Outdoor Beer Garden Proposed In Del Ray

UPDATE: Proposal moves forward to the City Council March 17.

The owner of Señor Chicken is proposing changing the restaurant to The Secret Garten with expanded hours, alcohol sales and a beer garden outside. But nearby residents have expressed opposition to the restaurant changes at 3410 Mount Vernon Avenue.

Owner Abe Hadjiesmaeiloo is proposing a restaurant serving sandwiches, sausages, burgers, and imported craft beers with limited indoor entertainment. A 30-seat beer garden would be located in the rear, replacing six parking spaces. Take-out alcohol would also be offered through “create your own” six, 12, 18, and 24 packs and as growlers.

Proposed hours are 11 a.m. - 2 a.m. indoors and daily 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday outdoors. Señor Chicken currently closes at 9 p.m. Sunday and 10 p.m. all other days. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)

Residents from the Mount Vernon Community Court at Sanborn Place, who live behind the restaurant expressed concerns in letters to the city on the expanded hours, outdoor seating and the potential noise and crime-related impacts of alcohol. They also believe the parking reduction to accommodate the beer garden space will negatively impact parking in their community.

The Planning Commission will consider the proposal at its Tuesday, March 6 meeting.

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