Here in New York City, spring is a time when a young girl's fancy turns to thoughts of outdoor dining. As those first hot humid days of the summer to come lay like a pall over the city, cafes, coffee shops and restaurants throw open their doors to welcome in febrile city dwellers and summer. In fact, it often seems that as soon as the temperature spikes, NYC's official past time is eating outside. Awnings stretch out like cats in the sun, shade umbrellas mushroom on every available sidewalk from the UES to Brooklyn, tables and waiters overflow from open french doors to feed the masses, al fresco.

With the largess of options available, it seems as if joyous summer dining must exist on every block, but to my mind, not all out of doors eating is the same. According to my scientifically deduced hierarchy there are three categories of outdoor dining to be considered; the first is sidewalk dining, followed by the open front restaurant, and ending with the private patio.

1. Sidewalk dining
The most blatant option, with tables and chairs pressed in the space between pedestrians and the wall of the restaurant. When choosing this sort of out door eating one must carefully consider the location. Too much foot traffic and you feel as if at any moment someones giant purse is going to take out your drink, too much car traffic and you might end up preferring to be inside. Sidewalk dining was made for people watching, so it is best undertaken in neighborhoods where people are fun to watch and at times when you won't mind the near constant distraction of all the passers-by. It is also ideal for entertaining out-of-town guests who really want to feel like they're in New York. Small groups are best accommodated on the narrow sidewalks,so if you've got a crowd, you may want to have a plan B.

Great spots for sidewalk dining:
Bar Pitti; Delicious, easy Italian with divine people watching in Greenwich Village. 268 Ave. of the Americas.
Morandi; An excellent spot with spacious sidewalks made for an afternoon of sipping rose in the sun. 211 Waverly Pl.
Moutarde; Unfussy but delightful French food in a bustling neighborhood setting. 5th Ave. at Garfield, Park Slope, Brooklyn.

2. Open-Front Restaurants
This is a hybrid sort of dining, where fresh air is all around, but there is still the protective restaurant setting with no pedestrian bumping your table, guaranteed shade and, odds on, A/C. This is particularly great if you know you can get a spot right at the open french doors, thus most closely approximating "outside." Unlike sidewalk dining, you can usually get a seat without waiting for a coveted "outdoor" spot and with any size group. Open front restaurants were made for hedging your dining bets, for days when it looks as if it may rain or it is so ungodly hot that you need to be sure to be out of direct sunlight.

Great spots for open-front restaurant dining:
Central Park Boat House; Yes, there are a lot of tourists, but the amazing view and location, plus an updated menu are worth it. Park Drive North at 17th.
Belleville; This charming French bistro opens two of it's walls completely, giving you the best of both worlds. 5th Ave. at 4th, Park Slope, Brooklyn.
River Cafe; Seafood with a view to die for. 1 Water St. Brooklyn.

3. Private Patio
This option is, in my opinion, the ne plus ultra of outdoor dining. The private patio affords you all the space you need, all the joys of escaping from the city streets, all while being completely outside.The continually surprising back patios that dot the city are quiet, transporting, and secluded from the perpetual city. An hour's vacation, right in the city. Which for a lot of us, is the only vacation we're going to get.

Great patio dining spots:
Le Jardin Bistro; Good wine list, good food, stellar surroundings. 25 Cleveland Pl.
Gowanus Yacht Club; Big picnic tables and cheesy decor take you straight to summer camp, in a good way. 323 Smith St.
Gavroche; A little piece of romantic France on a dodgy bit of 14th St. 212 W. 14th St.
Aurora; Rustic Italian with a garden most often described as "magical." 70 Grand St. Brooklyn.