I'm looking for a great quotation, preferably literary, to display
(artistically, mind you) above the doors leading to an outdoor dining
courtyard of our home. I'd be thrilled if the quotation celebrated the
joys and romance of al fresco dining. (I'm not being too particular,
am I?)  ;-)
My objective is to remind us that al fresco dining is a romantic
delight, and (hopefully) to beckon us outdoors to enjoy that living
space. Whew... Thanks for any help!

What a fun question! The first thing that springs into my mind is this
classic quote about the pleasures of outdoor dining, from The Rubáiyát
of Omar Khayyam, as translated by Edward Fitzgerald:

"A Book of Verses underneath the Bough, 
 A Jug of Wine, a Loaf of Bread - and Thou  
 Beside me singing in the Wilderness - 
 Oh, Wilderness were Paradise enow [enough]!" 

Bartleby: The Rubáiyát
http://www.bartleby.com/59/5/rubaiyat.html

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Here's a delicious quote from Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin, a
legendary name in the history of cuisine:

"Seating themselves on the greensward, they eat while the corks fly
and there is talk, laughter and merriment, and perfect freedom, for
the universe is their drawing room and the sun their lamp. Besides,
they have appetite, Nature's special gift, which lends to such a meal
a vivacity unknown indoors, however beautiful the surroundings."

Emotions of Paradise: Appetite
http://emotionsofparadise.typepad.com/talkoncorners/2003/11/appette.html

In case you wonder who Brillat-Savarin was, here's a brief bio:

Come to a Kettledrum: Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin
http://members.aol.com/acalendar/April/Brillat-Savarin.html

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A short and sweet quote from the great British poet John Keats:

"Give me books, French wine, fruit, fine weather and a little music
out of doors, played by somebody I do not know."

The Epicentre: Culinary Quotes
http://www.theepicentre.com/Entertaining/culquote.html

(If using this one, I think I'd omit the "played by somebody I do not know" part!)

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Here is a great Biblical quote (Ecclesiastes 8:15):

"...A man hath no better thing under the sun, than to eat, and to
drink, and to be merry: for that shall abide with him of his labour
the days of his life, which God giveth him under the sun."

Bible Topics: Contentment
http://www.bibletopics.com/topics/167.htm

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This one isn't specifically an "al fresco" reference, but I'm
including it because I love it:

"One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well."

'A Room of One's Own', Virginia Woolf, English novelist (1882-1941)

Food Reference: Dining
http://www.foodreference.com/html/qdining.html

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I hope this helps! If you need anything more, please request
clarification; I'll be glad to offer further assistance before you
rate my answer.

Best wishes and bon appétit!
pinkfreud

Wonderful answers! Thank you very much for the outstanding work!