West Hollywood Transforms Sidewalks to Allow for More Outdoor Dining

West Hollywood officials are moving ahead with a sidewalk/street outdoor dining program designed to help ailing restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic. The effort expands restaurant and bar seating areas into public sidewalks and streets with outdoor use temporary zones, or OUT Zones.

WEHOville reports the OUT Zones program will last a least one year, as outdoor space is required for on-site dining throughout California at the moment. Businesses are required to apply for a permit to use public streets or sidewalk spaces, as long as they install safety barricades or k-rails to make sure diners remain safe.

OUT Zones permit application fees are waived for West Hollywood restaurants. Plus, there is no fee for the installation or rental of the k-rail. According to the City of West Hollywood, more than 60 West Hollywood businesses have been approved for temporary outdoor expansion permits, including The Abbey, Connie & Ted’s, and Employees Only.

In other news:

• Problems with distributors, delivery cuts, and employment issues within the supply chain are leaving restaurants often empty-shelved, according to the Long Beach Post.
• n/naka chefs Niki Nakayama and Carole Iida-Nakayama will launch a guest chef series inspired by ekiben, Japan’s train station bento boxes. The first chef to collaborate is Minh Phan of Porridge + Puffs, with a $48 bento that features eight seasonal dishes according to the Los Angeles Times.

• This week, Resy debuted a four-part documentary shorts series featuring Los Angeles restaurants. On The Line has familiar faces, including Keith Corbin from Alta Adams, David Wynn’s Kensho, Kismet’s Sarah Hymanson and Sarah Kramer, and co-owner brothers Chase and Chad Valencia’s Lasa.

• Over on the Westside, chef Raphael Lunetta is hosting a paella party tonight and Saturday at Lunetta. Paella night is part of the chef’s Taste of Lunetta series. Paella is $58 per person and available for dine-in or takeaway in a copper pot. Reservations are highly recommended.
• West Hollywood’s Strings of Life will feature a Sausage Roll World Tour, where chef Monty Koludrovic will host a chef collaboration every week to honor the traditional Australian pastry. Nancy Silverton will launch the tour by creating a roll with an Italian spin on September 3. Future collaborators will be Burt Bakman from Slab and chef Curtis Stone, rolls are priced at $10.
• Los Angeles has nearly reached saturation point with the fried chicken sandwiches, but national franchise Curry Up Now entered the chat with its current take on the popular dish: a tandoori fried chicken sandwich. It debuts on September 1, though you’ll have to trek to Irvine to get one.

• Santa Monica’s Birdie G’s launches happy hour starting today, with new dishes in the $5 to 12 range. Birdie G’s happy hour runs Wednesday through Sunday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.