New Bedford restaurant owner granted Planning Board approval for addition. What we know.

Kathryn Gallerani

The Standard-Times

Plans for a new upper deck at Cove Surf and Turf are moving forward pending final approvals.

The Planning Board approved the site plan for the demolition of a single-family building and the redevelopment of the lot for parking as well as an upper-level deck on the existing single-story restaurant April 9.

A special permit for a parking reduction was also approved for the combined 17,873-square-foot site at 1500-1502 Cove Road in Clarks Cove on the New Bedford CoveWalk.

Cove Surf and Turf owner Jesse DeSouza said it's not his intent to add many new customers with most of them walk-ins, but he could implement a reservation system if necessary.

“My hope is that this will actually reduce how much activity we have going on at one time because during our peak season I’ll be changing my advertising practices and how much takeout and delivery service that we do in lieu of having more regular business throughout the entire day and throughout the entire week rather than having so much activity on a Friday night,” he said.

He said there will be no entertainment, and his hours of operation will remain the same.

Safety concerns about seating

Architect Ricardo Santos, representing DeSouza, said improving the grounds around the business in terms of parking and pedestrian access will be among the overall improvements.

Planning Board member Peter Cruz raised safety concerns about outdoor seating close to the roads around the restaurant. Part of the approval called for the placement of bollards to protect customers from harm. DeSouza also committed to installing railings that will be safe for children.

Planning Board sets the stage

The Planning Board approved 135 seats, including 31 indoor seats and 104 outdoor seats, at DeSouza’s request. That’s five more than the 130 seats at peak season between the restaurant’s indoor and outdoor seating. The north part of the property will be an exterior garden for pedestrians.

DeSouza currently has 15 spaces of on-site parking but proposed 14 on-site parking spaces to the Planning Board that were approved. A new crosswalk is also proposed.

Another parking area with a one-way exit onto Cove Road and Padanaram Avenue will also be added, along with additional signage.

“The whole idea of that is to keep most on-site traffic going in and out from Cove Road and trying to minimize traffic going through Padanaram Avenue, that being a more residential street,” Santos said.

New waterfront views to come

Santos said the height of the terrace will give diners the added experience of some portion of waterfront views. The new terrace will be approximately 16.9 feet above the sidewalk.

“The elevation of this terrace has everything to do with maximizing the already limited views of Clarks Cove,” he said.

In appreciation of approval

DeSouza said he was encouraged by the unanimous decision, calling it a meaningful milestone for him personally and professionally.

"Seeing this vision that’s been nearly a decade in the making and receive that kind of support really validated all the hard work, investment and community collaboration behind it," he said.

He said the goal is to be in a position to begin construction after their summer season ends, minimizing disruption to their guests and staff.

"This project has always been about more than just expanding seating," he said. "It’s about creating a space that celebrates the waterfront and strengthens the connection between our restaurant and the community. I’m excited for what’s ahead."

Standard-Times staff writer Kathryn Gallerani can be reached at kgallerani@gannett.com. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.

Cove Surf and Turf’s proposed terrace will give diners a better view in New Bedford

Frank Mulligan

The Standard-Times

NEW BEDFORD – Cove Surf and Turf owner-chef Jesse DeSouza thinks an elevated terrace providing views of Clarks Cove will be an asset to his restaurant and the city.

“That’s what I’m hoping for,” he said of the plan, which he has been working on with architect Ricardo Romão-Santos for more than three years.

DeSouza opened Cove Surf and Turf at 1500-1502 Cove Road in 2014.

The terrace will be a second-story extension of the restaurant’s dining area with a seating capacity of about 90.

And the city Zoning Board of Appeals agrees that it would be an asset, voting unanimously to grant variances and a special permit for the project at its Jan. 18 meeting.

ZBA member James Clark said, “This project shows a superior grasp of creativity for the city. I think it’s an amazing project.”

DeSouza said he would love to break ground on the project by next winter, but there are a number of regulatory steps still to be taken, which will take time.

That will include Planning Board approval, and state approval from the Building Code Appeals Board. Because it’s in a flood district Conservation and FEMA will play a role.

The ZBA approval was contingent on no major changes being made to the plans during the remaining permitting process. If there are major changes, they will have to come back before the ZBA.

The variances were for the terrace’s height and parking.

Take advantage of the water view

Romão-Santos said, “We want to take advantage of water views for patrons. We have to go outside what’s allowed by the zoning, for the height of the building.”

That will allow diners to see over a single-story building across the street.

The deck will be about 25-feet tall, exceeding the 18-foot limit set by city zoning ordinance, and about 85-feet long by 23-feet wide. It will be attached to the east side of the existing restaurant with access to restrooms and a service room on the deck, according to the plans.

“Our city doesn’t have enough restaurants, in my opinion, that take advantage of the experience of the waterfront we have,” Romão-Santos said.

They are supposed to have 27 parking spaces, but will have 14. Romão-Santos said during the hearing there is ample parking on Cove Road, and Panadaram Avenue.

Parking will also be improved. No longer will some spots back out onto the road.

Garden area would be created

He said the plan also includes removing some of the asphalt, especially in the front fifth of the site, which will be turned into a garden area accessible to the neighborhood.

The lot’s permeable area will go from 24% now to about 40%. The plans are also designed to make water flow better in case of flooding.

DeSouza said hours will remain family friendly, with a 9 p.m. closing time, and there will be no live entertainment.

Romão-Santos said, “We feel we have a nice project, not only for improvement of the business for Jesse but for the neighbors. And this being a very visible corner, the improvement will aesthetically be nice for the city.”

New Bedford Restaurant Planning for Knockout Waterfront Views

Maddie Levine

Published: January 30, 2024

Read More: New Bedford Restaurant Hopes to Provide Waterfront Dining Soon

Cove Surf and Turf in New Bedford has been serving up scratch-made recipes for the past 10 years alongside Clark’s Cove. The attention to detail and high-quality menu have kept families coming back, but the only thing missing was an unobstructed view of the cove.

Jesse DeSouza, the proud owner and operator of the restaurant, is excited to bring an idea to life that has been years in the making.

By the start of next year, DeSouza hopes to add an upper deck to Cove Surf and Turf and take full advantage of his prime location by the water.

The Story of Cove Surf and Turf

Jesse DeSouza has been immersed in the restaurant industry since he was in high school.

“I’ve been doing this since the 1900s,” he joked.

DeSouza always had big ideas for whatever restaurant he worked in and knew that one day, he would have a restaurant of his own.

In 2014, he opened Cove Surf and Turf, a family-friendly eatery serving up American cuisine, fresh seafood and juicy burgers.

“The Cove is chef-owned and operated,” he said. “I’m there almost every day from open to close, ensuring that my standards of quality are upheld in all areas of the restaurant.”

DeSouza and his team take pride in giving back to the community through nonprofit organizations as often as possible and they always aim to provide a memorable experience for their guests.

All That’s Missing Is Waterfront Dining

When DeSouza opened Cove in 2014, he envisioned an upper deck to take full advantage of the view.

“A lot of people come to Cove because it’s by the water, but we do have industrial views across the street,” he said. “Our water view is limited, so my idea was just to get above everything and get a complete view of Clark’s Cove.”

Three years ago, DeSouza enlisted the help of an architect and started forming plans. They have finally reached the permitting stage, and only a few hearings with local and state departments stand in the way of the bidding process for contractors.

DeSouza has also purchased two additional lots next to Cove to ensure extra parking when the renovation is complete.

In a perfect world, the upper deck will be complete by the spring of 2025.