Restaurant News: Patios are packed with diners looking for a side dish of rays

Memorial Day weekend always has been the official kickoff to patio season. But this year, that rule has been broken. With record-breaking temperatures in the 70s, Twin Cities area restaurateurs scrambled this week to hose off the patio furniture so sun-starved customers could take advantage of the nice weather.

"We're ready to rock," says Jenna Churchill, a manager at Pier 500 in Hudson, Wis. "Because of our location overlooking the water, (owner) Andy Kron takes pride in always being the first to open for the season and the last to close. Since Saturday, we have had a steady flow of people on the patio through the dinner hour. Everyone is getting the itch to eat out."

Pier 500 is far from the only restaurant where customers are dining al fresco this week. Most of the popular rooftop patios are open, including Brit's Pub, Sea Change, Moto-I, Seven Skybar and Stella's Fish Cafe, all in the Minneapolis. Cafeteria in Minneapolis plans to open Friday.

In St. Paul, W.A. Frost always has been the No. 1 spot customers flock to for their patio fix, and the Cathedral Hill restaurant didn't let them down. It's already open. The popular Salut Bar Americain opened the patio for lunch Wednesday, and everyone wanted to eat outside. Burger Moe's patio was completely packed Tuesday night with Wild fans.

But some restaurateurs

That will never again be a problem at Patrick McGovern's in St. Paul. Owner Pat Boehmer just enclosed his popular patio with retractable glass walls and ceiling, so even if the weather becomes chilly, all he has to do is push a button. "It's a one-of-a-kind," he said. "It's way cool."

ANOTHER RUSTY TACO

Residents of Northeast Minneapolis soon will be sipping margaritas and tucking into shrimp tacos.

Rusty Taco, which started in Dallas and opened its first Minnesota location last year at Lexington and Randolph avenues in St. Paul, is expanding.

Owner Bruce Ringgenberg plans to open a second spot next to the former Wilde Roast Cafe on East Hennepin Avenue. Unlike the one in St. Paul, this one will have a full liquor license, a bar and a patio.

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Restaurant News: Patios are packed with diners looking for a side dish of rays