Let us be clear, this summer has not really been the weather for outdoor dining. Late spring saw us galavanting around the garden with fistfuls of BBQ-ed meats, skipping around in flip-flops and sniffing armfuls of fragrant blooms. But the moment the kids broke up for school holidays, Monsoon Season UK announced itself and ruined everything. Ever since, our outdoor excursions have been confined to rain-dodging dashes to the brewing shed for supplies before skulking back inside to sulk in front of Netflix.
But we live in hope of a sunny September, when we can kick back and relive the sun-kissed delights of alfresco dining. We managed to get our fists on a nice bistro set just before the weather turned nasty – it’s a swanky one from Bentley that ticks all the boxes. Well-constructed and sure footed, it will perch proudly on a patio, decking or balcony garden. Made from steel and painted with a coated powder finish means it’s maintenance free – just give it a cursory wipe down to remove any spilled Bolognese – and comes in a variety of colours, from soft hued lilac to zingy lemon yellow.
You can fold down the table and chairs faster than shouting ‘flash flood!’, and its slim profile means it doesn’t take up valuable space in the shed; space that could be filled with other, more precious items – such as sacks of apples and bottles of booze.
Cider season will soon be upon us and the table and chairs will be replaced on the patio by the cider press. But for now, we dream of sitting betwix the welcoming metal limbs of our Bentley Bistro Set – Bolognese optional; pint of cider, compulsory.
Charles Bentley Bistro Set
Price: £69.99
Available from: BuyDirect4U
