Favorite alfresco dining spots: Where and why?

[Robin Garr]

Last summer we asked this question in the form of a poll for story-planning in Food & Dining.

Today I'd like to just ask the question for fun ... and because it's hot and likely to stay that way. No fancy poll, just tell us your absolute favorite places for dining outdoors, and why you like them.

I guess this is a non-answer, because I just don't get alfresco dining. Why sit outside with the bugs and the heat when there is most likely a lovely air conditioned dining room adjacent? I have no fav alfresco dining spot becasue I eat inside, always. I take that back. I did sit on the patio a couple of times on lovely spring days at Bistro New Albany. Can't remember any other times.

[Robin Garr]

I guess this is a non-answer, because I just don't get alfresco dining. Why sit outside with the bugs and the heat when there is most likely a lovely air conditioned dining room adjacent?

A thoroughly reasonable answer. I tend to agree, particularly in weather like this when it's hellish outside. On balmy spring evenings or mild autumn nights, though, I can see it, as a change of pace, as long as the wind doesn't pick up and fruit flies stay out of my wine.

Of course another issue, as discussed on the forum before, is that at many places the patio/porch has become the de facto smoking area, and I don't see the open air as offering any significant relief when the people at the table next to me light up.

Heh, Leah, I am the opposite, I think why sit inside when I can be outside soaking up the nice warmth!

Both the new Bristol and the Highlands location have nice outside dining. The new one for the view and the Highlands for it's garden atmosphere.

I used to say Avalon, but they blow those misting fans that ruin most women's hair and I've had several friends stop dining there because of it.

Asiatique's patio isn't fancy, but it's still outside and the food makes up for it.

Carly Rae's patio is FANTASTIC. I haven't eaten there though, only had cocktails.

Our favorite is Seviche though, hands down. I adore the food and I get to watch the hustle and bustle of the Highlands.

My fave has been and continues to be CQ. I love all the stately old trees, the myriad decks, the boats plying Harrod's Creek and the Ohio and the sunsets are absolutely beautiful from that vantage point. The food is good and they also have my new favorite drink, Miami Vice. Yummo.

Cumberland Brews in the Highlands. (1576 Bardstown Road near Bonnycastle Avenue.)

The few tables outside are right on the sidewalk and there is a fair amount of pedestrian and car traffic noise.
But if the weather is just right (with a gentle breeze) this is a good place to have a great local beer and "people watch."

The food menu is pretty good as well. Perhaps an updated Louisville HotBytes review is planned in the near future?

Basically, I'm with Leah on this one. "Why sit outside with the bugs and the heat when there is most likely a lovely air conditioned dining room adjacent?" However, Doogy has a point and, should I feel the urge for alfresco dining, I think first and foremost of Captain's Quarters. There is almost always a breeze aamong those stately old trees nd almost no traffic noice.

I'm with Amy. I really love al fresco dining; indoors often too cold anyway. In fact, I can only think of one exception: NYTimes, or any newspaper, over coffee on a windy morning isn't much fun.

Lots of great outdoor venues:

Grape Leaf (though in past I've been bitten by mosquitos, come to think of it!)

El Mundo (always feel I'm on vacation when I eat here for some reason; also fun when trains roll by)

Carly Rae's - definitely

Amici's - lovely and also has vacation feel for me

CQ

etc. etc.

CQ and August Moon. And the downtown BBC on 4th for people watching on Friday evening.

This past Sunday was the nicest July day I can remember, with moderate temperatures and low humidity. A few friends and I had pints and bison burgers outside at Cumberland Brews. However, if it had been typical July weather we would have retreated inside to the air conditioning.

We love outdoor dining when ever we can. For my own tastes, a few flying insects are a small price to pay for enjoying the air and sun, and I rarely have any mosquito problems (unlike outr home deck where it is a constant issue).

Here are some of our favorites:

Ditto (or is it Tritto for third)? The aforementioned Captain's Quarters and Carly Rae's.

Also,
New expanded Patio at Melillo's was almost complete two weeks ago; looked gorgeous (and you can play Bocce)
North End Cafe
Avalon (Haven't had a mister problem- are they new?)
Seviche on Bardstown AND Goose Creek- very different patios, but both great
Porcini's little patio and mural

Deb

CQ and August Moon. And the downtown BBC on 4th for people watching on Friday evening.

I thought of this thread tonight as I ate al fresco at August Moon with some friends. It was VERY nice!!! A nice treat that unfortunately would prove too expensive to partake in often! Although an appetizer and three meals was enough to feed the four of us, and we still had a little left over! (Asian chicken wings, sweet and sour chicken, garlic and ginger chicken, and a shrimp dish I can't remember the exact name of).

I had lunch outside at the new Napa location at Westport village the other day and must say it was nice, it is blocked in by an attempt to grow some wine vines and has a nice bar at the back...and...had two-10 top tables, don't usually see tables that big on a patio/decks also had large oversized umbrellas.

I'll have to agree on the right day...Caps Quarters is tough to beat for dining outside. I also like the front porch of Corbetts and the Highlands Bristol side porch is decent too.

A few years ago on a trip to Puarta Vallarta, we ate dinner at a restaurant that had an outdoor patio next to a creek/stream, and a bridge to the other side with more tables. All of it was under tree cover. Probably one of my favorite dining moments ever.

as far as the outdoor eating near "hustle and bustle", we went to Brownings before a Wilco concert at slugger field last fall and were seated near the road, between regular traffic and the concert/foot traffic, it was a different but enjoyable setting. Fresh beer, food and music, great night.

No one has mentioned Mike Linning's yet!

It's really not on our "list", but sometimes in mid-summer sitting on their patio with music playing, having a drink, eating fried stuff is great!

Please everyone who enjoys outdoor dining, check out our new patio, EXTREMELY comfortable chairs and misters for this heat!, At dark there is not a more beautiful setting in Louisville...lot's of candles, lanterns etc, although admitted bias here!