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Photos: Scenes from Hanover Street as the North End opens for outdoor dining

"The North End is probably the greatest neighborhood in the country," restaurant owner Frank Depasquale said.

From left: Laura Mangone, Esmeralda Muhaj, and Adela Achim share a laugh outside Caffe Paradiso on Hanover Street on Thursday. Craig F. Walker / The Boston Globe

By Erin Kuschner and John Waller

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The scene on Hanover Street appeared more European than New England on Thursday, as restaurants in the North End spilled onto the street to allow for temporary outdoor dining.

While Phase 2 launched on Monday — and, with it, an increase in outdoor patios — the city announced that it was finalizing applications later in the week for outdoor dining in the North End, citing the density of the neighborhood as a reason for the additional scrutiny. For some, the wait was worth it.

“It was beyond exciting,” said Frank Depasquale, owner of North End restaurants Bricco, Mare Oyster Bar, Quattro, and Trattoria il Panino. “People were so happy. This should have happened years ago.”

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Thursday’s weather could have been better for the occasion. An employee at Caffé Vittoria, who declined to give her name, shared that the hours-long downpour kept many guests from taking advantage of the six tables they put out in front of the café.

“It wasn’t a good day for it,” she said.

John Desimone, owner of Cantina Italiana, said that he’ll start offering outdoor seating at his restaurant on Friday. He took a walk through the neighborhood on Thursday, and noted that while pedestrians were excited to finally sit down for a meal on Hanover Street, some owners are still concerned about constantly shifting city guidelines related to demarcations, barriers, and how much space on the street these restaurants are able to use. Desimone is also worried about the weather.

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“That’s a huge concern among all of us — what to do if the weather shifts, constantly monitoring the weather,” he said.

For Depasquale, the weather is just another obstacle that can be overcome. He said that when the storm rolled through, his restaurants allowed customers to wait inside while they packaged their food to go.

“Let me tell you this: The North End is probably the greatest neighborhood in the country, and it emulates everything that Italy does,” he said. “The food is spectacular here. We’re all one.”

For more of a glimpse at what outside dining looked like in the North End on Thursday, check out the photos below.

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Dimitri Alves cleans the sidewalk outside Quattro.

Executive chef Chuck Colella sets up seating outside Cantina Italiana.

Owner Adriana DeStefano talks with her first customers to take advantage of the outdoor seating at Caffe Paradiso.

Server Rose Santos talks with Gerard and Connie Kugel outside Caffe Paradiso.

Server Wolmar Ceolin Harrell sets tables outside Bricco.

From left: Laura Mangone, Esmeralda Muhaj, and Adela Achim relax outside Caffe Paradiso.

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Johnny D’agostina digs into a pizza outside Quattro.

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