The Capital Café, Grainger Hall’s new restaurant is set to open September 2. The Café will feature freshly made sandwiches, salads, soups and baked goods, The concept was designed with direction from the business school and input from an ad hoc committee comprised of representatives of the Wisconsin School of Business community.

The space includes a Peet’s Coffee and Tea Kiosk, with a full-service coffee, tea and espresso bar, including iced blended drinks and iced coffee. Freshly roasted beans will also be offered for sale via the kiosk.

The menu of the Capital Café was designed to offer healthier, freshly made and “flexible portion” choices that incorporate local, Wisconsin, organic and sustainable products when possible. Products to be offered include: all Wisconsin cheeses, Babcock ice cream in pints, Sugar River Organic Dairy yogurt from Argyle, Nueske’s bacon and fresh produce when seasonally available.

Bakery choices will feature items from Clasen’s European Bakery in Middleton, hand-rolled Gotham Bagels (just off the Square) and the Café’s own freshly baked products for sandwiches and the bakery case.

The Capital Café’s hours will be:

Peet’s Kiosk (and any grab-and-go items)
7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday

Café (Freshly made sandwiches, salads and soup)
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday

The dining room of the café offers flat screen televisions and wi-fi and is open all day.

Limited catering for five to 25 people will be available from the Capital Café starting September 15th. Its quick catering menu allows orders of individually wrapped or trays of sandwiches, salads or soups individual portions and freshly made baked goods. (Gotham Bagels and Clasen’s Bakery orders requires 24 hours notice).

Lunch orders placed by 8:30 a.m. will be delivered at no charge to Grainger Hall locations. (The window for delivery is 11:30 a.m. to noon. For an exact delivery time, customers can pick up catering orders from the Café.)

To place an order, call 265-4914 and ask for Dee Hughes. Additionally, you can contact the Café via e-mail at: capitalcafé@union.wisc.edu. A Capital Café Web site is being developed. Cash, Wiscard, and credit cards (including p-cards) are accepted. The Café cannot accept purchase orders or personal checks.

According to Carl Korz, food service director for the Memorial Union, “We’ll be getting settled in over the next few weeks and will, undoubtedly, experience a ‘bump or two’ as we progress. We appreciate your patience and feedback as we work through our opening jitters and anticipate becoming a very popular dining destination for the students, staff and faculty (and guests) of the Wisconsin School of Business. We look forward to your support.”

Posted in Facilities