerbated by the closed lane. It's pretty much in the worst place possible as far as safety is concerned. Say it with me... increasing congestion on an already highly congested road makes everyone less safe. |
Anonymous
What’s the big problem? Nebraska, Reno and 36th St are all convenient bypasses to Connecticut Avenue in this area. That’s the beauty of the street grid. Traffic gets shifted and redistributed. |
Anonymous
| Let’s move tables into the street on the northbound lane of Connecticut Ave so Comet, Bucks and Muchas Gracias can offer traffic seating too! |
Anonymous
Nebraska is the only East-West route in the area and it is bumper to bumper at rush hour. There is no other alternative route. Both Reno and 36th are North-South. The grid is not a grid throughout the city. |
Anonymous
| It’s so funny, I moved to upper NW, and it’s so peaceful, litter free with quiet streets and no crime. These are the things my new neighbors complain about? Seriously, get a life! Also, stop supporting council members who enable crime and poor services in other neighborhoods. The inequities are jarring. |
Anonymous
| I live nearby and fully support the removal of the streatery. They already have a deck and if they need more outdoor space they should negotiate with the landlord a few doors down to use the empty deck space of the restaurant that closed. The streatery is an unsafe eyesore that can’t be justified given its impact on traffic and safety. It’s also grossly unfair to the rest of the businesses up and down the avenue. |
Anonymous
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Rosemary’s Bistro responds. From the local listserv:
It has come to our attention that a petition has been executed by the neighboring businesses of Rosemary Bistro Cafe. Over a period of two years the parties in question, Eddie Cano Italian Bar and EM Spa & Lashes, have sought to close down the legal streatery in front of the 5010 Connecticut Avenue establishment utilizing various unfounded and unsupported claims such as: we’ve had the streatery for 6 years. We only had it for 4 years. Started the streatery the summer of 2021. The idea that the streatery is blocking the view of their establishment and hindering their business has no merit. We have a heritage tree on this block of Connecticut and in full bloom covers the front facade of all the businesses, also signage of the Italian bar says “bar”, which is a business decision they made. Doesn’t seem like our fault that people can’t tell what’s the established business. The nail salon always seems busy and would debate that they’ve been doing better now than they were when new ownership took over. Rosemary Bistro Cafe has always stood for its commitment to the neighborhood within which it provides its service. In this counter-petition, it is our aim to provide an accurate representation of the significance of the streatery to the community. Rosemary Bistro Cafe first acquired its permit for the streatery on Nov. 20, 2020, and has maintained this permit in good standing since then. In the restaurant industry, we have a responsibility for the health and safety of our clientele in addition to the promise of providing excellent cuisine. The streatery was first envisioned as a place for people to come together safely as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As rates of illness continue to fluctuate, health continues to be of upmost importance to the Chevy Chase community. In recognition of the continuing concerns about Covid-19, DDOT has extended the permits for streateries through 2025. The Chevy Chase community and its surrounding neighborhoods are demographically significant for youth, families, and aging individuals. They speak on a daily basis of their appreciation of the choice to eat outside. The clientele tells Rosemary Bistro Cafe staff that they feel comfortable, safe, and happy to gather together when dining in the streatery. They also share that the combined efforts of Rosemary Bistro Cafe have enlivened the neighborhood, with the streatery being a beautiful representation of the cohesion of the neighborhood. Additionally, the streatery has promoted more business engagement on the block as a whole and created a safer environment by slowing traffic circulation. These sentiments are substantiated by the signatures gathered and provided for this rebuttal to the aforementioned petition. The hope of Rosemary Bistro Cafe, and which the community shares, is to continue to serve the needs of the community in its inside and outside spaces. Sincerely, Frederic Darricarrere, Owner And Rosemary Bistro Cafe Staff |
Anonymous
| Wow. They come off as gigantic jerks. |
Anonymous
Their business is going to suffer. |
Anonymous
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Streatery permits require the written authorization from the neighboring businesses. The neighboring businesses should write to DDOT to rescind their authorization so the extension is paused. They may have written in support of the application in 2020 ( they had their own streatery then..) but that does not mean the establishment ( Rosemary's Bistro) has presumed ongoing support. They do not.
They are also making a huge mistake by allowing their defensiveness and arrogance to leak into what should be a legal discussion. |
Anonymous
| There is no llegal discussion.” The business has a valid permit for its streetery. Laws and regulations are a real thing outside the fantasy world of DCUM-land. |
Anonymous
No, that is precisely how it DOESN'T WORK. Congestion = slower traffic. |
Anonymous
Seem reasonable to me. |
Anonymous
| I ate there once and won’t go back. Food was mediocre and now because of their traffic clogging eyesore in the right hand lane of traffic. |