Rating Duchamp's outdoor eating space

2119 S Halsted St (312-526-3385)

At its best, eating alfresco is described as many things: peaceful, relaxing, refreshing—but rarely sleek. That Duchamp’s patio exists on a sleek plane (it’s decked out with the same style of blond-wood communal tables and benches found in the restaurant’s modern dining room) is half of this Bucktown garden’s appeal. The other half is chef Michael Taus’s menu, which boasts patio-friendly food like chicken wings, gazpacho and ice-cream sandwiches.

FOOD 8 So good you’ll come back in winter
DRINKS 8 Decent wine and beer selection, and smart cocktails to match
CROWD 7 Bourgeois enough to wear big sunglasses at night
VIEW 9 The patio’s a bit sunken, so you can’t see Damen well—a good thing.
SPACE 10 Alfresco – preciousness = refreshing
TOTAL 42