Molly and Kevin La Chapelle's entertaining pavilion at their Redmond home is at one end of a terraced garden, above, and features a built-in gas barbecue, below, and overhead radiant heat, wood-burning fireplace and intercom system.

Don Heitlauf owns Crossroads Appliance in Bellevue, which supplied most of the Street of Dreams' outdoor kitchens. He confirms that the market for deluxe barbies, albeit relatively small, is growing. This season, he expects to sell around a dozen professional gas grills each month, ranging from about $2,500 for a DCS 27-inch grill and cart to $6,500 for the highest of the high end, a 53-inch Viking T-series and cart.

Most folks are buying the "smaller" stainless-steel barbecues. The lowest of the high end, if you will. People who may have owned a starter gas grill or charcoal barbecue are upgrading to a gourmet grill, which cleans up easier, cooks better and doesn't rust or fall apart like the old, corroded one on my deck, for example.

With all-stainless or brass burners, you'll get even, intense heat across the grilling surface. Side burners, for cooking corn, shellfish or pasta, are optional. Most larger grills come with rotisseries for roasting chicken or prime rib and smoker trays for adding a hickory or mesquite flavor to your food.

"There are a lot of knockoffs, like fake Gucci purses," Heitlauf says. "But you can tell what's quality and what's not." To find quality, he suggests inspecting the burner design and ignition systems. Look at how big the burners are, and make sure it's designed to withstand outdoor weather.

You'll typically see these gigantic grills perched on spiffy stainless carts parked on back decks. But some people, like Molly and Kevin La Chapelle of Redmond, are building them into luxurious outdoor-living spaces.

"I love to barbecue and always hated doing it in the rain," says Kevin. He and Molly decided to build a covered outdoor area so they could still cook and entertain in Northwest weather. Working with Moberg Epstein Architects, they designed an open-sided pavilion using wood, stone and tumbled brick to lend an aged, rustic feel. The inviting 15-by-20-foot structure is nestled into a lush hillside setting, landscaped by Secret Gardens. Molly wanted it to feel like an old winery in Tuscany, and it does, but it's also stocked with state-of-the-art appliances.

The La Chapelles and their two kids now embrace the best of both outside and inside: Kitchen comforts include a fireplace, sink with hot and cold water, refrigerator and freezer, music, intercom and even natural-gas heaters mounted to the ceiling.

At the heart of it all is a professional 48-inch-wide DCS gas barbecue with a vent hood and warming drawer. "I wanted a large BBQ that had stainless-steel grills for easy cleanup and even temperature over the entire surface," says Kevin, who is a software development manager. "I can easily cook for 20 or more people, and with four independent burners, I can have different temperature zones depending on the food I am cooking. We will often prepare most of the meal on the grill — chicken, roasted vegetables, grilled plums or tomatoes — and have it all ready at the same time. That's something I could never accomplish" on the previous grill.

Robin and Chris Larson of Mukilteo are putting the finishing touches on a similar fresh-air kitchen with a fireplace, refrigerator, built-in heaters and even wiring for TV. A 53-inch Viking barbecue from Rich's in Lynnwood offers "the works," including a side burner for easily whipping up clams, pasta or other side dishes. The couple is looking forward to hosting outdoor parties this summer for up to 30 people in their granite-laden gazebo.

"We wanted to make a place where we could entertain while our daughters were in the pool," says Robin Larson, who designed the yard area with her husband and landscaper Glen Barde of Creative Formations in Woodinville. "We love being outside in the Northwest and enjoying the view of Puget Sound."

The Larsons gutted their backyard, sparing only an outdoor pool. "We thought, 'If we have a pool, let's do it right and make a place where we can enjoy long evenings,' " Larson explains. In addition to the gazebo, they now have a deck, hot tub and even a putting green, all surrounded by carefully placed plants and natural basalt pillars. With an out-of-doors compound like that, why would you ever need to go in your house?

Although some diehard Northwesterners will do anything to be outside, others may purchase a killer 'cue for the status, according to Vincent Gil at Crossroads Appliance. The sales associate meets some customers who have the money and want the best barbie for their yard, even if they don't use it. "For some, it's like owning a Ferrari you don't drive," Gil says.

If status is what you're after, you can fork over almost $7,000 for the top-of-the-line professional grill and cart. You'll surely want to splurge on the wok/cooker, warming drawers, undercounter refrigerator and the handy beer dispenser. All of these accoutrements can be yours for another $10,000 or so.

But the phenomenon is more than just about appliances and toys. It's the experience of cooking and entertaining outside. Viking Range Corp. markets its "free-range kitchen," where you can grill sea bass as the sun sets, cook a few dozen succulent burgers on a breezy afternoon, or fire up the wok/cooker for stir-fry alfresco. Warming drawers allow you to "keep food fresh until the fireflies come out."

Fireflies? Well, maybe there are some things that can't happen in Seattle.

Catherine M. Allchin is a Seattle free-lance writer. Barry Wong is a Pacific Northwest magazine staff photographer.