Boston, MA

Even though this article is really a restaurant review about Rocca, I agree with the author’s first few paragraphs regarding the explosion of sidewalk dining here in Boston. It seems everywhere you turn, restaurants, delis, cafes, even the tiniest ice cream parlor, can set some folding chairs and a wobbly bistro table out and call it “patio dining.” Just goes to show you how starved for the outdoors Bostonians are when the weather is “so nice.”

Just this past weekend, I was driving by Tantric near the Theater District. Granted, they have a large enough sidewalk space to accommodate about 6 tables of 4 comfortably without pedestrians gawking right beside you. However, the 3 tables that were occupied had to endure the sounds, smoke and traffic of NStar digging up the pavement not even 20 feet away! Gross…who wants asphalt dust in their mesclun greens?

Now, if a restaurant has an actual patio, some sort of outdoor area in back, a courtyard, atrium or a balcony would be the best, then that’s something special. If I have to share the space with tourists, bike couriers, shoppers and pigeons; sit in the muggy air and try to keep my napkin from blowing away, then I’ll be seated inside, thank you very much.  Just like these people…