614 Magazine - Columbus, Ohio

Patio Perfection

By Steve Croyle

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A Dublin Dandy

Oscar's
84 N High St., Dublin
(614) 792-3354

Oscar's sits in the heart of Old Dublin on a tree-lined street that practically begs you to stop in, grab a table and enjoy a nice glass of wine.

That's provided you can even get a table.

Though Oscar's boasts a large patio that wraps around the side of the restaurant, getting seated outside can take a while. "That's why we don't accept reservations for the patio," General Manager Megan Tucker told me one Friday afternoon just before the post-work rush hit. "People get cabin fever around here," she surmised, "so when the weather's nice, they want to be outside."

Dublin's done a great job of cultivating its historic district, and Oscar's is part of a restaurant group, Historic Dublin Restaurants, which features two more destinations on North High St. Brazenhead and Tucci's also offer outdoor seating and, like Oscar's, the wait for these patios is likely to be considerably longer than for a table inside.

Megan mentioned that it's not uncommon for the patio to outpace the dining room three tables to one on a nice weekend at Oscar's. The front section faces North High St. for some relaxing people watching, while an elevated deck on the side provides diners with a bird's-eye view of the Scioto River - or at least the tree-lined ravine it calls home. Either way, the view works.

Aspiring patio patrons could pass the time waiting for a table with a leisurely stroll through Dublin, perhaps stopping for some coffee or maybe a few drinks at the local watering hole on the other side of Dublin Granville Rd. Or you could just relax at the bar at Oscar's, sampling a flight of wine while you wait for a table to open.

Easing back at Easton

Brio Tuscan Grill
3993 Easton Station, Columbus
(614) 416-4745

Brio's patio is a summer staple for Easton patrons. Situated in the heart of Easton Town Center, Brio is one of Easton's cornerstone restaurants. The Tuscan-inspired menu features plenty of light pastas and salads that are perfect for enjoying outside, and the attractive fountains situated nearby enhance the experience.

The large patio features its own bar, so popular that seating is managed by a separate hostess. You can request a seat under the large canopy, which provides enough shelter to keep the patio in business during inclement weather, or wait for a seat with a little more exposure on nicer days.

From late spring through early fall the patio easily outpaces the dining room and it isn't entirely unusual to be asked to wait for a table to open, a common-enough occurrence even though (and perhaps because) the dining room is all but void of people.

First-timers would do well to approach the patio from the back, rather than walk all the way through the dining room to inquire about a seat. It's not that the practice is discouraged, but one may feel quite conspicuous ambling through. Especially if one is wearing patio attire. Brio is a casual place, but the interior's elegant decor makes it feel rather classy, causing grubby magazine writers clad in cargo shorts and Teva sandals to feel out of place; but the patio is where it's at, and the staff doesn't seem to mind providing an escort.

Seriously: Waterfront

Bel Lago Waterfront Bistro
170 N Sunbury Rd., Westerville
(614) 891-0200

Manager Jim Meadows knows how popular outside seating is. Popular enough to warrant adding 16 more chairs on the lower deck of Bel Lago's double-tiered patio. Situated just south of County Line Rd., and practically in the Hoover Reservoir, Bel Lago offers something most establishments in Central Ohio can only dream enviously about: waterfront seating. We're not talking about water off in the distance, visible if you squint when the wind lifts the branches of the sycamore tree just so; this patio is so close to the water, you might want to bring pool noodles - and it's getting closer.

To meet demand for outside seating, Bel Lago is going to push the railing of its deck out 18 inches and the upper deck, which features its own bar, is going to sport its own identity, which is good news for those of us who just want to enjoy a few drinks with our view, much to the chagrin of those behind you on the waiting list.

On weekends, Bel Lago provides complimentary valet parking to accommodate the larger crowds that would otherwise quickly fill the adjoining lot. They also accept reservations, but not for the patio. "People tend to linger," Jim explained. "We just can't predict when tables will be open."

Diners with reservations are welcome to request a patio seat upon arrival, provided there's one available, but that's not likely. It seems as though people are willing to endure a wait for a patio seat, even when plenty of tables are open in the dining room.

Originally Published: June 1, 2009

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