164126 Wed Apr 19 18:45:13 -0700 2006 9 13 New England 0 877492 I am hoping to take advantage of this gorgeous weather we are coming into and would like to eat dinner outdoors in the New Haven area. What do you guys think? So far the only outdoor patio I have been to is Caffe Bravo at the corner of Willow and Orange. Great food, good service in one of the nicest areas of the city at the foot of East Rock. Their outdoor seating is limited but completely worth it. I really would like to know of some other places. Please post any and all thoughts. Good/bad/indifferent. Thanks! Wed Apr 19 18:45:13 -0700 2006 0 Phoenix 1 877496 You've touched on one of New Haven's weaknesses - for all of the good restaurants, there aren't many that serve outside. I've attached a write-up from Todd Lyon food critic at the Register that should be helpful. Here are a few other options: Christopher Martins - they just added tables outside; great place Stillwater - on Quinnipiac River; probably the nicest outdoor spot in town; food is solid Enjoy Link: http://www2.ctcentral.com/dining/story.asp?ID=13 Thu Apr 20 07:57:08 -0700 2006 877492 0 FallingKnife 2 877499 Great article FallingKnife! Thanks a bunch! Thu Apr 20 10:18:32 -0700 2006 877496 0 Phoenix 2 877562 Esteva is closed. Now called Martin's. Very good food. Don't know whether still outdoors. An interesting location is at Bruce and Johnson's Marina in Branford. Outdoor deck right in the marina. Waterview, lots of marina action to watch. Used to be called Sams and was casual, pretty good seafood. Over the winter, the above Martins also took over that spot. Don't know anything about the food under the new owners. Fri Apr 21 15:10:27 -0700 2006 877496 0 Dave Reif 3 879025 Wow that is too bad about Esteva closing. I always wanted to get there, given that we really enjoyed eating at Fine Bouche and its later version, Steve's Centerbrook Cafe. In fact, I had been considering getting tickets for Goodspeed and arranging to have dinner there. Oh well :-(. Mon Jun 19 11:38:10 -0700 2006 877562 0 Bill 4 1739495 All is not lost. Gabrielle's on Main St. in Centerbrook took over from Steve's Centerbrook Cafe, and is a very good choice for dinner before Goodspeed or (hint, hint) the Ivoryton Playhouse. Wed Jul 12 02:09:27 -0700 2006 879025 11791 DonShirer 1 877500 The Colonial Times on Dixwell Ave in Hamden has an outdoor area. You might want to check them out. Nice place,and good food Thu Apr 20 10:22:01 -0700 2006 877492 0 jon 1 877501 Kiraku on the Q river really great sushi and japanese food, nice people and service Aqua in Clinton Right in a marina, great food and service. Chef Rob is one of the best around. Be sure to try his house made ice cream. Thu Apr 20 10:40:03 -0700 2006 877492 0 chefstu 1 877612 Aunt Chilada's on Route 10 (Whitney Ave) in Northern Hamden has a nice deck that overlooks Sleeping Giant State Park and a golf course. The food is Mexican/Pub...always fresh and yummy IMHO. Mon Apr 24 21:29:25 -0700 2006 877492 0 Nancy 1 1738110 Don't mean to bump this but figure it's applicable for the whole summer . . . - Lenny's Indian Head in Branford - they have tables out back. - Bill's Seafood on Rte 1 in Clinton is it? There also the other seafood place with the deck right down the road from there, the name escapes me! - Humphrey's in New Haven has that patio in the back, don't they? - Jeffrey's in Milford is a good recommendation from the Todd Lyndon article. Tue Jul 11 16:29:14 -0700 2006 877492 17102 missykins