Summer terraces in Kyiv restaurants decked out with plastic patio furniture are springing up like mushrooms after an autumn rain. KW decided to evaluate and classify such establishments.
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| PHÎÒÎ: PHL |
Choose me
All summer terraces can be divided into three major groups: seasonal street cafes (widely known as “plastic cafes”), casual dinner cafes and summer terraces in luxury restaurants.
All cheap plastic summer hangouts look the same. Their main task is to generate as much money as possible at minimum cost. A classic example is beer at brand-name summer tents is served in plastic cups and the range of dishes includes fast food and junk food such as peanuts, chips, etc. Such joints are serviced by seasonal you can serve yourself. Whatever the case, you should be selective and make sure the beer is fresh and cold and that the establishment has a toilet.
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| PHÎÒÎ: PHL |
Summer terraces of affordable places offer much wider space and choice from the menu. Plastic or wooden tables on sidewalks under large umbrellas with the logos of popular beer brands shut down as soon as the first raindrops fall or the first gusts of wind blow in. Such a simple design attracts beer lovers with low income and scares away other potential clients.
Wicker furniture under such tents fenced in from the street decorated with flowerpots is a different thing altogether. A classic example is the summer terrace at the Dom Bergonier art cafe on Pushkinska St. in downtown Kyiv. The location is perfect for a summer terrace, but we must take our hats off to its designers: that make the most of it every season. Indeed, they put all their efforts into making the terrace more popular than the establishment itself. The latest trend in the design of dining establishments in the open air is the construction of permanent terraces, which earlier only high-end restaurants could afford.
Seasonal terraces at solid restaurants. Such places have a sea of opportunities to attract potential customers by opening indoor and outdoor terraces on rooftops and on the water. Pick what is closest to your heart – interior patios, verandas and balconies.
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The latest trends over the past few years the construction and design of seasonal terraces and expensive minimalism are a summer terrace that organically fits into the surrounding area and summer cafes designed as a conceptual cost-based project. In short, a popular seasonal terrace is transformed into a full-value restaurant with its own interior and menu.
The fare on the menu is quite clear: a light seasonal dish accompanied by an exotic summer cocktail or a cold soups. The entertainment value is in the presentation of a particular dish served by the head chef. The Concord restaurant in Kyiv decided to open its terrace as an independent restaurant under the banner Summer Terrance Grand Opening. The program includes a live performance by glam crooner Louie Austen, a jewelry show and an unending flow of champagne. Admission is regular or on invitation.
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7 attributes of a perfect
summer terrace
1. Quality canopy or tent
2. Interior design should not be lower than that of the establishment
3. Well considered lighting
4. Special menu
5. Restaurant crockery and linen
6. Special attention to small details: for example, the use of heavy ashtrays to avoid ashes from littering the table
7. Heaters to keep dishes warm, plaids
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Street cafes
The first thing you need to know about a French cafe – its social duty is closer to the traditions of the Soviet kitchen from the recent past: such cafes are places where friends flock together to hang out with people sharing their views. In a French cafe you will always feel being watched by waiters, as if they were suspecting you of stealing some sugar or a spoon. In an Italian cafe no one will simply pay attention to you and in a Spanish cafe any of your friendly gestures can turn you into a friend, to whom they will say “hello!” tomorrow. Despite all those differences the main thing uniting street cafes in Europe is their common philosophy. Those cafes are inseparable parts of the streets, their actors and public. There are no podiums, fences or security. You are the main spectator sitting in the front row.
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