Chip and Py's, a Mequon institution, wants to be more like the buzzing places in Downtown Milwaukee so it's closed its doors, after 25 years, turned over the keys to a younger generation of family ownership and set out to follow the national and local trend that is comfortable, casual dining .
Harvey's Central Grille will replace Chip and Py's and is set to open in its same Mequon location at 1340 W. Towne Square Rd., just off Port Washington Rd. the week of Oct. 8.
Chip and Py's owners, Richard and Julie Staniszewski, have enjoyed a long and successful run with the restaurant at both its South 5th Street location and the current space in Mequon.
"We've had our fun and now it's time to turn the reins over to the younger generation," stated Staniszewski. And, Julie's daughter, Amelia Betzhold, is that younger generation and there to step in with a her own vibrant vision for a new restaurant.
Betzhold asked herself, "What is Mequon missing? A fun, upbeat, urbane restaurant that appeals to the ‘Downtown crowd' -- who just happen to live a little north of Downtown."
She continued, "We felt that the Mequon area would welcome a restaurant that had an upbeat, Downtown atmosphere where people from the Mequon, Cedarburg, Port Washington and North Shore communities could avoid all the driving and parking hassles associated with downtown dining."
According to a news release, Harvey's Central Grille will offer an innovative menu featuring creative entrée selections and a wide array of small plates and appetizers like Duck Won Tons with Cabernet Reduction, mini lobster rolls and a selection of sliders. "We don't want to be profiled into a particular culinary culture, but rather explore a broader range of global cuisines from North and South American to Pan Asian," said Betzhold.
Harvey's Central Grille also will offer a well-rounded wine list set to include many new world selections as well as interesting imported wines from places like Australia, Chile, and Spain.
Harvey’s Central Grille will be open for dinner seven nights per week. Happy hour starts week nights at 4 p.m. and will feature drink specials and complimentary "Harvey bites."
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
