You know Summer is coming in Old City when.....

**MTEMPLE** · 04-26-2011, 06:51 PM

Someone threatens to stab a patron sitting outside at Pizzicato because he bumps into their table and the patron gets verbally abusive.

**phillyguy** · 04-27-2011, 12:04 AM

As opposed to the winter when they're both standing up...

**MTEMPLE** · 04-27-2011, 12:06 AM

Originally Posted by phillyguy

As opposed to the winter when they're both standing up...

No, because of the amount of tables they put out leaving about 3 feet of room on a busy corner.

**bluecuracao** · 04-27-2011, 12:12 AM

How pleasant.

Most other places only keep a single row of tables right up against their exterior walls. Pizzicato should, too. It can be difficult to pass through their tables without hitting into anything.

**MTEMPLE** · 04-27-2011, 12:28 AM

Originally Posted by bluecuracao

How pleasant.

Most other places only keep a single row of tables right up against their exterior walls. Pizzicato should, too. It can be difficult to pass through their tables without hitting into anything.

For the last 3 years they have been putting couches on 3rd street and very big 4 top tables on market. The only intervening I will due is point out the manager or owner and let the person whoop their ass.

BTW GiGi isn't much better. Like Pizzicato they have more tables outside than inside. An 18 to 20 foot side walk with 3 foot of walking space minus dogs, strollers and extra chairs.

**YuppieEatsPhill** · 04-27-2011, 09:33 AM

So thats what happened last night? We walked by around 8ish and two state cops were yelling at a guy who they had pinned to the back of a cab...one of the bystanders said the cops came out of nowhere..and the night before we witnessed the pizzicato employees chasing a guy down 3rd st. Its better than TV!

**MTEMPLE** · 04-27-2011, 09:44 AM

Originally Posted by YuppieEatsPhill

So thats what happened last night? We walked by around 8ish and two state cops were yelling at a guy who they had pinned to the back of a cab...one of the bystanders said the cops came out of nowhere..and the night before we witnessed the pizzicato employees chasing a guy down 3rd st. Its better than TV!

What I witnessed happened during the day. That set up is an accident waiting to happen.

**qweezyq** · 04-27-2011, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by MTEMPLE

What I witnessed happened during the day. That set up is an accident waiting to happen.

Continental does it too although not as much traffic going east on market there.
The outdoor dining is a major draw to the area. For the most part there is not enough room to pull of a significant amount of tables in other areas of Old City. They should leave a reasonable amount of room for ped traffic, but I am not sure we should be complaining about it. These aren't the nuisance bars everyone is always complaining about.

**Hospitalitygirl** · 04-27-2011, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by qweezyq

Continental does it too although not as much traffic going east on market there.
The outdoor dining is a major draw to the area. For the most part there is not enough room to pull of a significant amount of tables in other areas of Old City. They should leave a reasonable amount of room for ped traffic, but I am not sure we should be complaining about it. These aren't the nuisance bars everyone is always complaining about.

Thank you.

**MTEMPLE** · 04-27-2011, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by qweezyq

Continental does it too although not as much traffic going east on market there.
The outdoor dining is a major draw to the area. For the most part there is not enough room to pull of a significant amount of tables in other areas of Old City. They should leave a reasonable amount of room for ped traffic, but I am not sure we should be complaining about it. These aren't the nuisance bars everyone is always complaining about.

I think the person that was going to get stabbed would beg to differ. The handicap people I witnessed last year that couldn't get through would beg to differ. And actually the people that eat at the tables getting their drinks and food spilled would beg to differ.

**ArcticSplash** · 04-27-2011, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by MTEMPLE

I think the person that was going to get stabbed would beg to differ. The handicap people I witnessed last year that couldn't get through would beg to differ. And actually the people that eat at the tables getting their drinks and food spilled would beg to differ.

This isn't news.

Call us when a cripple files an ADA suit on Pizzicato because they can't navigate through here. We have a very proactive and litigious ADA community in Philadelphia, and if it's actually as bad as what it sounds like, well... Pizzicato's abundant seating to gin up profits will probably be sucked up by a white shoe firm fighting an ADA tort.

**MTEMPLE** · 04-27-2011, 11:13 AM

My friend took photos last year of the setup and several news agencies printed stories about the mess they create.

**ArcticSplash** · 04-27-2011, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by MTEMPLE

My friend took photos last year of the setup and several news agencies printed stories about the mess they create.

Dude, all it takes is someone in a chair to contact a CR/ADA atty and boom, the tables will be smack against the edifice and the chairs parallel with the curb.

These people are forcing SEPTA to borrow millions to drill holes around City Hall for urine-soaked elevators. They wield power.

**desolate** · 04-27-2011, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by MTEMPLE

You know Summer is coming in Old City when.....

People come in by the thousands to spend money in Old CIty, giving whiney Old CIty residents all the restaurants and bars they think no one should be able to use except themselves.

No visitors = No things that make Old City desirable.

Sorry buddy... you want the cake (the retail/dining) but you want to eat it all yourself.

**MTEMPLE** · 04-27-2011, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by desolate

People come in by the thousands to spend money in Old CIty, giving whiney Old CIty residents all the restaurants and bars they think no one should be able to use except themselves.

No visitors = No things that make Old City desirable.

Sorry buddy... you want the cake (the retail/dining) but you want to eat it all yourself.

You're right the lack of 3 or 4 large 4 top tables will doom Pizzicato and Old City. I have no problem with 99% of the other outdoor seating in Old City.

Also let's not forget the amount of tables they have is illegal and so is their setup.

**MTEMPLE** · 04-27-2011, 11:27 AM

Airing gripes about sidewalk seating | Philadelphia Business Journal

As of this year they went back to placing tables against the curb, fire hydrant and blocking a fire exit.

On sidewalks of 13 feet or less, at least five feet of clear sidewalk space is required. On sidewalks of more than 13 feet, at least half the sidewalk width is required to be open to provide pedestrian access. The café cannot be within 15 feet of a transit stop. Violations are subject to a fine of up to $300 a day.

**bluecuracao** · 04-27-2011, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by qweezyq

They should leave a reasonable amount of room for ped traffic, but I am not sure we should be complaining about it. These aren't the nuisance bars everyone is always complaining about.

So if they don't leave enough room, no one should say or do anything? I'm not sure I understand.

It seems like you're saying we are only allowed to complain about nuisance bars.

Originally Posted by desolate

People come in by the thousands to spend money in Old CIty, giving whiney Old CIty residents all the restaurants and bars they think no one should be able to use except themselves.

No visitors = No things that make Old City desirable.

Sorry buddy... you want the cake (the retail/dining) but you want to eat it all yourself.

Yes, Old City-ites are very selfish, wanting people to be able to traverse our sidewalks easily. How dare we! Visitors don't want that!

**Alley** · 04-27-2011, 11:47 AM

The tourists who walk 3, 4 + across a sidewalk are worse than outdoor seating. They block the whole sidewalk. If you are behind them you cannot get around. If you are walking towards them you have to walk in the street or plow into one or two of them. Ok, back to the outdoor seating I'm done venting!

**bluecuracao** · 04-27-2011, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by MTEMPLE

You're right the lack of 3 or 4 large 4 top tables will doom Pizzicato and Old City. I have no problem with 99% of the other outdoor seating in Old City.

Also let's not forget the amount of tables they have is illegal and so is their setup.

Exactly, the other 99% of OC restaurants know how to set up, for the most part.

Sorry to hear Gigi has decided to crowd the sidewalk. I thought what they had before worked pretty well, even with the 2-tops along the curb.

**ArcticSplash** · 04-27-2011, 11:52 AM

Originally Posted by Alley

The tourists who walk 3, 4 + across a sidewalk are worse than outdoor seating. They block the whole sidewalk. If you are behind them you cannot get around. If you are walking towards them you have to walk in the street or plow into one or two of them. Ok, back to the outdoor seating I'm done venting!

When they are coming at me I just stop walking and stare into my smartphone as if I'm looking at a map. They move around me. Then I continue walking. Always works.