Our Story
Eat Well and Prosper.
The Union House Restaurant has always been our special place. We are absolutely honored to continue the Union House fine tradition of providing our guests world class cuisine and service. Our mission and passion is to provide you with an unforgettable dining experience every time you walk through our doors. We will be adding new exciting dishes, wines, bourbons, scotches, and other drinks for you to try while still providing some of your favorite menu items and our award-winning Old Fashioned cocktail. We made improvements to the interior and exterior of the Union House with your comfort and dining experience being of utmost importance which includes the addition of our new VIP room upstairs which seats 50 people. Please continue to enjoy one of the top historical restaurants in Southeastern Wisconsin as we want you also to call it your special place for many years to come.
Since 1861...
Our story started back in 1861 when a 35-year-old Irish immigrant Patrick Lynch first opened the doors of The Union House Hotel. Located in beautiful Genesee Depot, the hotel was well-known throughout the community and a gathering spot for both locals and visitors. Due to the number of visitors passing through and requests for dining, The Union House kitchen would open around the same time. Adding dining only added to The Union House’s appeal as a meeting place for families, visitors and locals. They could now stay and dine on a meal that would be memorable.
This is exactly what Patty and Curt Robinson wanted to keep going when they purchased the building and business in 1989. They wanted this to be a historic fine dining restaurant that would continually serve the community and travelers. With their incredible menu, wine, bourbon and scotch list, The Union House has been named one of the top 30 restaurants for over a decade in Southeastern Wisconsin. They were always known for fine country gourmet in a charming, historical setting. Curt and Patty offered The Union House’s dining experience to guests for over 30 years. They truly brought the community together and made guests feel like family.
Early 2020 the Robinson’s decided it was time to pass on their dining legacy to local entrepreneur and philanthropist Jim Lindenberg and his wife Heidi. They have both loved the restaurant for years, and it was an honor for them to carry on The Union House tradition.
Operations and Culinary Director
The Union House is thrilled to announce the hiring of Executive Chef Matthew Kerley as Culinary and Operations Director along with Chef de Cuisine Daniel Harrell.
Chef Matt Kerley cultivated his passion for cuisine and service at a young age. Being born in Australia, Matt Kerley then moved to the Carolinas with his family at age 9. Growing up in the Carolinas offered a rich culture of hospitality that captivated his desire to please. Throughout high school, he cooked at Grove Park Inn, Inn on Church, and Expressions, where he learned the fundamentals of professional food service through experience.
At the age of 20, Matt moved to San Francisco to pursue his passion of scratch cooking in kitchens of the highest quality. While attending City College of San Francisco, Chef Matt held positions at notable restaurants such as One Market, Myth, and Magnolia Gastropub. By the age of 25, he was at the reins of Myth as Chef De Cuisine, with the title of Executive Chef at Magnolia soon to follow. Later assisting with the rebranding of Radius, Chef Matt celebrated a promising review hosted by the SF Chronicle.
Moving to Milwaukee at 29, Chef Matt continued his career as Executive Chef of Rumpus Room, the University Club, and Hinterland Gastropub, where he also served as the General Manager. He has traveled the country gaining insights into all facets of cuisine, hospitality, and the restaurant trade. With all of these experiences at his disposal, Chef Matt has become quite comfortable in the kitchen, preparing everything from elaborate 10 course tastings to back-yard seafood boils.
While working in Milwaukee, Chef Matt has been featured on Fox 6 as a Resident Chef, participated in countless city and charitable events, and promoted the city of Milwaukee on The Food Network’s Cutthroat Kitchen and Bite Club.
They along with the whole team want this to be a dining experience you will never forget!