Say Goodbye To Food Wrapped In Plastic
You know all of those food displays that crowd the sidewalks outside of restaurants on Ocean Drive and Lincoln Road? Well, take a good look at them now, because after December 22, they'll be gone:
''Nearly everyone that comes here to eat looks at the display,'' manager Marvin Silverman said outside his Lincoln Road eatery. ``The food stops them in their tracks.''But Silverman has a bad taste in his mouth now, after learning that Miami Beach commissioners decided this week to ban outdoor food displays on sidewalks throughout the city. The kibosh goes into effect Dec. 22, when Christmas tourist season is in full swing.
''I'm very upset,'' Silverman said. ``A lot of restaurants will lose business if they can't show their food. It's like telling clothing boutiques you can't show a mannequin with clothes on it.''
City Manager Jorge Gonzalez, who suggested the change to the city's sidewalk ordinance, said City Hall had heard from many businesses and residents who wanted the food displays gone because they created a tacky image. Now, food displays are limited to restaurant interiors.
We don't usually inspect food displays closely, because as soon as you show even the slightest interest, the hostess outside will begin to tell you about specials and ask how many there are in your party. So we keep away. And we generally stick to the rule that if the restaurant has its food shrink-wrapped on display outside, it's probably best that we look elsewhere for lunch. But really, is it necessary for the city commissioners to ban the food-display practice outright? Seems a bit excessive.
Tasteless? Cafes can't show off the food [Miami Herald]
- Via Critical Miami
Photo: Flickr
