ppens when the sun comes out, and you begin to unwrap your body from its layers of seasonal fat: you want to eat again-but only if it means also soaking up some sun. Or maybe that's all wrong: Maye direct sunlight transforms you into a slathering beastie, and streetside dining elicits your inner misanthrope. But when your out-of-town friends come to visit this summer (and you know they always do) and demand that you take them to the coolest outdoor place that you, as a know-it-all New Yorker have boasted about, here's a quick cheat sheet of some of the hottest outside eats in a few fave 'hoods.
HOTTEST Seat to See the Action
So you find yourself in the bizzy-buzzy Meatpacking district. You obviously want to avoid the B&T crowd lining up at nearby nightclubs, but it's a nice night, so you don't want to squirrel yourself away in an enclosed restaurant. The outdoor patio for La Bottega at the Maritime Hotel is elevated about 6 feet off the street, so patrons have the streetside experience without the encroachment of sidewalk traffic and noise: Perfect for watching people without them being able to easily watch back. Umbrellas protect the sun-shy. Food is on the lighter side, with a few interesting dishes such as rabbit, but nothing too chi-chi. New American, new European, nothing too heavy or creamy. Hot superthin-crust pizzas are great for sharing. La Bottega, 88 9th Ave. (at 16th St.), 212-243-8400.
HOTTEST Place for a Carb Load
Luna is not coy. No "hidden gem," this, with its huge glowing neon sign. This is outdoor dining for those who like a lively, bustling, smack-dab-in-da-middle-of-Little Italy experience. It's nothing fancy, just some plastic chairs under small umbrella-covered tables. The slightly slanted sidewalk adds to the charm. You don't come here to hide, you come here to soak up the atmosphere. An unpretentious spot for a summer catching-up session with friends or a pre-clubbing fuel stop before hitting nightspots in nearby SoHo. 112 Mulberry St. (betw. Hester & Canal Sts.), 212-226-9683.
HOTTEST Place to Feel Posh
This is one of those little "I had no idea this was here!" discoveries. The Terrace has a great view of the sky, and you can't even tell you're in the heart of Times Square. It makes you feel like you're having drinks on a friend's balcony-a very rich friend. The tiled patio gives a Mundo Latino atmosphere, with mosaics and elegant wrought-iron tables and chairs. The bar menu is pretty typical, but well-priced (around $10) with an emphasis on seafood, but the real reason to come is the patio and tall drinks. The Terrace at Hurley's, 232 W. 48th St. (betw. Broadway & 8th Ave.), 212-765-8981.
HOTTEST Joint to Feel Like a Beatle
A simple cafe in the European sense: You can get a nice coffee, slice of cake, gelato, sandwich and friendly smile, but don't expect to be blown away. It's just a nice little place to have a seat, a smoke and a gossip sesh with a friend. The back patio offers indirect sunlight and a green awning for extra shade. Boxes of silken greenery ensure blooms all season. This is an eatery that puts its emphasis solidly on the end of the meal: The dessert case is prominent in the entrance and the menu proudly boasts 10 pies (several sugarless!), 17 cakes (several Italian-style), homemade Italian ices and several gelato flavors. Plus, a full array of hot and cold coffee, espresso drinks and domestic and imported sodas are all there to quench any thirst. So, if you have a meal somewhere (perhaps at Bello Giardino, the traditional Italian restaurant right next door, also with its own backyard garden, covered with a ivy-covered trellis) and want to continue hanging out, it's a good choice for an unhurried dessert and drink. Cafe La Fortuna, 69 W. 71st St. (betw. Columbus Ave. & Central Park W.), 212-724-5846.
HOTTEST Cool, Hip Hangout
Yaffa's slogan is "Open always." Now, that's an accommodating sentiment, and true, as they are open 24/365. In fact, even when it comes to outdoor seating, they aim to please: a half-dozen tables are out front for those who want to view the never-ending street theater of St. Mark's Place, plus a glorious multilevel enclosed deck out back for those who have had quite enough of the "LOOK AT ME, I'M ALTERNATIVE!" crowd. The deck is built around several old-growth trees, which provide the majority of the shade, although many tables also have umbrellas. The decor is hardly understated: the space is visually dominated by a huge portrait of one of the owners in her showgirl-ish glory days (a recurrent motif in Yaffa merch); fencing is green-and-white picket, festooned with garland; furnishings are shiny aluminum and accent pieces (cherubic statuary and large framed mirrors) are painted bright metallic gold. Glittery!
The menu is smaller than your average diner, about as diverse and perhaps a mite more international, with higher-quality ingredients so you don't feel as ripped off. A friend swears they offer the best whole-wheat pancakes ever. Service can be stellar or less-than, depending on the crowd, the time of day and your own damn attitude. Smile and the world smiles with ya, buster-maybe even on St. Mark's. Yaffa Cafe, 97 St. Mark's Place (at 1st Ave.), 212-674-9302.
HOTTEST French Feel in a Brooklyn Garden
The entrance to Cafe Luluc demands attention in that its entire front is open to the street, like a pushed-up garage door. The backyard patio surrounds a large tree and bubbling birdbath fountain. A mural on the facing wall depicts a tropical oceanfront sunset, and a row of tables at the back are shielded by a large red awning. Little tables are covered in woven placemats, and the little chairs are mint green plastic and steel. They're delicate; be nice to them. The food is a pan-European mix of mostly light fare. A half-dozen sandwiches are reasonably priced under $10. Entrees seem to include one of every animal on the ark: pork, steak, lamb, chicken, striped bass, codfish, salmon and mahi mahi (all around $15). Of the five pasta entrees, four are vegetarian. Five French desserts and five flavors of gelato say, "enjoy zee weather and damn zee calories." Oh, and don't get me started on the rich brunch options (hint: Hollandaise for days!). Cafe Luluc, 214 Smith St. (betw. Butler & Baltic Sts.), B'klyn, 718-625-3815.
HOTTEST Bridge to Bask Under
We don't think any of you slackers can actually afford a meal at Five Front, but let's imagine you're in the neighborhood and wearing a decent pair of pants for a change. This upscale bistro, under the Brooklyn Bridge, has a lovely multilevel deck out back. Hell! We can all occasionally pony up for a drink in a space like this. The deck is divided into lounging and dining areas, and they staff are prepared for any meteorological occurance: with both umbrellas and gas heaters standing at the ready. The tall back wall is ivy-covered brick for a little more atmosphere. Staff is solicitous but not cloying. Oh, and the food is lovely, of course. Appetizers are a bit twee, ranging from $5 for a fairly basic bibb lettuce and tomato salad to $14 for lump crab cakes. Sandwiches and burgers start at $10, entrees start at $15. It's sedate, but very pleasant. The crowd was a little more, um, mature the night we visited, so use your inside voices, even though you're outside. (Hot tip: A three-course prix fixe menu is offered Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings for under $25.) 5 Front St. (near Old Fulton St.), DUMBO, 718-625-5559.
HOTTEST Way to Shake Your Weiner
Sure we could hate on this place with all the accolades heaped on it but why when then shakes are that damn good? Great burgers and dogs are a reliable standby and you can even get some beer or a reasonable half-bottle of wine which is allowed in a regulation-zone guzzling area-no brown bag required. Oh, and those custards and...OK, we'll stop. It's all been said before, and it's all true. Shake Shack, Madison Sq. Park, Madison Ave. at 23rd St. 212-889-6600.
HOTTEST Seat to Get a View of Jersey From a Safe Distance
It's just a lot easier to relax and breathe a sigh of relief up here. Unlike other city parks, Riverside always seems to have space to wander without bumping into too many people. This summer stand above a train tunnel does get a little rowdy but it's still a great place to grab a bear and watch the sun set over Jersey. Or if that doesn't do it for you, there's always the beach volleyball getting sand in all those naughty places down below. Hudson Beach Cafe Riverside Park Promenade (near W. 105th St.), 917-370-3448.