Dining Alfresco

Cocooned for 6 months of the year, with furnaces and electric blankets blazing, Chicagoans revel in the warm months of late spring, summer, and early autumn. For locals and visitors alike, dining alfresco is an ideal way to experience the sights, sounds, smells, and social fabric of this multifaceted city. Just be prepared to wait on a nice night, because you'll be fighting a lot of other diners for a coveted outdoor table.

Loop & Vicinity

Athena -- This Greektown mainstay offers a stunning three-level outdoor seating area. It's paved with brick and landscaped with 30-foot trees, flower gardens, and even a waterfall. Best of all: an incredible view of the downtown skyline with the Sears Tower right in the middle. It's located at 212 S. Halsted St., between Adams and Jackson streets (tel. 312/655-0000).

Park Grill -- Millennium Park's restaurant serves upscale versions of American comfort food with panoramic views of Michigan Avenue. In the summer, you can pick up a sandwich and grab a seat on the large patio (converted into an ice-skating rink come winter). It's at 11 N. Michigan Ave., at Madison Street (tel. 312/521-PARK).

Rhapsody -- A tranquil oasis amid the Loop high-rises, Rhapsody's outdoor garden is my top pick for a romantic meal downtown. 65 E. Adams St., at Wabash Avenue; tel. 312/786-9911.

Magnificent Mile & Gold Coast

Charlie's Ale House at Navy Pier -- One of several outdoor dining options along Navy Pier, this outpost of the Lincoln Park restaurant has lip-smacking pub fare and a great location on the southern promenade overlooking the lakefront and Loop skyline. It's located at 700 E. Grand Ave., near the entrance to the Pier (tel. 312/595-1440).

Le Colonial -- This lovely French-Vietnamese restaurant, located in a vintage Gold Coast town house and evocative of 1920s Saigon, does have a sidewalk cafe, but you'd do better to reserve a table on the tiny second-floor porch, overlooking the street. It's located at 937 N. Rush St., just south of Oak Street (tel. 312/255-0088).

Oak Street Beachstro -- Suit up and head for this warm-weather-only beachfront cafe -- literally on the sands of popular Oak Street Beach -- which serves inventive cafe fare (fresh seafood, sandwiches, and pastas). Beer and wine are available. The address is 1000 N. Lake Shore Dr., at Oak Street Beach (tel. 312/915-4100).

Puck's at the MCA -- This cafe -- run by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck -- is tucked in the back of the Museum of Contemporary Art, where, from the terrace, you'll get a view of the museum's sculpture garden. Take in the art, the fresh air, and a shrimp club sandwich, Chinois salad, or wood-grilled pizza. (Restaurant-only patrons can bypass museum admission.) The address is 220 E. Chicago Ave., at Fairbanks Court (tel. 312/397-4034).

River North

SushiSamba Rio -- For stunning nighttime views of the skyline -- accompanied by views of some pretty stunning people -- head to the rooftop deck of this Latin-Asian fusion spot. Canopied banquettes and flickering tea lights create a sultry atmosphere, along with a menu of specialty cocktails. You'll find it at 504 N. Wells St., at Illinois St. (tel. 312/595-2300).

Lincoln Park

Charlie's Ale House -- A true neighborhood hangout, this Lincoln Park pub's wonderful beer garden -- surrounded by tall, ivy-covered brick walls -- is spacious and buzzing with activity and good vibes. It's located at 1224 W. Webster Ave., at Magnolia Avenue (tel. 773/871-1440).

North Pond -- Set on the banks of one of Lincoln Park's beautiful lagoons, the excellent North Pond serves upscale, fresh-as-can-be American cuisine in a romantic and sylvan setting. One caveat: Alcohol is not permitted on the outdoor patio. The address is 2610 N. Cannon Dr., halfway between Diversey Parkway and Fullerton Avenue (tel. 773/477-5845).

O'Brien's Restaurant -- Wells Street in Old Town is lined with several alfresco options, but the best belongs to O'Brien's, the unofficial nucleus of neighborhood life. The outdoor patio has teakwood furniture, a gazebo bar, and a mural of the owners' country club on a brick wall. Order the dressed-up chips, a house specialty. Located at 1528 N. Wells St., 2 blocks south of North Avenue (tel. 312/787-3131).

Wrigleyville & Vicinity

Arco de Cuchilleros -- The tapas and sangria at this cozy Wrigleyville restaurant can compete with other, better-known Spanish spots, and the intimate, leafy terrace out back glows with lantern light. Located at 3445 N. Halsted St., at Newport Avenue (tel. 773/296-6046).

Moody's -- For 30 years, Moody's has been grilling some of the best burgers in Chicago. It's ideal in winter for its dark, cozy dining room (warmed by a fireplace), but it's better still in summer for its awesome outdoor patio, a real hidden treasure. The address is 5910 N. Broadway Ave., between Rosedale and Thorndale avenues (tel. 773/275-2696).

Wicker Park/Bucktown

Meritage Café and Wine Bar -- Meritage wins my vote for most romantic outdoor nighttime seating. The food (American cuisine with Pacific Northwest influences) is top-notch, but it's the outdoor patio, twinkling with overhead lights, that makes for a magical experience. Best of all, the patio is covered and heated in the winter, so you can enjoy the illusion of outdoor dining even in February. It's located at 2118 N. Damen Ave., at Charleston Street (tel. 773/235-6434).

Northside Café -- On a sunny summer day, Northside seems like Wicker Park's town square, packed with an eclectic mix of locals catching up and checking out the scene. The entire front of the restaurant opens onto the street, making it relatively easy to get an "outdoor" table. Located at 1635 N. Damen Ave., just north of North Avenue (tel. 773/384-3555).