Dining Out(doors)!

For fun and for health, sip and dine outside

Written by SUSAN MAYER DAVIS and CAROLINE NICHOLSON

The Bays at The Cellar restaurant offers live music with their outdoor dining option. (Photo courtesy of The Bays at The Cellar) 

Probably dating back to our early ancestors, the arrival of spring has cheered the soul. Just as our forebears anticipated venturing out of their caves to enjoy the sunshine, so do we look forward to springtime, when we're no longer forced by nature to stay in our virtual caves.

Surely our ancestors knew they felt better when spending time outside preparing meat for meals after a successful buffalo hunt, even if they didn’t know why.

Outdoor feasts aren’t new. Mankind has been enjoying picnics in various forms for generations. In the 17th century, a French word “pique-nique” appeared to describe events when some high society people gathered outdoors for a fashionable potluck social event. The fad moved to London and inspired lavish indoor events, possibly due to London’s noticeably bad weather.

In the 1800s, pique-niques were adopted and adapted by the hardier middle classes and taken outside again. In the late 1800s, the first picnic tables came on the scene. By the early 20th century, with the advancement of transportation, the whole population was able to travel easily into the countryside for a taste of outdoor meals shared with family and friends.

There are no hard-and-fast rules regarding American picnics, but the most popular foods tend to include sandwiches, fried chicken, hamburgers, salads, fruits or sweets for desserts, and lemonade or tea to quench the thirst. All you need to have an outdoor meal of your own is a table or a blanket on the ground, some friends or family, lots of shareable food and a sunny day.

Benefits of dining outdoors

Science has proven there are excellent health benefits of being – and eating – outdoors. WebMD reports that being outside for any reason increases serotonin levels, which improves focus and boosts your mood. Getting sunlight in your eyes is known to better regulate sleep patterns, and getting Vitamin D from the sun is good for your bones, blood cells and immune system.

A blog from The Fell Store reports that “Eating outside, especially with friends and family, instantly impacts our cortisol levels, reducing them quite dramatically, leading to reduced inflammation and increased support of our immune system.”

Dr. Kathryn Allen, local chiropractor and integrative health coach, agrees with this assessment of benefits from doing anything outside, particularly eating in the open with family and friends.

“We head outdoors as a family as often as we can,” says Allen. “With our camper, we are able to take the whole family, including Lucky, our rescue dog, on outdoor adventures all year long, and we enjoy the physical, emotional and social benefits of doing so.”

Aside from picnics, folks also like to cook outside and bring it inside to eat. There’s just something about the taste of charcoal and flame-cooked food that makes our mouths water. And sitting on the deck chatting while the home chef flips burgers and bastes the ribs allows us to feel a part of the experience.

Al fresco in Coweta

That brings us to eating outdoors at restaurants. There is no shortage of dining establishments in Coweta County, but not many include dedicated patios. One of Senoia’s newest outdoor eating spaces is at Il Porto di Venezia, an Italian restaurant which recently added a patio with hopes to “transport diners to an experience resembling the patios in Italy,” according to co-owner Maria Addison.

“People love to eat outside in order to enjoy the sun and the peaceful ambiance,” she adds.

It’s said that eating with the sun on you actually improves digestion and your overall health. Our bodies seem to know this intrinsically and draw us outside for meals when the weather cooperates.

Conversation abounds on the patio at RPM in downtown Newnan. (Photo courtesy of RPM) 

Another outdoor patio that’s lively with guests as soon as the spring winds and rains subside is RPM Full Service Patio in Newnan. This former gas station/scooter and bike shop has been transformed into one of the most popular dining spots in Coweta. Along with their ample patio, they also offer indoor seating.

Co-manager Annie Patterson says RPM’s location was chosen for its patio area because the dream was to have an open space in downtown Newnan where diners could see, hear and feel the heartbeat of the city and sense connection to the community. Oscar Prado and his family, who live out in the country, say they miss the feel and sound of a city, so they frequent the patio at RPM mostly to feel the vibe of city life.

Nearby, The Cellar and The Bays restaurants also offer outdoor dining, plus live music throughout the week. On weekend evenings in the spring and summer, outdoor tables are rarely empty.

Outdoors at local breweries

Outdoor dining space is abundant at Line Creek Brewery's The Reserve in Newnan. (Photo courtesy of George Bennett Photography)

After enjoying a delicious meal and some time outside, soaking up the warm Georgia sun, continue the fun by visiting one of Coweta County’s outstanding breweries. Whether in Senoia or Newnan, local breweries have quickly become staples in the community promising good times and lively events.

The first brewery in Newnan, Abide Brewing Company had to jump through a lot of hoops in order to bring the fun of breweries to Coweta County. The company was established in July 2013, but its doors didn’t open until February 2015, thanks to the legal grunt work that had to take place behind the scenes.

After recognizing a need in Newnan for the energy and togetherness that breweries bring to communities, local residents Philip Leonard, Matthew Kapusta and Evan Scanlan say they opened Abide to “create a cool, unique space for people in the community to hang out.”

With an open outdoor area complete with picnic tables, cornhole and food trucks on a rotating schedule, Abide is a huge supporter of local musicians and charities, often hosting live music or fundraising events. They also host car shows, bike events and cook-offs. 

Long-time customer and Newnan resident Alex Schwarz says, “Abide is an amazing place, whether you’re looking for a fun night out with friends or a more relaxed atmosphere with your family.”

What Leonard describes as “the definition of a small, self-funded, and self-operated brewery” has shaped the community and paved the way for other breweries.

Established in 2018, Line Creek Brewing Company has been a staple in neighboring Fayette County for more than five years and opened its Newnan location last June.

General Manager Chris Lane describes the Newnan location as the most similar to a beer garden with ample indoor and outdoor seating and decorated with warm, festoon lighting. No matter the day of the week, The Reserve brims with fun, from visiting food trucks to local live music or open mic nights to special events like sip-n-paints and trivia. Thanks to its proximity to downtown Newnan, it’s a great place to continue the fun of a night out on the square. 

Brews in Senoia

Senoia Beer Company invites families to hang outdoors while listening to live music. (Photo courtesy of Senoia Beer Company)

Three firefighters walk into a brewery.

No, that isn’t the start of a great joke but rather the origin story of Senoia Beer Company.

Andrew Koehn, Brent Cater and Chris McDaniel met almost 15 years ago when they all worked with Henry County Fire Department. The trio started brewing beer in their homes before deciding this was a venture they wanted to pursue on a larger scale. 

In October 2022, Senoia Beer Company opened in downtown Senoia, occupying what was formerly Senoia Coffee and Cafe. Aside from its plethora of indoor seating and large TVs mounted on the walls, Senoia Beer Company also offers patio seating in front of and behind the building. When the weather is nice, patrons can enjoy tap beers on the back patio while listening to live local music.

Senoia Beer Company hosts various events ranging from pilates to open mic nights and even craft nights like blanket-making workshops in partnership with other groups.

Koehn stresses the importance of family to their company. Not only do the owners all have children; they welcome families with snacks and games for the kids and some R&R for their parents. This family focus creates the unique atmosphere of Senoia Beer Company, which Koehn describes as “a place that’s comfortable and easy to come hang out at. You know that you are going to see someone you know or meet somebody new.” 

As spring and summer bring warm winds to Coweta, be sure to pack a picnic, visit a local restaurant or brewery with an outdoor patio, or set up the grill and bring your family outside to enjoy a meal. Your body, mind and spirit will thank you. NCM