Fabulous al fresco dining in town

It’s that most wonderful time of year in Miami Lakes, when the humidity doesn’t knock us over and nighttime brings nice breezes.
In other words, it’s the perfect season to dine outdoors.
Restaurants around town offer a lot of options, in every neighborhood and for every budget.
On a breezy Friday afternoon in town center, Selim Hanono of Miami Lakes enjoyed a glass of wine at El Novillo Restaurant while waiting for a friend on the patio along New Barn Road.
“I usually choose to dine outside unless it’s 200 degrees,” Hanono said. “I enjoy the fresh air and scenery, it’s much better than eating inside.”
And providing outdoor dining for customers is great for business, according to restaurant staffers.
Carlos Correa manages Casavana Cuban Cuisine in the Windmill Gate Shopping Center on Northwest 67th Avenue.
He says having tables on the sidewalk accommodates the wishes of his patrons.
“Guests with pets can still dine here and smokers can also enjoy our food,” Correa said. “Sometimes when we are full inside, we offer guests outdoor seating which is a huge help and keeps the wait shorter.”
Across town at the Cypress Village Shopping Center on a recent Friday night, three generations of the Acosta family were dining at a sidewalk table at the Beverly Hills Café.
“We’re eating outdoors because it’s fantastic weather and they let us have the dogs,” said Ana Acosta, of Pembroke Pines who had one white poodle in her lap and another on a leash.
Jennifer Puente, the café’s manager, said, “We do great outside, will fill up pretty quickly and many people request to sit outdoors.”
While many restaurants offer service all day and at night, too, the locations listed below are also good for specific meals.
Breakfast, as they say, is the most important meal of the day and in Miami Lakes you can get your engine going with options from French, Cuban or classic American menus.
For pastry and coffee, there’s Vie de France on Main Street and Dunkin Donuts nearby; Einstein Bros. Bagels and Starbucks are in the Park Centre Shops.
NQC (which stands for “No Quiero Cocinar,” in Spanish, and translates to “I don’t want to cook”) is at Lake Katharine Shopping Center; Vicky Bakery is in the Lake Patricia Shopping Center and Holiday Bakery and a Starbucks drive-thru are in the Cypress Village Shopping Center.
Sandwiches can be enjoyed at 100 Montaditos on Main Street, which offers “dollar mania” on Wednesdays.
The Spanish-style mini-sandwich (they have more than 40 choices of meat and cheese combos) cost $1.
At that price you can splurge for a sampler and enjoy it on the patio as the world walks past on Main Street.
Jersey Mike’s Subs near the new 6600 Main development, or Firehouse Subs along Northwest 57th Avenue are other sandwich options.
Fans of bowls can go to Sergio’s Cuban Café + Grill (which also offers breakfast) or Bolay, where the menu also includes vegan dishes.
Both spots are next to Jersey Mike’s Subs.
For those minding their fitness goals, there are many places where one can eat light.
Giardino Gourmet Salads at Park Centre Shops,
Gerardo’s Marketplace on Bull Run Road near Main Street and, at Cypress Village Shopping Center, Salata Salad Kitchen or Beverly Hills Café all have large salad menus or a salad bar.
If you’re craving Cuban, Italian, Asian, Greek or
Mexican cuisine, there’s something for everyone at Casavana, Ken & Mike’s Pizza or Pollo Tropical, which are all in the Windmill Gate Shopping Center.
Park Centre Shops is where Chipotle and Oregano have outdoor tables.
Along Main Street there’s the Asian menu at 107 Taste; Pizza Scene and Salsa Fiesta.
Several restaurants cater to both couples and kids who are seeking to eat in the open air.
Anacapri, which recently moved to Main Street, has a large selection of wines and musicians play music every night.
Around the corner is El Novillo, which serves Nicaraguan food.
Dr. Limon (Chilean food and drinks); Gauchos
Gourmet Market (famous for their Argentine empanadas, deli and bakery) and Trattoria Pampered Chef (Italian) are all in the Cypress Village Shopping Center.
Trattoria Pampered Chef’s customers love sitting outside for the “breeze and great service,” Manager George Basho said.
Miller’s Ale House on Northwest 67th Avenue offers the best of both worlds: Outdoor dining and, when the temperatures rise, large fans and windows that open to the patio for those who want to enjoy air conditioning, too.
El Pimiento in the Windmill Gate Shopping Center serves traditional dishes from Spain and presents flamenco shows on weekends.
And to stretch your time outdoors, why not linger over dessert?
On Main Street you will find LA Sweetz, which offers cupcakes in flavors such as red velvet, carrot cake and guava.
That’s where you will also find the newest spot in town,
Brigadeiros Boutique.
The pretty storefront sells handmade, Brazilian truffle-like treats.
There are also shops selling ice cream or frozen yogurt.
Haagen-Dazs is at Windmill Gate. For a side of science with your dessert, try Frosty’s Lab Nitrogen Yogurt & Ice Cream at Park Centre Shops.
And if you can’t get enough of toppings, Cold Stone Creamery is the place to go on Main Street, near the Cobb Theatres.
Frozen yogurt fans can indulge without guilt at Menchies in the Cypress Village Shopping Center.