Alfresco dining is all about the vibe

As summer heads into full swing here in the northern latitudes, alfresco dining becomes a popular option for eateries, made doubly appealing in 2020 due to limitations on occupancy in dining rooms. Some cities have closed streets to make room for more socially-distanced outside seating. Alfresco dining can be lovely, says The Guardian’s Jay Rayner, who notes that a positive outdoor eating experience is all about the vibe.

When the ambiance is wonderful, the food doesn’t even need to be great, says Rayner, it only needs to be “not bad.” But when you get fantastic food and an enjoyable outdoor experience, it’s marvelous. He described an alfresco meal at an Italian restaurant in London: “Eating out there felt like the adult equivalent of that fabulous day when your primary school teacher said you could have lessons outside under the conker tree because it was sunny and almost the end of term.” The food was good, but it was the atmosphere that made it special, Rayner added. “Eaten inside, by the glowering Belgian fireplace, I’m sure [the food] would have been lovely. Outside, it was sublime.”

Dining outside does pose its challenges, of course. Rayner is the first to admit that “the great British weather is not generally a willing accomplice.” In addition to the weather, pests like flies and mosquitoes can put a damper on your outdoor eating. I would much rather sit in a quiet, air-conditioned restaurant than battle the wind, heat, and bugs – but this year I will likely be content with being able to eat at my favorite restaurants and will brave the elements for a good meal. Who knows, maybe I will grow to like dining outside.

Image by Donna Opfer from Pixabay