Food+Drink

Bridge to Become River-Top Restaurant for An Evening

Tom Giffey |

Behold the bridge!
Behold the bridge!

It’s easy – especially in a place with so many of them – to view bridges as merely concrete, steel, and stone spans that help us travel from Point A to Point B. And yet some of them are architectural marvels that hang suspended above some of our most beautiful natural resources – or rivers. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to pause on them and enjoy the view, especially on a lovely late summer evening? That’s the idea behind A Grand Evening on the Bridge, a truly unique dining experience that offers appetizers, a three-course dinner, wine, and entertainment atop the Grand Avenue pedestrian bridge in downtown Eau Claire. “It’s a memorable evening; something different than people have ever experienced,” says Salina Heller of Downtown Eau Claire Inc. The dinner is a fundraiser for DECI, the downtown promotions agency, and it’s supported by numerous sponsors, including Northwest Bank and Visit Eau Claire. (The Chippewa Valley Theatre Guild and Rotary of Eau Claire also are beneficiaries.) Many downtown businesses also will play a role: Infinity Beverages will bring wine, the Court’n House will provide the salad, the main course will be from Houligan’s Steak & Seafood Pub, and Dessert First will have something sweet to top it off.  Last year’s event sold out, and even though seating has been expanded from 120 to 200, call soon to reserve your seat. The bridge will be decked with colorful streamers and flowers for the occasion, so make sure you gussy yourself up, too. The word “unique” is frequently overused, but in this case, it certainly fits.

A Grand Evening on the Bridge • Wednesday, Aug. 26, social 5:30-6pm, dinner 6-8:30pm, afterglow at the SideBar on Grand Avenue, 8:30pm • Grand Avenue pedestrian bridge, Eau Claire • Tickets: $100 for one, $185 for two • reservations required • (715) 839-4914