Small Business Spotlight: Wilde Café & Spirits' New Owners, Ryan Pulkrabek and Christy O’Keefe

Article by Becky Fillinger

Ryan Pulkrabek and Christy O’Keefe

Wilde Café & Spirits has new owners who just unleashed a new menu in time for comfort food season. We talked to Ryan Pulkrabek and Christy O’Keefe about what we can expect to experience at 65 Main Street SE as they transition in the next few months to the new name – Pivo Riverplace.

My question to Ryan and Christy was simple – what is new at one of our favorite spots in St. Anthony Main? Turns out, lots of change is in the air! Here’s what they had to report:

We plan to expand our menu to include dinner offerings in addition to the popular brunch fare currently offered. We're focusing on classic comfort foods from the Midwest to Italy that will pair well with a cozy snowy view of the riverfront.

Chef JordanChef Jordan has worked to create some new pleasures for all of us. Menu highlights include: 

• A Midwest classic - Red wine braised short rib dinner with broccolini, roasted potatoes with a rich beef gravy to take the chill off.

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• A Louisiana favorite - Chicken and sausage gumbo to spice up any cold wintery night!

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• An Italian comfort classic - Pan seared chicken marsala with mushrooms, potatoes in a cream sauce to dream about.

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• A British staple - Classic fish and chips, beer battered with a creole slaw for a fresh twist.

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Short Rib Dinner

Chicken Marsala

Fish and ChipsWe plan to convert the existing barista bar to a more beer-focused bar with more of a taproom feel, with 16 taps serving local brews, with an emphasis on the best pilsners. As part of the bar expansion, we will be maintaining Wilde's great coffee tradition by shifting barista goodness to the front.

We also plan to update the decor with a sensual and fun Art Nouveau theme featuring soothing deep colors and organic curvy lines. 

Next Spring, we plan to renovate the exterior to open the windows to our historic riverfront and expand the patio awning.

We want the place to feel like home but a lot more fun! A family, neighborhood gathering place with great beer and an amazing view.

Chicken and Sausage Gumbo And for folks who want takeout, we're implementing a new online ordering system.

I've always felt that a happy welcoming staff with a cool backdrop creates the best feel in a space. If the staff is having fun, the guests can feel that energy and will want to return time after time.