Sure sign of Spring? Area patios are open

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 were open for business, 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 by already opening. 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 downing beers

But some restaurateurs aren't ready to take any chances. The Liffey in St. Paul with its large, second-story deck with wrap-around bar is still closed and doesn't have any immediate plans to open. Joe's Garage in Minneapolis plans to wait until April just to make sure the cold weather is over for the season.

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 a bit chilly, all he has to do is push a button. "It's a one-of-a-kind," he said. "It's way cool."

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Sure sign of Spring? Area patios are open