Correction: Mark Gee voted with the other members of the Town Council to approve the three outdoor liquor licenses. The text now reflects that correction. EG News regrets the error.

The Town Council had lots of restaurant business Monday night. In addition to the contentious reception to a possible new Cuban-style restaurant at the site of the former Rok Bar (noise concerns), the council voted on four other liquor and victualing licenses.

Council members granted Dante’s Kitchen a BV liquor license in a straight 5-0 vote. Dante’s opened in 2013 as a breakfast and lunch restaurant but soon began serving dinner too, hence the liquor license request.

It also voted to approve licenses for three Main Street restaurants – La Masseria, Grille on Main, and Rasa – to serve alcohol at their outdoor tables. In each case, the tables are on public property. The vote was 5-0. Councilman Mark Gee said he thought outdoor tables on the sidewalk hamper pedestrians, but was satisfied when Council President Michael Isaacs said maintenance of a public right-of-way was required under the ordinance. The licenses are only good through July 30, after which a new round of applications is required for the second half of the warm-weather season.

The council also voted 5-0 to approve a transfer of victualing and liquor licenses from China Buffet to Jade Garden, which is taking over the restaurant at 1000 Division Street.

And it unanimously approved a new victualing license for Raw Bob’s for its new next-door venture Cool Bob’s, a vegan ice “cream” shop located in the former Searle’s space at 253 Main Street. Right after the vote, however, Town Clerk Leigh Botello pointed out the owner of the Searle’s building, Chad Verdi, was in arrears to the town for $900 in back taxes. The license will not be granted until that amount is paid (much as happened earlier in the meeting with license renewals for second-hand stores).