Top 5 Al Fresco Eateries: Small Plates Scene

Outdoor restaurant seating is somewhat rare in the village, but on a warm summer evening, nothing beats a fresh air bite. Patch counts down the top 5 places to go for drinks and food with a view.

#1: Barrique Kitchen and Wine Bar

For outdoor ambience, it's hard to beat Barrique's attractive patio and brick alleyway setting. The restaurant, featuring wine flights and small plates, also benefits from being square in the middle of the village, so after the sand or the day trip, you can settle in for people watching with your seared scallops.

Just don't be surprised if you get watched too: the al fresco tables offer passers-by a good vantage point to check out the lucky outdoor diners and maybe steal a glance or two at Barrique's plating skills. Those skills come into play with such dishes as "farmhouse" chicken, served over mushroom bread pudding and crab cakes over black bean salsa.

The outdoor tables do fill up, but take advantage of a cool night and nab a table next to the heat lamp, or come early for a beach lunch break. Desserts are a popular option here, all served trifle-style, with options including key lime, pecan pie, and chocolate, all served layered in a glass. Wines are poured in small or regular-sized servings, so you can taste a few and still make it down the street for after-dinner summer drinks.