There’s nothing better than visiting a restaurant, and enjoying your meal outdoors. These are moments when everything just seems right with the world. Alas, sometimes they happen too infrequently. But what if there was a way to enjoy this type of dining experience even more? Well, there is. By making a few subtle changes to your yard, you can enjoy al fresco dining at home. You could be enjoying meals outdoors all spring and summer, and even sometimes during the colder months, if you invest in a heater. Here’s how you do it.
Comfortable Living
If you’re going to eat outside, then you’ll need to be comfortable! The basics of an al fresco dining area are a dining table and chairs. It’s recommended to invest in high-quality options, since this will make it more likely that you’ll sit out for hours. To enjoy your outdoor dining space for many years, make sure that you bring your chairs in during the winter months, and cover the table.
The Infrastructure
You’ll also want to add a BBQ and some sort of table where you can store your food. A wine stand will be a great touch, too, and will certainly come in handy!
Outdoor Dining Meals
There are some meals that will go extra well with outdoor dining. If you have a BBQ, then most anything you cook will work — but of course, you don’t want to BBQ every single night. There are some summery, outdoor-ready meals that you can prepare in your kitchen and then move outdoors. For inspiration, it’s best to look to the Mediterranean dishes; this region is, after all, the king of al fresco dining. If you’re looking for the true vacation experience, then try this homemade cilantro chicken. If you have some wine and olives before you eat, then you’ll truly feel like you’re dining abroad!
Protected From the Elements
If you’re taking the time to put together an al fresco dining spot in your yard, then you’ll want to take some steps to protect the space from the elements. If you look at al fresco restaurants, you’ll see that they always have umbrellas. That’s not for show! An umbrella will allow you to sit out for hours even when the sun is beating down during the summer months. It’ll also mean that you can still eat outdoors even if there’s a little bit of rain. If you want to eat during the colder months, then add a heater — you’ll get your money’s worth it from it! And, here is how to protect yourself from pesky mosquitoes and other flying pests.
Decorate the Space
Finally, remember that it’s always worthwhile to make a space look more beautiful! It’s not just about the infrastructure, but about making the space look the part. You should aim to make your space as good as any restaurant! The good news is that a little can go a long way. On the table, you can have candles, and around the edge, you can attach fairy lights. Just the addition of those two items can make the space look more magical.