Welcome to the Rittenhouse Inn’s blog. Here you’ll find our thoughts on innkeeping and running a gourmet restaurant in Bayfield, Wisconsin. We’ll talk about what’s going on in the area, what we’re up to, culinary tourism, and who knows what else?
Because we’re a family owned and operated business, we all contribute to the Inn in many ways during the course of an average day. This blog is symbollic of that. We’ll all contribute posts, probably some more than others. You might hear from Jerry and Mary Phillips, my parents, who created the Inn in the mid-70′s and grew it all the way from its beginnings as Wisconsin’s first B&B into the nationally known, full service country inn and restaurant it is today. You might hear from my wife, Wendy Phillips, who is our Weddings and Special Events Director and heads our front desk operations. You might even hear from Julie, our wine expert and resident mixologist.
My name is Mark Phillips. I am a second-generation innkeeper who grew up here at the Rittenhouse. I attended the UW-Madison from ’89 to ’94 earning my BA in English. I returned to the Inn for several years after college, and also pursued my other love: music. In ’99 I moved to California to attend the Los Angeles Music Academy. After two years out west, I returned home to Wisconsin to continue with my music, writing, graphic design work, and of course, the Rittenhouse.
Mark Phillips
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My wife and I have two kids. Our daughter is about to turn 6, and is finishing kindergarten next week. Our son is 2.5 and his birthday is the day before mine. I love my kids and family more than anything in the world.
I have to say I live a charmed life in many ways. I am very blessed. I have a rewarding career in a business I love, an amazing family, and I still get to play music with good friends on a frequent basis. I get to meet new people all the time, and share my favorite place in the world with them. My old friends come visit me here, and I can treat them like royalty, (as I hope all our guests are treated)!
Well, enough about me! In the next post, I plan to blog about our recent kitchen renovation and some of the local foods you’ll see on our menus in the upcoming months. Regards, Mark
