Last September we shared the news that Geronimo Hospitality Group would be bringing new life to the iconic Red Circle Inn, Wisconsin’s oldest operating restaurant. [Read it here]
But we are pleased to report, that after a six month hiatus, the 174-year-old restaurant has officially reopened for regular dinner service. The reopening is accompanied by a newly appointed chef, a reimagined menu and updated decor and improved event spaces.
“Red Circle Inn is a special place with a rich history. We can’t wait to welcome guests back to experience the new era of this Lake Country classic,” said chief operating officer of Geronimo Hospitality Group, Jeff Whiteman. “Honoring history is one of our ultimate objectives and I think this new chapter of Red Circle Inn embodies that while also providing guests with Geronimo’s spin on hospitality.”
Among the changes guests will note are the updated décor and furnishings throughout the property. That includes a display of historic photographs which pay homage to the Inn’s storied past. Those updates co-exist next to classic features like the original fireplace in the dining room, which has been restored to its former glory and the original Pabst bar, which countless patrons have bellied up to since 1889.
As for the menu, it’s in good hands under Chef Joe Heppe, who has been appointed as executive chef. In his new role, he will oversee kitchen operations at both Red Circle Inn and I.d., the restaurant located in the Delafield Hotel, which is also owned by Geronimo Hospitality Group.
The menu will feel both familiar and reimagined, showcasing the dishes for which Red Circle Inn has long been known – including hand-cut steaks, fresh seafood and housemade desserts – along with an extensive list of wines and after dinner cocktails.
“We’ve worked hard to breathe new life into this restaurant, and we can’t wait to bring back the regulars of Red Circle Inn and invite new guests to experience our decadent menu, wine lists and Lake Country hospitality,” notes Rocky Kitzman, general manager at Red Circle Inn.
Red Circle Inn is open Monday through Thursday from 4:30 to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 4:30 to 10 p.m. The bar is open from 4 p.m. to close.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
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 every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "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 planning for TV and radio spots, 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.
