Red Bank Mayor Calls Out ‘Dangerous’ Outdoor Dining Space

RED BANK, NJ – During the coronavirus pandemic, Red Bank has made a name for itself as a cultural standout and outdoor dining success story. With the popularity of the Broad Street pedestrian plaza, outdoor dining boom and resurgence of the StreetLife outdoor entertainment program, it is not uncommon to see diners casually sharing a meal on closed streets. However, one dining establishment recently caught criticism from Mayor Pasquale Menna, who called the restaurant’s outdoor setup ‘unauthorized’ and ‘dangerous’.

The establishment in question: 26 West On The Navesink, a riverside seafood joint which placed fake grass, picnic tables and traffic barriers along West Front Street, which allegedly barred foot traffic, according to the mayor. However, according to Red Bank Green, pedestrians were able to pass through.

“Received complaints from users of Boat Club Lane about road obstruction by placement of dining tables. Boat Club Lane is a narrow alley in our business district," wrote Menna in a July 13 Facebook post.

“The placement of the tables was a unilateral action presumably by 26 West [On The Navesink],” continued Menna. “It was and in not authorized by the Borough and must be immediately removed. It was done without permission and is dangerous. Further violations will be followed up.”

Later that day, 26 West On The Navesink responded to the allegations of dangerous activity in a Facebook post, stating that the matter is currently being handled privately with town officials. While the establishment has been serving customers with sidewalk service for several weeks, the space in question only opened less than two weeks ago.

According to a July 13 statement from the restaurant, the establishment “submitted all paperwork and worked with town officials to ensure guest safety and compliance” before it reopened its doors. 26 West On The Navesink was also given verbal approval from a town official to open on Saturday, per the statement, and did not open on Sunday following official requests.

“We have never and will never do anything to risk our customers’ safety,” the statement reads. “Every decision during the planning was made with safety in mind. We hand built picnic tables to combat the slight slope of the street and prevent tipping, laid turf to provide extra traction and rented water filled barriers to block traffic. At night all items were moved to the side to allow for free traffic flow and local traffic is able to access their properties at all times.”

On Wednesday afternoon, manager Mikaela Milano confirmed to Patch that the outdoor patio is not open to the public as of yet, and will likely remain closed until a council meeting next week.

An ordinance introduced by the borough last month called for the narrow path sandwiched between cocktail lounge Le Malt Royale and 26 West On The Navesink to be designated as a southbound one-way street. It remains to be seen how the ordinance, if approved, will affect future outdoor dining projects on the narrow street.

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