The countdown is on to the return of outdoor dining in the Bronx. "It's a long winter as everyone knows, and we want to get ready for the spring up and coming," said Joseph Mandarino, who manages the Lobster House on City Island. With oceanfront views, the Lobster House on City Island is a destination for diners. "The boats go into the water, everything is blooming, it puts everybody in a different mood, everyone has cabin fever for being inside, so they want to get out," said Mandarino. Roadway sheds are allowed to return on April 1. The temporary fixtures became a lifeline during the COVID-19 pandemic for thousands of businesses. In 2024, the structures turned permanent under new regulations passed by the city. Roadway cafes are allowed to be up seasonally from April 1 to Nov. 29. Meanwhile, sidewalk cafes can stay put year-round. "When the pandemic came along, I had to reinvent the business, we only did take out, we only had the outside which was beneficial to us, we utilized what we had and that's how we survived," said Mandarino. Rene Matos manages the City Island Pizza Company. While his business opened about a year and a half ago, he says being able to utilize outdoor dining space is an added bonus for both his customers and business. "The outdoor dining is awesome, people come to city island they like to walk around, they stumble upon our window, they can get a slice, they can get a full pie, they can get parpadelle," said Matos. The Department of Transporation says the program has more than doubled since the pandemic program, with more than 3,000 restaurants who've already applied for their outdoor dining permits. It is offering rental options for businesses that include set-up, removal, storage and maintenance for around $1,000 per month for businesses that are interested in participating.