September 20 - Eating Outside

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!

 

 

Sue sitting outside for lunch

 

Sue sitting outside in front of an anchor enjoying a coffee