From House To Home

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Fact: A hot dog always tastes better at a picnic or a baseball game. Why? Although there is no scientific evidence to prove it, everything—even a lowly hot dog—tastes better when consumed outdoors.Summer is the season for alfresco dining, and here are a few restaurants where fine cuisine is enhanced by the great outdoors.

Talkeetna, Alaska

Languages from around the world drift up into a crystalline sky on the patio of the Talkeetna Lodge in remote Alaska.

Diners enjoy fresh king crab or halibut with mango salsa, two of the more sumptuous dishes offered at the Foraker Dining Room, along with locally made ales and a chocolate cake that defies description. With no disrespect to chef Felix Zollinger, even these delicious foods cannot compete with the view.

There to the north, in the perpetual sunshine of summer, stand the unparalleled slopes of Mt. McKinley, North America’s highest peak. The indigenous people call her Denali, or “the tall one.” At 20,320 feet, much of Denali’s face is often veiled in the clouds she creates, but her magnificent presence sets a backdrop for dining that would make even hardtack delicious. www.talkeetnalodge.com

Colorado Springs

For a mountain view in the Lower 48, the destination for many is Colorado where the historic Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs satisfies both the visual and culinary senses. The hotel’s award-winning restaurant, Charles Court, has become a dining destination during the warmer months—when diners sit outside on a beautiful sprawling patio, overlooking the lake and a stunning view of the old, historic main building of the resort. Actor Jimmy Stewart and his wife, Gloria, honeymooned at The Broadmoor in 1949.

Nebraska farm boy John Brand is the executive chef who continues a 90-year legacy of capturing the essence of Colorado cuisine. His a la carte menu features items such as Skillet Roasted Strip Loin of Elk with Juniper and Rosemary Maple Roasted Butternut Squash, Red Wine Braised Cabbage, and Cranberry Mostarda.

Dessert highlights include Poppyseed Meringue with Key Lime Custard Blueberry Compote and Vanilla Creme Anglais or Berry Crisp with Oatmeal Crumble and Chamomile Scented Farmstead Mascarpone Cream. www.broadmoor.com

Miami

For those who prefer a view of the ocean, Cafe Sambal, located at Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Miami, has seating for 90 on an outdoor terrace overlooking Biscayne Bay. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Cafe Sambal was named Best Lunch Hot Spot by Food Network and one of the best restaurants in Miami by Gourmet magazine.

An innovative sushi bar and delectable Asian cuisine are complemented by an extensive sake menu and signature sake cocktails. Pad Thai, Five Spiced Cornish Hen, and Sweet and Sour Snapper are among the wok specialties offered for less than $25 in a casual setting that invites an unhurried dining experience. www.mandarinoriental.com

Talkeetna, Alaska

Languages from around the world drift up into a crystalline sky on the patio of the Talkeetna Lodge in remote Alaska.

Diners enjoy fresh king crab or halibut with mango salsa, two of the more sumptuous dishes offered at the Foraker Dining Room, along with locally made ales and a chocolate cake that defies description. With no disrespect to chef Felix Zollinger, even these delicious foods cannot compete with the view.

There to the north, in the perpetual sunshine of summer, stand the unparalleled slopes of Mt. McKinley, North America’s highest peak. The indigenous people call her Denali, or “the tall one.” At 20,320 feet, much of Denali’s face is often veiled in the clouds she creates, but her magnificent presence sets a backdrop for dining that would make even hardtack delicious. www.talkeetnalodge.com