Wayzata Green Lights Restaurant's Pioneering Plan

A Wayzata restaurant wants to revolutionize outdoor dining in Minnesota.

Pending a few minor revisions, Gianni’s Steakhouse received city council permission on Tuesday to reroute a well-traveled sidewalk and add about 15 café style tables to its Lake Street location.

City leaders were at first cool to the request, but softened their stand after reviewing a series of architectural renderings depicting the finished product.

The width of the redesigned sidewalk will be five and a half feet—the same space currently available to pedestrians along Lake Street. The concept of extending sidewalks into the street to make room for dining was pioneered in San Francisco and is starting to gain momentum in the restaurant industry, Terri Huml told council members. Huml, currently the general manager of Gianni’s, is purchasing the restaurant in a deal all but finalized. Huml said the designs for Gianni's are new to Minnesota.

“I have to tell you that this is so innovative and creative that it’s really going to put Wayzata on the map,” Huml told the council.

Wayzata Mayor Ken Willcox said the project being undertaken by Gianni’s was “exactly what Wayzata needs to draw people to Lake Street” and praised Huml for her patience and willingness to cooperate with the city during the review and approval process.

“I think this is a very exciting and inspiring,” Willcox said. “If this works I wouldn’t mind seeing a whole sidewalk full of them. I think it’s a spectacular concept, and I hope it works. Thanks for the creativity and for rolling the dice with this.”

The project would also eliminate several parking spaces along the street. The city's approval is temporary—the project’s impact will be re-evaluated in one year, and council members haven't ruled out assessing the restaurant a fee for its use of the public right of way.