River Runs Dry
It’s a rarity for a chef to work in the same restaurant kitchen for 20 years. But Mequon’s The Riversite (11120 N. Cedarburg Rd.) was known for stability in the back of the house. It was chef Tom Peschong’s home since its inception. The Riversite’s current owner, Corey Schultz, announced that last Saturday, Sept. 3, was its last night of business. Schultz cited the “current economic climate” as the reason. The Riversite was, until a few years ago, the sister restaurant of Brown Deer’s River Lane Inn. Restaurateur Jim Marks opened the place, known for classic preparations of seafood and game, in 1989. It’s hard to imagine Peschong and The Riversite not coexisting. Very sad news indeed. Peschong says he didn’t know the restaurant was closed until Sunday. “I know things are challenging all over,” he says. But Peschong says he wasn’t expecting it. The 59-year-old has no firm idea what his next steps will be, professionally speaking.
Days of Dining Thunder
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| Photo of Le Rêve by Dan Bishop. |
I may just spent 10 days next week in Tosa. Why not? There are a lot of good deals to be found. Wauwatosa is hosting its first restaurant event, 10 Days in Tosa (Sept. 12-21). You’re probably familiar with Downtown Dining Week. This is not DDW for the West Side. What’s different about Tosa’s event is that it requires a $10 access card. (Purchase the card at Tosa-area locations of M&I Bank, at the Wauwatosa Chamber of Commerce, and at the link pasted at the end of this write-up.) Make sure you bring the card to the participating restaurant (more than 20 total!), each of which offers something different. Ristorante Bartolotta, for instance, is doing half-price bottled (under $100) for reservations after 8 p.m. If you come to Blue’s Egg for an early breakfast (before 8 a.m.) or late lunch (after 1 p.m.), you’ll get $10 off a $40 bill. To see what restaurants like Le Rêve, Juniper 61 and Cafe Hollander are doing to get you out and about in Tosa, click here.
Look for Dish on Dining on Tuesdays and Thursdays!
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If you spot a restaurant opening or closing, post it on the comments section of my column, or e-mail me directly: ann.christenson@milwaukeemagazine.com
