The alfresco scene at Ballydoyle in Downers Grove
Can the weather be more unpredictable? When it starts to warm up for good, check out a few of our top picks for alfresco dining and drinking.
Alfresco in the 'burbs
Our favorite suburban spots to feed and imbibe outside
April 14, 2008Ballydoyle Irish Pub & Restaurant
5157 Main St., Downers Grove630-969-0600
This traditional Irish pub's 70-seat outdoor area might remind you of visits to Ireland. On sunny days, sip on 20-ounce glasses of Sam Adams Summer Ale ($4 in May) or Konig-Ludwig Weiss ($4 in June), or warm up with Irish coffee and heat lamps on chillier evenings.
Embrace
29 East First St., Hinsdale630-325-1996
This trendy cafe/wine-bar bistro draws foodies and fashionistas alike. Colorful umbrella-topped tables set up in the courtyard outside open when the weather warms -- May 1, tentatively.
Reel Club
272 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook630-368-9400
This swanky, seafood-focused spot debuts sidewalk seating in mid-May.
Adelle's
1060 College Ave., Wheaton630-784-8015
A working fireplace serves as a toasty focal point of this classy College Avenue-area restaurant serving contemporary American cuisine. Secluded patio seating is tucked away just west of the restaurant.
Blue Water Lounge
9016 W 31st St., Brookfield708-485-9287
This martini bar draws city folk and suburbanites alike, with its candle-lit high-top tables, curvy bar and intimate, casual atmosphere. An outdoor water garden nearly doubles the seating space during warmer months.
Jimmy's Grill
245 S. Washington St., Naperville630-548-2500
Folks pack the large concrete patio located on the east side of the restaurant in summer. Located right in the middle of downtown Naperville, this is clearly a popular fair-weather watering hole
Redstone American Grill
13 Lincoln Ct., Oakbrook Terrace630-268-0313
This western-themed restaurant wins first place for fireplaces: They're scattered around the restaurant and even on the outdoor patio.
Kona Grill
940 Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire847-955-1210
The decor rides on massive blue aquariums, towering stone walls and latern-like lighting fixtures, and this location also offers an all-season patio with fireplaces and heat lamps during the winter and huge windows that bring in the fresh air during the warmer months.
Bamboo Blue
18147 Harwood Ave., Homewood708-799-4700
An unexpectedly eclectic pan-Asian restaurant in the south 'burbs. It has a relaxed, casual atmosphere with plenty of booths and tables in the main dining room and small cocktail space.
Potter's Place
29 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville630-355-9165
This Mexican spot features the usual menu items -- burritos, tostadas, enchiladas and quesadillas -- served in a modern Southwestern atmosphere.
Alumni Club
871 E. Algonquin Rd., Schaumburg847-397-3100
A sports haven with basketball and volleyball courts and more that 50 TVs for those who would rather just watch.
Pinstripes
1150 Willow Rd., Northbrook847-480-2323
Country-club fun is going public at Pinstripes, a new bistro-bowling-bocce concept is a first in Northbrook -- or anywhere, for that matter.
Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant
639 E. Boughton Rd., Bolingbrook630-739-6036
Two sizable patios offer tons of outdoor seating; one faces the mall walkway for prime people-watching, while the other faces the parking lot and has a prime view of the gigantic Bass Pro Outdoor World.
Emmett's Tavern & Brewing Company
110 N. Brockway, Palatine847-359-1533
This family-friendly brewpub restaurant opened in downtown Palatine in 2005, and after a year-long hiatus, has reopened in the same space. In it's new incarnation, it still boasts a small on-site brewery, patio and firepit.
Zaza's
441 Ogden Ave., Clarendon Hills630-920-0500
A homey, cozy Italian bistro, Zaza's features specialities from northern Italy. Entrees run the gamut from pastas to filet and fish specials. Italian vino dominates the extensive wine list, and a beautiful outdoor patio welcomes guests on warm summer evenings.
Coyote's Mexican Grill
100 E. Roosevelt Rd., Villa Park630-834-7755
Voted one of the top places to eat outdoors in our Chicago's Choice Summer Poll, this Mexican restaurant boasts a large outdoor patio where diners can gather around a nightly bonfire.
The Galway Tribes Irish Pub & Restaurant
9680 Lincolnway Lane, Frankfort815-464-9881
This traditional Irish pub is filled with Gaelic touches, from the menu including Guinness Braised Beef Stew and "This Side of the Atlantic" Boxty, to the hefty wooden bars and furniture. In warmer months, dine on the large outdoor patio, which has a hand-crafted stone fireplace and overlooks a pond.
McCormick & Schmick's
3001 Butterfield Road, Oak Brook630-571-3700
The masculine decor is similar to the Gold Coast address with stained glass accents and plenty of dark wood, and there's also an outdoor patio overlooking a pond, equipped with an open fireplace.
Grill 21
1580 S. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville847-549-9100
This Libertyville restaurant sports a big bar decked with 7 TVs, a slightly more formal dining room and a sprawling outdoor patio that's supposedly the biggest in Lake County.
The Waterfront Restaurant (Hotel Baker)
100 W. Main St., St. Charles630-845-5807
The steak-and-seafood restaurant in the The Hotel Baker
Cafe Salsa
9932 W. 55th St., Countryside708-352-5100
A festive, lively atmosphere greets diners visiting this family-style Mexican dining room. There's a decent sized patio out back.
Avenue Ale House
825 S. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park708-848-2801
The rooftop deck here overlooks Oak Park Avenue.
Trax Tavern & Grill
833A Deerfield Rd., Deerfield847-236-0203
This family-friendly spot – where kids eat free every Monday, Tuesday and Saturday – serves up American classics. The sprawling rooftop deck is a popular spot during the warmer months.
