I can’t believe I’m talking about patios again. Where did the year go? If you’ve had a long hard week then I suggest you reconnect with your partner or good friend at Anis Café & Bistro in Buckhead.

Anis has a long history and is a true Atlanta gem. It also has one of those rare patios in Atlanta that’s not on a busy street or parking lot and has no traffic noise. Sorry, I lived in Florida and Southern California and am an admitted patio snob.

The serene patio at Anis will transport you to the South of France. You’ll be surrounded by plants, greenery, and warm ambient lighting with French music to sound the scene. The good news is it’s not that expensive to have a transformative French experience and you’ll be at the Moulin Rouge doing the can can dance of flavor.

The servers are not very Parisian meaning there is no attitude. They are warm and congenial — so much so that when we told ours that we were celebrating our three-and-a-half year anniversary, she sent out two glasses of champagne and said we looked cute together.

We started with a crisp glass of pinot grigio and Anis’ signature plump briny mussels. Yes, I know everyone has mussels (insert gay joke) but this is where I first discovered them. They offer a rich broth of cream, garlic and white wine, served with a baguette. I really don’t know which is better: the mussels or the baguette dipped in the savory broth.

We then split fat, fresh, rich roasted Maine scallops with roasted sweet corn and Vidalia onions. We were stuffed and staring into each other’s eyes soaking in the romance. Reconnection.

Name your faves

So now that you know one of my favorite patios in Atlanta, what is yours? Voting is underway for the annual GA Voice Best of Atlanta awards, and the three finalists for Best Outdoor/Patio are Einstein’s, Roxx and Joe’s on Juniper, which took the honor last year.

Please visit Best of Atlanta voting to cast your vote for your favorite patio, plus other restaurant categories, as well as your favorites in nightlife, people, community, arts and entertainment and more.

Next bites

Have you been to Metro Fresh yet in the Midtown Promenade? On my most recent visit, I had an excellent salad with baby spinach, mango, crab meat, tomato and cilantro for only $4.75. I loved the vibrant mango and pure crab that was perfect for a 90-degree day. My partner had the roasted portabella sandwich with fresh mozzarella for only $6.25.

The menu changes daily so these items may not be available but there is always scratch-made and tasty fare. The meatloaf sandwich with goat cheese and tomato fondue sounded crave worthy, but we were there for lunch and I knew I would need a nap if I ordered it.

Metro Fresh has a nice patio surrounded by plants but we choose inside and air conditioner.

On another visit to Midtown Promenade, I enjoyed my favorite tofu, sprout and avocado sandwich at Mellow Mushroom next to Metro Fresh.

After that healthy meal, we headed to Zesto to indulge in a Brown Crown — an enormous cone of soft serve ice cream dipped in chocolate.

It featured dense good-quality frozen vanilla cream with a crispy chocolate coating for only $2.50. No air in this soft serve. The summer heat has begun.

Top photo: The signature mussels and the roasted Maine scallops (pictured) are two excellent choices to enjoy on the beautiful patio at Anis. (via Facebook)