Anna Pheiffer, manager of The Wood, in Maplewood, and a minority owner, said Thursday that the restaurant’s owners are closing The Wood and reopening approximately a week later as The Muddled Pig, a ‘gastropub’.
“The Wood has been here for five years, it’s done as well as it could do,” she said. “Now we’re doing something totally different.”
Two chefs with a long history of working in kitchens together will be in charge — Austin Hamblin and Michelle Allender — according to Feast Magazine.
The Muddled Pig’s menu will focus on pork. Look for the familiar pork steak, and some not so familiar dishes, like “‘foie ‘n’ waffles’ featuring rosemary Belgian-style waffles, seared foie gras, arugula, a sunny side-up quail egg and a red currant syrup,” according to Feast.
Allender told Feast, “The main focus of The Muddled Pig Gastropub will be a fun, casual place with craft cocktails, local/microbrew beers, a modest wine list and chef-inspired pub grub with locally sourced ingredients and seasonal menus.”
Pheiffer said The Wood will close at the end of the month and The Muddled Pig hopes to have a soft opening the second Tuesday in February.
Read the full post in Feast Magazine.
We enjoyed the wood when we managed to get there but look forward to the new concept and new food. My husband and I will definitely be trying it out!
The Wood had some of the best calamari in the area….they quit serving it….then there was another dish we wanted, they were out of. We went four times & thought the food was good…when they had it. After the last time they were out of what we went for, we quit going. Also you need to be fast at lunch time as people need to get back to work or they won’t go again, takes too long. I wish you success with the Muddled Pig but suggest you study Michael’s & The Post – they offer great food, great service, not too expensive, specials, what the area needs. Not sure about expensive quail eggs or you food you can’t pronounce….We’ll try it at least. Good Luck!
We went there once. It was dusty, the windows were dirty with dead flies laying on the sill. Flies were flying around. In the parking lot by the front door someone had puked. We never went back.
I’d like to hear some Maplewood residents weigh in on why they think The Wood failed. Too… what? Or not enough… what?
Thanks for considering commenting on this issue.
Yojimbo, I think the question you are asking is part of the Wood’s problem. It didn’t really have an identity. I never went there because it was second to The Post in terms of food quality, drink prices, tv selection. It was always playing second fiddle to something a little better. Not that there was anything particularly undesirable about the place, it just didn’t find a niche that allowed it to thrive. I think the gastropub is an attempt to differentiate it from The Post by offering some better food and some more specialized drinks. It now has the potential to fall somewhere in between The Post and a place like Boogaloo. I hope the new joint finds success and continues to be part of the MW community.
Sorry to say but I am not surprised. The service was good, however, the food was ok- which in my book means probably won’t go back. I have kids- and think something a little more upscale would be fun! And yes, and I agree with Don-the layout was not good at all. I hope they do well!
Need more kid friendly places. Class reunions met here. Now? Maybe another spot will take up the mantle? New Prices? Parking? Want best for Maplewood but does take locals out of area for some needs.
What a shame, they had some of the best burgers around. Quail eggs? Really, give me a break?
Sounds delicious – we’ll be there!
As a regular Wood customer this is unhappy news. Yet another Maplewood hangout has decided to go upscale with designer food, designer cocktails, and designer beer. Perhaps they’ll put the Food Channel up on the big screen instead of the Blues game.
I always root for Maplewood business so I wish the new place well. Just sad that another neighborhood joint is going Hollywood. I hope the new patrons enjoy the “seared foie gras” and “quail eggs” as reported in Feast Magazine. Sounds like something Stan Kroenke would enjoy.
I agree. I have nothing again foodie places, but it’s nice to have a variety. We live in Maplewood and have for the past 10 years, but honestly we don’t eat out on the Strip that often, due to the reasons you outline above. We drive somewhere else.
What’s next, Tiffany’s closes and re-opens as a Juice Bar?
The wood sucks. It’s like someone from the 50’s designed what they thought a sports bar should be but with video games for some reason. The set up is a cluster, the menu is from Applebee’s and the family friendly aspect sucks. “Welcome to The Wood, the sports bar for you and your kids!” If the same owners are in charge the new place is screwed too. I hope those chefs got their money upfront. Burn it down and open another Reeds style restaurant.
It does not suck. You do.
We are so excited! That soft opening is my wife’s birthday and we can’t wait to see what lies in store. We are Wood fans and will definitely visit!
That’s a bummer. We love The Wood and as stated, it’s been the kind of place that’s great for either a dinner out with the kids or an after work happy hour.
The description ion of the new dish does not have much appeal to me but I wish them success in their new endeavor.
Darn! That was one of the few restaurants on the strip that we felt comfortable taking our kids to. Loved the Happy Hour.
I wish the MP success!
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