Teuta, Snap Taco seeking to become bistros

By Grace Lovins

Two Birmingham restaurants, Teuta and the new Snap Taco, are seeking to obtain a bistro license from the city commission, both presenting their case during initial bistro screenings at the Monday, November 11, meeting.

Commissioners wrestled with the constraints and intentions of the bistro ordinance during their discussions as issues arose with the potential for outdoor dining at both restaurants.

As part of the city’s bistro ordinance, said planning director Nick Dupuis, the commission may approve up to two new bistros per year and two existing bistros per year. Bistros are considered restaurants with no more than 65 indoor seats and 65 outdoor seats. Currently, the city has 22 bistros, 19 of which are in the downtown.

Teuta, located at 168 W. Maple, is seeking to convert the existing restaurant into a bistro, which would require a reduction in seats from 80 indoor seats to 65 seats maximum. The owners explained that the ability to have outdoor dining as well as a liquor license would be beneficial to their business and said they were willing to cut seat count and explore creative outdoor dining options for their frontage.

Multiple commissioners said they were concerned about Teuta’s ability to meet outdoor dining requirements considering the size of their front. Mayor Clinton Baller said this type of situation “begs for creativity” and the planning board could help the applicants problem solve, but others objected, pointing out the pedestrian and ADA accessibility issues of the area.

Mayor pro tem Anthony Long suggested that Teuta be given the opportunity to try and make it work with the planning board given that the process was an initial screening and not the approval of a plan. Ultimately, the motion to push Teuta forward to the planning board passed 4-3 with commissioners Therese Longe, Andrew Haig and Kevin Kozlowski voting against the motion.

The new restaurant, Snap Taco, faced similar criticisms from the commission when it came to their ability to offer outdoor dining. The business, set to open at the former KaKu Sushi on Old Woodward, is set to have only 35 indoor seats with a narrow storefront that makes outdoor dining particularly challenging.

The owners proposed exploring their options, including a potential garage door design that might qualify as outdoor dining. Commissioners and city staff were unclear on whether a garage door would meet the ordinance requirements, but rather than deny the request, commissioners voted 7-0 to postpone action on Snap Taco for 60 days.

Snap Taco now has the opportunity to seek an interpretation from the building official and, if needed, appeal to the board of zoning appeals.