BWW Preview: Dine AL FRESCO in NYC

Warm weather and the lure of good food and drink brings the delight of al fresco dining in New York City. Over the next few weeks, we will be highlighting some of our favorite spots where you can relax and enjoy the outdoor ambiance of the city. Check each restaurant's web site for menus, daily specials and hours of operation.

Copper Kettle Kitchen (1471 Second Avenue, between 76th and 77th Streets) This welcoming restaurant and bar on the Upper East Side features American farm-to-table comfort food and artisanal cocktails. They are open for lunch Wednesday to Friday, weekdays for Happy Hour, daily for dinner and for Saturday and Sunday brunch. Visit www.copperkettlekitchen.com.

Brunetti (626 Hudson Street) This West Village has two intimate outdoor options in which to savor owner / head pizzaiolo Jason Brunetti's Neapolitan style creations. The sidewalk café is great for people watching, and the more private and rather romantic courtyard in the back. Either is a delightful setting for a pizza fix, especially one of Jason's creative specials loaded with seasonal toppings. Visit: www.pizzetteriabrunetti.com.

La Marina (348 Dyckman Street, on the Hudson in NYC) La Marina is an urban oasis located at the historic Dyckman Marina in Upper Manhattan. Offering a one-of-a-kind experience that brings International, seaside luxury entertaining to the heart of the concrete jungle, La Marina is the ideal hotspot for sunset cocktails with colleagues, leisurely weekend brunch with family, or even private events for up to 3,000 well-heeled guests. With a waterfront-inspired beverage program and top talent performing after dark, La Marina is also a favorite of the nightlife set. La Marina is easily accessible via boat, car, subway and - new this year - the La Marina Water Taxi. Leave city sounds and stress behind in thirty minutes or less. Part pavilion and part shaded courtyard - like the nearby Cloisters Museum and Gardens La Marina is an idyllic riverside enclave. Visit: http://www.lamarinanyc.com/

Wallflower (234 West 12th Street) Inspired by classic French-country cuisine, Wallflower is an elegant restaurant, wine and cocktail bar located on the corner of West 12th Street and Greenwich Avenue in New York's West Village. Proving the old adage that 'good things come in small packages', the 30-seat restaurant is a study in relaxed sophistication, the ideal venue to enjoy drinks and bites al fresco or indulge in a lingering, knockout meal. Visit: http://www.wallflowernyc.com/.

Hudson Terrace (621 W. 46th Street) They opening for the summer season on May 5th. Discreetly tucked at the edge of Midtown West, Hudson Terrace has spectacular panoramic views of the Hudson River. The Rooftop Lounge has a fully retractable roof to transform the space with the changing of the seasons or the weather on a particular evening. The zen-like oasis is the perfect for intimate, al fresco gatherings of up to 150 guests. Visit: http://hudsonterracenyc.com/.

Katchkie Farm Truck (Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park) The food truck boasts ingredients from upstate New York's organic Katchkie Farm, owned and operated by Great Performances (GP), one of the city's leading catering and food companies. They offer a Build Your Own Farmer's Bowl, starting with chopped greens and shallot herb vinaigrette topped with diners' selection of : Raw and Barely Poached Farm Vegetables; Roasted Corn & Potato Croquettes; Spiced Garbanzo Beans; Jalapenos, Onion; Tomato Salad; Red Lentil Salad with tomato, cilantro, mint; Charred scallion Yogurt; Katchkie Farm Tomato Jam; and Barbecue Chicken. There's also the GP Hot Dog, locally crafted, all-beef, beer-brined hot dog, sauerkraut, spicy brown mustard, ketchup and GP's house made Just Sprouted kettle chips. Specialty lemonade, ice cream and other snacks too. Tables with cheerful bright red umbrellas and chairs are clustered next to the truck. Open weekends during park hours. Visit: www.fdrfourfreedomspark.org.

Roni-Sue's Chocolates (148 Forsyth Street) is known for their over the top assortment of truffles, some of which are alcohol flavored like absinthe and margarita. The boutique chocolate shoppe also has a spacious outdoor secret garden to enjoy sweet treats away from the hustle and bustle of NYC's city streets. Visit: http://www.roni-sue.com/contact/.

e's Bar (511 Amsterdam) e's Bar has outdoor seating for up to 22 guests. It's a prime people watching spot with Jacob's Pickles located right next door. Post up outside and sample e's tempting new spring drink and food menus while playing one of their hundreds of board games. Visit: http://e-barnyc.com/,

Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House New York (1221 Avenue of the Americas) This spring and summer, Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steak House New York will offer pours of some of the world's finest rosés available by the glass or bottle on the restaurant's expansive outdoor patio. With stunning views of Radio City and Midtown Manhattan, guests can indulge in exclusive cuts of Prime steaks, award-winning wines and rare pours of unique Armagnac bottles served tableside in an upscale al-fresco dining environment. Visit: http://delfriscos.com/.

Cantina Rooftop (605 West 48th Street between 11th and 12th Avenues) Located atop Stage 48, features an innovative Modern Mexican dinner menu from Executive Chef Gonzalo Colin and expertly crafted cocktails, with a focus on Tequila and Mezcal. The rooftop will offer daily food and drink specials Tuesday - Friday from 5pm-8pm. The year-round rooftop will open on April 22nd and reservations are strongly recommended. Visit: http://cantinarooftop.com/.

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