How can I put this gently? I do not enjoy eating outdoors. I do not like to put myself, my dining choices, and my dining habits on display to the general public walking by. In the Baltimore area I do not enjoy the heat, humidity, bugs, and, often, birds (I grew up in New York and abhor pigeons) which I must put up with during the times of year in which dining outside is feasible. Because I am somewhat overweight I tend to perspire easily, which does not make for a pleasant dining expreience. For all the above, and more, I do not seek the outdoor dining experience. YMMV.

That's Angéle in the photo. My wife and I had a wonderful lunch there on our honeymoon four years ago. It's part of the historic Napa Mill Complex.

http://www.angelerestaurant.com/

My assumption was that the eating outdoors thing is more to avoid the smoking ban than anything else.

Babalu Grill ( 32 Market Place) has fantastic outdoor dining! It's located right near Power Plant Live so there is always something fun and exciting happening! It's a great place to sit back, relax, and enjoy summer in Baltimore!

I kind of agree with you Mr. Old Fart. I think outdoor seating has limited appeal - like days that are the perfect temperature, little wind and no bugs - not many for me anyway! Also, now that Josh has brought up the smoking thing, I REALLY don't want to sit out there smelling smoke while I eat. I thought maybe it was a people watching thing that I just never caught on to...

Baltimore has a serious lack of places to enjoyably dine outdoors. Most other cities I've lived in have a variety of restaurants with decent sized outdoor patios, so you can enjoy the weather and still have a little ambience. Here in Baltimore, if you want to "eat outside" that means you get to sit at a tiny, rickety table in the middle of the sidewalk.

It drives me nuts when it's a beatiful day and I want to go enjoy some food and drinks, but can't find a decent place to do it!

My assumption would be that outdoor dining is for people watching, fresh air and sun. Don't tell me it's a smokers' ghetto now? Can you imagine if tobacco was around during the BIblical era? How awesome would the Last Supper painting be with JC rockin' a filterless Camel (it makes sense)?

Kislings? With a lovely view of the Royal Farm Store or the liquor store? I will pass.

Hmmm, Josh Hall assumed "...the eating outdoors thing is more to avoid the smoking ban...." So, are customers at outdoor tables allowed to smoke? I'm a reformed smoker (9 years), and being near a smoker outdoors would bother me almost as much as indoors.

They are all bar/restaurants, but how about DuClaw's and Duda's in Fells Point or Little Havana's on Key Highway? All have good food, and it's usually hard to get a seat outside at any of these places when the weather is desirable. I also always thought John Henry's in Fells Point looked like a neat place to eat outside on their back patio, but have never had the chance to eat there.

Well, to add to all the good aspects of eating outside (Mr. Fart said so well: the heat, humidity, bugs, and, often, birds plus traffic and fumes often only inches from your table) Mr. Hall gives us second hand smoke. Oh, goody. Table for one and Book.

No, Josh, my husband is a non-smoker, and he just loves being outside! Maybe I should have married Mr. O.F. (What was that message, O.F.? Your milage may vary?)

There's a big difference between eating outdoors on the sidewalk, hassled by pollution, pigeons and passersby and on a pleasant patio. No matter how good the nibbles at Tapas Teatro are, Charles Street ain't the Champs Elysees. On the other hand, my wife and I recently lunched on the terrace at Sanders Corner and I couldn't have been happier, munching on a Chef's Salad, gazing down on the emerald valley below.

Yes, Dahlink, you got it. An internet acronym like LOL and ROFLMAO.

For ambience, I prefer Gertrude's at the BMA overlooking the sculpture garden or the back terrace at Bicycle. They are wonderful spaces right in the heart of beloved Bmore.

For a spot to enjoy the gritty city, there's nothing better than sharing a pizza and a few beers at Joe Squared while watching the peeps stroll down North Ave. I also like the outdoor seating at at Austin Grill, b bistro and City Cafe.

SGI wrote "while watching the peeps stroll down North Ave ..." Peeps--GACK!

The oddest spot that I've ever seen outdoor dining is Jilly's in Pikesville. Strange to be sitting outside (with the smokers) and viewing beautiful downtown Pikesville!

We actively search for spots outside and always have - regardless of smoking rules. We live in a loft with no outside living space, so we take full advantage of being able to eat outside whenever possible. The obvious place is Little Havana, but also check out b in Bolton Hill (it's on a nice, quiet street), or even Tabrizi's for a good view of the water in a more refined setting.

Gotta agree with TOF on this. Too many variables that need to mesh, weather,insects,view,company,and the chow.
Had an experience in Venice in a September past, terrific friends, great food, view of the Grand Canal, and during the meal a gondola drifted past with a couple who were being seranaded.Perfect

The James Joyce has relatively nice outdoor seating, fenced off from the street, plus the food is always fresh and perfectly cooked, and the service has been great every time I've been there.

McCormick & Schmick's patio isn't bad, and has decent water views. But the Joyce blows them away in food quality and service.

Gertrude's is serene but I usually just take my mom there for brunch, don't really consider it as a fun place or a date place or a happy hour snacking and drinking place.

The best part of eating outside at streetside tables is being able to take the dog. Mr. Jefferson loves going out to see and be seen.

We just returned from a river boat cruise and purposely took a late flight from Budapest so we would have to stay over in Paris. We booked a "cheap" hotel and found a seafood bistro nearby. Escargots, succulent oysters and quiche Lorraine outside near the Arc de Triomphe. Life is good!

Crepe du Jour in Mount Washington has a wonderful covered back deck for outdoor dining. I also like the terrace at Donna's Cross Keys.

Excellent travel planning, bra1nchild!

My two favorite outdoor places are Sanders Corner & Gertrude's. I don't like to eat on a city sidewalk.

Oh, no! I should never have thought of city sidewalks. It's given me an earworm...
City sidewalk, busy sidewalks
Dressed in holiday style...
Run away...run away...

It's certainly not downtown, but Cocoa Lane, in Ellicott City has this series of decks up the hill behind the restaurant. Kind of nice to watch the sunset from up high.

The Wine Market has a nice patio for outdoor dining, if the temperature and humidity are bearable.

Add outdoor dining to the lengthy list of things Europeans do better than Americans. Part of the problem on this side of the pond is smaller sidewalks, ergo not enough space to comfortably place tables and still allow pedestrians access. But what would we ever need sidewalks for when we have our cars to take us everywhere!

My favorite outdoor dining spot is my back patio. Grilled pizza and a nice chianti, no smokers, and I'm set.

We often go to Sanders Corner on a beautiful warm-weather evening to watch the sun set over Loch Raven while we dine on the deck. :)

Despite its less-bucolic setting, we also like dining outside at Ryan's Daughter -- except for the night the police helicopter practically landed on the deck! Not sure who they were looking for, but they buzzed the outdoor seating area for a good 20 minutes while paper napkins and other lightweight items blew around from the wind caused by their chopper blades. Made for quite interesting dinner-time entertainment!

As a part of the younger generation, my biggest complaint about going out in Baltimore is the overwhelming lack of places to eat and drink outside. I am very willing to put up with noise and other outdoor anoyances as long as I can enjoy nice weather. Every spring on those 72 degree sunny afternoons, I long for a place to enjoy a happy hour outside without having to fight tourists in the inner harbor. I am a big fan of Little Havana. If only there were more places like it.

Our sidewalks really are too narrow for outdoor eating. While I love that I can take my dog and eat (in theory), that is trumped by the difficulty of getting by bars and restaurants that have leaked. Canton is so bad that way that I avoid the whole neighbourhood. Having to go into the street, the other side of the parked cars, into traffic to get by a drunked kickball team is not my idea of a pedestrian friendly city.

Della Roserose's has a nice outdoor patio at the 1st Mariner Bank Tower. Lots of space and a good view of the water, although the view is a little industrial.

the covered deck at Saunders Corner over looking Loch Raven is so relaxed. Good sandwiches especially the salmon.