CityView Magazine

Luigi’s www.luigisnc.com 864.1810 528 N. McPherson Church Rd. Open Monday through Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., 5 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.; Thursday & Friday, 11:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., 5 p.m. until 10 p.m.; Saturday, noon until 10 p.m.; Sunday, noon until 9 p.m. Outdoor dining is nothing new at Luigi’s, which has had a popular patio for more than 10 years. However, longtime patrons might take a wrong turn when headed for an al fresco meal now. The restaurant recently moved its patio to the other side of the restaurant and converted the old patio area into an expanded lounge. The new patio is slightly bigger than the old one, but it has a lot more amenities. Parrous said guests will notice that there is much more flexibility now in how the patio tables can be configured. They’ll also notice the large outdoor fireplace, the patio heaters and fans and the plasma television, all of which give the area four-season appeal. Parrous believes that all the new patios at restaurants around town will only serve to make outdoor dining more popular. “When you have experienced something you’ve enjoyed, like outdoor dining, you are likely to seek out that experience again,” Parrous said. What to eat & drink: Parrous also said that Luigi’s has kept outdoor dining in mind even in planning their food and drink menus. The menu also features an entree created specifically with patio guests in mind: Chicken Basilica. Parrous said the dish features grilled chicken, fresh basil and fresh tomatoes. “It’s ideal for outside dining, maybe with a light red wine,” Parrous said. “The intention of that dish was for al fresco dining.” The popular patio tends to book up on Take it outside | Chris’s Steakhouse added a patio recently to enthusiastic response from regulars who not only dine outside but enjoy drinks in the balmy evenings of summer. weekend nights, so Parrous recommends calling ahead for reservations and requesting an outside table. But even waiting promises to be entertaining thanks to live jazz available in the lounge on Friday nights. 34 | Aug/Sept • 2010

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