Suddenly, summer is winding down. But, even if you’re back-to-school shopping, you can still enjoy those last couple of carefree weeks, by cramming in every bit of outdoor time you can manage.
One way to do that is to eat outside, and fortunately, Bay Ridge has more than its share of outdoor dining options.
Below, some of our favorites:
If you enjoy Mexican food, Blue Agave (7215 Third Avenue; 718-439-0808) offers a wide array of Pan-Latin favorites with a twist, and its specialty drinks, out on its charming backyard patio. We loved the guacamole served with both plantain and tortilla chips, and the Spicy Shrimp Poppers — actually, we loved pretty much anything we sampled.
Cebu (8801 Third Avenue; 718-492-5095), with its outdoor dining wrapping around its facade, is one of our go-to spots for easy-going bistro food. The appetizers are particularly appealing here — the fried calamari is a long-standing favorite, as are the steak skewers and the spicy wings. Weekends, it’s a great brunch spot — for $15, you can get an alcoholic drink, an entree and coffee or tea.
If sausage or burgers and beer appeal, head over to Lockyard (9221 Fifth Avenue; 718-333-5282) and indulge out in its beckoning backyard. Highlights of the menu include pierogies, fried pickles, wings and sweet potato tater tots, plus over a dozen beers on tap, and more in bottles and cans.
With its gorgeous blue seas and sparkling white buildings, Greece is a quintessential summer place. Capture a little bit of the atmosphere by chowing down on Hellenic specialties in two Third Avenue dining spots — Omonia (7612 Third Avenue; 718-491-1435) and Somethingreek (7616 Third Avenue; 718-748-8200).
Omonia is renowned for its desserts, from baklava to Napoleons to cheesecake, which can be enjoyed in its spacious backyard. But, don’t overlook the mixed drinks, the sandwiches and burgers or the salads. We’re particularly fond of the Saganaki, gooey melted kefalograviera cheese.
As for Somethingreek, when we stop by we opt for such specialties as the spanokopita, the tzatziki and the gyros and souvlaki. A feast of freshly grilled meats, feta-rich pastries and creamy yogurt and cucumbers, enjoyed out back, can quickly transport us to the Aegean.
If a burger is what you crave, Skinflints (7902 Fifth Avenue; 718-745-1116) is the perfect destination. Billed “the best burgers in New York,” they’re just the beginning of the treats you can enjoy at this classic Ridge eatery, which offers a wide range of classic American fare, plus brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, either indoors or out.
Finally, Mussels & More (8001 Fifth Avenue; 718-680-3390) welcomes seafood lovers to its sidewalk seating, where they can indulge in their gustatory passion, chowing down on clams, oysters, octopus, crab and shrimp plus that quintessential seaside summer treat, the Lobster Roll and, of course, mussels.