By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Jun 12, 2019 at 8:50 AM

In April, we announced that the Iron Horse Hotel, 500 W. Florida St., would be closing its flagship restaurant, Smyth, on May 1 to accommodate a reimagining of the menu and restaurant space.

This morning, the hotel announced both a new name and a few select details for the concept, which will be called Ash and which is expected to reopen in August.

The name, created by Chefs Daniel Jacobs and Dan Van Rite of the JVR Group, is an homage to the wood-fired hearth that will play a central role in the new restaurant.

"The thought behind Ash was to create a simple, seasonal, American menu – highlighted by the use of fire and smoke," noted Jacobs in a release about the concept. "Hearth cooking allows for the full use of fire. From slow cooking in embers to smoking and finally charring over an open flame, hearth cooking creates an enhanced flavor in everything from meats to vegetables."

Jacobs and Van Rite note that the recently redesigned menus at Branded and The Yard (which we previewed earlier this week) offer a hint of the types of dishes you’ll find at Ash – namely dishes like the roasted cauliflower and venison tartare, as well as the collection of seasonal salads.

"From the beginning of time people have gathered around a fire for food, conversation and warmth," added Jacobs. "We want guests to feel the same way when they gather at Ash. Warm, familial, at home. It’s genuinely Milwaukee."

As JVR Group tackles the menu, developer Tim Dixon will play a role in transforming the current restaurant space, which will feature a hearth in the main dining area.

"It’s theater as much as dining," says Dixon. "People want to feel part of the experience and this new space brings cooking to the forefront."

Watch OnMilwaukee for details on the reopening. In the meantime, you can follow Ash on Instagram and Facebook.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.