SALEM — The expression "dining out" in Salem is taking on new meaning.
The restaurant boom that helped fuel Salem's downtown revival over the past decade is being followed by a second stage: an explosion of outdoor dining.
This month, four restaurants, including two new ones, came before city boards seeking permits for outdoor cafés.
The largest of the bunch, Tavern in the Square, told the city's licensing board that it planned to seat nearly 200 customers outside the new restaurant it is opening in the former Salem Evening News building. Upon hearing that number, the board's collective jaw almost hit the floor.
While a supporter of dining alfresco, Licensing Board Chairman Dave Shea said there was no way they would allow that many tables and chairs on the corner of Washington and New Derby streets.
The restaurant's principal owner, Joey Arcari, later conceded that was an ambitious figure, which has since been scaled back to 96. It is still more than anything in the downtown and rivals Victoria Station's outdoor seating on the waterfront.
Tavern in the Square — which opened yesterday and, within its first two hours already enjoyed near-capacity crowds — is also breaking new ground. It doesn't plan to put tables on the sidewalk, like most other restaurants, but instead intends to use an adjacent area of grass and trees.
They plan to convert this green space, once a trash-strewn homeless hangout, into a garden café with shrubs, flowers and outdoor heaters.
Although enthused about the arrival of the third Tavern in the Square — there are two others in Cambridge — and the outdoor dining, a city board this week discussed the use of public "green space" by a private business. When asked what will happen to the area in the cold months, Arcari said he would be willing to put out benches for the public.
City officials insist the benefits of outdoor cafés far outweigh any concerns.
"The city is very supportive of people dining outside. It creates a vibrant cityscape," said Tom Daniel, the city's economic development manager.
The Salem Chamber of Commerce is also on board.
"We strongly support plans to have outdoor seating all over Salem," Executive Director Rinus Oosthoek said. "People are always talking to me about bringing a piece of Europe to Salem. This is a piece that works."
Oosthoek said there are discussions going on now about two other restaurants, Gulu-Gulu Café and Upper Crust Pizza, expanding outdoor seating into adjacent Lappin Park.
"We are helping them push for that," he said.
Tavern in the Square isn't the only eating establishment hoping to add outdoor dining. Caffe Graziani and the new Green Land Café and Puleo's Ice Cream, all on Washington Street, have requests pending.
For some, it's a matter of staying competitive.
Caffe Graziani, an Italian restaurant, has been in the city nearly 18 years and has a loyal following. For the first time, however, it is looking to put tables out front and in back.
"We're the longest-running restaurant on Washington Street, but we want people to remember we're here," said Paula Graziani, who owns the restaurant with her husband, Giovanni.
"I think it's great," she said of the trend. "Outdoor dining gives atmosphere to a downtown and makes it look more vibrant, which is fabulous."
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