Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

WEST LOOP A global pandemic and an uncertain economy hasnt stopped a developer from moving forward with plans to bring a 500-foot-tall apartment building to a prime piece of real estate just east of the Kennedy Expressway.

Developer Crescent Heights plans to replace the longtime parking lot a 640 W. Washington Blvd. with a 47-story high-rise containing up to 413 apartments, a garage with 137 parking spaces and approximately 8,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space, Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd) announced Friday in an email to residents.

Designed by West Loop-based Hartshorne Plunkard Architecture, the upcoming project has a slender profile and will occupy the western part of the site. The high-rise will sit atop a tiered base with active amenity spaces and landscaped green roof, according to Ald. Reillys newsletter.

The plan would eliminate an existing curb cut and include an internal vehicle drop-off area to preserve the pedestrian nature of Desplaines and the existing bike lane, Reilly said in his email. The plan also creates a public sidewalk on Court Place and adds a new pedestrian pathway along its western edge.

Crescent Heights acquired the 35,000-square-foot parking lot bordered by the expressway, Desplains Street, Washington Boulevard, and Court Place earlier this year. The Miami-based developer paid $20.1 million to previous owner Matthew Pritzker Co., which is headed by the cousin of Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Crains reported in June.

A call to Crescent Heightss Chicago office was not returned, but company vice president Jason Buchberg told the Chicago Tribune that the developer still needs to secure financing for the tower, which is estimated to cost more than $200 million. The construction timeline would depend on gaining approval from the city and future market conditions, Buchberg told the newspaper.

Although the proposed tower is within a downtown zoning district that permits the construction of tall buildings, the team behind 640 W. Washington Blvd. will need to file a Planned Development application with the city. The Chicago Plan Commission, Committee on Zoning, and City Council must approve the plan before any work can begin.

Its unknown if the development will satisfy the citys affordable housing requirements by including affordable-rate apartments on-site or will pay fees to support affordable units elsewhere.

Ald. Reilly did not respond to a request for comment, and ts unclear if the alderman plans to hold any public meetings to discuss the plan or further tweak its design. Reillys email encouraged residents to share feedback regarding 640 W. Washington with his staff.

Crescent Heights is behind roughly a dozen high-rise developments in Chicago. In 2019, the company completed the 76-story, 800-unit Nema Chicago tower along the edge of Grant Park in the South Loop. Rising 896 feet, the skyscraper is the citys tallest 100 percent rental building.

If 640 W. Washington becomes a reality, it would join a growing number of new residential towers flanking the Kenedy Expressway in the West Loop. Recent projects in the area include the Parker Fulton Market, 727 W. Madison, and an upcoming Equinox-branded hotel and apartment high-rise.

A little further west, Fulton Markets apartment boom shows little sign of slowing down even amid the pandemic and a volatile economy. Work is currently underway on large-scale rental projects at 1400 and 1454 W. Randolph St., and hundreds more apartments are planned for new developments slated for 160 N. Elizabeth St., 906 W. Randolph St., 166 N. Aberdeen St., and 1133 W. Lake St.

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Developer Plans Massive 47-Story Apartment Tower East Of Kennedy Expressway - Block Club Chicago

Outdoor patios are frequently viewed as an extension of indoor living space. Whether theyre comprised of stone, brick or concrete, this paved area is a great spot for entertaining, especially when theres a grill or fire pit present. Throw in an outdoor dining set and some decor, and it can easily become your favorite eating spot! As you browse outdoor patio ideas, keep in mind the following tips and tricks to get the most out of yours.

Planning out your design before your remodel is crucial. When perusing patio ideas, keep in mind that people use them for different things, like entertaining, relaxing or outdoor activities. Because of this, figure out what you want the overall functionality of your space to be. Will you host large groups or intimate gatherings? Do you envision calm fireside chats, fun playtime activities for the kiddos or a little of both? Once youve nailed down the desired functionality of your new patio, think about the best way to create zones for each use case maybe this is just one big seating area, and thats OK!

Next, put some thought into any structures that you may want or need in your patio design. Do you need protection from the elements? A partial or fully covered space will give you the option to use the patio in varying weather, while adding architectural flair (think pergola, arbor, awning or trellis). Maybe privacy is at the top of your list, in which case you should consider some sort of built-in screen or a wall of plants to create your own oasis. Lastly, determine which major amenities are important to you; is an outdoor fireplace essential, or would a smaller scale fire pit work just as well? Do you want a built-in grilling station or will a smaller barbecue work for you? Is there a hot tub in your vision? All of these large-scale pieces will need to be worked into the initial plan from the get-go.

As with any space, materials lay the groundwork (no pun intended) for the overall style and feel, so make sure your choices accurately reflect the vibe of your home. When it comes to outdoor spaces, materials are especially important since they are exposed to the elements on a daily basis. Start with the foundation of your patio (the hardscaping) and build from there different designs call for different materials, some of which may or may not work for your budget and space limitations. As you look through pictures and compile your favorite patio design ideas, note which materials youre drawn to and ask your designer or contractor how you can best incorporate those into your own design. They may suggest alternatives depending on your budget and area.

Common hardscaping options include:

Even though patios can be as simple as a paved slab outside your house, with a few extra touches they can be so much more. Since youve already planned for the more permanent fixtures, like fireplaces or outdoor kitchens and bars, the rest is just filling in the layout with necessary furniture and fun decor. The nice part about decorating your patio is that every little thing can double as decor, including the functional stuff like seating and landscaping. Consider using the following items, even if some are on a seasonal basis:

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75 Beautiful Patio Pictures & Ideas - December, 2020 | Houzz

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Courtesy of Sweet Frostings

Hot cocoa bombs are hitting the region.

Earlier this fall, TikTok and Instagram were abuzz with the discovery of hot cocoa bombs: hollow spheres of chocolate filled with cocoa mix, marshmallows and other goodies that melt into a delectable drink when hot milk is poured over them. While there are plenty of recipes online if you'd like to try making your own, locals don't have to look too far.

Sweet Frostings has added a boxed set of four hot cocoa bombs ($28) to its holiday treat inventory. Other seasonal treats (all can be ordered online for pickup or delivery at sweetfrostingsbakeshop.com) recently introduced include candy and cookie boxes, as well as seasonal flavors of its signature cupcakes.

The Village Bakery in Coeur d'Alene, currently operating as a home bakery under Idaho's cottage food laws but planning to open a storefront next year, is also selling hot cocoa bombs through its Facebook page.

In Spokane Valley Mall, hot cocoa lovers can find these trendy treats at Big Bear Chocolates, including a huckleberry hot chocolate flavor.

Finally, the locally owned Fluffy's Candy in North Spokane is selling house-made, dozen-count boxes ($60) of hot cocoa bombs, which must be preordered. The decadent treats are filled with a scratch-made cocoa mix and Fluffy's own vanilla marshmallows. Flavors include peppermint, milk chocolate, dark chocolate and dark chocolate sea salt caramel. Preorders are still available for pickup on Dec. 14 and Dec. 21; more at fluffyscandy.com.

RIVERFRONT PARK PAVILION HOSTS WINTER MARKETWhile the region's fall harvest has already come and gone, there are still plenty of local goods to be found at area farmers markets, several of which have transitioned to wintertime operations for the first time this year. That includes the new winter farmers market at Riverfront Park each Wednesday, from 3-7 pm, in December and January. About 20 local vendors are expected to participate in the outdoor market beneath the park's iconic, recently renovated Pavilion.

Most of those vendors are veterans of the Fairwood Farmers Market, offering prepared food and drink items (Liberty Cider, Mamma Torrez Salsa, the Scone Ranger, Big Barn Brewing and others), in addition to locally made non-food items like art and beauty products (Functional Pottery, Marketplace Botanicals).

"We are thrilled to offer a way to connect local small businesses with customers in a safe and festive environment at the Pavilion," says Spokane Parks Director Garrett Jones in a release about the market. "We're all focused on doing what we can to support our downtown and neighborhood shops, and this farmers market is one piece of that effort citywide."

MORE RESTAURANTS OFFER HEATED, OUTDOOR DININGWhen Washington state's four-week indoor dining ban was enacted in mid-November, dozens of local restaurants scrambled to move tables back outdoors, where guests from the same household can still gather to enjoy a meal.

Of course, one major detail hindering the success of such an arrangement is falling winter temperatures, meaning these new outdoor dining rooms also need to shelter guests while keeping them warm. We published a list of venues quick to adapt when the statewide restrictions were initially announced, but since then many others have joined the ranks. The dine-in ban is set to last until Dec. 14, if not extended by Gov. Jay Inslee.

Here's a roundup of heated, outdoor dining options:

North Spokane

Prohibition Gastropub

The Flying Goat

Bigfoot Pub and Eatery

5 North Brewing Co.

Jackson St. Bar and Grill

Happy Trails to Brews

Twigs Bistro and Martini Bar (Wandermere)

Lost Boys Garage

East Spokane

Checkerboard Taproom

Red Wheel

No-Li Brewhouse

South Spokane

South Perry Pizza

Luna

Press

Perry Street Brewing

Remedy Kitchen and Tavern

Spokane Valley / Liberty Lake

True Legends Grill

Millwood Brewing Co.

Charlie P's

Stormin' Norman's Shipfaced Saloon

The Rock Bar and Lounge

Twigs Bistro and Martini Bar (Spokane Valley Mall)

Downtown

Osprey Restaurant

Globe Bar and Kitchen

Borracho Taco and Tequileria

Brick West Brewing

Browne's Bistro

Pacific Ave Pizza

Davenport Grand

Bark, A Rescue Pub

Saranac Public House

Nectar Wine and Beer

Veraci Pizza

Iron Goat Brewing Co.

Cheney

Wild Bill's Longbar

Pullman

Merry Cellars

Continued here:
Hot cocoa bombs, markets move outdoors, and restaurants take it outside with heated patios - Pacific Northwest Inlander

If youre a Milwaukee foodie, this may be the winter to invest in some extra layers. Some restaurants are doing the same with their outdoor spaces, putting in winterizing investments to extend the small-group dining al fresco of summer and fall into winter. A growing list of restaurants have created extra-cozy outdoor experiences this year.

Here is a selection of them:

600 S. SIXTH ST.

With private, lounge-style rooms in the heated, enclosed patio, guests have access to the featured cocktail and food menus and are encouraged to wear costumes matching their rooms theme and snap photos. Each can host two to six guests for a 90-minute reservation.

W61N480 WASHINGTON AVE., CEDARBURG

Three 12-by-12-foot igloos are set in the fenced patio area, surrounded by lights and festive dcor. Each dome can handle up to six guests and has a slightly different, one-of-a-kind theme. Upon arrival, diners will find a personalized note, a hidden complimentary amuse bouche for their party and cozy blankets. Food and drink (hot cocoa, hot toddies, etc.), will be served family style. A Bluetooth speaker will be provided for folks to play music of their choice.

5901 W. NATIONAL AVE., WEST ALLIS

Converted into a cold-weather Shangri-La, the Kegels Brrr Garden includes seating, gas fire pits and yurts! These tents are available to rent for dinner in two-hour slots (on weekdays) or 90-minute slots (weekends) and can accommodate six to 12 people.

13425 WATERTOWN PLANK RD., ELM GROVE

The Elm Grove breakfast/lunch haunt is embracing the igloo concept and has a patio decorated with lights, holiday trees and a fireplace. Each igloo is heated and can accommodate up to eight people, but nevertheless, you should dress warmly. Guests can order food from the regular and party menus. Igloos are available evenings Wed.-Sat. through February. Reservations at reserveyourigloo.com.

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS

All of the properties Cafs Benelux, Centraal and the Hollanders, along with the Buckatabon Supper Club are tenting and heating their patios for comfort. The courtyard at Centraal, for instance, has a 600-foot heated tent with clear roof panels and a boho-chic dcor (rattan furniture, plants) to transport diners far from chilly Wisconsin.

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Cozy Igloos, Tents and Heated Patios to Eat at This Winter - Milwaukee Magazine

LOS ANGELES (KUSI) Los Angeles County health officials acted arbitrarily and without a proper risk-benefit analysis when they banned outdoor dining as a coronavirus-control measure, a judge ruled Tuesday, but the decision wont immediately restore in-person dining.

Following a hearing that lasted more than an hour, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James Chalfant upheld an earlier tentative ruling, in which he found that the county failed to perform the required risk-benefit analysis before enacting the ban.

By failing to weigh the benefits of an outdoor dining restriction against its costs, the county acted arbitrarily and its decision lacks a rational relationship to a legitimate end, Chalfant wrote in his ruling, which stemmed from lawsuits filed by the California Restaurant Association and the owner of the downtown Engine Co. No. 28 restaurant, attorney Mark Geragos.

The balance of harms works in petitioners favor until such time as the county concludes after proper risk-benefit analysis that restaurants must be closed to protect the healthcare system, Chalfant wrote.

Although Chalfant had already penned the 53-page tentative ruling and upheld it during the hearing, attorneys for the California Restaurant Association are expected to craft a shorter document that Chalfant will sign, making the order official.

The judge noted in his ruling that the county did show surging COVID- 19 cases are burdening the health care system and action is necessary. He also said the county has presented generalized evidence of transmission risk from outdoor dining.

But he said the countys assertion that the virus can be spread on restaurant patios by patrons spending extended periods of time without masks only weakly supports the closure of outdoor restaurant dining, because it ignores the outdoor nature of the activity, which the CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) says carries only a moderate risk, and less with mitigations.

Diners eat lunch outside at Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020, in Pasadena, Calif. Pasadena has become an island in the center of the nations most populous county, where a surge of COVID-19 cases last week led to a three-week end to outdoor dining and Californias first stay-home order since the pandemic began to spread across the state in March. The decision by Pasadena health authorities to buck Los Angeles County has been a relief to restaurateurs who have struggled to stay afloat amid closures, ever-changing rules and attempts to keep workers on the job and money in the till. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

While siding with the restaurant industry, Chalfant noted that due to the states regional stay-at-home order that took effect Sunday night and which also includes a ban on in-person dining outdoor restaurant dining in the county cannot open at this time.

Chalfant instead enjoined the county from imposing its dining ban beyond the original three-week time period, which ends Dec. 16. The states order at a minimum will be in place until Dec. 27. But Chalfant said the county which is obliged to adhere to the states order can only extend the restriction beyond that after conducting an appropriate risk-benefit analysis.

Chalfant wrote that he cant dictate what that analysis should entail, but suggested that the county could be expected to consider the economic cost of closing 30,000 restaurants, the impact to restaurant owners and their employees and the psychological and emotional cost to a public tired of the pandemic and seeking some form of employment in their lives.

Chalfant said during the hearing he was surprised that no study has been done at any government level since the outbreak began about the alleged effects of outdoor dining on the spread of the coronavirus. He also said the average healthy person is not severely at risk of dying of the virus.

The county Department of Public Health imposed the ban on Nov. 25, citing surging COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. The county Board of Supervisors debated the issue on Nov. 24, but voted 3-2 to support the ban, arguing that restaurant patrons spend extended periods of time in close proximity and without wearing masks.

The California Restaurant Association and Geragos, however, challenged the ban in court.

The recent order with no stated scientific basis from L.A. County singles out a specific industry and could jeopardize thousands of jobs, Jot Condie, president/CEO of the California Restaurant Association, said in a statement announcing the lawsuit. There are thousands of restaurants and many thousands more employees who could be out on the street right before the holiday season.

Geragos told Chalfant he will bring another lawsuit, this time challenging the state order.

Prior to the ban on outdoor dining being imposed, the county had already restricted restaurant patios to 50% of capacity.

The ban on in-person dining has been met with an outcry from restaurant owners across the county, with some saying they spent thousands of dollars to establish safe outdoor dining spaces under the previous county guidelines, only to be forced to shut down on Nov. 25 without justification.

Opponents of the ban have said it would cause tens of thousands of restaurant workers to lose their jobs. There are more than 30,000 restaurants in Los Angeles County.

Attorney Amnon Z. Siegel, on behalf of the county, told the judge that with the uptick in coronavirus cases, we are in scary new territory and the number of ICU hospital beds continues to dwindle. He said the county by law was not required to do a risk-benefit analysis.

Chalfant said he recognizes the seriousness of the hospital bed problem, but insisted there is no concrete evidence that banning outdoor dining will help.

The judge, who acknowledged he has had struggled to keep his own personal beliefs out of the discussion, also said departments within the county other than the Department of Public Health should be involved in fighting the pandemic. He said he does not believe officials when they say there are manpower shortages in dealing with the problem, and he also predicted that the states stay-at-home order will not work.

People are not going to stay home, Chalfant said.

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Judge rules LA County acted without proper 'risk-benefit' analysis in banning patio dining - - KUSI

MAYFIELD, Ohio -- The villages small businesses continue to apply for financial help as the COVID-19 pandemic carries on, necessitating a third round of grants through Mayfields Small Business Relief Grant Program.

Mayfield has already issued two rounds of grants to small businesses -- those with 20 or fewer employees.

During Mondays (Dec. 7) council caucus meeting, Economic Development Manager John Marquart asked council to approve $50,000 for a third round.

In October, 20 small businesses were each granted $2,500 as part of the $50,000 first round of grants. For round two, Marquart had requested, and received from council, $25,000 in funding.

I had assumed that would be adequate, since the applications actually slowed down quite a bit at the end of round one, and it turns out I was mistaken, Marquart told council.

Marquart said round two grants were very quickly snapped up. The $25,000 for the second round was enough to furnish grants to 10 new applicants, but Marquart received 18 new applications.

So, right now, we currently have eight small businesses hoping for additional funding.

The round three request for $50,000 will allow a total of 20 more small businesses to receive help.

Councilwoman Jennifer Jurcisek asked Marquart what he thought might be the reason for the new spike in interest from businesses.

In speaking to a couple of folks, Marquart answered, word of mouth is starting to spread, sort of on the street, so to speak. I had a couple of folks indicate that they didnt think it was, sort of, for real the first time around, so they didnt bother, and now that their neighbors received their checks, they gave me a call, they sent me an email.

Beyond that, I dont have much more of an explanation.

Finance Director Ron Wynne told council that the villages economic development fund, from which the grant money derives, is funded each year by $130,000. In a normal year, $100,000 of that amount comes from hotel taxes, but in this pandemic year, only about $50,000 in hotel taxes will be realized.

Also contributing to the fund is about $35,000 the village collects in franchise fees from cable companies each year.

The fund, which has accumulated over the years, will -- after round two of small business grants -- total about $452,000. Round three, if approved by council in two weeks, would bring the fund down to approximately $400,000.

Court costs

In August, the village paid an additional $31,835 to Lyndhurst Municipal Court as its share of court operations because the court was experiencing a deficit of about $200,000 for the first half of the year.

The courts budget deficit was caused by fewer tickets being issued by its municipalities police departments, as well as a general slowdown in all activities, including criminal and civil doings, due to the pandemic.

Wynne told council Monday that he estimates that the village will be paying approximately $40,000 more this year as its expected second payment for the second half of the year.

All communities the court serves -- Lyndhurst, Mayfield Heights, Mayfield, Gates Mills, Highland Heights and Richmond Heights -- are making two additional payments this year, in additional to their usual annual proportionate payment, to offset the deficit.

Wynne said he expected the cost for the second half of the year to be double the initial payment of $31,000, but that, during the summer, police departments began to write more citations, lowering the expected deficit amount.

Primary election still on

Law Director Anthony Coyne said he had received a response to a Nov. 24 letter he sent to petitioners who gathered signatures to place on a spring primary ballot a question asking voters if there should be term limits for council members and the position of mayor.

They are declining to rescind the petition, so there will be a special election in the spring, Coyne said.

The committee of petitioners includes chairman Ron DiNardo, former councilman Stephen Jerome, Jeff Geisinger, Richard Eisenberg and Richard Koch. The petition asks residents to limit the time a mayor or council member may serve to two consecutive four-year terms.

Sidewalks and patios

Council is expected to vote at its Dec. 21 meeting on pieces of legislation pertaining to sidewalk repairs and residential patio placements.

The sidewalk reimbursement program, for residents replacing and repairing sidewalk blocks damaged by roots from trees on the tree lawn, has been in effect for many years as a policy, but not in ordinance form. The proposal before council would codify that policy.

The policy had allowed for reimbursement to residents of as much as $125 per sidewalk block, up to $1,000. Under the new ordinance, residents would still be reimbursed those amounts, but per street frontage.

This slight change will allow for those on corner lots to make replacements on the two streets on the front and side of their homes.

As for patios, Mayor Brenda Bodnar explained in an email to cleveland.com, This ordinance just puts some restrictions on front yard patios in terms of proximity to the front of the house.

It would require new patios to be as close as possible to a home, but no more than 5 feet away. As for size, patios would not exceed 12 feet by 12 feet.

Regarding patio placement, they would be required to be 10 feet from the side property line, and separated from driveways and turnarounds, with landscaping or other barriers required.

This will give us some uniformity and keep driveways separate from patios, Bodnar stated.

Read more from the Sun Messenger.

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Mayfield expected to help small business owners with third round of grants - cleveland.com

Capitol Hill brunch favorite Oddfellows Cafe and Bar will be the latest restaurant to close temporarily during the states current restrictions on indoor dining. But its not staying completely idle after service Sunday, December 6. Over the coming weeks, the restaurant is planning to construct what its calling a permanent street patio with a deck, roof, and heaters, and eyes a return in early 2021. There will also be a similar one built outside sibling restaurant Kings Hardware in Ballard.

This speaks to the changes that signal a longer lasting part of the dining landscape in 2021 and beyond. Outdoor street plazas began appearing across the city in late summer after the city loosened up permitting red tape and eliminated fees. Though the revised permitting process has been extended until October 2021, any effort to build durable patios may need a boost during the colder winter months. Oddfellows owner Linda Derschang told Eater Seattle that the makeshift tents she had been using at Oddfellows and Kings Hardware were not holding up in the weather, and we havent even gotten into the heart of winter.

Before the latest indoor dining ban was implemented, Derschang reached out to Mayor Jenny Durkans office to inquire about how far outdoor dining could go. She thinks that the more complex, semi-permanent structures that New York City restaurants have built could work for Seattle. It would be a game changer for many people, from business owners and their staff to the neighborhoods, Derschang says. Having so much outdoor activity really invigorates the streets. Adjusting the Safe Start permits that already exist for more complexity isnt too rigorous, though getting the go-ahead for even small details that require engineering approval can still take months.

Recently, Washington state issued some updated guidelines for outdoor dining. Most structures must have no more than two walls to allow proper ventilation. But smaller spaces such as domes and pods are allowed, if they follow proper COVID-19 sanitation guidance, are limited to one dining party at a time, keep any doors and windows open when diners are seated inside, and are aired out between uses. Derschang isnt going the hermetically-sealed dome route, but will try to create space for outdoor seating thats protected from the elements and a little more elegant than tents. She solicited some feedback on Instagram, using a patio example from NYC, and the consensus was that maximizing airflow would need to be a high priority of any design.

Derschang also isnt the only one trying to think more longterm about patios. After getting by for a few weeks with temporary tents, Musang recently constructed a wood roof over its small outdoor seating area in Beacon Hill, while Surrell in Madison Valley may have one of the more thought-out patios in the city at the moment its fully covered, with heaters for each table and canvas to help block the breeze, as well as landing tables where the wait staff drops off dishes and drinks for lower-contact service. Diners may expect such set-ups to be even more common going forward in Seattle, no matter how much rain the city gets.

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Oddfellows Cafe and Bar Will Close Temporarily to Build a Street Patio - Eater Seattle

For a royal escape from the chaos of the pandemic, Royal 38 allows guests to sip quirky, fun cocktails on a spacious patio in The Union in Uptown. From the founders of HIDE which has recently relocated from Deep Ellum to Lower Greenville Royal 38 boasts a cocktail-focused menu simple and festive, fruity and bold, alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

The restaurant spans across 4,000 square feet, the inside containing a long bar, raised booth seating and socially distanced tables.

The owners of [The Union] approached us and were really adamant about us opening this space in this plaza, co-owner Scott Jenkins says. We didnt have plans of expanding so quickly, but when the opportunity presented itself, we did our research and realized that it was a good opportunity, and we wanted to do something special.

When creating the menu for Royal 38, Jenkins wanted something that both the cocktail buffs and the sober sort could enjoy.

The beach body cocktail

Alex Gonzalez

I was very focused on creating nonalcoholic cocktails that are gonna have low ABV, so that people can come in, enjoy themselves, have a few and be safe, Jenkins says.

Some of the non-alcoholic cocktails include the no-jito, made with mineral water, lime, sugar and mint ($10). If you want to step it up a bit, the beach body, made with vodka, passionfruit, blended juice and clarified banana red bitters is sweet and refreshing ($13).

As a lover of vermouth, Jenkins has incorporated this spirit in many of Royal 38s cocktails, including the poco-loco, made with tequila, mezcal, Oaxacan rum, Cardamaro, Spanish vermouth, Pasubio Vino Amaro and Angostura bitters ($15).

For the menu, Royal 38 worked with Seattles Scott Gilkey. Jenkins wanted the menu to boast Americanized versions of food from all parts of the world.

We wanted to have global cuisine, Jenkins says. Just kind of unpretentious, really well-made and delicious food. I know everybody kind of says that, but we picked things that we liked.

The royal trio

Alex Gonzalez

If youre wanting to keep things light, the royal trio makes for a great appetizer: A spicy nut mix comes with chili citrus olives and Royal 38s house-made Cheez-Its ($9).

A heartier appetizer is the chilisauced ribs, an Asian-inspired plate of baby back ribs bathed in a house-made Thai chili sauce ($14). Perhaps their signature app will end up being the lobster corn fritters, made with white cornmeal, corn, sweet pepper and a remoulade dipping sauce ($14).

Lobster corn fritters

Alex Gonzalez

Truthfully, the appetizers are filling enough on their own, but if you manage to have room for an entree after munching on snacks, Royal 38 has a menu full of plates such as chicken enchiladas ($16) and prime New York strip ($34).

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Saturdays and Sundays, guests can try brunch, with savory items like the lobster Benedict with potato, poached eggs, lemon hollandaise and fried capers ($17) and sweet treats like the stuffed French toast with brioche, vanilla cream anglaise, bananas Foster syrup and fresh berries ($12).

We want everybody here, Jenkins says. We are truly grateful that people are coming in.

Royal 38, 2301 N. Akard St., No. 210. Open 4 p.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to midnight Sunday; and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday for brunch.

Keep the Dallas Observer Free... Since we started the Dallas Observer, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Dallas, and we would like to keep it that way. Offering our readers free access to incisive coverage of local news, food and culture. Producing stories on everything from political scandals to the hottest new bands, with gutsy reporting, stylish writing, and staffers who've won everything from the Society of Professional Journalists' Sigma Delta Chi feature-writing award to the Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism. But with local journalism's existence under siege and advertising revenue setbacks having a larger impact, it is important now more than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. You can help by participating in our "I Support" membership program, allowing us to keep covering Dallas with no paywalls.

Alex Gonzalez has been a contributor to the Dallas Observer since 2018. He is a Dallas native whose work has appeared in Local Profile, MTV News and the Austin American-Statesman. He has eclectic taste in music and enjoys writing about art, food and culture.

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First Look: Royal 38 Offers Plenty to Drink on the Patio - Dallas Observer

As part of the YongeTOmorrow revitalization plan, the City of Toronto has proposed to create pedestrian priority zones fitted with expanded sidewalks and additional patio space on Yonge Street.

Yonge Street is one of the citys main arteries, booming with pedestrian activity, yet its narrow sidewalks limit the space available for pedestrians to walk. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the increased necessity for accessible, high-quality public space in the downtown core.

YongeTOmorrow is proposing a full redesign of Yonge Street starting at College Street and stretching south to Queen Street.

According to the plan, sidewalks would be expanded, vehicle lanes would be modified, restaurant patios would be extended, and streetscape elements would be added.

The plan also adds pedestrian priority zonesalong Yonge between 6 am and 1 am every day, with vehicle access restricted in zones situated between Walton and Elm Streets, and from Edward Street to Dundas Square.

New renderings by Norm Li have been released showing what the new design of Yonge Street could look like.

The City of Toronto has stated that, the water main beneath Yonge Street will soon need replacing and this construction provides an opportunity to consider a new street design to better serve everyone.

The final report on the plan will be presented to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee for review on January 11, 2021, according to the City.

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Expanded sidewalks and more patio space part of plan for Yonge Street | Urbanized - Daily Hive

The City of Boston has announced the launch of an outdoor dining pilot program for the 2021 season, beginning April 1, 2021 and continuing through December 1, 2021, weather permitting.

The program will build on initiatives from this years program, such as streamlined permitting and outdoor patios on roadways that enable restaurants with narrow sidewalks to offer patio seating to patrons, as well as offer new features based on community feedback.

Applications for outdoor dining licenses on both public and private property are now open and can be accessed here:https://bostonopendata.knack.com/outdoor-dining#welcome.

The initial deadline for licensees to submit an application is January 18, 2021. Applicants who meet this deadline will receive a decision or follow-up questions from the City byFebruary 19,2021. Applications will still be accepted after January 18 and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Restaurants who took part in the 2020 temporary outdoor dining program and who wish to do so in 2021 must re-apply. The City will also be accepting applications from restaurants who did not take part in the 2020 program.

There will be virtual application help sessions to assist restaurants in preparing and submitting their applications. The first session is scheduled for Wednesday, December 16 at 5:00 pm. Registration is required.

The following changes have been/will be made based on public feedback from the 2020 program:

Read more at http://www.boston.gov/2021outdoordining.

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2021 Outdoor Dining Pilot Program Will Bring Tables Back to the Streets - NorthEndWaterfront.com