Best Outdoor Dining

Okay, so it’s January and something like minus 20 degrees (okay, I may be exaggerating)…but I’ve been daydreaming of outdoor dining, hanging out with friends wearing nuthin’ but a little cotton sundress and my fave Naots. I figure, with the first day of spring less than 58 days away, it’s time to start thinking about who’s got the best outdoor patios. In recent years, Sac’s had a bit of a surge–can’t imagine why it took so long for the restrauteurs to figure this one out.

While I can’t say there’s a numero uno, some of my favorites over the years are:

 * Aioli’s secret garden patio with groovy mosaic fountain.

* Paragary’s on 28th & P–strictly for cocktails, people.

* 33rd St Bistro–the only drawback is that it fronts on Folsom Blvd., which tends to be a little noisy and fume-y.

* Rio City Cafe — I don’t ever go to this place and actually eat inside, but drinkies and appetizers on the patio? Bliss.

* The Rubicon — So here’s the deal, this place has been here since before “microbrew” was coined. A midtown original, and not a shabby place to hoist a pint on a hot summer eve.

* McKinley Park — My favorite outdoor dining spot in Sac. You just have to BYO.

*  Bernardo on Capitol — Most excellent people-watching fun on a Sunday morning.

* I know I’m going to sound like a shill, but…Mulvaney’s (hey, I liked it when it was New Helvetia’s patio, too).

* For the all-encompassing scene, try Zocalo. The outdoor dining is on the corner of 19th and Capital, possibly the busiest corner in all of midtown. It’s a treat on Second Saturday–if you can find a seat.

* And how could any list be complete without mentioning Tower Cafe’s beautiful patio? A selection of international dishes, excellent beer and wine variety, offered amidst lush landscaping on one of the grooviest corners in town? It doesn’t have the people watching of midtown, but if nothing else you can enjoy the vibe on the patio and the always-eclectic and attentive waitstaff.