Alfresco/Patio dining: Who do/don't you like it?

[Robin Garr]

Okay, I've bumped up the "best alfresco" poll for one more round, and as I get close to deadine on two different projects about the topic, I'd like to get some opinions (and maybe, with permission, a few good quotes).

Specifically, please tell me what you do (or don't) like about dining alfresco. It's undeniably popular - it seems to me that about half of the city's sit-down restaurants, and virtually everyone along Bardstown and Frankfort, at a minimum puts a few tables out on the sidewalk if not a serious, landscaped patio.

It's easy to make an argument <i>against</i> dining outside. Heat, humidity, mosquitoes and flies; sudden storms, and those pesky stray breezes that blow your napkin down the street. Exhaust fumes, and secondhand tobacco fumes from those who consider the patio the de facto smoking section.

But still, those patios fill right up with happy customers. So, if you're one of them, tell us what you like about them, and why.

People watching. In the right setting, I actually hope there is time between courses so that I can watch the neighborhood traffic.

Feels more cosmopolitan. You can imagine yourself anywhere.

It gives me an excuse to be outside. My busy day often doesn't leave much time to enjoy a nice day. I have to eat, so if I can take care of a necessity and enjoy being outside at the same time, so much the better.

Multitasking if you will.

You can also get away with a lower dress code when dining outside. I have no problem wearing shorts while dining on pretty much any patio anywhere in town.

I can't say the same for dining rooms.

I had a delightful experience this past Sunday when I went up to Cincinnati, where I was dining solo, and got a shady table out of the way and had a wonderful lunch just watching the world go by. Now granted, if it were the dead of August, and the temp was in the 90's, with a humidity to match, FORGET IT. Don't want to drip on my sandwich, thank you very much.

The place, by the way, was the Vineyard Cafe in Hyde Park.....very nice place......

TP, Ed and Chris got my main reasons, right on the nose. My first choice is always to eat outside if the weather is at all pleasant: in the right spot, I really enjoy my food (be it fancy or not) more when I eat it outside. We also eat out on our deck more than half the time in the summer ....

Deb

Something I've learned about myself is that I am very sound sensitive. I much prefer the passing sounds of sirens and heckling teen agers than the underwater feeling of being indoors. Besides, I LOVE the heat of summer!

I hate the outdoors, but I do like to dine al fresco. To me, most restaurants are over-air conditioned, and I freeze. Plus, I am inside in the A/C all day.
So, it is really nice to get outside and sit in the sun. I like the warm feel of the sun on my legs (sorry if that's too personal!).

I'll tell you what I don't like - Allo Spiedo closing! I'm still bitter

I like vine covered pergolas...a light breeze...soft music...and no kids. Martini's or Mojitos are preferable. Anything that puts me in a place that reminds me of being on vacation somewhere.

On The Border has a decent outdoor area.

I have to agree: using that lovely pergola patio for a coffee shop is a waste! (can you tell I'm not a coffee drinker?) Used to be my favorite just for the outside patio...

Deb

I'm a huge fan of Seviche's outdoor area - it is both close enough to the street that you can see people walking around and enjoy that "cosmopolitan" feel, but far enough away from the traffic (as it really runs along the side of the restaurant) so you don't feel like you are eating amidst the Bardstown Rd. exhaust fumes..

I'm also likef Kashmir's patio, as it too is set back from the street and they make a killer chicken makhani.

el mundo has been a favorite of mine since I moved here. Also BBC on 4th street (just for the record I do work there) is great for people watching, and has a great outside bar.

I spend one of my favorite Spring days sitting outside at August Moon. While people watching, etc., can be really great for outside dining, at August Moon it feels like you're miles away from the city.

I spend one of my favorite Spring days sitting outside at August Moon. While people watching, etc., can be really great for outside dining, at August Moon it feels like you're miles away from the city.

I'll tell you what I don't like - Allo Spiedo closing! I'm still bitter.

Nancy, I second that. I served at Allo and even took the very last table. I loved working on the patio and I loved dining there too!

I prefer to enjoy dinner outside because I've been living in an apt. with no deck, balcony, or patio. I take advantage of the patio seating whenever possible.