Mad Rush for Michelin Restaurant's Pasta Causes Coronavirus Fear

GREENWICH VILLAGE, MANHATTAN — In the Village, social distancing is facing off against residents' need for a $69 veal Parmesan.

Overwhelming takeout and delivery crowds for famed Michelin-star eatery Carbone have brought cops to the Thompson Street restaurant twice in the past week as customers and delivery workers tried their best to social distance while waiting hours for meals, Eater reports.

The crowds began when the exclusive Italian restaurant began offering delivery through Caviar after Gov. Andrew Cuomo ordered restaurants to close to dine-in customers last week.

Cops were first called on Tuesday to help space out dozens of delivery workers who were gathered at the entrance, but yelling at one another to stay at least six feet apart, witnesses told Eater.

On Wednesday and Thursday, Carbone taped off spaces on the sidewalk several feet apart and used barricades.

But the measures weren't enough for the Friday evening rush, Eater reports. Cops were called in again to manage the crowds.

"According to a representative for Doordash, which owns Caviar, the restaurant got so many orders that the algorithm for timing out the alert to pick up the food went haywire," Eater reported.

Frustrated restaurant managers eventually shut down their operation around 9:30 p.m., Eater reported. Staff were rushed inside, the door closed and the restaurant's neon sign went dark, leaving some customers empty-handed outside.

Doordash told Eater that new systems were put into place to prevent an overload.

Carbone is one of many New York City restaurants that have switched to delivery or takeout as they struggle to figure out how to deal with the indefinite mandated closure. Local business improvement districts have been keeping track of which businesses in Greenwich Village, Hudson Square and other neighborhoods are offering takeout or delivery specials while New Yorkers stay at home to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Read the full story about Carbone on Eater here.