“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)
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).
Thanks for the background to the article, Joe. As an aside, we’re not locked into CWE restaurants but many of the ones we like in other areas don’t have outdoor seating or the indoor seating remains preferable even in warm weather. That’s why this blog is so helpful…we now have 6-10 more places with outdoor dining to try out. So many possibilities, so little time…
Revival’s patio is open, beautiful and a huge portion of it covered. Outdoor kitchen was not open for lunch when I was last there. Really like what they’ve done with the landscaping
Probably the BEST outdoor patio in St. Charles or anywhere else, is the Grappa Grill! Their beautiful and spacious patio has TWO levels and is truly something to experience! In addition to great food, Mark Richman, St. Louis’ favorite Sinatra Singer is there every Sunday from 5:30 to 8:30 singing your favorite songs by request! See for yourself http://www.grappagrill.com