Fine Dining in a Northwoods Atmosphere, The Cedar Lodge Steakhouse by Joleen Jansen
This story was printed in the Nov 1st, 2006 edition of the Clayton County Register
all rights to this story are reserved and may not be reprinted with out the consent of the author.
 

This story marks the end of a six month cycle of the Clayton County Register series “From Here to There Great Dining is Everywhere.” The phrase, last but definitely not least, certainly applies to our featured restaurant, The Cedar Lodge Steakhouse, home of the Crazy Moose Saloon in Manchester.

The Cedar Lodge Steakhouse is the brainchild of Clayton County native Bill Werger and his wife, Tammy. Bill is a private practice attorney in Manchester as well as the Assistant Delaware County Attorney. The couple, with their three young children, resides in Manchester.

Bill and Tammy’s first home in Manchester contained a back porch which possessed cedar walls and ceilings. Bill and Tammy eventually remodeled this room to be used as the home’s family room. The resulting favorite room possessed vaulted cedar ceilings and a cedar bar constructed by Bill and a cozy, North Woods decorating style compliments of Tammy. This room became the prototype and inspiration for the newest and most elegant supper club in the area.

Fine dining in a Northwoods Atmosphere is the tagline used by this newer establishment, constructed in 2003, located on 12^th St., behind Wal-Mart in Manchester. “Fine dining is a Northwoods atmosphere pretty much says it all,” agrees co-owner Bill Werger as he sets out to describe what has become a realized dream.
 

 “Tammy and I solicited the financial investment of close family members to construct the restaurant,” says Bill. Largely the support came from Duane Werger, Bill’s father and partner in the restaurant venture. Bill comments, “We built the Cedar Lodge to fill what we believed to be a void for upscale dining opportunities here in Delaware County.”

For those that have never been to this eatery, walking into this expansive but cozy restaurant is a very warm and inviting experience. From outside to inside this establishment has significant architectural allure. Knowing the facility was partially designed by Tammy’s father and well known area architect, Ben Jones explains the instant eye appeal. The building is composed of three major regions including the vaulted ceiling restaurant. The restaurant has lots of intimate booth seating in addition to plenty of table space for larger groups. The banquet room located just off the dining room is available for reservation for groups up to 75. The saloon area is also spacious and flanked with a beautiful welcoming bar. 

Cedar Lodge Steakhouse, General Manager, Jeff Johnson proclaims his return to Iowa from Tucson, AZ was largely based on his attraction to this structure. “When I first met Bill, here (at the restaurant), I fell in love with the building and realized this was probably the proverbial gold mine,” says Johnson.

 Jeff Johnson is a native Iowan who left the area at a young age for greener pastures. At age 16 he toured the west coast and at age 17 Europe. By the age of 18 he planned to permanently leave Iowa for Tucson AZ, where he built a noteworthy restaurant operations career. That is until he and his wife, Julie returned to Iowa to visit some of his family members in Northeast Iowa. Jeff recalls visiting his sister, last year, who lives in Manchester and having the chance opportunity to meet Bill Werger. 

The visit was so impacting to both Jeff and Julie, the two almost instantly began plans to rearrange their lives and relocate to Manchester, Iowa.  Cedar Lodge Steakhouse owners, Bill, Tammy and Duane Werger were anxious to recruit the talent and experience, Chef Jeff Johnson could bring to their new restaurant. Jeff’s wife Julie was anxious to try life in the very different, from what she was used to, location of Eastern Iowa and Jeff was excited about the opportunity to try general managing duties in an exciting upcoming new restaurant.

Despite the anticipation of the cold winters for which in part drove Johnson away from Iowa the first time, Jeff was filled with enthusiastic anticipation for this new venture. He saw the Cedar Lodge as a blank easel in which to paint his culinary vision and to share his inclusive and positive managerial style. 

With Johnson solidly at the helm at the Cedar Lodge, the Werger’s are confident the new general manager shares their family’s vision for the Cedar Lodge. Bill Werger explains the advantage of having him in charge of operations. “We are excited to have Jeff on board because he shares a wealth of restaurant experience and culinary knowledge. We appreciate how he has influenced the menu. He has introduced a variety of fresh, creative seafood recipes to the menu. I especially recommend any of Jeff’s blackened style entrees.” 

Acknowledging they are a first and foremost a steakhouse the owner guarantees customers a remarkable steak. Johnson has done a terrific job of sharing his expertise and opinion for serving superior beef cuts. The result is the Cedar Lodge Steakhouse is developing a coveted reputation for serving second to none specialty steaks like New York Strip, Fillet Mignon and Prime Rib. Chef Johnson has revamped the steak menu offering only top quality, hand cut selections and has introduced many twists, on the traditional favorites, each of which have people talking. 

Owner, Bill Werger is very pleased with the style of restaurant operated at this family owned, Cedar Lodge Steakhouse and wants his clientele to realize the difference here. The operators are aware their establishment has a gaining reputation and are noticing the not so occasional guests who have driven from bigger cities like Dubuque, Waterloo or Cedar Rapids. Both Bill and Jeff agree their place is different compared to the franchise, chain styled restaurant found in larger towns. 

For Johnson, the increasing and well pleased crowds are a credit to everyone who works so hard in the restaurant. “The recent success we are experiencing is solely due to the quality of this staff. I believe in giving the staff the necessary tools to be successful. It takes a talented crew of many to run a restaurant of this nature.”

When Johnson and Werger talk about the list of specials they know it is very unlike that of most area establishments.  “I think it is great we might have up to four daily specials from which to choose,” says Werger. The daily specials are anything but typical and are the culinary creations of Chef Johnson. This day’s specials list included: Broiled Salmon served with a sun dried pesto cream sauce, Blackened Scallops au saffron buerre blanc and Filet au poivre, peppered steak in a butter sauce.

The operators want customers to expect something unique each time they visit the restaurant. They understand this is probably not the place that diners will visit several times a week or even every week. The menu and the pricing suggest an opportunity for special occasions. General Manager, Johnson explains, “I want people to think of us not as a place you simply eat but as a place that offers a dining experience.”

 Werger is a proud Clayton County native and boast his family still owns farmland across from the Clayton County Fairgrounds. His great, great grandfather actually homesteaded the land near National. His desire for his restaurant to be included in Register’s restaurant series is partially out of his fondness for the area. “Our restaurant was really inspired my younger day’s dining experiences in Clayton County supper clubs like the Clayton Litehouse and White Springs.”

While the cozy dining area, centered around a wood and stone blended gas fireplace, is a place for a quiet dining experience the adjoining Crazy Moose Saloon is the spot to kick up your heels. Bill Werger hoped the Crazy Moose Saloon would become known as an excellent live music venue. By forming a consistent schedule of live entertainment, Promotions manager and hostess, Carolyn Cannon has worked hard to achieve that dream. Readers should refer to www.cedarlodgesteakhouse.net for a complete listing of entertainment scheduled in the Crazy Moose Saloon.

The Cedar Lodge Steakhouse and Crazy Moose Saloon is a unique Iowa establishment. Bill Werger’s goal of creating a new upscale dining establishment connected with a fun live entertainment venue has been accomplished. Under the able management of Jeff Johnson, and at the hands of a very capable crew this restaurant is on its way to becoming an area wide attraction.