The new Ironworks Café at the Goodman Community Center will open with a bang this Thursday, January 29, with three special dinners on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, says general manager Ben Hunter.
Thursday's menu will be chicken or veggie pot pie with salad; Friday will feature pan-fried trout with amaranth and sautéed spinach; and Saturday the kitchen will focus on braised short ribs, sweet- and regular potato hash browns and braised Brussels sprouts, with a mushroom salad as a vegetarian option.
Dining hours are 5 p.m.-10 p.m. for the grand opening. No reservations are accepted and the dining room holds about 40, so plan accordingly. Prices will range from $7-$15.
The servers are teens from the community and they've been in training sessions for the last six months, says Hunter.
After the grand opening, the Cafe's hours will settle in as 7 a.m.-2 p.m. and the kitchen will be serving breakfast and lunch only for the time being. Breakfasts will feature fresh bakery goods and both sweet and savory options; all meals will have vegetarian and non-veggie choices. Lunch will focus on sandwiches and soups.
Along with operating a culinary school at Goodman, Hunter is a member of the glowing recommendation from Gourmet for its trio of "Pre-Industrial Pig" dinners in New York. He was also an organizer and manager at the old Catacombs Coffee House, which was formerly located under the Pres House in Library Mall.
Joining Hunter in the kitchen are Andrew Glaza and more community teens, who have been involved in everything from cafe design to the menus.
The Goodman Community Center and the Ironworks Cafe are located at 149 Waubesa Street.
