Perhaps you've been wondering what's been happening at the Rookery since our last update during the early days of Wisconsin's COVID-19 restaurant shutdown?
My initial inclination was to share some of the devastating data I've been collecting about small businesses throughout the state and country closing their doors for good. Including thousands of independent restaurants in particular.
But I suspect you already know all that? And the news these past few weeks has been depressing enough. So instead I'll focus on one small kernel of good news.
The Rookery is open!
Granted, it's not the same Rookery you hopefully have come to know and love over the past 12 years. Succeeding as a small unique restaurant in a primarily seasonal tourist market has always been a challenge, even before the onset of a pandemic. Yet somehow we did, thanks mainly to our loyal guest following.
This year I'd like to ask our loyal guests for your continued support. But more than that, I need to ask for your understanding. This year will be different in many ways, for people all over the world. And that includes here. Because w
hile the Rookery may be open, Rookery Pub Fine Dining is not.
Introducing "Rookery Pub, Pretty Good Grub."
Ever since the day I opened people have been advising me to offer a more simple bar menu at the Rookery. For all who did, this year is for you!
Facing a summer of great uncertainty it pretty much came down to a question of how best NOT to lose money. And with that goal in mind, closing the Rookery altogether is certainly an option I considered very seriously. But then I realized someone still needed to be here to check in overnight lodging guests. So I thought to myself, why not open the bar, at least on weekends? And then I figured maybe I should offer a few snacks to munch on with those drinks.
Next thing you know I found myself working with one of my food purveyors to devise a few simple sandwiches and such. Then I consulted Ina Garten, the Barefoot Contessa (not personally, of course). And discovered I had
in my freezer
nearly
every ingredient needed to whip up a tasty seafood chowder. Plus a yummy cheesy hot crab dip. If I do say so myself.
Actually, I don't just say so myself. The initial guest reviews for my new personal pub menu really have been quite positive.
Which is good. Because when I say "personal" pub menu, I mean that altogether literally.
Me. Myself. And I. Plus Arwen, the official lab greeter. That's the entire staff of the Rookery this summer.
So if and when you pop by to check out the new Rookery please know I'll be doing my very best to serve up drinks and food in a timely fashion. But as mentioned earlier, I ask for your understanding. Because other than closing, this for me was the only viable way forward.
Rookery Pub, Pretty Good Grub.
Open Friday thru Sunday. Bar, booth, and outdoor seating. Plus takeaway.
