B.A.S.H. in Ottawa introduces igloo dining to beat the cold

The weather turning cold meant the end of outdoor dining and left restaurant owners looking for a solution that would get people through their door – and Burger and Sushi House owners Chanel and Cody Renkosik have found an innovative answer.

B.A.S.H. in Ottawa introduced igloo dining, a form of outdoor dining popular in larger cities that puts customers inside a heated, covered tent. The restaurant is having customers go to its website, burgerandsushihouse.com, to make reservations, as there is only one reservation allowed per igloo.

“Many destination towns offer igloo and globe dining as a unique winter dining experience,” Renkosik said. “They seem to have really become more valuable this year as indoor dining has been banned during one of the busiest seasons for many industries across our state.”

Renkosik said the restaurant industry has had to get creative to find ways to provide in-person dining, along with adjusting to providing primarily carryout and the experience of dining at a favorite restaurant at home.

B.A.S.H. is in its first week using the igloos, and Renkosik said he is hoping to create an experience that works as an extension of what he provides as an indoor experience.

“This is a dining option that gives customers additional peace of mind when making the decision to dine out,” Renkosik said. “Diners will be checked in at our host stand and accompanied to their own private igloo that has been properly ventilated and disinfected between parties.”

Diners are encouraged to bring their own blanket if they would like to add to the coziness of their dining experience, Renkosik said. Renkosik said customers can expect igloo dining to take about 80 minutes.

Renkosik said he’s proud of the staff for how they’ve adjusted to every change in the last year.

“They never complain while running to-go orders out in the heat, rain or cold for curbside or doing a job they weren’t initially hired for,” Renkosik said. “They are all excited for igloo dining to be part of another new experience for both diners and themselves.”

Renkosik said he looks forward to seeing other innovations of local restaurants trying to serve their local community, and he said the city has been extremely supportive throughout the pandemic.

“The silver lining in all of this has been the building of relationships and support of fellow small businesses, community members and our wonderful B.A.S.H. family as we continue to work through the pandemic,” Renkosic said.