Ryan Braun Tavern and Grill

[bork]

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun is part of an ownership group that is opening a fine-dining restaurant in Lake Geneva

It could open within the next few months. Link

 

There was a longer story in the Business Journal that I read previously, but now it's subscriber only. Braun talks about how the small market affected his endorsement opportunities at first, but now he is seeing more regional opportunities.

 

Edit: It occurs to me that the words Tavern, Grill and fine-dining rarely go together. It will be interesting to see what kind of food they have.

[gypcasino]

You can read the full article here

[Hate those Rodents]

I know Braun loves Lake Geneva and hangs out there frequently. Probably has an awesome pad there but I am not certain of that.

[T B0NE 10]

Maybe he is really liking Milwaukee/Wisconsin and would stay here long-long term?

[Invader3K]

Well, he's here for six more seasons at least (barring an unforseeable trade). I also see from that article he is a spokesman now for AirTran Airways, which I had not heard about.

 

Also, while "tavern and grill" might not be synonymous with fine dining, "Lake Geneva" and "restaurant" are generally synonymous with expensive.

 

I look forward to checking it out when it opens.

[joepepsi]

Edit: It occurs to me that the words Tavern, Grill and fine-dining rarely go together. It will be interesting to see what kind of food they have.

I'm picturing Bennigans or Fridays, but with higher quality photos in the laminated 15 page menus. The house specialty will be Prime Rib. Choice of appetizers will include hot wings, coconut shrimp, and a giant quesadilla cut into pie slices. Spotted Cow, Sam Adams, and Killians Red will be on tap.

[bork]

I also see from that article he is a spokesman now for AirTran Airways, which I had not heard about.

I have seen quite a few billboards around town this year with Braun's picture for AirTran. I think they've been up since early in the year. Something along the lines of "when he goes home, he flies AirTran."

[Invader3K]

http://walworthcountytoday.com/news/2009/oct/29/cactus-club-set-reopen-ryan-braun-tavern-and-grill/

 

Link has some more info. Sounds like they plan to open in 6-8 weeks in Lake Geneva (former Cactus Club location), with more locations to come in Madison and Milwaukee in the future.

[Brewbadger]

Am I the only one who finds this a bit narcissistic on Braun's part? I mean, I'm sure it will be cool, but couldn't he come up with a better name (for example, Braunie's Bar and Grill, or something along those lines).

[bjkrautk]

Am I the only one who finds this a bit narcissistic on Braun's part? I mean, I'm sure it will be cool, but couldn't he come up with a better name (for example, Braunie's Bar and Grill, or something along those lines).

As a guy who's eaten at Brett F***e's Steakhouse (best not mention his full name, given the happening on Sunday) and at Ditka's (friend's bachelor party - who isn't even a Bears fan, interestingly enough)....I think it's mostly par for an athlete to name the place after themselves.

 

(I seem to recall Suppan having his own place in Southern California, so I assume there's been a conversation there.)

[pretendastronaut]

Suppan's place is called Soup's Sports Grill and he's actually very involved in the day to day of it.

[Invader3K]

I don't think it's narcissistic. If they called it "Brauny's Bar" or something, not everyone might make the connection. I think most people in the area will instantly recognize the name "Ryan Braun", though. Like others said, the bar has kind of been set already on this stuff. Michael Jordan used to have a chain of restaurants named after himself as well.

 

And hey, if he's putting up cash for it, I guess it's ultimately up to him and his group to call it whatever they want.

 

I don't think any Brewers themed restaurant or bar will top this, though:

 

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/10613236.jpg

[joepepsi]

It's smart marketing to name a place after the famous guy who owns it.

[JimH5]

That's interesting. . .Years ago we used to live in nearby Delavan and that area (Delavan, Williams Bay, Lake Geneva, Fontana) had more of a Chicago outpost feel than of one being connected to Milwaukee. License plates along the street were 50/50 at best.

 

Maybe this will tip the balance a little more to our favor.

[PKBadger]

It's smart marketing to name a place after the famous guy who owns it.

 

"Idiots. I'll design it myself! I know what people like - it's got to have sex appeal and a catchy name!"

 

http://www.pixeljoint.com/files/icons/full/casino.gif

[berniebrewer4life]

That's interesting. . .Years ago we used to live in nearby Delavan and that area (Delavan, Williams Bay, Lake Geneva, Fontana) had more of a Chicago outpost feel than of one being connected to Milwaukee. License plates along the street were 50/50 at best.

 

Maybe this will tip the balance a little more to our favor.

I grew up in delavan(currently live in elkhorn), and in the summer it was probably around that, the population more than doubles from June to Sept. Lake Geneva is the worst, as the streets there are in no way made to handle the HUGE traffic jams that occur everyday in downtown due to all the Chicagoans who come up.

[homer]

Great! I can go to Hogs and Heifer's ( or is it Hogs and Kisses? ) and then stumble into Braun's place.

[berniebrewer4life]

I'm picturing Bennigans or Fridays, but with higher quality photos in the laminated 15 page menus. The house specialty will be Prime Rib. Choice of appetizers will include hot wings, coconut shrimp, and a giant quesadilla cut into pie slices. Spotted Cow, Sam Adams, and Killians Red will be on tap.

Sounds good to me, as long as the food itself is good, i'll go.

[SenatorShriv]

I grew up in Lake Geneva and think that this is a somewhat bizarre move. The location (the former Cactus Club) is a bit off the main drag and might be hard to draw the tourists from the popular places along the lake. The Cactus Club did most of its business with local (and were pretty darn successful with it for years.) It is also kind of weird for a Milwaukee star to open up shop in Lake Geneva. Throughout its entire history Lake Geneva has been closely linked with Chicago and has had very little Milwaukee influence.

I'll send my parents out on a intelligence gathering mission when it opens and will report back with their findings.

[Dragonbait]

I'll let you guys know what I find out since I'm close as well, if I can find more out.

[mattsr0625]

and what better way to kick off his new restaurant the by putting it on ebay. click on the link to check it out.

[pitchleague]

hmm, I may have to bid on that. $960 for that package is great for those of us outside of the Wisconsin area like me.

[Invader3K]

That auction ended about two weeks ago.

[Bikeage77]

I understand that Braun wants to be a business man and invest his money wisely, but I hope he doesn't overboard with his money. 90 dollar t-shirts and fine dining are two things most people don't go after when the economy is how it is. Granted it seems to be picking up, and who knows how much he actually put in, but if every 6 months theres a new story about Braun doing something businesslike, it could come back to bite him. Just a thought.

[dlk9s]

I think it's pretty narcissistic of Harvey Moy to name his restaurant after himself, too.