Cookin' with Karl
Top patio list
The patio at Gandalf’s Pub in Valley City is nestled among trees and flowers. Photo by KARL GERHARD
Many of our readers are just returning from a great summer vacation and many are getting ready to go on one. One of my favorite parts of travel is finding those perfect restaurants with the really nice patios. Something about dining outside on the perfect patio just makes it feel like vacation.
Well, folks, if you are like me and a stay-cation is the ticket this summer, then fear not. We have those restaurants with the great patios that give you the “I am on vacation and living large” feeling right here in our neck of the woods.
Here is the official Cookin’ with Karl best patios list. I put them in alphabetical order to be fair, but really, it is time to visit each one. In my perfect world, the “Ferris Buehler’s Day Off” world, I would be at one of these patios throughout the day or the week. As a matter of fact, with the weather pattern improving, I think this next month should be declared patio dining season.
Bunker Hill Golf Course
Watching the sunset on this golf course is a site like no other in Medina County. Live entertainment on Fridays, 6:30-9:30 p.m., is an added touch of excellence. Bunker’s Grill just released its new summer menu waiting to tempt your taste buds.
Brew Garden
Great Strongsville patio. Wonderful food.
Corkscrew Saloon
Beautiful patio that blends seamlessly with the historic mansion it is tied to. A gorgeous setting with a pond and fountain, it makes you feel like you are in a tranquil park setting. Combine that with Corkscrew Saloon’s food and you have a winning combination.
Dominic’s/JoJo’s Sports Bar
Dominic Carrino really outdid himself when re-designing this now perfect outdoor bar and dining area. TVs everywhere, big outdoor bar, beautiful trellis, high quality features. Covered areas and non-covered areas that have tables with umbrellas. Definitely the spot for any summer night, especially if the Indians are playing. Combine that with some of their legendary chicken and you are back on vacation.
Galaxy
Fabulous patio with a great outdoor bar. They also have things like “Party on the Patio” featuring bands like Skinny Moo (last night), Biscuit Miller and The Mix (tonight) and The Swizzle Sticks Band next Wednesday. Basically a great patio anytime, but especially on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays for the live music. Water features, an outdoor fireplace and the always-great Galaxy food.
Gandalf’s Pub
Gandalf’s Pub has a tree-lined patio filled with flowers, plants and a fountain. It is located in Valley City on picturesque state Route 303. To me, it has the feel of a quaint Cape Cod patio with better quality food at Ohio prices. I took my family there for Sunday brunch this past weekend and it was outstanding. Sean Lackey, the owner, when asked about his brunch menu, said, “We do off-the-wall stuff like fruity pebbles pancakes and Irish eggs Benedict.” I gotta say, their corned beef hash, using the very popular Vienna Corned Beef, is pretty tasty, as well. This patio is great any day, but really great on a summer Sunday morning for brunch. It opens at 9 a.m. and seats 60, so get there early.
Main Street Cafe
If you consider that out their back door is the largest coolest outdoor concert (Rally In The Alley) every Friday night, rain or shine, then I guess you could say they have a cool patio, as well – at least on Fridays through Labor Day.
On Tap, Medina
This is such a nice patio. When they relocated On Tap, they expanded the entire restaurant and added a patio that is second to none. With a 65-inch outdoor TV, a beautiful fire pit, an outdoor bar and live music five nights a week, it is a perfect spot to relax after work and unwind. With $1 bones (their best seller) and $1 wings on Wednesdays, this could easily be my new Wednesday spot.
PJ Marley’s
Decent deck right on Medina’s Public Square, paired with great food.
Shale Creek
Golf course view combined with excellent food. Need I say more?
Square 22
Top notch patio at a hip new spot in Strongsville.
TailGators
Famous for wings and burgers and a Wadsworth favorite for years. Catch them on the way to the drive-in movies.
So many patios, so little time. Don’t let the summer end without doing some al fresco dining. Margaritas, anyone? Anyone?
Well, folks, if you are like me and a stay-cation is the ticket this summer, then fear not. We have those restaurants with the great patios that give you the “I am on vacation and living large” feeling right here in our neck of the woods.
Here is the official Cookin’ with Karl best patios list. I put them in alphabetical order to be fair, but really, it is time to visit each one. In my perfect world, the “Ferris Buehler’s Day Off” world, I would be at one of these patios throughout the day or the week. As a matter of fact, with the weather pattern improving, I think this next month should be declared patio dining season.
Bunker Hill Golf Course
Watching the sunset on this golf course is a site like no other in Medina County. Live entertainment on Fridays, 6:30-9:30 p.m., is an added touch of excellence. Bunker’s Grill just released its new summer menu waiting to tempt your taste buds.
Brew Garden
Great Strongsville patio. Wonderful food.
Corkscrew Saloon
Beautiful patio that blends seamlessly with the historic mansion it is tied to. A gorgeous setting with a pond and fountain, it makes you feel like you are in a tranquil park setting. Combine that with Corkscrew Saloon’s food and you have a winning combination.
Dominic’s/JoJo’s Sports Bar
Dominic Carrino really outdid himself when re-designing this now perfect outdoor bar and dining area. TVs everywhere, big outdoor bar, beautiful trellis, high quality features. Covered areas and non-covered areas that have tables with umbrellas. Definitely the spot for any summer night, especially if the Indians are playing. Combine that with some of their legendary chicken and you are back on vacation.
Galaxy
Fabulous patio with a great outdoor bar. They also have things like “Party on the Patio” featuring bands like Skinny Moo (last night), Biscuit Miller and The Mix (tonight) and The Swizzle Sticks Band next Wednesday. Basically a great patio anytime, but especially on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays for the live music. Water features, an outdoor fireplace and the always-great Galaxy food.
Gandalf’s Pub
Gandalf’s Pub has a tree-lined patio filled with flowers, plants and a fountain. It is located in Valley City on picturesque state Route 303. To me, it has the feel of a quaint Cape Cod patio with better quality food at Ohio prices. I took my family there for Sunday brunch this past weekend and it was outstanding. Sean Lackey, the owner, when asked about his brunch menu, said, “We do off-the-wall stuff like fruity pebbles pancakes and Irish eggs Benedict.” I gotta say, their corned beef hash, using the very popular Vienna Corned Beef, is pretty tasty, as well. This patio is great any day, but really great on a summer Sunday morning for brunch. It opens at 9 a.m. and seats 60, so get there early.
Main Street Cafe
If you consider that out their back door is the largest coolest outdoor concert (Rally In The Alley) every Friday night, rain or shine, then I guess you could say they have a cool patio, as well – at least on Fridays through Labor Day.
On Tap, Medina
This is such a nice patio. When they relocated On Tap, they expanded the entire restaurant and added a patio that is second to none. With a 65-inch outdoor TV, a beautiful fire pit, an outdoor bar and live music five nights a week, it is a perfect spot to relax after work and unwind. With $1 bones (their best seller) and $1 wings on Wednesdays, this could easily be my new Wednesday spot.
PJ Marley’s
Decent deck right on Medina’s Public Square, paired with great food.
Shale Creek
Golf course view combined with excellent food. Need I say more?
Square 22
Top notch patio at a hip new spot in Strongsville.
TailGators
Famous for wings and burgers and a Wadsworth favorite for years. Catch them on the way to the drive-in movies.
So many patios, so little time. Don’t let the summer end without doing some al fresco dining. Margaritas, anyone? Anyone?