The sun is out and it seems that everyone is lying on Bascom Hill sunbathing or throwing frisbees in the grass. Most enticing, however, are the numerous restaurants on State Street that have opened up their outdoor seating.??
True, it's definitely possible to bring a picnic of cold Ramen from home and eat it out on a State Street curb.??But why not enjoy a fresh sandwich, burger, gyro, brat or cup of coffee while seated on comfortable chairs and around quaint tables?
Although most restaurants on State Street do have summer seating, an investigative search, comparing many of the seating areas as well as the foods served, may influence a person who is trying to getthe most out of his outdoor dining experience.
One should be directly advised that eating at tables directly on the sidewalks of State Street can be very pleasing to the eyes, as people watching is a common activity.??However, it can also be extremely noisy as you are caught in the hubbub of hundreds of pedestrians.??In addition, the air will often be filled with bus fumes as the numbers two, four and six roar past every ten minutes.
There are at least five coffeehouses on State Street, all of which provide summer seating; however, the ambience varies with each seating area. Espresso Royal Caf??, 650 State Street, Steep & Brew, 544 State St., and Michelangelo's Coffee, 114 State St., all have enclosed patio areas directly in front of their establishments on State Street. Starbucks, 661 State St., possesses a patio area overlooking State Street where one can enjoy the sidewalk traffic without being directlyinvolved in it.. Fair Trade Coffeehouse, 418 State St., has a garden patio in the back behind the restaurant.?? It is quiet and nicely decorated with a flower gardenand cute silver tables and chairs.
State Street Brats, 603 State St., has a comfortable seating area on the side of the restaurant, right off the busy street.?? The stools are cushioned, and as the weather gets warmer, the trees will provide shade.
Potbelly's, 564 State St., has a rather large, enclosed seating area on the street, so at least pedestrians won't have to pick their ways throughtables and chairs.??Qdoba Mexican Grill, 548 State St., has a smaller enclosed area on the street as well.
Patrons can enjoy Afghan and Mediterranean cuisine as well as the weather at Kabul Restaurant, 541 State St. It has an outdoor seating area, also directly on State Street. This classier establishment may actually offer tablecloths on its tables, and servers will wait on you outside.
Amy's Caf??, 414 W. Gilman St., just around the corner from State Street, provides outdoor seating that proves to be much quieter. Customers may order their breadbowls and salads inside, but in the evenings, servers will bring out appetizers and cocktails.??
\We see an influx of people because of outdoor seating,"" Amy's Caf?? cook Jason Farnsworth said.
Students should be aware that business on State Street does dramatically increase in summer due to the outdoor seating options.
At Hawk's Restaurant, 425 State St., customers may enjoy sitting in some silver, retro chairs in a larger, enclosed area on State Street.
""People give their orders inside and then take it out to the patio area,"" Hawk's worker Kerry Tapio said.??Cocktail waitresses work outside at night to provide drinks from the restaurant's bar area.
If you enjoy a bird's eye view, check out Starbucks' outdoor upper balcony. Parthenon Gyros, 316 State St., also features higher-level dining with a roof garden above the restaurant, although it is not open yet.
Tutto Pasta, 305 State St., has an outdoor, enclosed seating area, but it also has the rotten luck of being right next to a bus stop.??Although one may enjoy the glassware and white tablecloths, every few minutes the loud buses stop directly by your table and belch fumes your way.
Further up State Street, close to the capitol, one can enjoy homecooked meatloaf or a Friday fish fry at Nick's Restaurant, 226 State St.??It also provides enclosed, street-side seating in summer.
""I like the outdoor seating because people can enjoy the traffic of the sidewalk,"" said Dino Christ, owner of Nick's.??He believes that there is nothing better in summer than eating outside, and obviously, many Madisonians agree with him.
Frida's Mexican Grill, 117 State St., has street-side seating as well; however, large flower boxes and an expansive seating area provide a more relaxed atmosphere.
Although it is not on State Street, the Memorial Union Terrace provides ample seating room in their classic tables and chairs.?? Students may study, drink, eat and converse right on the lake.??Many nights, bands play on stage.
Wherever you decide to eat this summer, remember to spend time looking at outdoor seating options as well as restaurant's menus.??State Street provides numerous options for eating outside-now all you have to do is pick a chair and relax.
