Get cozy while dining outdoors in an igloo during the winter months. This latest craze has been a hit during the pandemic with folks needing and wanting to social distance while still enjoying the restaurant scene. The igloos are lit up, most are heated, and all are sanitized after each use for guests to enjoy.
Chaska
Head to Cranston’s Garden City for modern Indian cuisine served in an igloo at Chaska. Chaska is owned by the same owners as Rasoi, Kabob and Curry, and Rasa, and the menu features popular dishes like chicken tikka masala, curries, and plenty of vegan dishes. They are also serving hot drinks like the Coconut Grove hot toddy and apple cider mimosas.
How to reserve: Open daily, noon to 9 p.m. Call 401-537-7900 to reserve an outdoor igloo.
The details: 16 Midway Rd., Cranston, 401-537-7900, chaska-usa.com
Gurney’s
Visit the Après Skate Winter Wonderland Igloo Pop-Up now through March 31 at Gurney’s Newport, where you can soak up water views over the Newport Pell Bridge and enjoy ice-skating at the on-site rink. Each igloo is decorated with cozy decor and blankets, plus there is a special menu including bruschetta grilled cheese, housemade chili, and more. The two-hour dining experience can seat up to four people at a time inside a heated igloo on the Firepit Deck at Gurney’s Newport. These igloos are thoroughly sanitized after each use.
How to reserve: Reservations can be made online. For all igloo-dining reservations, the following food and beverage minimums apply: $175 minimum for all reservations between 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. (there is a $300 minimum for holidays); $275 minimum for all reservations between 5:30 p.m. and close (there is a $375 minimum for holidays). This requirement does not include sales tax and 18 percent gratuity.
The details: 1 Goat Island, Newport, 401-851-3325, gurneysresorts.com
Huck’s Filling Station
Huck’s Filling Station in East Greenwich is changing up its scene by hosting a “pop up” partnership with Exquisite Events to create a winter wonderland outdoor igloo-dining experience with seasonal shared plates and a craft cocktail menu. There will also be a “Southern Supper Series” lineup starting soon with Southern Comfort on January 19, a Galentine’s Day Brunch on February 12.
How to Reserve: The heated igloos can comfortably seat parties of four to eight people. Call the restaurant directly at 401-471-7170 or email mollie@hucksfillingstation.com the intended day and time of your reservation and the size of your party.
The details: 4654 Post Rd., Warwick, 401-471-7170, hucksfillingstation.com
Los Andes
For Peruvian and Bolivian dishes, visit Los Andes. This restaurant has a wide variety of menu options, and with the igloos set up outside, you can enjoy your meal outdoors. Sounds like a win-win to us.
How to reserve: Open Wednesday-Thursday, 5-8:30 p.m., Friday-Saturday, 5-9:30 p.m., Sunday, 3-8 p.m. You can reserve an igloo by calling 401-649-4911.
The details: 903 Chalkstone Ave., Providence, 401-649-4911, losandesri.com
Mare Rooftop
Spend an evening inside an igloo overlooking Providence as we enter these colder months. The restaurant offers an outdoor dining experience in a heated igloo where you can order from a special menu or choose to order from the regular menu, too.
How to reserve: Call 401-336-6273 to make a reservation. Reservations are available Tues.-Thurs. 5:30 and 8 p.m.; Fri. at 5, 6, 8, and 8:30 p.m.; Sat. and Sun. at noon, 1, 4:30, 5:30, 7 and 8 p.m. A $50 deposit is required, which will be applied to the final bill. The deposit will only be refunded if the reservation is canceled more than twenty-four hours in advance. There is a $75 minimum per person (for food only) for a two-and-a-half-hour reservation. Choose from the date night (for two) or couples night (for four) options that include an artisan cheese board and/or a Mini Mare Sampler; a choice of second-course entrees (seared scallops and gnocchi, Tuscan salmon, rigatoni Bolognese, Mare strip loin, blue ginger lobster or seafood fra diavolo); and dessert (flourless chocolate torte, seasonal cheesecake or seasonal creme brulee).
The details: 229 Waterman St., Providence, 401-336-6273, marerooftop.com
Terrazza
This Mediterranean restaurant offers delicious meals and has igloos set up for outdoor dining during the colder months. They also recently launched the winter cocktail menu with the Jack Frost and S’mores Martini. Keep up with the Facebook page for updates.
How to reserve: Igloo reservations must be made via phone by calling 401-233-3223. They are not accepted via open table. Open Sun.-Thurs. 4-9 p.m. and Fri. and Sat. 4-10 p.m.
The details: 645 Douglas Pike, Smithfield, 401-233-3223, terrazzari.com
The Reef
Make a dinner (two hours) or lounge (one-and-a-half hours) reservation for private, heated igloo dining for two to six people overlooking Newport Harbor.
How to reserve: Reservations can be made online, but to inquire about various igloo experiences, email Adrienne@thereefnewport.com. There is a $5 per person booking fee for reserving a private igloo as well as spending minimums for lunch at $40 per person (noon to 4 p.m.), dinner for $65 per person (4-8:30 p.m.), and children younger than twelve are a $25 minimum. During dinner hours, parties of two must book the “Night Under the Stars Package” for $100 per person, which includes a two-hour reservation, a glass of prosecco, a bottle of red or white wine, a cheese board, a two-course dinner, a dessert board, and hot chocolate.
Details: 10 Howard Wharf, Newport, 401-324-5852, thereefnewport.com
Source: Rhode Island Monthly [by Jamie Coelho] January 4, 2022
