Spring has sprung in Redding. It's time to get out and people watch, or enjoy the beautiful scenery, while dining alfresco.
Redding restaurants on south Hilltop Drive, in downtown Redding and along the river bring out their shade umbrellas, or set up tables on their covered patios, as the weather turns warm.
Some restaurants plan live music in their outdoor dining areas in spring and summer. Others create garden displays around patio seating.
Eating alfresco is a great way to see and be seen, restaurateurs said. Views include the Sacramento River, the Cascade Theatre at showtimes and the transformed downtown.
Here are ten Redding restaurants that offer outdoor eating experiences.
C.R. Gibbs American Grille
C.R. Gibbs American Grille serves lunch and dinner on its patio. It affords diners a view of Hilltop Drive, but is pulled back from the road so noise levels are low.
The patio accommodates up to 60 or 70 people at up to 19 outdoor tables, according to Server Hannah Palmer.
The restaurant’s most popular entree is its fish and chips dinner ($23). Cost for entrees range from $18 to $30, Palmer said.
- Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays.
- Address: 2300 Hilltop Drive, Redding
- Information: Call 530-221-2335 or go to crgibbs.com
Cicada Cantina
Cicada Cantina serves brunch on Saturday and Sunday, lunch and dinner every day, on one or more of its three covered patios.
The Mexican restaurant accommodates 100 people or more at multiple small tables. It also seats large groups outdoors, according to restaurant supervisor Jah-lun King
The view is of Hilltop Drive and the surrounding area near Petco.
Cicada Cantina’s most popular dishes are its street taco ($18) and flautas ($19) meals. Prices for entrees range from $12 to $25, King said.
- Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays. Happy hour is daily from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., and 8 p.m. to closing.
- Address: 1691 Hilltop Drive, Redding
- Information: Call 530-638-4979 or go to cicadacantina.com
Deja Vu
Deja Vu just moved to its new Redding location on Shasta Street.
Staff are redecorating and setting up the restaurant’s new outdoor seating area, said the restaurant’s owner Karline Niver. When finished in May, Deja Vu will serve its daily breakfast and lunch menus outdoors as well as inside, she said.
The walled outdoor seating area shuts out much of the noise from downtown streets.
The restaurant’s most popular dish is its B.A.S. Benedict, served with bacon, avocado and spinach ($16), Niver said. Prices for breakfast entrees range from $11 to $17. Lunch entrees range from $13 to $17, she said.
- Hours: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily
- Address: 1177 Shasta St., Redding
- Information: Call 530-244-4272 or go to dejavu.cafe
Le Testimony Organic Bistro
This creperie serves brunch, lunch and dinner.
It can seat as many as 16 guests at eight outdoor bistro tables on its garden patio, according to chef and co-owner James Giaudrone.
Le Testimony has an outdoor cooling system for hot days, he said.
The restaurant’s most popular entrée is the chicken pesto crepe. Prices for entrees range from $20 to $30, Giaudrone said.
- Hours: 11 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays
- Address: 3365 Placer St., Redding
- Information: Call 530-605-3901 or go to letestimonyorganicbistro.com
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Market Street Blade and Barrel
This downtown restaurant next to the Cascade Theatre serves lunch and dinner daily, brunch on weekends.
Its eight to 10 outdoor tables have umbrella shading, seating up to 22 guests. The view from outdoor seating is of Market Street and the theater crowd during shows, so it's a great place to people watch, manager Emily Bryer said.
Entertainment includes live music in the bar every Thursday evening, she said.
The most popular dish is an appetizer, the chicken, artichoke and Brie crostini ($17) that customers can order as a meal. Lunch prices range from $18 to $22; dinner from $30 to $40, Bryer said.
- Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays
- Address: 1777 Market St., Redding
- Information: Call 530-241-1777 or go to marketstreetbladeandbarrel.com
Moonstone Bistro
Moonstone Bistro in the Holiday Market shopping center at Placer Street and Buenaventura Boulevard serves dinner daily and Sunday brunch, according to the restaurant’s website.
Seating is limited to approximately four umbrella-shaded tables, but the location offers diners a good place to people watch shoppers.
Prices for entrees range from $24 to $65, according to the website.
- Hours: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays
- Address: 3425 Placer St., suite 110, Redding
- Information: Call 530-241-3663 or go to moonstonebistro.com
Mosaic Restaurant
Mosaic, located next to the Sundial Bridge, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Customers can dine on the restaurants two large shaded outdoor patios, in one of the restaurant's two indoor dining rooms or at bar seating, according to wait staff.
Prices for entrees start at $11 for pancake breakfasts, up to about $58 for dinner entrees.
- Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays; 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Mosaic closes from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. for lunch setup, according to the restaurant's website.
- Address: 826 Sundial Bridge Drive, Redding
- Information: Call 530-319-3456 or go to mosaicredding.com
The Sandwichery
This long-time Redding lunch spot can seat as many as 15 people on its patio, said Patrick Watson, who owns the restaurant with his wife, Sandy.
There are five outdoor umbrella tables in back of the building, away from the street. The area is partially shaded, he said.
Outdoor diners are welcome to bring their "well-behaved" dogs, Watson said, and doggie water bowls are available.
The Sandwichery’s most popular lunches are the club sandwich, which comes with crisp pastrami instead of bacon as well as the California turkey, avocado and cheese and the Poor Boy ($11.25 each), he said.
Prices range from $7.25 to $11.25, Watson said.
- Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. weekdays
- Address: 1341 Tehama St.
- Information: Call 530-246-2020 or go to facebook.com/sandwichery
View 202
Perched on a hill overlooking the Sacramento River and Park Marina Drive area, View 202 offers diners one of the best views in Redding.
Outdoor tables are mostly in the shade and there are water misters for hot days; heaters for cold days. Evenings are a bit cooler than some other parts of Redding, so bring a wrap or light jacket. Prepare for a few mosquitoes buzzing about close to the river.
The restaurant serves lunch and dinner and some Sunday brunches, according to View 202 manager Benji Cerda. The patio accommodates about 100 at 32 tables, he said.
Prices for entrees range from $22 to $58. Most popular dishes are the calamari and tuna tartare appetizers ($17 each). Entrees include the halibut ($45) and the filet mignon (price varies).
Starting in May, View 202 hosts live music performances on its patio on Saturdays.
- Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sundays
- Address: 202 Hemsted Drive, Redding
- Information: Call 530-226-8439 or go to view202redding.com
Vintage Public House
This downtown restaurant has a great view of Market Street, across from the Cascade Theatre. The street lights up at showtime, according to restaurant staff.
Outdoor dining accommodates 25 to 30 customers at five outdoor tables.
Vintage has a rotating menu and cocktail bar, but its most popular dishes are the ribeye steak dinner ($52), and the fried gnocci with sausage ($24). Most entrees cost between $19 and $35, with steaks dinners in the $50 range.
- Hours: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays
- Address: 1790 Market St., Redding
- Information: Call 530-229-9449 or go to vintageredding.com
Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter@RS_JSkropanic and onFacebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work,please subscribe today. Thank you.
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