Jan 6, 2014 | Sioux Falls, ND
by Brenda Wade Schmidt
At one Sioux Falls restaurant, it’s now possible to enjoy the outdoors in any weather.
Carnaval Brazilian Grill, 2401 S. Carolyn Ave., has installed retractable glass walls and a roof over a patio area to add four-season outside dining. The area, which seats up to 70 guests, has radiant floor heat and radiant overhead heaters to give out warmth even in winter’s cold weather.
The glassed-in area, which has been open a couple of weeks, has been used for parties and large groups, said general manager Todd Burns. In February, he has a company Christmas party scheduled for the space. It’s one of two areas that can be used for business parties. Carnaval Brazilian also has a boardroom-style private dining area with a big-screen TV.
The outside seating area has stainless steel tables and all-weather chairs with a tropical red fabric. At night, the space is lit with strings of overhead bulbs to create an atmosphere that differs from the daytime experience.
Once it gets warmer, the glass enclosure, called a Cabreeze, can be slid open or adjusted for the weather, Burns said.
“If it’s windy, I can adjust and close off a corner so there’s a wind block,” he said.
The restaurant also will continue to have its patio-area waterfall and koi pond in warm weather.
The next closest example of the Cabreeze is at McGovern’s Pub in St. Paul, Burns said.
He first saw the concept three years ago and realized it was an expansion solution without having to build on to the restaurant.
The restaurant, which also has live music that can be heard in the Cabreeze, seats about 220 customers inside the traditional building.