Downtown Cedarburg will say goodbye to Brandywine (W61 N480 Washington Ave.), known for its mindful chef-curated menu. Owners Andrew and Rhiannon Wilson announced their plans to close – the last day is Nov. 7 – on the 7-year-old restaurant’s social media.
It wasn’t one thing – Andrew called the decision “layered.” Brandywine’s executive chef, Andrew came to restaurant-ownership from a long tenure working in restaurant kitchens from Sheboygan’s Trattoria Stefano to Milwaukee’s Bacchus. To close is also not a sudden decision, he says.
“We’ve had a great run. Business has been fantastic,” he says. “I would do it all over again. It’s just, our kids are getting older. We’re older. It takes a lot of work, a lot of time, and a lot of dedication. We’re just interested in putting some of that energy into other aspects of our life.”
The Wilsons are selling the building and relocating. But Andrew’s plans – and if they involve the restaurant industry – are unclear, although he says, “I don’t know what else I really am qualified to do.”
“It’s very bittersweet,” he adds. “We’ve made so many great friendships, and I’ve met so many wonderful people. We have just an amazing core group of regulars that we see all the time. So yeah, the idea of leaving that behind is difficult.”
For Brandywine’s last weeks in business, they don’t have any greatest-hits-type specials planned. “I think we’ll continue on as we always have,” says Andrew, who has developed particular mastery of handmade pasta.
Reservations are strongly advised. Hours: Tues-Thurs 5-8:30 p.m.; Fri-Sat 5-9:30 p.m.
Brandywine’s closing announcement on Facebook:
