Peshtigo, Wis. (WFRV) – One of the first buildings constructed after the Peshtigo Fire has been known as Ember's 1871 Supper Club and Fine Dining Restaurant since 2017.
The head chef and co-owner is Shelley Belija, whose business partner is former customer and friend Kari Bunting.
“I've been in the restaurant industry for 35 years,” Beliha told Local 5 News. “Kari is a lumber girl. She's a fifth-generation lumber baron. She got to know me, she liked me, she liked what I was doing. I asked her to be my business partner. I asked him to help me, and we've been partners ever since.”
Before the embers, the building at W3529 County Road B in Peshtigo had been vacant for five years.
It used to be a famous German restaurant. But Beliha said it was a family business and they didn't leave any recipes behind.
“Some people wondered why I didn't continue eating German food. I love small plates, medium plates, large plates. Haute cuisine. So I'm trying to combine that with the supper club tradition. It is.”
According to Beliha, people sometimes stop by to see the banquet hall to remember their special day.
“They just want to look around. They noticed the new flooring. Now they have nice flooring. They used to have white and turquoise tile floors. Ta.”
She said the staff is excited to see people who aren't used to the supper club experience stop by for a bite to eat.
“They don't know what a classic cocktail is, and it's fun to explain it. We mix it by hand, which makes it special.”
Embers 1871 is open Thursday through Monday, 4 to 8 p.m.
Upcoming special events include:
On Friday, May 3rd, Medium Lorient returned from a stay in Las Vegas for the “Angels Brunch.'' Advance tickets can be purchased from the Embers 1871 Facebook page.
Mother's Day Brunch, May 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Children 4 and under are free.
June 8th (Saturday) Lobster boil Reservation and payment required. Space is limited.
