Al fresco dining options abound in downtown Los Gatos

Cruising through downtown Los Gatos on a recent Sunday afternoon revealed a vibrant lunchtime scene at Old Town, something sorely missing for many months.

Umbrella-shaded tables were set up all around Steamer’s, and all the parking spaces were taken in front and in the Old Town parking lot. A sea of diners was seen perched at their tables on the massive deck outside of the Wine Cellar, which has expanded to take over much of the vast outside area that was once the oak-shaded domain of California Cafe.

Steamer’s is now open for lunch Fridays and Saturdays, 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., and for dinner every night but Monday, beginning at 5pm.

The Wine Cellar is now open for lunch and dinner, on Fridays and Saturdays from noon until 8:30 p.m.-ish and Sundays from noon until 7:30pm. Dinner is served Tuesday-Thursday, 5-8 p.m. Seating is on a first come, first served basis, with 25 shaded tables available for outdoor dining.

On the retail end of Old Town, Anthropologie is open for indoor shopping, as are Sur La Table, Chico’s, Francesca’s, GAP, Talbots and White House Black Market. Sephora is still slated for opening sometime this fall. Pure Barre is now open at Old Town for outdoor classes on the deck.

Down on Main Street, people were enjoying themselves at Southern Kitchen and Billy’s Boston Chowder House, where, although the tables were fairly full, no overcrowding was observed.

Diners can also enjoy SideCar Modern Tavern on a sunny afternoon: They now have nine tables outdoors, with two that can accommodate up to six people. They recently started serving brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m.; additional hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, 4:30-8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 4:30-9:30 p.m.  Make reservations at 408-399-5180.