Dining
out or eating outside? Both of these terms have slightly different
connotations. When I think of dining out, I think of an evening meal in a
restaurant. When I think of eating outside, I think of sunshine and
possibly even a picnic table. Of course, in certain circumstances there
doesn't have to be an absolute choice, but if there was, I would choose
eating outside.
So, what is the difference
between the two? For me, it is mostly lighting. Too many restaurants are
dimly lit. When the light comes primarily from the romantic flicker of a
little candle set in the table centre, I have difficulty in seeing my
plate - much less the food on it. In daylight, I have a much better
chance of seeing what I am eating.
Now the
choice between dining out or eating outside is not always absolute.
Sometimes the quality of the food in a restaurant overcomes all other
sight considerations. Sometimes the heat and glare of the sun, or heavy
rain and thunder clouds, or the presence of stinging insects or
mosquitoes, make eating outside just too uncomfortable.
We
were fortunate this past week on the Oregon coast. The sun shone and
the temperature was mild. There weren't any bugs. The seafood was
excellent and we ate outside nearly every day.
There
are two pictures with this post. In the first picture, I am sitting at
an outside picnic table under the restaurant umbrella. I remember I had
salad and clam chowder that day. It was an excellent lunch.
In
the second picture I am sitting on a bench in front of a large anchor
of a ship. I am drinking a vanilla bean latte purchased at a nearby
specialty coffee shop.
When eating outside is good, it's very good indeed!
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| Sue sitting outside for lunch |
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| Sue sitting outside in front of an anchor enjoying a coffee |
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