Highlander Hotel, Iowa River Power Restaurant team up to offer a dynamite experience in hospitality

Iowa River Power Restaurant’s menu has found a new home. In a collaborative effort between the restaurant’s former owner, Danise Petsel, and Angela Harrington, owner of the Highlander Hotel, Iowa River Power's menu will be replacing the current menu of The Highlander’s Supper Club, an idea that came to Ms. Harrington when a senior staff member pointed out similarities between the way she and Ms. Petsel ran their businesses.

“I’m good at a lot of things, but a menu that has protein at the center of the plate, a steakhouse, that is not my forte,” she said. “My menu is very food truck-esque. And Danise has an uncanny ability to have a steak and seafood restaurant that's affordable for most people, and my business is also affordable luxury.” The famous 1967 original Supper Club was brought back to life during Ms. Harrington’s restoration of the hotel in 2019, but has been missing a true Supper Club menu until now. Ms. Harrington wondered if their businesses could co-exist in some way, and after studying different business aspects of Iowa River Power, the two seemed like a great fit.

'The perfect match'

Ms. Harrington reached out to Ms. Petsel weeks before the restaurant closed its doors on Nov. 26, 2023. “I reached out to her and I said, ‘you know, this is crazy, but I hear you're losing your space. And I thought maybe if you're looking for a space for your team, and your great menu, and your 22-year-old-legacy, it might be a great partnership,’” said Ms. Harrington. Ms. Petsel described the period of time surrounding the impending closure as “chaotic.” “There was no time to talk to anyone. All we were doing was making food and feeding people and cleaning and buying food and making food,” said Ms. Petsel, of Iowa River Power’s huge influx of customers leading up to its closure. Once the dust settled somewhat, the idea took root. “(When) she sent me an email I'm like, ‘Oh my God, that would be the perfect fit,'” said Ms. Petsel, who at the time was wondering if Iowa River Power would completely retire, switch to catering only, or start from scratch. Calling Angela a “neat, cool woman,” Ms. Petsel was struck by the similarities in their work styles. “There are people who work, and then there are people who coast and I saw how hard she worked, and it reminded me of how hard I work. It's nice to work with someone who has the same work ethic as you, because then you don't feel like you're pulling all the weights…I truly believe you're only as successful as the people you surround yourself with.” “Danise (pays) attention to detail and she's a wizard at controlling costs, so that she can keep that menu affordable,” said Ms. Harrington. “Just general culinary prowess by her and (Chef) Todd (Boehler)." While Ms. Petsel brings culinary prowess to the partnership, Ms. Harrington brings an aptitude for marketing and looks forward to being a brand ambassador for Iowa River Power. “We've got a pretty robust marketing, public relations and back of house and technology team…I’m excited to support her.” “It's just like food/hotel perfect match,” added Ms. Petsel. “She does what she's good at, I do what I’m good at, and then we meet in the middle and we all succeed.” “When we put those skill sets together, it's going to be something,” Ms. Harrington said.

Plans

Fans of Iowa River Power’s menu will be pleased to hear that all the cooks from the restaurant will be returning, as well as the majority of the staff.

Beginning March 24, Iowa River Power will assume Highlander's Sunday brunch, serving from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $32.95/adults, $14.95/children ages 5-10, and free for children ages 0-4 years. The price includes all non-alcoholic beverages and complimentary coffee, tea and champagne. Patrons can reserve spots at hello@highlanderhotel.us, or by calling the hotel at 319-354-2000. Event and group inquiries can be sent to sales@highlanderhotel.us. Supper Club dinner, which will also feature Iowa River Power's menu, will be Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings beginning April 4, with all the favorites – prime rib, seafood, pasta, fillets, appetizers and desserts.

"During the week, we'll have a limited menu for hotel guests and people who want to come in and have a drink or hang out at the Supper Club," said Ms. Petsel. The new Supper Club menu will reflect the original menu at Iowa River Power, Ms. Petsel assures guests, but she and her staff will exercise a little more freedom on the menu for special events. “I'm looking forward to doing events. Parties are my favorite, out of anything in the world,” she said. Guests that require special accommodations for food allergies, sensitivities or lifestyles will be accommodated as before, and overnight guests at the Highlander will still enjoy complimentary breakfast Monday through Friday.

'Change is good'

Bringing in a popular Iowa City restaurant means the potential for high volume and changes to back-of-house. Renovations to The Highlander’s kitchen are still underway, and the hotel is adding walk-in coolers and freezers and other remodeling efforts to accommodate large-scale serving. Ms. Petsel estimated about 800 guests passed through Iowa River Power for brunch every Sunday in the past, and wants to be prepared.

“All we have to do now is wait for all the pieces to come together,” said Ms. Petsel. “I think all the electrical has been put in, the plumbing. Lots and lots of stuff has to be done…we'll come back stronger than ever, with two women who will work hard and make it successful.” Ms. Harrington and Petsel liken the merge to a blended family. “We're just going to be like step families,” said Ms. Petsel. “We're going to bring in my family (employees), her family (employees), and we're going to have a great collaboration with a beautiful space, and our food and our service and our attention to detail. And then we can see all the people that we loved and have made a ton of memories with.” While Iowa River Power’s closing was sad and unexpected, Ms. Petsel looks forward to seeing where the next chapter takes her. “Change is good,” she said. “Like they say, ‘when one door closes, another one opens,’ and you just make the best of it. The most you can hope for is that your legacy lives on and the people that you love and you surround yourself with can benefit from it and someday, they’ll leave a legacy.”