Try a patio: Dining is finer al fresco

9/1/2003
  • Try-a-patio-Dining-is-finer-al-fresco

    SCHMOOZING: Kristen Baker, left, of Houston, and Lou Anna Ervin, of Millbury, visit over drinks and appetizers on the patio at Loma Linda's on a recent weekend night.

    Morrison / Blade photo

    • Outdoor dining is popular in warm weather, especially here in the Toledo area where we have such a short season. Patios and decks run the gamut — from parking lots to waterfront sites. There is a nearly endless list of outdoor dining options, but here are just a few:

    SCHMOOZING: Kristen Baker, left, of Houston, and Lou Anna Ervin, of Millbury, visit over drinks and appetizers on the patio at Loma Linda's on a recent weekend night.
    SCHMOOZING: Kristen Baker, left, of Houston, and Lou Anna Ervin, of Millbury, visit over drinks and appetizers on the patio at Loma Linda's on a recent weekend night.

    Downtown, numerous restaurants have outdoor patios, including the Bronze Boar's balcony overlooking a parking lot and, nearby, the Durty Bird has an outdoor deck: Both places are especially popular on Mud Hens game nights. Pepe's in Erie Street Market has a patio. A few blocks away Easy Street Cafe or a bit farther Mano's Greek Restaurant have patios. Or across the river The Docks restaurants have terraces for al fresco dining.

    In Perrysburg Casa Barron Mexican Restaurant, Jed's Barbeque and Brew, and El Vaquero have patios, and Peppercorns has a screened-in porch.

    On West Sylvania Avenue at Douglas, El Camino Real has an outdoor patio that is popular and much farther down the road on West Sylvania, the original Pepe's Mexican restaurant has expanded its outdoor area.

    SERENE: Toledo couple Ted and Lynn Ross enjoy the wide river view from the patio at the Lighthouse Cafe. They like to eat there once a week.
    SERENE: Toledo couple Ted and Lynn Ross enjoy the wide river view from the patio at the Lighthouse Cafe. They like to eat there once a week.

    Stixx Asia Bistro on Monroe Street in Sylvania opened in May and has an outdoor patio with topiaries, evergreens, and shrubs to bar diners from the nearby traffic. Also in Sylvania is the Village Inn patio, which is a regular hangout of area residents.

    Heading toward the airport, Loma Linda's has a nice outdoor respite.

    Webber's and the River Cafe, both in Point Place on the Ottawa River are popular. Close to the Toledo Zoo on Broadway, the Lighthouse Cafe is a fun place for casual outdoor deck dining.

    On Corduroy Road in Oregon, where the Flying Bridge was once a hot spot, Moku has a deck overlooking Anchor Pointe Marina.

    So dine outside and enjoy the warm weather while it lasts!