“Out” to eat
My rambling list of outdoor dining spots is now online here. Unfortunately, just as I proclaimed the cool (cold?) evenings as having ended, we’re apparently going to have another one.
I alluded to this in the print article, but I’m not a big fan of eating outside. I especially tend to avoid it while I’m reviewing (unless, of course, one of the primary allures of the place is the outside space), because it introduces a whole lot of variables that you wouldn’t find in the course of a regular meal. We sat outside the other night, for example, because it was an hour wait for an indoor table. The outside tables at this particular place are set up ad hoc, and the cafe table at which we were seated just couldn’t be leveled, no matter how hard the server tried. It was an otherwise very good meal and I probably won’t include the wobbly table in the review assuming the second (likely indoor) visit goes well.
Anyway, as noted in the story, it’s not designed to be an exhaustive guide, and there are no doubt dozens of places that you might choose for the al fresco thang. (I really wanted to test-drive Fast Eddie’s new patio, for example, but the weather and timing didn’t cooperate such that I could get up there before the deadline for the article.)
So let’s hear about ‘em — or about places you don’t like to eat outdoors — including a few words on why or why not.
(2 votes, average: 3.5 out of 5)
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Joe Bonwich has been the restaurant critic for the Post-Dispatch since 2002 and has covered the local food scene for various publications for more than 25 years. He does his best to maintain his anonymity so that he isn't recognized in restaurants (which is why his picture looks like it does). 
Make yourself a sandwich, grab a cold bottle of water from the fridge and take yourself, your girlfriend, wife, husband, boyfriend or whoever and enjoy your time at your local park. BEST outside seating for anyone with a large imagination.
Bar Italia, The Boathouse at Forest Park, The Majestic Cafe (sans construction issues across the street.
What about Terrene (expensive) on the east side of the CWE, on Sarah St.? It’s yummy and has a great patio! If you haven’t been there yet, do yourself a favor and try it!
I wish you would have included that unfortunately a lot of the places call their outside dining areas the smoking section. I would have been great if you would have noted that. Also, it might have been valuable for some diners to know if an outside section was accessible. We like to eat outside, too. Sometimes the restaurant might not be particularly accessible, but the outside section maybe.
Can’t believe you all missed Hacienda on Manchester - wonderful outdoor seating and reasonable pricing
I enjoy Trainwreck in Rock Hill! Their patio is behind the restaurant, has its own bar and TV’s too! Decent beer selection helps as well.
Remy’s in Clayton is a favorite place of ours for their indoor and especially their outdoor dining.
Seamus McDaniel’s in Dogtown is a great spot for outdoor dining. I go there all the time and they just revamped their entire patio so it’s now 2/3 covered and 1/3 uncovered. I like to sit out there with my wife even if it’s raining! Great burgers too!
I am an outdoor dining fan and also noted a lack of any West County locations in Joe’s article. It is a real shame that nothing has gone into the old Aqua Vin (formerly Crazy Fish) location by West County Mall, as that patio was so peaceful. I also liked the small but quaint patio behind the former location of Senor Pique Mexican in Manchester which moved. It is now the “Cactus Grill” and I have not been there yet. My current favorite outdoor dining locaiton in West County is at Wild Horse Grill in Chesterfield. It does face a fairly busy street, but is landscaped nicely to help mask the noise. I look forward to hearing other outdoor dining recommendations in West County!
I love Vin du Set on the rooftop. It’s great food, beautiful view and good wine - sometimes the tables get very hot though from the sun ( the metal in the tops) and I wish they’d do something about that. I also like Lilumna in the CWE for good food and more casual outdoor dining as well as Brio’s patio in Frontenac - great service, nice people and good food that’s nice outrageously priced. Then there’s also the sandwiches at Mom’s Deli under the front umbrella’s for really casual!