04/12/2026
There’s something exciting about a brand-new restaurant opening in the community ~ and this week, all eyes were on The Forge in Richfield! Owned by the same group as The Stillery, Relish, and The Millstone, they seem to have a good recipe for success.
We decided to check it out on Saturday… and let’s just say, we knew we were walking into a crowd. My plan was to sneak in between 3 and 4, but real estate had other ideas (as it always does!) ~ a showing turned into writing an offer, and before we knew it, we arrived right around 5:00 PM… peak time. 😵💫
And wow… it was PACKED.
So packed, in fact, that cars were starting to line the highway. Safe to say ~ they may need a bigger parking lot sooner rather than later! But honestly? That kind of buzz tells you everything you need to know… people are excited about this place.
The space itself has been beautifully reworked from its former life. It no longer feels like one big open room ~ instead, it’s been thoughtfully broken up to create a warmer, more inviting atmosphere. The standout feature is a large glass-enclosed fireplace that anchors the space between the bar and dining room ~ you can already tell it’s going to be the cozy spot come fall and winter.
There’s also a large covered patio that will be a huge draw in the summer months ~ I can already picture it full of happy diners or drinkers on warm Wisconsin evenings.
Now… full transparency ~ with the bar 3–5 people deep and the dining room completely full, it was hard to take in every detail. But what we could see was a lively, energetic space with a great vibe. The back bar has large TVs (perfect for catching events like The Masters or Badger hockey during our dinner), and a few more screens are scattered throughout the dining area.
The menu is broad and approachable with a fun Wisconsin twist ~ everything from hearty comfort dishes like beef stroganoff and bacon-wrapped meatloaf, to lighter options like Thai chicken lettuce wraps, plus burgers, sandwiches, and salads. And yes… even dessert gets creative (hello, old fashioned-inspired cheesecake!). I went with the chocolate layer cake ~ I’m not sure if it’s made in-house, I usually ask. They also serve brunch and have a fun “Brunch Club” ~ your 7th brunch is free, which I think is a clever way to keep people coming back.
What really stood out, though, was the staff. Opening week is no joke, and these servers were hustling. The place was overflowing, the wait list was long, the bar was shoulder-to-shoulder… and yet they kept things moving with a wait time of about 45 minutes. Impressive. Truly.
If I had one note ~ the acoustics. With high ceilings and minimal soft surfaces, it gets loud when the space is full. But honestly, that’s part of the energy right now.
Is it fair to judge a restaurant in its first week? Probably not, so I’ll leave the critique for next time.
But if this weekend was any indication ~ the food is good, the service is strong, and the community is already showing up in a big way.
My prediction?
This place is going to be a hit. 🔥
