“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). 
Growlers in Sunset Hills has a huge shaded patio, very comfy even when it warms up in tha shade and fairly cheap food too!
Bar Italia in the CWE has a wonderful patio dining area. Great food, very relaxing setting.
Yemanja Brasil in the Benton Park area of South City has a wonderful outdoor patio and the food, service, etc. there is amazing. Check it out - you won’t regret it!
Massas in Kirkwood has a very nice outdoor patio (only open for dinner)
With due respect, you need to get to the CWE more often. While Duff’s is a classic selection and The Majestic works for breakfast, there are numerous CWE restaurants that merit inclusion (there are few if any CWE eateries without outdoors dining). In addition to Terrene and Bar Italia mentioned by others, Moxy, Wild Flower and Chez Leon on Laclede, Liluma on Maryland, Sapphire Pan-Asian on and Dressels near McPherson, and the Scottish Arms on Sarah all should be on anyone’s list.
And with due respect to you, George12, adding your eight CWE restaurants would have deleted virtually the rest of the article. You hit exactly why I included Duff’s — it’s a classic. And the Majestic is cheap and fun and breakfast. IIRC, I had four more CWE places on my main list (which itself had about 20-30): Terrene, Bar Italia, Liluma and Chez Leon. If I can find it, I’ll print the whole list out here, but I have a feeling it was attached to the draft of the original article, which is gone now.
I should also add some context to how such an article comes together: I don’t like “best” articles unless there are clear criteria as to what “best” means. I usually default to “favorite” articles, but as explained in the main blog entry for this subject, I don’t eat outside a whole lot and I frequently prefer not to.
Second piece of context: We just did another list of outdoor dining spots just a few weeks ago in a publication called “Summer Fun.” That piece, which was edited but not written by me, included Vin de Set, Schneity’s and Mandarin.
Finally, we do this piece (outdoor dining in Get Out) annually, and I make a conscious effort to “spread the wealth,” so to speak, rather than repeating the same ideas every year. Sometimes attrition thins the list as well. Last year’s outdoor dining suggestions were Acero, Aqua Vin, The Boathouse, Kitaro, Mississippi Half Step, Terrene and Vin de Set.
Just a bit of background on how such an article comes together.
If you’re looking for outdoor dining in Florissant, Hendels Market Cafe has a beautiful outdoor wine garden and, I believe, they don’t encourage people to smoke. We dined there last night and there are no ashtrays on the tables; I believe they are smoke-free. Dinner was delicious also.
i love seamus mcdaniels in dogtown as a great outdoor venue.
I was wondering if you have ever been to Yemenja Brasil’s patio? It really in my opinion is the best get away patio in town. Swing in te hammocks, drink a caipirinha and eat seafood stew made in a spicy coconut milk sauce. Short of going to Brazil I cann’t think of a better option in St. Louis to relax.
How about featuring them in the get out section as a feature destination?
Raul
Out in St. Charles, I’m a HUGE fan of Trailhead and think their dark beer is much better than Schlafly. However, their outside seating is moderate at best. Their sister to the north, Lewis and Clark’s, has great outside seating with river views and has most of the same brew served on tap. Also, while mentioning them, it’s hard to top under the tent at Schlafly’s as well.
Good article.