Folsom area restaurants adapting to outdoor digs

Gov. Gavin Gavin Newsom tightened the grip on closures and restrictions earlier this week, as all 58 counties in California are forced to close bars and indoor dining in restaurants. Newsom stated the guidelines are on the heels of a rise of coronavirus cases throughout the state after the economy was beginning to reopen and find some terra firma. ""It's incredibly important to remind you that this virus is not going away anytime soon," Newsom declared. "I hope all of us recognize that if we were still connected to some notion that somehow when it gets warm, it's going to go away or somehow it's going to take summer months or weekends off, this virus has done neither."According to data from July 11 from the state health department, California has reported 8,460 new cases of COVID-19. At press time, reports confirm there is a total of329,162 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Golden State.Restaurants owners have had to become creative with ways to continue to serve their customers. Places such as Milestone in El Dorado Hills, FLB Entertainment Center, Corner Tavern, BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse in Folsom as well as numerous Sutter Street establishments and others are doing just that, expanding or creating outdoor dining spaces for patrons."It's COVID-19, I don't know what to say," saidDominick Bellizzi, owner of the Corner Tavern and Folsom Dam Bar in Folsom, as well as Dominick's Italian Market Deli in Granite Bay."At the Corner Tavern, we have tents, we are doing themed weeks, we are just finishing up our Hawaiian week.Friday starts our German theme, which is going to showcase brats, schnitzel, German potato salad and cucumber salad and some German beer with dollar-off drafts. We still have some staples from our menu," said Bellizzi.At the Corner Tavern, a 20 by 20 tent hasa misting fan on the way to beat the summer heat. "Here at the Corner Tavern, our guests are family, they are supporting us," said Bellizzi.Folsom Lake Bowl Entertainment Center has brought itsindoor fun to the patio with games, food and libations."We have been closed for dine-in due to the COVID-19 shutdowns and only catering to the outside dining. As of last week, we have extended our patio, going into our parking lot," said Dan Dreher, owner of FLB Entertainment Center. The patio space has grown three-timesfold, Dreher shared."Right now, we are using EZ ups and umbrellas but we are considering doing a full tent enclosure to cover the patio," said Dreher. A swamp cooler keepsguests cool outdoors.While the closure happened, Dreher and his team have been hard at work revamping the inside of the building, including putting in a new AC unit, new paint and equipment to prepare for the summer rush. "We never saw a second shutdowncoming," said Dreher."The response has been great so far. People have been coming out and business is getting busier every single day. We are still operating all the same food, draft beer and specialty cocktails," said Dreher.While many restaurants are adapting to the required changes daily, others are closing their doors again. The Waffle Shop in Folsom is one example. This longtime breakfast spot has closed down since the first restrictions were announced and has yet to announce an opening date with such uncertainty when it comes to COVID-19. "Temporarily closed due to COVID-19," reads a sign on the window of the Riley Street favorite.