by Ann Guidry
Photography by Barton Wilder Custom Images

Sometimes it feels like Austin is the center of the universe. We're blessed with a relatively temperate climate and an abundance of lakes, rivers and rolling hills that make an enormous playground out of the city and surrounding areas. Live music floats on the air like so much background noise and food is serious entertainment. Austin-minded restaurateurs that combine at least two of these elements-the great outdoors and thoughtful food-have a distinct edge over competitors who don't. Give any good Austinite a chance to loll on a patio and they'll likely drop what they're doing to get to it. Give them reasonably priced drinks and a plateful of good food and you've got a customer for life. Throw in some music and you may just have to kick them out. Here's a short list of some of the places that happily indulge your Austin-tatious leanings.

Hula Hut
3826 Lake Austin Blvd.
512-476-4852

With lake and city access, Hula Hut just might be Austin's ultimate outdoor dining destination. Located on Lake Austin, this Chuy's with Polynesian flair has one indoor and two outdoor bars, a deck that seats up to two hundred people and the kind of fresh, inventive food that's made the Comida Deluxe family of restaurants (Chuy's, Hula Hut, and Shady Grove among them) so wildly successful.

General manager Tim Johnson says, "In the winter, people forget about the lake. That's why we make the food so good. By focusing on the food, we get folks addicted. They think, 'I gotta have those Mexonesian Shrimp Flautas' or Tubular Tacos or whatever." When the cold wind blows and the Mango-Poblano Chile Quesadilla craving hits, Hula Hut has you-and their deck-covered. Carpeted decking, space heaters and plastic wall flaps keep the cold out so diners can enjoy a spectacular view of the lake year round.

And when the weather warms? The flaps and carpet give way to lake breezes, sunshine and lots and lots of grateful boaters and boater wannabes. Mexican oilcloth-covered tables arranged along the perimeter of what's known as the Palapa Deck overlook the Hut's own boat dock. Sun-lovers can soak up the rays while they sip a Texas Martini or one of the restaurant's other specialty drinks. The deck's thatch-covered umbrellas, unlike the surfboards and tiki-flavored tchotchkes, are more than just tropical eye candy. They also provide much-needed shade when the temperature climbs past ninety degrees. Happy hour specials from 3:30pm to 7:30pm Monday through Friday include one dollar off Margaritas and frozen Mai Tais and free chips and mango-pineapple salsa.

With three bars, well-mixed libations and a lake location, you might think drinkers would favor the place over diners. Not so. "Our numbers bear out seventy percent food to thirty percent liquor sales," says Johnson. "We consider ourselves a food company whose motto is 'fresh is best.'" To back up that claim he reports that fish is delivered six days a week, produce arrives daily and homemade flour and corn tortillas are made-in full view of diners-morning until night. Macadamia-crusted Mahi Mahi is a favorite as are the shrimp and spinach, chicken and guacamole, steak or grilled veggie Tubular Tacos. Match them with a Grass Skirt, a swirl of Coco Rum, melon liqueur and pineapple juice, and you've got summertime all wrapped up-whatever the season.

Moonshine Patio Bar & Grill
303 Red River St.
512-236-9599

Housed in the brilliantly restored old Waterloo Compound, Moonshine followed fabled Emilia's with what, at the time, seemed an unlikely theme: upscale comfort food. Chef Larry Perdido and fellow proprietors Chuck Smith, Greg Schmurr and Buckner Hightower took their cues from the structure and its history and put together an original menu that's been hitting pitch-perfect notes from the get-go.

Perdido's consistently good, highfalutin American standards (silky baked macaroni with pimento cheese and a bacon gratin, for instance) appeal to regular folk, presidential types and everyone in between. Case in point: Tennis sensation Andy Roddick is a return customer who brings twenty or so of his closest friends to dine in the adjoining Sunday House, the same private dining room in which Jenna Bush (yes, that Jenna Bush) held her college graduation dinner.

The menu takes its inspiration from two outdoor seating areas, a rustically elegant interior marked by rough-cut cedar beams, limestone walls, plank floors, and a decidedly relaxed ambiance. The place has a breezy quality to it, probably due to the fact that most of the restaurant seating is out of doors. Diners may sit on the veranda deck or the patio bar and sip patio cocktails like the Harvest Moon Tea or Hard Lemonade (a twist on the Mojito), or indulge in starters like Corn Dog Shrimp, skewered jumbo gulf shrimp coated in a slightly sweet cornmeal batter that's fried and served with blueberry and honey mustard.

Entrées are generously portioned and inexpensive and come with a daily vegetable and your choice of sides. Like the previously mentioned baked macaroni, the sides tend to depart slightly from their humble beginnings. Golden mashed potatoes are accented with roasted garlic and butter, and griddled polenta is elevated by hints of Parmesan and fresh herbs.

Happy hour is 3:30pm to 6:30pm Monday through Friday and includes half-price appetizers and $4 select cocktails, but it's Moonshine's Sunday Brunch that really packs them in. For $12.95, you can linger over a sumptuous buffet and $3 Mimosas and Bloody Marys.

Because the patios seat almost twice as many as the indoor dining areas, careful attention is to countering the elements. In true Moonshine style, the Texas weather is managed with casual grace. Partner Chuck Smith says, "On the veranda deck we set up a marquis tent and forced air heating so that people can enjoy the outdoors, even in winter. The tent actually makes it kind of festive." There's a fireplace in the patio bar and a copper fire pit set up on the open-air walkway. They burn Simple Fire, a Balcones Recycling product that's made of compressed paper remnants, because it burns so clean and hot. "During the summer," Smith says, "We use big, water-cooled fans-the kind used on the sidelines of football fields-to keep everyone comfortable." That's not how they did it in the old days, but no matter. An afternoon or moonlit evening spent on one of Moonshine's patios might just transport you, if briefly, to days gone by.

Rocco's Grill
612 W. Sixth St.
512-480-5920

Because Rocco's Grill on Sixth opened just in time for Thanksgiving, the brand new baby sister to Rocco's in Lakeway has only recently thrown a grand opening party for their rooftop bar. If the success of the veranda at Lakeway is any indication, Rocco's rooftop should be one of downtown's most happening spots. Afraid of heights? You can still enjoy dining al fresco in the alleyway piazza, a charming alternative to the multi-level rooftop where skyline views and Momo's tunes (the bar above Katz's next door hosts live bands just about every night) coax diners and drinkers to stop and stay a while. "People don't know we're up here yet," says Ally Piazza, daughter of Linda Piazza and the restaurant's namesake, Rockey Piazza. "That's why we have the palm trees," she says, pointing to the stylized palm-shaped lights strategically placed around the perimeter of the space.

Once word gets out, space along the bank of east-facing barstools will be at a premium during sunset. This is the best spot to take in the spectacular colors of the sun's waning rays being reflected off the buildings of downtown. Rocco's happy hour, 3pm to 7pm Monday through Friday and all day Sunday, includes special appetizers like mini-meatball and vegetarian calzones, cheese pizza made with homemade pizza dough and fried oysters topped with a lemon butter chardonnay sauce served with marinara. Specialty house drinks include the Bellini, a peachy, slushy summertime favorite, as well as an amusing list of Martinis that include the U.T.-tini and German Chocolate Cake Martini. Though the emphasis is on the bar, full meals are also served on the roof. "We can accommodate you, no matter where you sit," says Piazza.

Rocco's menu is comprised of Linda's and other family recipes, including the once-secret recipe bread (made fresh twice daily on-site) that was a gift from a cousin. A family affair in every sense, Ally takes care of special events and catering, sister Ani handles advertising and public relations, and brother Rocco II pitches in whenever he can break away from medical school. The family spirit spills over to Rockey's clients whom Ally says, "My dad loves to get to know." So the next time you find yourself on his rooftop patio, basking in the glow of the setting sun, don't be surprised if Rockey comes by to shake your hand and see if he can make you any happier.

Shoal Creek Saloon
909 N. Lamar Blvd.
512-474-0805

The giant New Orleans Saints helmet on the roof of Shoal Creek Saloon gives patrons and passersby a hint of what the establishment is all about. Inside, the wood-paneled walls are covered with Saints pennants, neon beer signs and signed photos of athletic heroes. Water skis adorn the ceiling and the floor is cool cement. The stereo plays the Blues, but you can only hear that during off hours. The televisions-eighteen in all-attest to the fact that people come to eat, drink and watch the game.

Separating the main dining room from the back patio is a garage door that, when raised, opens the whole space up to tranquil views of Shoal Creek and surrounding Duncan Park. Bud George, head chef and general manager, explains that renovations to the patio are ongoing, that, as funds have allowed, the space has gone from an open area with umbrellas to the versatile, Texas weather-friendly space you see today. The latest innovation is the sunlight reflective cushion installed over the patio roof. Fans circulate summer air and plastic walls can be raised and lowered depending on the temperature. Space heaters are brought out on the chilly days so the view can be enjoyed year round.

George honed his skills in kitchens in and around Louisiana before he made it to Shoal Creek, and it shows. The menu is rife with Cajun, Creole and traditional southern favorites. They've got peel-and-eat shrimp to start as well as boudin-and-garlic soup. Mains include crawfish étoufée; duck, chicken-and-sausage gumbo; fried catfish, oysters and shrimp; Po-boys and a killer Muffaletta. There's a lunch buffet on Wednesdays and Fridays as well as your choice of all-you-can-eat catfish or a six-piece catfish basket. On Tuesdays, George lovingly prepares an ever-rotating selection of fresh fish not normally found on their daily menu such as Lake Victoria Perch or Mahi Mahi. Everything is made from scratch and is usually borne from a base of The Trinity (onion, celery and green pepper) plus garlic. The saloon sells more food than beer and wine ("We're a grown-up place. No Jell-O shots here.") and tends to cater to legislative types as well as sports fans. No matter your occupation or team affiliation, the patio at Shoal Creek Saloon is your relaxation destination.

Tree House Italian Grill
2201 College Ave.
512-443-4200

When asked to describe the sort of experience diners can expect to have at his restaurant, Tree House Italian Grill owner Fred Bakhshi points to the cover of his menu. There, in lavish scroll, is the quote, "A tree house is the threshold between reality and fantasy." The short answer then is that Tree House clients are treated to a respite from the everyday where romance-in every sense of the word-rules.

When restaurateur Bahkshi was led to the triangle of land just off South Congress, where a history-rich building was overshadowed by a grand seven-hundred-year-old oak tree, he knew just what he wanted to do with the place. In the spot that was once called "The Gateway to Austin" back when Congress was the Chisholm Trail, and, years later, home of The Pig Stand, one of Texas' first carhop eateries, Bakhshi brought his dream to life under the branches of that stately oak.

The restaurant's dimly lit interior, with its hand painted frescos, white tablecloths, candlelight and piped music straight out of Big Night, couldn't be more inviting. But the best seating is on the patio-the establishment's undisputed main attraction. Tables are arranged under the antique oak, whose branches are hung with twinkle lights. The trickling sound of a water feature provides a relaxing ambiance while the patio's winding paths accented by gentle landscaping invite diners to wander after dinner.

"Because South Austinites love music, we feature Susanna Sharpe every Friday night when the weather's nice," Bahkshi says. And when it's not so nice? The patio is covered by a tent and warmed with space heaters in the colder months and is naturally shaded by the majestic oak when temperatures soar.

Sit outside and enjoy a glass of wine and antipasti, or do it up with an entire traditional Italian meal. "We serve true Italian food," says the owner. "This isn't one of those places that feels like it has to compete with other chefs or reinvent old recipes." The grill turns out fresh fish, filet mignon and veal five ways, including Picatta and Saltimbocca. Pastas come in traditional and not-so-traditional varieties-huge, moderately priced portions to be sure-of which Chicken Casanova and Crawfish Michelangelo are highlights. Appetizers include the aforementioned antipasti platter as well as escargot, fried calamari and homemade minestrone soup. The Tree House makes its coffee from freshly ground whole beans and uses only loose leaf for its teas and the very latest cappuccino machine for the steam-heated drink of your choice. Pair that with an espresso-laced tiramisu at dinner's end and you'll see the line between reality and fantasy start to blur.

The Y Restaurant and Bar
7720 W. US Highway 71
512-394-0220

John Laney, managing partner of The Y Bar and Restaurant in Oak Hill, has a deep appreciation for what he refers to as "Hill Country attitude." His own demeanor-laid back, gracious and hard working-mirrors that of his clientele, folks without pretension who appreciate the finer things in life. To keep them happy, he makes sure that the Y strikes a perfect balance between casual and refined, most notably on the patio. This is where the elegance of the main dining room gives way to a less sophisticated, more relaxed ambiance. "I think of it as leaving Hyde Park for South Austin," Laney says. "I've always wanted to install a rack by the door where people can leave their ties."

Here, on the banks of Williamson Creek, the all-weather patio features a full outdoor bar and seating for up to a hundred people. Retractable walls and space heaters warm the patio in the winter while ceiling fans keep the air moving in the summer. Happy hour (or "Tea Time" in Y-ese) is 3pm to 7pm Monday through Friday and comes with specially priced appetizers (southwestern egg rolls, anyone?) and drink specials, but that's just one of many reasons to come out. The restaurant also hosts a Jazz Sunday Brunch and Vintner Dinners showcasing select winemakers and culinary treasures from Texas.

Because the Hill Country attitude includes a love of good music as well as good food, the Y patio stages live entertainment five days a week. Y pastry chef and singer-songwriter Jenni Lord books live acts to play the Y's Wednesday night Songwriters Night; Thursday night Evening of Wine, Women, Food & Song featuring "Texas wines, female vocalists, wild game and other Texas cuisine;" and Friday night Y Not the Friday Blues Night. Jazz and torch have a place at the Y as well, just not on the patio.

"There are two groups of people out here," Laney says. "We try to make them both happy." The Y menu bears that claim out by including chicken-fried venison, honey ancho rotisserie duck and peg leg quail alongside vegetarian offerings of herb polenta cakes and black bean tamales. Elegantly rustic sides like roasted pepper five-cheese macaroni, ratatouille, and gorgonzola mashed potatoes hint at the range explored by the kitchen. Beloved chef Andre Lejeune cuts certified Angus beef in-house, uses as much locally grown produce as he can get (much of it from Patti and Harley Clark Farms of Dripping Springs) and prepares only fresh fish that's flown in daily. With an outdoor seating area that rivals the size of the elegant dining areas inside the certified green building, the patio at The Y Restaurant and Bar is the perfect place to kick off-or wind out-a day in the Hill Country.

Because outdoor activities are almost exclusively recreational and because Austinites tend to spend most of their precious free time outside, we as a city have come to be defined by our love of kicking back and relaxing. That may be why patio dining is so prevalent. We understand that an hour lunch break taken on a veranda is like a mini-vacation, that bathing in the light of the setting sun is simply the best way to spend happy hour, and that there's nothing quite like dining among twinkling lights and cool night breezes under a canopy of stars. Whether you're looking for upscale or down home, live music or sports, beer or cocktails, upstairs or creekside, American or Mexonesian, there's an Austin restaurant that caters to your need for all that-and a little fresh air.

Ann Guidry's love of food is rivaled only by her love of the outdoors. She'd get a lot more work done if she could just stay inside and stop thinking about what she's going to eat next. You may e-mail Ann at aguidry@goodlifemag.com.