Chef Robert Klemm has taken the lead in management of The Lakeside at Heaven City, S91 W27850 National Ave. in Mukwonago.
According to Klemm, former chef and owner of INdustri Cafe in Walker's Point, the restaurant will continue to operate as Lakeside for 4-6 weeks at which point it will be rebranded with a new name.
He says he is eager to put his trademark style and flair into this new venture. Plans include incorporating popular elements from INdustri Cafe – including the lavishly garnished 24-ounce Bloody Mary – while serving current clientele and maintaining popular Lakeside offerings like the Friday Fish Fry, and Saturday Prime Rib.
Current restaurant staff will be retained as initial changes begin rolling out in mid-June, with more extensive rebranding set for early/mid July.
"The Heaven City property is a unique location packed full of history and stories, an ideal location for a destination restaurant," said Klemm. "I'm very excited to have this opportunity to build an all-new destination for diners in southeast Wisconsin."
The Lakeside Restaurant and Lounge was established in 1999 by owner and chef, Troy Schoenrock. The restaurant moved to the historic Heaven City property in late 2014.
The property, which housed a commune called "Heaven City" in the 1930s and was converted to a commercial hotel and resort in the 1940s, gained a reputation as a fine-dining destination in the 1980s. The space, reputedly haunted, has had numerous owners over the years.
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.
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.
