Bayfield

St. James Social, Bayfield, WI., 8/28/25

~ hsnixon ~ 4 Comments
building – 200 Rittenhouse Ave., Bayfield, WI., 54814

St. James Social is a hotel and restaurant combination that offers a new and modern take on things in the restored original 1883 St. James hotel.  Annalisa and Cody Bermel bought the building in May 2022 and they manage, bartend and do whatever is needed along with their 2 daughters.  .  The first floor is a large space with a lounge area, curved bar counter with seats and tables for dining.   The two story room is filled with wood, brass, chandeliers and mirrors along with artwork to give it an urban yet comfortable feeling.  Upstairs they have a 8 rooms and on the roof is a small lounge area for hotel guests.  The kitchen uses local ingredients when available, which for this short growing season are amazingly abundant.   One of their specialties is pizza and Tuesday they dedicate the menu to their artisan Neapolitan style pizzas.  They have a sourdough crust with more on that later. Thursday through Saturday they offer the Chef’s menu with more plated options and a fewer number of pizza varieties.   Sunday is brunch only.  The service is great and the vibe is too.  We really enjoyed our evening there with some long time friends.  I would highly recommend a meal and maybe a stay here when you visit the lovely town of Bayfield. Continue reading →

Hoops Dockside, Bayfield, WI., 6/25/24

~ hsnixon ~ 3 Comments
order area – 207 Wilson Ave., Bayfield, WI., 54814

Hoops Fish Market has two retail shops (second one opening in 2019) operated by Craig Hoopman Fisheries.  The Hoopman family has had 6 generatons of commercial fishing from Lake Superior with the primary catch being whitefish.  The family went all in to open Hoops Dockside this year which is a short walk down the driveway next to their retail store.  They are open during the summer and have live music on weekends from 6:30 – 10:30.  The music line up is on their Facebook page.    They have built a lovely seating area with stools along the sides facing Lake Superior.  You can watch the boats go by to the marina next door as the band plays and you munch on whitefish caught that morning.  It’s a simple menu of fried whitefish, fries and slaw in a basket.  He cooks the fish and his wife and son were taking payments and selling drinks.   It is truly a family operation.  They have wine by the glass, beer and soft drinks.   As you enter the booth is on your right and you make your order, pick up drinks and pay.  They call you when your fish is ready.  The band that night was not my particular favorite but what a stunning backdrop for a fun, casual dinner.  Coming from the heat of Texas it was particularly lovely to be able to sit and enjoy the outdoors.  I thoroughly recommend you check it out. Continue reading →

Landmark Restaurant at Old Rittenhouse Inn, Bayfield, WI., 10/1/22

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exterior – 303 Rittenhouse Ave., Bayfield, WI., 54814

The Landmark Restaurant is in the Queen Anne Victorian home called the Rittenhouse Inn in Bayfield, Wisconsin.  Located on a hill, overlooking Lake Superior it provides a wonderful view of the water and quaint town.  The well-maintained brownstone also houses a bed and breakfast inn, there and in other buildings off-site.  Three rooms on the main floor make up the dining area, kitchen, and the beginning of the cherry staircase that leads to 12 guest rooms upstairs.  The 1890 house was purchased in 1973 by Mary and Jerry Phillips who began running the B & B.  It was expanded in 1985 to add more guestrooms upstairs.   Out back is a dedicated parking lot.  The menu is small and one special was featured the night we were there, but you do have the option of making it a 5 course tasting and choosing from the soup, salad, sorbet, entree, and dessert options, some of which have an upcharge.  Each small room has a different color scheme, with lots of windows to the outside, a fireplace, and various decorations.  The tables come in an assortment of shapes but most are large and are covered with white tablecloths.  They do not have a bar but your server can make cocktails.  The wine list is limited but there are some ‘special’ bottles in the cabinet out front you can additionally choose from.  Service was friendly and fairly efficient. Continue reading →

Good Thyme Restaurant and Catering, Washburn, 6/14/19

~ hsnixon ~ 2 Comments
building
building

Good Thyme Restaurant is in a 100 year old yellow house on Highway 13. It also does catering in the area and is run and staffed by mostly women.  It is a large place with a porch outside equipped with lots of furniture to enjoy the weather.  A fireplace is in the middle of the first floor where you enter and is surrounded by rooms full of copper tables and comfortable seating.  Windows look out on the grounds and the walls are decorated with art, much of which is for sale.  In the back is a copper bar incircling a mountain of liquor bottles.  Some people chose to eat at the bar as well as the many stopping there for a cocktail before dinner.  It was packed with people and reservations are a must.  They are only open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday during the summer.  Service was friendly, helpful and efficient.   It is not a large menu but there is good variety and they do have the Friday Fish Fry which is common in the area.  We were there to try that. Continue reading →