SEATTLE - While Seattle might not be heralded as the Pacific Northwest version of Paris anytime soon, the Washington locality has added more sidewalk cafes in recent months, the Seattle Times reports.

Late in 2008, Seattle lifted restrictions on permits for sidewalk cafes, and to date approximately 240 restaurants, bars and cafes have used their sidewalk properties to set up tables and chairs for patrons. The city streamlined the permit process, slashing the cost to about $707 and taking around a fortnight for restaurants to receive sidewalk-café permits.

Chef Ethan Stowell operates a trio of restaurants that have outdoor tables. In 2007, he paid nearly $3,000 for a permit to place three small tables on the sidewalk by How to Cook A Wolf. The permit process dragged on for around two months.

"It was a pain. They (city officials) couldn??t have made it any more challenging or expensive" for something that benefits both restaurants and the community, he said. "I love to see outdoor cafes in every place. ?? It makes the neighborhood look inviting and friendly and vibrant. ... It makes people want to hang out more."

Some establishments see an immediate upswing in business with the addition of outdoor seating. Laredos Grill added 28 seats out front in early May.

"We don??t have that many opportunities of mild, 70-degree, sunny days. So people want to take advantage of it. They will even come, put their names on the list and sit on the bench and wait [for an outdoor table]," said co-owner Jose Betancourt.