Buy Local: Nostalgic Amherst supper club reopens under new owner
Left: Cozy surroundings are part of the supper club experience. Right: Prime rib is the supper club’s specialty. Photos by Maria Kildahl.
By Tracy Johnson
On May 14, Maria Kildahl reopened the Tomorrow River Supper Club, now known as Maria’s Tomorrow River Supper Club, applying heirloom recipes and a distinctive blend of flavors to the revival of a cherished Amherst dining spot. Located at 141 County Road KK in Amherst, Maria’s serves unique family dishes and classic supper club fare, specializing in prime rib. Kildahl said she hopes to “bring the life back into it that the town remembers it having.”
Kildahl grew up deeply rooted in the restaurant business. Her grandparents and their siblings owned restaurants in Saint Germain, Crivitz, and Antigo. She bussed tables at four years old, waited tables at 12, and eventually tended bar. During college, she worked at Silvercryst Supper Club in Wautoma. Initially planning to be a small business lawyer, she returned to the restaurant business after completing her degree. “I enjoy talking to customers and serving them,” she said. In keeping with tradition, her entire family is involved in various aspects of the business. Additionally, she honors family history by using recipes from her grandparents, such as their secret prime rib method.
Besides prime rib, which is served every night, the supper club’s menu features other personal flourishes on time-honored favorites. Some entree options include salmon with a creamy caper sauce, chicken breast stuffed with cheesy bacon filling, and a Friday haddock fish fry. The drink menu incorporates other nods to the past: The handmade Old Fashioned mix comes from a family recipe. Plus, diners can indulge in an ice cream drink or Maria’s Chocolate Martini. Those who save room for dessert might choose from Peanut Butter Explosion, Chocolate Marquise, or Raspberry Lemondrop cakes. On Thursdays and Mondays, diners receive custom-built salads right at their tables from a traveling salad cart containing a variety of fresh toppings.
Kildahl said she takes pride in the quality of each meal: “Nothing is more rewarding than customers saying, ‘That was fantastic. I can’t wait to come back,’ ” she added.
The feeling is mutual, as Kildahl said she looks forward to “learning people in town I recognized but didn’t know well and getting to know locals.”
Maria’s Tomorrow River Supper Club operates Thursdays through Mondays. Hours on Thursdays, Sundays, and Mondays are 4 to 9 p.m., with Friday and Saturday hours from 4 to 10 p.m. They accept cash, card, and check. Special menus, like Packer game selections, are updated on their Facebook page at Maria’s Tomorrow River Supper Club. Arrangements for private events and holiday parties are also possible. For more information, contact Kildahl at (715) 824-2442, email mariastrsc@yahoo.com, or message her via Facebook Messenger.