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Alfresco eating and drinking

(20 Posts)
NanKate Sat 18-Mar-23 07:27:42

In days gone by eating/drinking outside cafes and restaurants was rarely done, other than in the summer months.

Our lovely Italian cafe has outdoor seating year round with blankets at each table for anyone who requires extra warmth and over head heaters under large canopies (which are perhaps bad for the environment, I’m not sure).

I like this continental lifestyle, do you ?

MawtheMerrier Sat 18-Mar-23 07:30:31

Something we can be grateful to the pandemic for? confused

Calendargirl Sat 18-Mar-23 07:32:03

I think continental eating outdoors is maybe better with continental type weather really.

GrannyGravy13 Sat 18-Mar-23 07:32:18

I like eating and drinking outside, as long as I am dressed appropriately.

Grandmabatty Sat 18-Mar-23 07:35:09

The benefit of sitting outside at this time of year is fewer wasps to annoy me!

Joseanne Sat 18-Mar-23 07:36:58

I eat lunch outside at restaurants as I usually have the dog. I enjoy it.

BlueBelle Sat 18-Mar-23 07:37:30

Like eating outside in the summer but wouldn’t enjoy the driving rain, freezing winds even with a blanket and heater
No inside for me in the winter

dragonfly46 Sat 18-Mar-23 07:42:58

We love sitting outside. We sat outside yesterday at a cafe in the square. I must admit though I wouldn’t eat outside if I needed a blanket.
The first time we saw heaters outside was years ago in Leicester Square on my DDs birthday. It was exciting to be sitting outside in November in the UK.

dragonfly46 Sat 18-Mar-23 07:43:23

I meant to say we sat outside yesterday.

farview Sat 18-Mar-23 07:52:39

I love eating, drinking outdoors...I live by the moors and Theres a wonderful pop up coffee and cake van...beautiful views also

TerriBull Sat 18-Mar-23 07:53:34

I first saw the blankets for outside eating in Denmark a few years ago, now they're all over the place here. I love eating outside, but only if it's warm enough.

silverlining48 Sat 18-Mar-23 07:59:35

There are always blankets outside in Germany too. Just wonder how often they get cleaned...

I don’t mind eating outside if it’s not too cold/wet/windy
but much prefer to do so in the sunshine ☀️

harrigran Sat 18-Mar-23 09:02:52

Don't like eating Al fresco unless it is in my own garden.

ginny Sat 18-Mar-23 09:12:57

I love to eat outside but only if no more than a light cardigan is needed.

maytime2 Sat 18-Mar-23 09:24:41

I think the fashion for eating al fresco in the U.K. started with the introduction of the smoking ban in cafes and pubs. I don't think that the British weather is conducive to sitting outside, certainly not where I live in S.W. Wales, where it rains so often.
Personally I never sit outside, even in warmer climes, as I have a bird phobia and pigeons seem to follow me around.

GagaJo Sat 18-Mar-23 09:28:43

I'd eat outside at anytime of year if I was dressed warmly. There is the slight issue that your food cools so quickly due to the low temperature, but other than that, I'm happy. Does depend on location of course. I don't like to sit outside if traffic is passing. Fumes and pollution with your food anyone?

Franbern Sat 18-Mar-23 10:59:23

Many of the sea-front restaurants here have very large plastic canopies on their frontages. Inside of these are several tables and chairs for diners. The sides can be rolled up/down according to weather conditions. When they are totally down, then all the dining tables are totally enclosed, but diners can still see the sea and 'feel' like they are outside.

Patsy70 Sat 18-Mar-23 11:02:57

I love having my coffee and eating outside. We have quite a few local cafes & garden centres which have had these outdoor areas since way before the pandemic.

Yammy Sat 18-Mar-23 11:55:21

I love eating outside, especially on a warm night in August when the house lights are on, some how it makes ordinary food taste special.
I also like having a coffee outside at home or in town weather permitting.Unfortunately, I now live in the wet northwest.

timetogo2016 Thu 23-Mar-23 10:12:42

I only enjoy eating outside if having a picnic.