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Brooklyn’s backyards: The best restaurants with outdoor seating and eating

Brooklyn’s backyards: The best restaurants with outdoor seating and eating
Photo by Stefano Giovannini

Any minute now — it’s going to happen.

The weather’s going to hit that sweet spot between blistering hot and unpleasantly chilly. When it’s 80 degrees and sunny, there’s nothing better than sitting outside with a cold beer and a few friends without the risk of a ticket for consuming alcohol in public. Those with backyards can host a barbecue, but for those who either don’t have the space or simply prefer having a restaurant with its own backyard do the work for us, here are some of our favorite places to eat outdoor. With some of these spots, tucked behind the restaurant and away from the busy streets, you’ll forget you’re in the largest city in America:

Aurora

The patio of this charming Italian spot is covered with vines and plants in summer — perfect for a sunny brunch or a romantic dinner. On a warm spring day, the fettuccine with gaeta olives, ricotta salata, and lamb meatballs sounds divine.

[70 Grand St., between Wythe and Kent avenues in Williamsburg, (718) 388–5100, www.auroraristorante.com]

Anella

If you can look up from Anella’s incredible French toast — it’s the stuff a breakfast lover’s dreams are made of — diners will notice a sunny patio. Bordered by a garden containing some of the produce, it’s a dreamy brunch spot — especially with a spicy Bloody Mary or two.

[222 Franklin St., between Freeman and Green streets in Greenpoint, (718) 389–8102, www.anellabrooklyn.com]

Frankies 457

There’s a reason for calling outdoor eating “al fresco.” Frankie’s is another Italian restaurant with a great backyard. The food is the star here, from creatively stuffed ravioli to the best meatballs in the entire world. The backyard is flush with produce, rustic and incredibly romantic, especially by candlelight.

[457 Court St., between Fourth Place and Luquer Street in Carroll Gardens, (718) 402–0033, www.frankiesspuntino.com]

Sea Witch

This nautical take on the gastropub comes alive in the back garden, where real fish swim in a pebbled pond under a footbridge. That the servers are unpretentious and the food is delicious — and cheap — is icing on the cake.

[705 Fifth Ave., between 21st and 22nd streets in South Slope, (347) 923–9322]

Pok Pok

The trendiest restaurant on this list has a truly atmospheric backyard — a casual street-food-in-Thailand feel to match the food. Get the sticky rice for dessert and pretend you’re far, far away from Brooklyn for a little bit.

[127 Columbia St., between Kane and Irving streets in the Columbia Street Waterfront District, (718) 923–9322, pokpokny.com]

Do or Dine

This backyard, conversely, never lets you forget where you’re eating. The result maybe the most idiosyncratic backyard on this list, decorated with street art and eclectic old furniture (not to be outdone, the bathrooms ask diners to add graffiti). They have foie gras doughnuts, also. Just saying.

[1108 Bedford Ave., between Gates and Lexington avenues in Bedford-Stuyvesant, (718) 623–7200, pokpokny.com]

The Farm on Adderley

Ditmas Park is getting really hip all of a sudden — exhibit A, The Farm on Adderley’s Fava Bean Crostini. The best evening here, however, involves a simple burger and a spot in the restaurant’s bucolic backyard.

[1108 Cortelyou Rd., between Stratford and Westminster roads in Ditmas Park, (718) 287–3101, thefarmonadderley.com]

Reach reporter Jaime Lutz at jlutz@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-8310. Follow her on Twitter @jaime_lutz.