UPDATE Feb. 19, 2024: Brunch pricing at end.
By Cindy Hadish/Homegrown Iowan
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Two women entrepreneurs are forging a powerful partnership as The Supper Club opens next month at the Highlander Hotel.
Angela Harrington, who transformed the distressed Highlander Hotel after buying it in 2019, and Danise Petsel, owner of the Iowa River Power Restaurant, which closed last year after the building owner did not renew the lease for the iconic restaurant, have joined forces in The Supper Club.
More: See photos of the last day at Iowa River Power Restaurant.
“I was blown away listening to her talk about what will be on the catering menu,” said Harrington, who brought the Highlander Hotel from last in the traveler-ranked 37 hotels in Johnson County to first for nearly four years running. “She really knows her stuff.”
Petsel had hinted that something new might be on the horizon as her Coralville restaurant, known by locals as IRP, closed its doors Nov. 26, 2023, after the building owner notified her that the lease for the popular dining spot would expire in January.
“Having both overnight hotel guests and locals come for dinner is really exciting,” Petsel said of the new venture with the Highlander Hotel. “Even thinking about room service and poolside dining is fun.”
The collaboration is set to launch Sunday, March 24, 2024, with brunch at the Highlander Hotel, 2525 Highlander Place, Iowa City.
Angela Harrington and Danise Petsel are shown inside the Highlander Hotel in Iowa City. (photo/Highlander Hotel)
Petsel played host to more than 1.5 million dining and event guests at IRP over 22 years, while Harrington’s renovation of the Highlander has turned it into a hip weekend destination and one-of-a-kind multi-generational gathering place and getaway.
The Supper Club was built in 1967 as the Highlander Inn, with the original sunken bar now restored. According to its website, the restaurant/bar quickly became an Iowa icon and one of the most popular entertainment venues in Iowa for dining and dancing.
Upon hearing of the closing of Petsel’s Iowa River Power Restaurant, Harrington reached out to her.
“I called her up and said, ‘Wondering if you and your team might need a home,'” Harrington said. “You are better than me at food, and my hotel needs a real supper club menu and a full-service, over-the-top
catering operation to accommodate our growing corporate retreat and social event business.”
The two immediately hit it off.
Danise Petsel speaks to one of the many customers who dined Nov. 26, 2023, on the closing day of Iowa River Power Restaurant in Coralville, Iowa. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
“It sounded like a great opportunity to have the space we’ve always wanted on the catering front and Angela wanted to take the Highlander’s food and beverage offering for guests and locals alike to a new
level,” Petsel said. “When I pictured my brunch at the Highlander on a Sunday morning and our prime rib and seafood in that historic supper club with the sunken bar, it just felt like a perfect fit.”
An IRP brunch would typically see 800 people on an average Sunday morning. The fresh-from-scratch desserts made famous at IRP by Petsel, Chef Todd’s prime rib, steaks and seafood along with incredible presentation will wow even the most fickle event, meeting and wedding planners, Harrington said.
The famous 1967 original Supper Club was brought back to life during Harringon’s restoration, but has been missing a true Supper Club menu until now, she added, citing a partnership that promises a fusion of the Highlander’s fun vibe and IRP’s prowess as an affordably priced steak and seafood house.
Danise Petsel and Angela Harrington are collaborating on The Supper Club at the Highlander Hotel in Iowa City. (photo/Highlander Hotel)
Both Harrington and Petsel share a passion for surprising, delighting and creating memories for their guests, Harrington said, and both women are accomplished, veteran entrepreneurs having made impressive, positive impacts on their community.
Together, the dynamic duo promises to bring an extraordinary experience to visitors and locals alike.
For now, overnight guests at the Highlander will still enjoy complimentary breakfast Monday through Friday. Sunday brunch for locals and hotel guests alike will be $32.95 for adults, $14.95 for ages 5 to 10 and complimentary for kids 0-4. Saturday brunches will be scheduled at a later date. Evening diners can anticipate a full supper club menu featuring steaks and seafood.
Reservations for the March 24 brunch and beyond are already being accepted by emailing
hello@highlanderhotel.us or by calling the hotel at 319-354-2000. Open Table will be a booking option soon.
Send event and group inquiries to: sales@highlanderhotel.us.
This is the best news ever . It’s a win win for two hard working women. I can’t wait to try it . Best of luck to both of you ladies . You got this and you both deserve and definitely know what hard work is all about. ❤️
I’m glad some good came out of this! I can’t wait for brunch! Randy Ward really screwed them over, but they don’t need him! I’ve been wanting to make it out to the highlander anyway!!
So glad to hear this will certainly eat there
WOW! This is great news and should be a real winner for both parties! As I miss the old Supper Club from long ago, and loved IRP and the food, this will be a real winner! Will see you at the Brunch! Dan
Now they just need an addition from The Lark like maybe their onion ring recipe or the infinity mirror. My Aunt Esther’s cinnamon rolls, the little cinnamon nuggets of goodness, she used to make for the Highlander.
Those cinnamon rolls sound incredible, Kim!
My rehearsal dinner was at the Highlander, a suburb place to go for just a night out or a special occasion. If those tables could talk, oh the stories they would share. I will visit again, just wish I could bring my (deceased) husband with me! It will be a Hugh success!
Thank you for sharing those memories, Sharon! So sorry for the loss of your husband. The Highlander obviously holds a special place in your heart.
Can’t wait to try this wonderful venue, my husband and I had our first date at The Highlander 55 years ago!
Wow, great! Right in my neighborhood! IRP was our favorite restaurant, and we were so disappointed at its closing. Now we are excited to come to the new one where I worked briefly as a waitress in my younger days. Congratulations Angela and Denise! We missed your amazing food, Denise! Hooray for creative partnerships!
I am so happy to read this! When my husband and I were dating, Denise was a waitress at the House of Lords restaurant. (And the best waitress ever) It has been such a pleasure watching all the twist turns her career has taken. I am so excited that she will once again be feeding fantastic food to people.
I completely agree percent! Danise Petsel AND her instincts for creating excellent ambiance, Culinary Adventures, family values and instilling grandeur for all of us from the littlest to the biggest efforts. No matter what comes down the pike, Danise Petsel is an Ironman Strong Woman! Maybe she’s ready for mainstream politics — Senator Petsel, Governor Danise Petsel? I’d vote for a resilient woman like she!
–Sean Loren
This is fantastic news! My daughter was diagnosed with celiac in the Fall of 2020 (her freshman year). As she’s not into beef, she has developed a love of seafood and wanted to try lobster. The staff at the IRP went above and beyond going over the menu to determine what items would be good choices. While the lobster was listed as stuffed, they most definitely could prepare otherwise. Suffice it to say we’ve returned many times to IRP . Can’t wait for this new venture
My wife and I recently stayed at the Highlander, never again. I hope that this joint venture is better run.
Obviously it will be great from what we experienced previously.
I graduated from UI in 1965 and the Highlander was the best restaurant in Iowa City. Working at UI Business Office, we had our Christmas party there every year. Elwin Jolliffe, VP for Finance, played the piano and we always had great dinners. I really look forward to the reopening!
Thank you for sharing your memories, George!
This is the best news!!
We did not know where we would go out to eat when IRP closed; that was such a loss to 1000s of people! Now we are thrilled!!
Judith and William
This is fantastic news!
This is great news. back in the day Highlander was the best place to go. Then unfortunately things went south for them. Then IRP and Flannigans came to be. This was the place to go. it was very sad when their doors closed. IRP/Flannigans has the best chefs and staff. We were always taken care of and treated like royalty. We can hardly wait for our new hangout. Thanks for all your hard work to make this all happen. Sue
[…] the owner of the popular Iowa River Power Restaurant, which closed in late 2023. The Homegrown Iowan reports that when Angela heard the news of the closure, she reached out to Danise with a cool […]
Lots of great memories with our children when they were young at the Highlander, it was actually the first hotel we ever stayed at in IC before moving here in ‘92. And IRP brunches we’re always a great time. My children still talk about the overhead train in Flannigans and all the over-the-top Christmas decorations! So happy you are joining forces! Can’t wait to visit!
I concur with the statements, the memories once created & experienced at both venues! I,too, remember them both to be premiere dinning experiences in Iowa City area! Danise Petsel and her incredibly intelligent husband, Dave, are without a doubt going to recreate a magical & sustainable success out of the Super Club! Can’t wait to see her at peace in her zone in her New Diggs! Great Teamwork Angela & Danise!