Do you just complain about everything? Al fresco just means to eat outside. I've eaten at plenty of 2 top tables outside, without planters, in the US and Europe and have enjoyed myself. I'm very excited for more outdoor eating, although I agree that alcohol should be allowed when dining outside.

I only complain about what is wrong with this town, John - and yes I know that "al fresco" means eating outside - which, by the way, you need more than a few 2-top tables smashed up against a building if you're striving for that "with it" feeling Beth Buchanan describes below. But there are some things I like about the redevelopment - Bent Tree has amazing coffee and Tree City Coffee is equally great with friendly workers and good eats. Zoupwerks isn't bad either. I also like Taco Tontos and the lady who runs the dry cleaners. See how boring it is to read about what I like?

I guess I agree with you on some points. It's nice to read about what you like. I do agree that a wider sidewalk which accommodated larger tables would be great. A little tikes plastic picnic table jammed outside a restaurant isn't that desirable. Hopefully the Ametek and Davey Tree buildings will have wider sidewalks, but I doubt it :(

It's hardly worth jumping through all of the necessary loopholes (i.e. parking & sidewalk re-configurations) just to accommodate something that happens about 4 months out of an entire calendar year.
If a restaurant wants to have "al fresco" dining, what they really need to do is to cordon off a section of the sidewalk with rails actually attached to the sidewalk -- see some establishments in Downtown Akron, E. 4th Street in Downtown Cleveland & here in Playhouse Square. Then, in the fall you remove them and put them back up in the spring. That way, you won't just "out there" on the sidewalk; by cordoning a section off like that, it sort of makes it appear "part of the restaurant."
But, I'm sure for a restaurant to do that, they'd have to file the necessary permits with the city, have hearings to listen to a few people who act like they'll be impacted by having a smaller walkway -- although they haven't walked that way in years-- blah blah blah.