Take it outside

It’s that magical time of year, when tables head for the patio and diners head for the sun.

As soon as the weather gets warm and we can shed those bulky sweaters, the urge to dine outdoors becomes irresistible. Sidewalk tables and chairs start popping up faster than spring flowers, and the clamor to get a reservation at a choice table begins. In addition to streetfront dining, restaurants boast courtyards and terraces, serene spots tucked away from foot traffic and street noise. And there is just something about an alfresco business lunch or dinner that makes it less stuffy and formal-always a good thing. So, if you find yourself in the following cities for business-related reasons, book a table at one of these restaurants offering open-air dining. And enjoy the sunshine!

Shanghai Terrace

Chicago, Illinois
108 East Superior Street; 312-573-6744
The famed Peninsula Hotel, just off Michigan Avenue (Magnificent Mile), has several restaurants, including the much lauded Avenues and the elegant Lobby restaurant. But only its spacious Shanghai Terrace on the fourth floor offers terrific views of the Chicago skyline-including the 100-story John Hancock Tower. Shanghai Terrace is modeled after a Chinese supper club circa 1930. Servers wear traditional silk tunics, and decor accents include black lacquer Art Deco sconces and Asian wall hangings. At lunchtime, popular options for businesspeople include the Shanghai Bento Tray with the soup of the day, a salad and kung pao chicken, or the Vegetarian Tray, with hot-and-sour soup and a tofu stir fry. For dinner, dishes like wok-fried flounder in a ginger sherry sauce, tangerine-braised beef short rib and Peking-style roasted pork chop with barbecue sauce are top picks. And no matter which time of day you dine, be sure to sample the delicious dumplings-varieties include lobster, pork and foie gras.

Terrace Courtyard

San Francisco, California
600 Stockton Street; 415-773-6198
One of the City by the Bay’s most beautiful spaces for an alfresco lunch is the Terrace Courtyard at the Ritz-Carlton, located in the posh Nob Hill area near the Financial District and Union Square. The brick courtyard, with a two-tiered fountain, is beautifully landscaped with Australian ficus trees and flower beds brimming with roses and camellias. The chairs are white-painted wrought iron, and towering white market umbrellas shield diners from the sun’s rays. The courtyard is only open for lunch (as it gets too chilly in the evenings), so it’s a much sought-after spot for both businesspeople and tourists who come to enjoy the daytime ambience. The menu is Californian-Mediterranean-some of the standout dishes include vanilla-glazed grilled halibut with Swiss chard and roasted beets, and pan-roasted salmon with raisin polenta, baby leeks and green tomato chutney. Gourmet sandwiches like warm ham and Brie with caramelized onions and Dijon mustard, and smoked turkey with avocado and pear chutney on whole grain bread, are also quite popular.

Django

New York, New York
480 Lexington Avenue; 212-871-6600
Manhattan is brimming with outdoor dining spots, but one of the most happening is the terrace at Django, a David Rockwell-designed restaurant in midtown (just a few blocks from Grand Central Terminal and the Chrysler Building). The dining room features banquettes and romantic tented tables, while the cocktail lounge, with its plush couches and pillows, attracts the after-work crowd. But once the warm weather hits, the 70-seat terrace is where everyone wants to be. It’s elevated, so you are shielded-for the most part-from street noise and car horns. Executive chef Andrew Karasz, who has worked for Wolfgang Puck and Rocco DiSpirito, offers an excellent Mediterranean menu. Dishes include grilled asparagus wrapped in prosciutto and black truffles, rock shrimp with pancetta and shitake mushrooms, and spiced angus beef with mango chutney and basmati rice. Try the specialty cocktails, like the signature Djangito and the Lemontini.

Morton’s Steakhouse

Washington, D.C.
1050 Connecticut Avenue; 202-955-5997
This classic steakhouse (with branches all over the country) is the quintessential power dining spot-it’s near the White House and other D.C. landmarks and within a few blocks of numerous business hotels. Everyone from senators to celebrities has made the pilgrimage to this meat-lover’s haven. Inside, the decor is masculine and clubby, but come springtime, the power scene shifts to the 88-seat patio, which offers a great view of Connecticut Avenue. The wine list features more than 200 selections (with plenty of cognacs and ports for after-dinner libations). Of course, it’s all about the steaks-diners can choose from the 24-ounce Porterhouse, New York Strip, filet mignon with béarnaise sauce, and Chicago-style ribeye, with all the requisite side dishes like creamed spinach and mashed potatoes. For those who prefer seafood, Maine lobster and jumbo lump crab cakes are on the menu-and save room for the legendary hot chocolate cake.

Sambuca Restaurant

Houston, Texas
909 Texas Avenue; 713-224-5299
The downtown area of Houston is definitely on the upswing, with new cocktail lounges, stylish shops and boutique hotels popping up, all of which are adding some much needed spice to this formerly desolate area. And one of the pioneers of the downtown rejuvenation is Sambuca, a swanky bilevel supper club with nightly live music, including jazz and salsa (some visiting musicians boast Grammy awards). It’s located in the Rice Hotel building, a historic structure dating from 1913, and features several dining areas, as well as the bustling street-level patio. Executive chef Carl Johnston’s menu offers customers a bit of everything: Appetizers include calamari and empanadas, while entrées range from sesame-crusted tuna to osso buco in a burgundy wine sauce. Lunch is crowded with client meetings, while during happy hour and dinner, the outdoor tables are filled with workers kicking back and enjoying great music with a martini, a glass of wine or even a shot of sambuca, the Italian liqueur for which the restaurant is named.

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jill fergus is a freelance writer based in New York. Email Jill at editor@executivetravelmag.com.