The Enclosure, Maynooth, Co. Kildare — A Sophisticated Spot for Contemporary Dining at Arkle Bar

Uncle Wolfie's Breakfast Tavern, a new restaurant and bar located at 234 E. Vine St. in Brewers Hill, is set to open its doors on Monday, Dec. 17. The establishment is the culmination of a decade-long dream for husband and wife team Wolfgang and Whitney Schaefer, who envisioned a casual dining spot where a love for food and communal meals could flourish. The restaurant will offer a menu of creative breakfast and lunch dishes, complemented by a selection of cocktails. The journey to opening Uncle Wolfie's began in 2015 when the Schaefers acquired the historic Miller Brewing Company tied house. Their initial focus was transforming the building's second floor into their family residence. Following this, they launched Orange and Blue Co., a home decor boutique featuring a curated blend of vintage and modern goods. The breakfast tavern represents the third and final phase of the property's revitalization, which brings an end to its nearly 40-year vacancy. For the restaurant's design, the Schaefers collaborated with 360 Degrees, a design and build firm known for its work with several city restaurants. Whitney Schaefer highlighted their desire to source many design elements themselves while relying on 360 Degrees for structurally sound components like the bar and tables, and for ensuring functionality and compliance with city regulations. Ryan Foat, project manager at 360 Degrees, described the project as a "from scratch" endeavor, noting the extensive work required to transform the space from a mere root cellar and implement modern hospitality elements, including HVAC systems. The design strategy honored the building's historical identity as a tied house, with the bar serving as the central focal point, designed to appear as if it had always been there. The current bar's footprint mirrors the original. Historical nods are evident throughout, from the light fixtures to a penny tile rug surrounding the bar. Repurposed elements include original hardwood flooring, wainscoting, and tin ceiling tiles meticulously restored by Wolfgang and installed above the bar. Foat emphasized the restaurant's intention to embody the hospitable and comforting atmosphere of old neighborhood establishments. The quartz-topped bar, seating 14, anchors the 40-seat restaurant, which also features banquette-style seating for 26 guests along the east and south walls. The interior boasts an eclectic bohemian aesthetic, with warm yellows and cool grays that complement the Cream City brick walls. A strong connection exists between the restaurant and the adjacent Orange and Blue Co. through decor items from local Milwaukee female artisans. Examples include custom cushions behind the banquettes, fabricated by Vanessa Andrew of Madam Chino using custom fabric and Loom House antique rugs, and hung with leather straps by Jess Goehner of Directive. Espresso mugs by Kim Eckroth of Covet & Ginger and ginger-colored wallpaper from Chasing Paper are also locally sourced, adding texture and a blend of masculine and soft elements to the space. Local artist Whitney Anderson of Wit & Co. contributed various art pieces, including a graphic illustration of Wolfgang's father. The menu at Uncle Wolfie's also blends classic and contemporary. Traditional offerings like Johnny cakes, steak and eggs, and classic eggs Benedict are available alongside innovative creations such as peanut butter and jelly stuffed French toast and a sweet potato chorizo omelet, with prices ranging from $7 to $12. Lunch options include salads, such as a hearty steak salad, and sandwiches. Highlights include a chicken salad, grilled cheese, the "BCSS" with house beet-cured salmon, and the Breaky Burger, an American cheese-stuffed burger topped with Weber’s mustard, raspberry balsamic pickled onions, bacon, and an egg. Lunch items are priced between $9 and $14. The bar will offer bottled and canned beer, a short wine list, and a variety of creative cocktails, from bloody marys to jasmine tea toddies, in addition to full coffee service. The tavern will be open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. #restaurantOpening #brewersHill #localBusiness #homeDecor #interiorDesign #historicRenovation #breakfast #lunch #cocktailBar

Inis Meáin, one of the three Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland, is home to a unique and beautifully conceived design hotel, Inis Meáin Restaurant and Suites. The hotel, owned by islander Ruairí de Blacam and his wife Marie-Thérèse, is designed to blend seamlessly with the island's rugged, stone-filled landscape. The building itself is camouflaged by a limestone facade, appearing as a long, low-lying glass and stone structure reminiscent of an Andy Goldsworthy artwork, making it difficult to distinguish from the surrounding dry stone walls and village cluster. The inspiration for the hotel's aesthetic comes directly from Inis Meáin's natural environment. The island is characterized by thousands of dry stone walls enclosing small, often empty, fields, and expansive slabs of limestone with fissures containing rare wildflowers. These elements are reflected in the hotel's incredibly simple and rustic design. The interiors mirror the outdoors with soft grey furnishings, expansive spaces in each of the four rooms, and large windows that draw the eye to the external landscape, fostering an atmosphere of rumination and relaxation. The hotel offers more than just accommodation; it provides an immersive island experience. Ruairí, who also serves as the chef, operates an open kitchen in the restaurant, engaging with guests as he prepares dishes like lobster salad, monkfish, and dry-aged sirloin. A highlight of the dining experience involves guests' participation, such as when Ruairí prepared a pollock caught by a guest, serving it sashimi-style with ginger and sesame for everyone to share. After dinner, guests can enjoy the island's only pub, where whiskey flows and traditional fiddle music is played. The ethos of Inis Meáin Restaurant and Suites is to encourage guests to engage with the island's natural activities. Bikes, fishing rods, and swimming towels are provided in the vestibule of each room. The island's south-west, largely uninhabited, features jagged limestone formations and imposing cliffs where waves crash against the shore. Guests are encouraged to explore these dramatic landscapes, hike, bike, and even brave a swim in the sea. The island has a rich literary history, having been the subject of works by renowned writers, including Irish playwright JM Synge, who documented his summers on the Aran Islands between 1898 and 1902. Copies of his work and others are available in the rooms, inviting guests to connect with the island's past. The article describes a journey through the island, including a visit to the pre-Christian ring fort of Dun Chonchúir, offering panoramic views and a quiet place for reading and reflection. While acknowledging a lingering sense of melancholy on the island, perhaps due to stories of emigrated families and struggles for survival, the article emphasizes that Inis Meáin also represents a new generation of islanders who are preserving their heritage by adapting it for contemporary times. The hotel symbolizes this resilience, pushing through the challenges with strength and simple beauty, much like the island's wildflowers emerging from the stone. Inis Meáin Restaurant and Suites operates from April to October, offering double suites for €250 a night, with a minimum stay of two nights. #AranIslands #DesignHotel #IrelandTravel #RusticLuxury #IslandLife #SustainableTourism #IrishCulture #CulinaryExperience