The Europeans have a great idea when it comes to dining alfresco. They do it every chance they get. When I have traveled in Europe, one of my favorite things was to notice how many ways people ate their meals outside. An Italian family, spied from the balcony of my hotel room in Pienza–in their backyard, table cloth covered table laden with carafes of wine and platters of pasta. French workers sitting along the roadside, taking a two hour lunch break from their labors. Sophisticated young people enjoying cocktails on the Piazza Navona in Rome at sunset. Irish girls sitting at a sidewalk cafe with their cappuccinos on a sunny day in Dublin. (Irish lads with their Guinness).
When the sun shines, the Europeans are out in droves having a meal or at least a coffee in it. The food can be simple, the clean up is easy and the fresh air is invigorating (and probably good for the digestion). We Californians are a close runner up when it comes to being outside as much as possible, and most people I know have devoted space to outdoor dining.
At the moment, all my patio furniture is covered up with tarps for the winter, so unless I spread a blanket on the patio itself, there is no place to sit. Yesterday, the sun peeked out for an hour or so and I made an effort to get out in it. I put Sophie on a leash and we went for a leisurely walk around the neighborhood. It did us both good.
My fantasy is to have a covered porch. With a little bistro table that is never covered up, rain or shine. A place where I can sit and enjoy a drink or a meal no matter what the time of year or what the weather. A view of water wouldn't hurt either.
Ah yes. I can dream, can't I?
Have a great weekend Friends! And dine outside if you can!
16 responses to “Dining Alfresco”
I don’t think I’ll be dining outside this weekend. In the summer I like to take a sandwich, a cup of tea and a good book outside. I must admit, I don’t do it near enough. Have you been to Pleasanton? Lots of the restaurants have outside seating. Great place to get a great lunch and people watch
I don’t think I’ll be dining outside this weekend. In the summer I like to take a sandwich, a cup of tea and a good book outside. I must admit, I don’t do it near enough. Have you been to Pleasanton? Lots of the restaurants have outside seating. Great place to get a great lunch and people watch
Sounds great! I would ideally love an ocean view, about 70 degrees…breezy…yum! It is 35 degrees here today…I think I will stay inside.
Sounds great! I would ideally love an ocean view, about 70 degrees…breezy…yum! It is 35 degrees here today…I think I will stay inside.
I’m with you all the way on this one, GF. Today it is about 33 degrees and much of the 10 inches of snow that fell yesterday has melted but the remainder of the 18 from the last blizzard is still there. Sheesh. In the summer, we eat breakfast, lunch and dinner on our deck. If it is raining, then the screened porch. The season is too darned short, though.
I’m with you all the way on this one, GF. Today it is about 33 degrees and much of the 10 inches of snow that fell yesterday has melted but the remainder of the 18 from the last blizzard is still there. Sheesh. In the summer, we eat breakfast, lunch and dinner on our deck. If it is raining, then the screened porch. The season is too darned short, though.
Nicole – Thanks for your jelly role advice on Thelma’s blog. Your blog looks like fun! I added it to my google reader.
Nicole – Thanks for your jelly role advice on Thelma’s blog. Your blog looks like fun! I added it to my google reader.
I wish we could eat out doors, but we are in the middle of an ice storm with snow (up to 25 cm) to follow over night.
I wish we could eat out doors, but we are in the middle of an ice storm with snow (up to 25 cm) to follow over night.
Hi Nicole We are eating out side Next saturday night my grandson Jamie is getting engaged We are having his party on the gold coast in the back yard of My daughter’shouse I is right on the beach it should be A good Night Hope you have A good Week.
Hugs Mary.
Hi Nicole We are eating out side Next saturday night my grandson Jamie is getting engaged We are having his party on the gold coast in the back yard of My daughter’shouse I is right on the beach it should be A good Night Hope you have A good Week.
Hugs Mary.
Fun post!
Fun post!
Oh how I wish I could. This morning the snow was just a flying. It was 19 degrees and the wind chill was something else. You had to cover everything you had while out. But looking forward to summer.
Oh how I wish I could. This morning the snow was just a flying. It was 19 degrees and the wind chill was something else. You had to cover everything you had while out. But looking forward to summer.