Outdoor Dining Around Town: The Roof at Mr. B's

Did you catch that sneak peak of summer last week?

I'm happy to say I did — from a table for two on the roof at Mr. B's.

I'm exploring al fresco dining in Rochester and Rochester Hills for Patch. My took you riverside to Now I'm taking it to the streets.

Actually, I'm taking it to the alley, since that's what Mr. B's rooftop deck overlooks. It's a great place to people watch and see the bustle of our town — women in their summer dresses, men loosening those ties for their lunch hour, deliveries being made and wait staff catching a five-minute break. It's all unfolding beneath you.

The soundtrack for it, appropriately enough, is classic rock. To me at least, summertime and classic rock go hand in hand. And that's what Mr. B's is blasting on the roof — not so loud that you can't hold a conversation, but loud enough that you can bob your head to the beat and really feel Styx's angst at being a "wanted man." (Extra credit for naming that song in the comments section below.)

Decktop dining

You've got the view, you've got the tunes, now let's take care of that rumble in your tummy.

Mr. B's has that covered, too. The restaurant has been around since 1977, so you don't need me to tell you about its awesome burgers, seasoned fries and pizza. 

I can tell you about a couple of its lighter options, perfectly pleasant for a hot summer afternoon — such as the Grilled Vegetable Wrap made with eggplant, zucchini, portabella mushrooms and roasted pepper, drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette. It costs $7.49.

I went with the Middle Eastern Plate. It includes grilled chicken skewers, homemade hummus, chopped Greek salad and warm pita bread. Each bite was a delight, but I'll warn you, it's a lot of food. The plate costs $8.99.

Funny how time flies

People always complain about how short Michigan summers are, but I strongly believe that someday, a scientist will discover that time actually does go faster on warm, sunny days. He or she will probably make this discovery over a frosty beer, most likely on a rooftop deck.  

I came pretty close to proving it myself, there at Mr. B's, when one hour slipped into two. I think the final answer will require a little more research.