The New Haven area abounds in outdoor places to dine

This has been, and continues to be, one of the most pleasant summers in my memory.

Because I am now living in an apartment building without the previously accustomed instant access to the outdoors via a porch or patio, I make a special effort on weekends to spend as much time as possible outside in the fresh air. Since I am no longer able to take long walks, ride a bike or spend hours at the beach, I have searched out and enjoy restaurants offering dinning that is “en plein air” as the French would call it.

We are fortunate to have quite a few local places that offer outdoor dining during the summer months, and I would encourage you to enjoy some of them before this fast-moving month is over.

• BRANFORD: One of the oldest and best-known outdoor venues is Lenny’s. Clam chowder and franks with an outdoor deck; reasonable but noisy and crowded. A more-extensive menu with well-priced specials for seniors during the week is the nearby Dockside with a large deck overlooking the boat yard. Across from the Branford train station, and also in a boat yard, Nellie Green has a deck that is a pleasant place for a leisurely Sunday breakfast.

Assagio, although more expensive, has delightful dining under patio-shaded umbrellas. Additionally, any number of small places, coffee houses and ice cream shops have some chairs and tables in front of their shops so patrons can enjoy the sunshine.

• EAST HAVEN: Many favor the Sandpiper, which has a glassed-in porch overlooking Long Island Sound. I found dinners crowded and expensive but a late lunch (on a weekday) is reasonable and you can then walk across the street to the pretty public beach.

Although their menu is extremely limited, and it is not really a restaurant, I cannot neglect to mention Owenego, a beach club in Branford which is open to the public and has some of the most extensive and beautiful water views you will find anywhere.

• GUILFORD/MADISON AND POINTS EAST: When money is no object and you want to treat out-of-town guests, Sunday brunch at the Madison Beach Hotel offers breathtaking views from either the glass-walled dining room or the openair terrace. But most other days of the week, go early and order their regular breakfast menu; delicious, reasonable and the same wonderful view.

Guilford Mooring offers nice views but mediocre food, in my opinion. I still, like many others, miss the wonderful Stone House restaurant, but if you are willing to take a 45-minute drive, the former chef at Stone House is now at the delightful Stone’s Throw in Seymour, where lunch comes with a breathtaking view of the Housatonic River from either a window-walled dining room or a large, outdoor patio.

In Clinton, Aqua, located in a boat yard, offers excellent water views and moderately priced fare. Unfortunately, the wonderful Dock & Dine never rebuilt after the second flooding, but, although more expensive, just across the street in Old Saybrook is Fresh Salt, which is rather highpriced but has wonderful service and views of the Connecticut River.

• NEW HAVEN: Almost every small restaurant on Chapel Street has a few outdoor tables and you can combine a brief museum visit with an inexpensive lunch outside. For a treat, try Shell & Bones at City Point overlooking the harbor. There is also a huge outdoor deck.