Patios are in full bloom as NYC eateries are bolstering outdoor areas

In the race to attract diners, Big Apple restaurateurs are spending big bucks to transform their newly expanded outdoor seating areas from urban jungle to the South of France. 

Ugly city scaffolding at Marea on Central Park South has disappeared under an intricate swath of vines popping with blue and white flowers.  The Catch rooftop in the Meatpacking District and Lola Taverna in the West Village are both literally dripping flowers, while Fresco by Scotto, which reopens next month, has been transformed into a Capri lemon grove.