The votes are in, and the winners have been selected for OnMilwaukee's Best Dining 2009. The results of this readers' poll, including an editors' pick, are available in this series of articles that run all October long during Dining Month on OnMilwaukee.com.

Even people who love Milwaukee generally concede that the city has one major flaw:

Beautiful weather is far too scarce.

Summer here is as good as anywhere in the world. Fall is lovely. Even winter -- at least after a fresh snowfall -- has a certain charm. But, the truly "nice" days and evenings seem fleeting -- which is why we maximize them as much as possible.

The concept of outdoor dining and drinking has taken off in the past decade or so, with Milwaukeeans clamoring to savor warm afternoons and evenings at establishments with waterfront locations or carefully appointed patios.

The race for Best Patio, 2009, was something of a shocker, because for the third straight year a different eatery has taken the title. This year its the no frills, South Side hidden gem Barnacle Bud's, a workingman's waterfront patio.

Last year, the Ale House -- which finished second -- was the winner. This year's third place finalist, Trocadero, was the top vote-getter in 2007.

When winter gives us the cold shoulder, warm yourself by thinking of sultry evenings at these spots.

OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Barnacle Bud's

Runners-up:
2. Milwaukee Ale House
3. Trocadero
4. Roots
5. Water Buffalo
6. Rock Bottom Brewery
7. Hotel Metro
8. The Harp Irish Pub
9. La Perla
10. Rip Tide
11. John Hawks Pub
12. The Yard at The Iron Horse Hotel
13. Tess
14. Bayou
15. Palomino
16. Rustico
(tie) Wicked Hop
18. Riverfront Pizzeria
19. Byron's Beer Garden & Bistro