One of the best things about Arizona living is being able to dine outdoors most of the year. In fact, Chef Nick Haddad of Sautee in Fulton Ranch keeps his patio open year-round and always has people out there.

“We get patio clientele now, but not until after dark,” says Haddad, who’s patio features a fire pit with broken blue crystal glass and a hand-blown blue top shield. “We pretty much set up the patio every day.”

But as the weather cools down, patio dining at Sautee, and numerous other Chandler restaurants, heats up.

“I really enjoy dining outside when the weather gets nice,” says Chandler resident Patrick Gonzalez, who says his favorite spots are Las Casa Blanca and El Zocalo Mexican Grill. “I like the large patio and great views. Especially Las Casa Blanca with its 20-odd Palo Verde trees.”

Haddad says the patio dining “season” starts in mid to late September and continues through April. In the summer months, Sautee usually has one person staffed outside, while in the season he has as many as four working the outdoors.

“Once it starts getting cooler, we’ll put the music outside as well,” Haddad says.

Stuart Preston, another Chandler resident, looks forward to patio dining because it’s a break from having spent so much time indoors during the summer. Some of his favorite places are Arizona Coffee Connection, San Tan Brewery and Iguana Mack’s.

“It feels like a mini-vacation to get out on a patio and enjoy a good meal with family and friends,” he says.

Vangie Blake loves patio dining as well, particularly around her Ocotillo home. She loves the San Marcos Resort, Sautee, Pei Wei and A.J.’s, along with most of the outdoor venues at the Chandler Mall.

“It’s great food and convenient to home,” she says.

Haddad says Sautee’s patio is a mixture of patron’s socializing on a Thursday night and late evenings on weekends along with overflow dining earlier in the evening. Once it cools off, many patrons prefer to eat outdoors.

“We have a great Happy Hour and Reverse Happy Hour to go with quality appetizers,” Haddad says. “We feel it’s one of the best venues in the area. Nowhere in town can you go listen to live music and drink a bomb martini. We have killer food and we’re in the right part of town.”

Valerie Aytes prefers dining outside rather than inside, at least once the weather cools off. For an afternoon lunch, she likes to sit on the patio at A.J.’s.

“I take my son and we sit outside and watch everything going on around us,” she says. “I love watching the activity outside. People seem friendlier and the atmosphere seems lighter.

Haddad says a great martini – such as Sautee’s Inhibition, Cheesecake or Cantelope martinis – along with calamari are a great way to enjoy the great outdoors in a social setting. For dinner, lighter fare such as Mahi topped with jimica and mango relish is a great light dish that goes with breathing the fresh evening air.

“I enjoy dining outside all year-round,” says Lisa Campbell. “During the hot summer months or the cooler winter evenings, most restaurants will have the misters or heaters going. When the weather is nice, it is just icing on the cake for me.”

Campbell, who lives in west Chandler, enjoys patio dining at La Vigne, Ra, Kona Grill and Roy’s.

“They are all great for people watching,” she says. “And when I dine out with my four kids in tow, the patio always seems to have enough action going on to keep my kids entertained.”

Ania Kubicki says her favorite spots are Firebird’s and My Big Fat Greek restaurant.

“Firebird’s has a nice patio and even live music at times,: she says. “We also like the courtyard at My Big Fat Greek restaurant.”

Written by James Anderson

Photography by Martin Christopher

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