06.13 Dine out (literally!)

By Chris Reddy

Looking for a little al fresco dining? Luckily, plenty of area restaurants have set up their patios and are ready to celebrate the warm weather. Check out these local restaurants for a great outdoor dining experience.

Black Sheep Tavern
261 Leominster Road, Sterling
(978) 422-0255
blacksheeptavernsterling.com

Celebrating six years on Route 12 in Sterling, the Black Sheep added a large outdoor patio a few years back, which allows for outside dining, entertainment and an outdoor, sit-down bar! Known for some of the best pizza and wings in the area, the restaurant also has one of the best live music scenes in central Massachuesetts. The Sunday Blues Jam with A Ton of Blues is always packed ~ inside and out!

The Bootlegger
50 Massachusetts Ave., Lunenburg
(978) 342-7711
thebootleggerrestaurant.com

The Bootlegger has been a popular hotspot since the late ’70s, featuring fine Italian and American favorites. The recent outdoor renovations have only added more intrigue to the vibrant restaurant and bar, with a beautiful three-season outdoor seating area and outdoor nightly bar service with live entertainment and full menu offerings. The Bootlegger has some of the best outdoor ambiance you will find in northern Worcester County.

Buca Di Beppo
7 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury
(508) 792-1737
bucadibeppo.com

Located on Route 9 overlooking Lake Quinsigamond, Buca Di Beppo features the only waterfront dining on the lake, with great patio seating waterside. Specializing in Italian family-style food, Buca sets itself apart with a large outdoor dining area ~ perfect for lunch or dinner ~ offering expansive views across the lake towards the growing UMass Medical Complex. Buca Di Beppo is now booking graduation parties and seasonal celebrations!

Ceres Bistro
363 Plantation St., Worcester
(508) 754-2000
ceresbistro.com

Looking for farm-to-table, casual fine dining in a beautiful outdoor setting? Then, make your way to Ceres at The Beechwood Hotel at the corner of Plantation Street and Route 9. A floor-to-ceiling glass wall brings the outside in and opens to the patio for dining or enjoying a cocktail at the outdoor bar. Full menu offerings ~ from fine steaks to seafood specialties ~ are offered outdoors in a relaxed, yet sophisticated, casual atmosphere. Wonderful lighting and decorative fixtures abound inside and out, making this a great spot for dinner, or just drinks, on a warm summer night!

Flying Rhino
278 Shrewsbury St., Worcester
(508) 757-1450
flyingrhinocafe.com

With the addition of its outdoor, wrap-around dining deck, you can now experience one of Worcester’s best eclectic fine dining experiences inside or out on Shrewsbury Street! Open daily for lunch and dinner, the Flying Rhino has become a favorite restaurant destination due to its ever-changing and creative menu offerings and superior presentation and service. Always a big draw during the Taste of Shrewsbury Street and the College Shuffle, The Rhino offers exceptional food and periodic outdoor events, making this a must destination for outdoor culinary adventure!

Grill on the Hill
1929 Skyline Drive, Worcester
(508) 854-1704
grillonthehill.net

With vast vistas of the Green Hill Golf Course all around, the Grill on the Hill has become one of Worcester’s premier outdoor dining spots. Located at the clubhouse, with a deck that allows for outdoor dining, the Grill features delicious and reasonably priced lunch and dinner offerings from specialty burgers, sandwiches and flatbread pizzas to entrées that fit every appetite. Whether you are golfing or not, this restaurant features some of the prettiest views of Green Hill.

Guiseppe’s Grille
35 Solomon Pond Road, Northboro
(508) 393-4405
guiseppes-grille.com

Guiseppe’s Grille on Solomon Pond is just a short trip down Route 290. Featuring fine Italian dining, seafood and daily specials, Guiseppe’s has a large, outdoor dining deck overlooking Solomon Pond, with a small outdoor bar featuring seating on the water. The food is fabulous, and the quaint, peaceful ambiance makes for a nice romantic dining experience in Northboro. Diners inside the lounge and dining room are offered panoramic views of Solomon Pond, as well, with sliders that offer access to the outdoor area. Weekend entertainment in the lounge and fine Italian coffees and café-style beverages at the adjoining Tazza make for a great all-around dining experience!

LaScala
183 Shrewsbury St., Worcester
(508) 753-9912
lascalashrewsburystreet.com

Since opening in 2009, Kevin and Maria Zona have been offering up what many say is the best Italian food on Shrewsbury Street. With the addition of the outdoor patio and full-service outdoor bar three years ago, the restaurant now offers casual outdoor dining for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday. The beautiful stone and brick outdoor patio provides for casual fine dining in the heart of the Shrewsbury Street scene. A variety of raw bar offerings on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at the outdoor bar and live entertainment on the patio provide more reasons for a trip to La Scala. In addition to the restaurant, La Scala provides catering for any event with a variety of delicious, affordable Italian cuisine. Always a participant in the Taste of Shrewsbury Street, La Scala is also a destination for the College Shuffle and other seasonal events.

The Mill
185 W. Boylston St., W. Boylston
(774) 261-8585
themill185.com

Celebrating its two-year anniversary, The Mill offers a large patio deck for outdoor dining for lunch and dinner. Open daily, this popular West Boylston restaurant is garnering rave reviews for its smoked salmon, ribs and eclectic entrees like Fettuccini Jambalaya and Smokehouse Lasagna. If you are looking for appetizers or just cocktails, the large deck is perfect for enjoying a nice summer day, and patio specials are offered throughout the season! Live entertainment is featured Thursday through Saturday, and a $5 bar menu is featured daily from 4-6 p.m.

Rye & Thyme/Mezcal
14 Monument Square and 20 Central St., Leominster
(978) 534-5900 and (978) 728-4084
ryeandthyme.com and mezcalcantina.com

The Niche Hospitality Group has successfully transformed the old Monument Grill into a popular dining destination in Leominster, featuring wood-fired pizzas, steaks, seafood, chops and burgers! Add to that $1 oysters and the largest selection of American craft beers and spirits in Central Massachusetts. Offering a beautiful downtown dining patio, Rye & Thyme is a great spot to enjoy an outdoor meal, raw bar or an amazing craft beer.

As part of the Niche Hospitality Group, Mezcal down the street offers fine Mexican cuisine and now also offers an outdoor dining patio. Open daily, Mezcal offers a $2 taco every day until 4 p.m. and all night Tuesdays! In addition to offering exceptional southwest cuisine and service, Mezcal now offers dining or drinks inside and out. Check out the original Mezcal on Shrewsbury Street, as well.

Volturno
72 Shrewsbury St., Worcester
(508)756-8658
volturnopizza.com

The newest addition to the Shrewsbury Street pizza club, Volturno has a bit more to offer with its full-service bar and new outdoor patio! Offering up mega-variety of fine Italian pizzas, it also offers traditional Italian dishes, as well. The elevated outdoor patio area can hold multiple diners, and Volturno is open daily for lunch and dinner. Getting rave reviews in its first months of operation, Volturno has its own flair, with high ceilings, an open concept and good service. Located next to 7 Nana, Volturno gives diners another outdoor dining option in the area.

Waterfront Mary’s
3 Birch Island Road, Webster
(508) 943-2222

Located on Webster Lake, Waterfront Mary’s offers casual outdoor dining on the expansive deck overlooking the lake. Open for lunch and dinner, the food is American classic fare with a full-service bar. More formal indoor dining is available inside, but full entrées are available on the deck. The views of Webster Lake are fantastic, and this is a great spot for an afternoon jaunt on a nice day. Waterfront Mary’s also has periodic live entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays and is a great spot to hit before attending an Indian Ranch show!