The former Radisson Hotel, N88 W14750 Main St., in Menomonee Falls, is undergoing a $3.5 million renovation in preparation to reopen as a Delta Hotel by Marriott.
Part of its transformation will include the addition of Waterlin Coffee Bar & Bistro, a full-service coffee bar, large dining areas, center bar and grab-and-go marketplace.
The venue, which is slated for an August opening, is named for Francis Waterlin who launched the ice harvesting industry on the Menomonee River with John Martin in 1897. Since commercial refrigeration was yet unknown, the industry – which gleaned ice from rivers, lakes and ponds – was vital to food preservation.
In turn, the 6100 square foot venue will feature an industrial chic interior featuring exposed beams, heavy wooden tables and hues of grey and white. Custom artwork will also play a role, depicting scenes and instruments commonly used in harvest of ice. The brand will follow suit with an icy-blue color palette, illustrated logo and a simple supporting grid pattern that offers a nod to the grid pattern created by tool-bearing horses on the frozen river to guide the harvesters’ cutting.
The menu will also reflect the ice harvesting theme, from serving platters and utensils to creative Midwestern fare and Instagrammable desserts. Even the bartenders will get into the spirit, asking guests "how do you take your ice?" and offering hand-chopped, small block, shaved or crushed for drinks.
The coffee bar is expected to add to Menomonee Falls’ morning scene with offerings including Stone Creek Coffee, morning pastries and a variety of grab-and-go breakfast items for both hotel guests and the public.
The venue will also serve a full menu for both lunch and dinner, including weekly specials like a Friday Fish Fry and wine night focusing on perfect pairings. Happy hour will feature small bites and drink specials, while late night offerings on weekends will service both guests and locals looking for a nightcap.
"The Falls is a tight-knit community that comes together around civic events, school sports and business networking," noted Chadd Scott, hotel general manager, in a release. "We believe Menomonee Falls needed another great place to gather around food, drink and company."
Both Waterlin and Delta Hotel in Menomonee Falls is managed by Hostmark Hospitality Group, a Schaumburg, Illinois-based operator with many successful restaurant concepts.
"We are so excited to bring this new hotel and restaurant to The Falls," said Hostmark CEO Jerome Cataldo. "This community deserves another great hot spot for locals and a hotel that is designed to welcome visitors and share the local history."
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.
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