VIDEO: Martha's Expanding Outdoor Seating

Bill Fokas was on a well-deserved break from hammering and sanding and retrofitting and landscaping this afternoon.

In a week's time he and his brother, Chris, co-owners of , have transformed the vacant alley next to their Main Street eatery into a garden of delights featuring a scenic deck.

Demand for outdoor seating in the downtown is high, and when the weather's right for dining al fresco, every one of their tables is full. 

"This will give us 10 more tables," said Fokas, midway through a grand tour of the intimate space, which features a pressure-treated wooden deck, lattice work, flowers, ivy and mood lighting.

Another day or two of hard labor and the chairs and tables should be in place, Fokas said.

This is great news for Nashuans, as the competition for outdoor seating options of late has also resulted in a new deck at , the addition of tables outside Norton's Classic Cafe on the corner of Main and West Hollis streets, and deck seating outside of Portland Pie Company,which just moved into town earlier this year.

And while we're on the subject of outdoor dining, don't forget about the first in a six-week summer series launching Wednesday June 20 on East Pearl Street, with dining options rotating between Stella Blu and Villa Banca.