Figuratively speaking, that is. One of the secrets to a great outdoor dining deck is, somehow, controlling the temperature throughout the steaming summer. Below are a few comfortable and fun restaurant patios. It’s a start, but I hope readers will help us add to it:

Offshores Nextdoor — an island in the middle of a Lake Highlands parking lot, this cozy seafood joint offers an outdoor nook for those craving fish, al fresco.

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[Offshores]

Offshores: Yelp (Aaron H.)

Offshores: Yelp (Aaron H.)

Roma’s — Enjoy a glass of red vino surrounded by towering old trees and the soothing sounds of rushing water (the latter only post-rainfall) on this sprawling temperature-controlled (by fans or heaters) terrace.

[Roma’s]

Roma's via Facebook

Roma’s via Facebook

Goodfriend, etcetera — Lower Greenville once was the place to see and be seen — sitting, sipping, socializing on a sunny day — on the deck of any number of neighborhood bars and grills. News flash: the cool crowd has relocated to Peavy at Garland Road. Goodfriend, 20Feet Seafood , Good2Go and, across the road, there is White Rock Abbey. The Abbey’s patio is a more covert, behind a fence, but it’s hopping still.

[Goodfriend]

[Good 2 Go]

[White Rock Abbey]

Goodfriend: Facebook

Goodfriend: Facebook

Fuzzy’s at Hillside — it evidently is the go-to place for dogs and sweaty people following their evening jog.

[Fuzzy’s]

Runners, Lake Highlands resident Meredith Levin and Heather Williams at Fuzzy's on Mockingbird at Abrams: Bill Borowski

Runners, Lake Highlands resident Meredith Levin and Heather Williams at Fuzzy’s on Mockingbird at Abrams: Bill Borowski

Share your favorite neighborhood outdoor-dining spot in the comments section.

We must lengthen the list before everyone starts melting and heading indoors.