How restaurant design may change because of COVID

Gail Ciampa | Providence Journal

Checking in with Libby Slader is always interesting. As an interior designer with her own Providence company that specializes in hospitality, she always seems to know what restaurants are in the planning or renovation stages.

These days, she is uniquely qualified to talk about restaurant trends resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. She has an observation that seems so obvious, but that's only after she gives voice to it.

"Who would have thought we'd be working on outdoor space for three seasons?" she said.

Of course. The biggest news in restaurant design is beyond the dining room and fresh new outdoor space. Now that New Englanders have gotten a taste of it, they want more, she said.

Think about one of the most popular stories in summer guides for the past 20 years. It's always about where can you dine al fresco. 

Outdoor dining rooms are always the most popular come summer in Rhode Island because there really haven't been a lot of them. If you wanted to eat outside on a WaterFire night in Providence, pre-COVID, all you had nearby was Capital Grille, Cafe Nuovo, Union Station Brewery, the second-story deck at Jacky's, and the River Social. Not much for a city on a river, is it?

Between the status quo and outdated city and town regulations, and their fees, it was just easier to keep everyone eating inside all year round. 

That is, until COVID hit and the rush was on to take advantage of every inch of sidewalk or patio, or street, to set up tables. 

Libby Slader Designs has worked on many restaurants, most recently Durk’s Bar-B-Q and Moniker Brewery in Providence and Giusto in Newport.

Durk's has a glass garage door that opens fully to bring the outside in. Moniker has a beer garden with plenty of outdoor seating. And Giusto has plenty of outdoor deck dining space at Hammett's Hotel. 

Slader is working on the newest Seven Stars Bakery in the Jewelry District where Olga's Cup & Saucer used to be, The Aviary in Swansea and The Pines in North Smithfield. She also helped freshen up KinPvd, the soul food restaurant soon to open on Washington Street in Providence. 

"As we start living in a post-COVID world, I think people are going to really enjoy outdoor dining and takeout," said the award-winning designer.

"I think people can eat outside most of the year," she said. "Just as everyone is trying to figure out ways to enjoy being outside with their neighbors, the concept is going to transfer to restaurants."

On a recent trip to New York City, she saw many heat lamps over individual tables and trees used to create separation and atmosphere. It was enchanting.

Gas-fed overhead heaters are more efficient than other styles, she said.

Slader also saw many parklets, seating areas set up on the street in front of restaurants. Go up and down 9th Avenue and you'll see parklets with roofs on them. 

"I can’t image they are going away," she added.

Troop PVD has a parklet in Providence now and she said that on Cape Cod, Mashpee Commons is designing parklets for its eateries.

Slader also said restaurants are thinking about designating a door for pick-up of food. You didn't forget how takeout took off during the pandemic, did you?

"People don't want to be eating inside with Uber drivers standing next to them with their big bags waiting for food to be ready," she said.

Extensive takeout, like outdoor dining, is here to stay, Slader said.