Perfect summer days and lovely summer evenings are all too rare in the freezing-scorching cycle we call our climate.

So when gorgeous weather arrives, it's a true celebration to dine outdoors and savor it. 

Where do you go to dine al fresco? Vote below.

Patch is running the ultimate Readers’ Choice contest. While we’ve done similar contests in the past, this one includes business from Skokie, Niles, Morton Grove, Park Ridge and Des Plaines. Our 2012 winner will even receive an award for having the best outdoor dining in town. On a side note, we’ve also fixed our voting mechanism, meaning people can no longer manipulate the system.

To vote, simply login to your Patch account and select the business that you think has the best product. That’s it. Voting ends Aug. 17, at 5:00 p.m.

Patch readers nominated all the following businesses and the nomination period is now closed. It’s time to pick a winner, folks.