Alcohol
Ladora Bank Bistro
Unique Dining... Without Breaking the Bank
What happens in Ladora...nothing happens in Ladora,” is printed on t-shirts sold at Ladora Bank Bistro. While not much used to happen in small town Ladora, all that changed when Brad Erickson and Colleen Klainert opened Ladora Bank Bistro.
The Ladora Bank building sat empty from 1992 until 2004 when Klainert and Erickson purchased and restored the bank. The pair are the only two employees at the bistro and the duo did the majority of the restoration themselves. The clock, an original feature that remains high on one wall, has been restored as much as possible, although the hands do not keep accurate time. That’s okay because the owners and patron’s feel that time is irrelevant while enjoying the restaurant.
Clientele at the bistro is diverse, ranging from farmers to CEO’s. Klainert and Erickson said, “The social bond between all levels of society intermingling has been the most interesting thing to watch. Everyone leaves their titles at the door and converses with one another over a glass of wine.” Whether you are looking for a nice evening out, or a bite to eat after working all day in the fields, everyone is welcome at the bistro.
Local residents have responded well to the bistro and there has been a lot of support from nearby communities.
Groups come in and share a variety wines and beers to try something different. However, one of the most difficult challenges, according to the owners, has been trying to get the customers to come in and try something new.
The menu highlights Iowa products, for instance, the smoked chicken spread, bacon cheddar spread and Maytag bleu cheese are all made with Iowa products. Even the beer on tap, Millstream Schild Brau Amber, is brewed in the Amana Colonies.
Erickson likes to refer to the selection of hot and cold appetizers as “tapas on steroids,” in reference to the generous size of the portions. He suggests that each person order one item to share among the table. The Stromboli Rosso is the most frequently ordered item; it is a traditional Italian roll stuffed with Italian sausage, mozzarella and traditional red bolognese sauce, baked in herbs. The Moroccan chicken rolls are also quickly becoming a favorite with locals and new patrons alike.
“We take a lot of pride in our food and presence. We strive to do one thing, and do it very well, so that the customer leaves satisfied every time,” Erickson said. Erickson and Klainert didn’t want to have a grand opening, instead they kept it very low-key and let the curiosity get the best of the locals to come in on their own and let word of mouth take over the rest. Verbal advertising has worked and people come from all over Iowa and Minnesota to experience the Ladora Bank Bistro.
The bistro has become a destination location for many in Iowa, especially on Sundays, when most small town restaurants are closed for the day.
You may not be planning a visit to Ladora, but if you find yourself along Highway 6 in Iowa County, stop in for some great food and unique atmosphere that will have you laughing all the way to the bank.
