Elmhurst Grille cuts the ribbon

Jul. 11—OSKALOOSA — Painted in white on the back wall of the bar/dining area at Elmhurst Grille is a large tree — the Elmhurst tree, it's called.

Hanging in the middle of the tree is a black heart coated with chalkboard paint and two pieces of chalk on a small ledge beneath it. Just like people might mark a special occasion by carving their initials into a tree, here people can write them in chalk on the heart.

"We wanted a picture wall because one of the things we've learned... we're kind of the special occasion place," said Ross Vehmeier, director of food services for Evolve Hospitality, the Illinois-based company that runs Elmhurst Grille. "So let's say it's a graduation — bring the family in, you're having dinner, you're having lunch, whatever — date night, those kinds of things. So we've become kind of a special occasion place and meeting space."

That's the spot they chose for their official ribbon cutting with Mahaska Chamber and Development Group diplomats on Wednesday.

Elmhurst Grille has been open since mid-April, after Evolve took over what had been the popular Wood Iron Grille.

Vehmeier and restaurant manager Matt Jones wanted to reassure fans of Wood Iron who might be apprehensive of the change. The staff of Wood Iron is still working there — including Jones, who was the kitchen manager for Wood Iron.

"Change is hard, but it's a lot of the same similarities," Jones said. "I mean, we kept 100 percent of the staff when we transitioned over. So all the people that were cooking the food before are still cooking the food now. All the people that were serving you food and making you drinks are still the same people serving you food and drinks.

"You're still getting, you know, good quality — same quality — food, good quality service. We're just looking to better the experience. We know the experience was good before, but we just want to continue to elevate the experience and make it a good atmosphere for people," Jones said.

The menu is similar to Wood Iron Grille's, but it's still a work in progress, Vehmeier said. The menu will expand, and will change to fit the season. Elmhurst Grille may eventually expand to include catering as well, he added.

Vehmeier described Elmhurst's dining atmosphere as upscale casual, with the menu leaning more to steaks and seafood than burgers and wraps.

"Most of what we're doing right now is a Wood Iron base with our spin on it," Vehmeier said.

Besides serving customers from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, Elmhurst will also help as Evolve works to open the Trio Entertainment Venue, being built behind the Fairield Marriott Inn & Suites — another Evolve property — on the west end of Oskaloosa.

The Trio Entertainment venue will include four pickleball courts, two indoor tennis courts, three golf simulators, three movie theaters with concessions and a bar and grill.

Vehmeier said Elmhurst will serve as a training grounds and test kitchen for Trio before it opens.

Elmhurst will also host events and meetings. By having other properties in town also operated by Evolve, they can lean on each other to accommodate them. If Elmhurst is unable to host an event, Trio or Fairfield Marriott can, Vehmeier said.

"So by bringing all three of them together with Evolve, it allows us to serve the community better and meet the needs of whatever group or organization," Vehmeier said.

Jeff Wilford is a staff writer for the Oskaloosa Herald. He can be reached at [email protected].