The House of Embers is old-fashioned, and is all the better for it, The restaurant has been Wisconsin Dells mainstay since 1959 and is now, operated by the second generation of the family who started it.

Siblings Mike and Mark Obois and their sister Debbie are the restaurant's owners. The brothers are also the chefs. Both are graduates of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America (CIA).
While embracing proven family and culinary traditions, they are also pushing ahead with an innovative menu and serving style.

From stained glass windows in the bar's ceiling and movie posters on the walls, the family's love for antiques and movies is obvious. Diners are seated in the regular dinning room can ask. for the restaurant's three specialty rooms.

Each is named after a movie star and are furnished in antiques and memorabilia from his career. The intimate Omar Shariff room seats. two, Humphrey Bogart, two to four and Rudolph Valentino four to eight. Specialties of the house are barbecue ribs and Viennese veal, both of which are excellent. The meaty ribs are basted with a tangy marmalade sauce. With the ribs and shrimp combination, the breading on the deep-fried shrimp is lace with coconut. The veal is tender and topped with a mushroom, cream sauce flambéed with brandy.

Each meal is accompanied by a bread baked on the premises and the House of Embers famous cinnamon rolls. The sweet, frosting-free rolls have been on the menu for over 40 years.

Don't leave without tasting another house specialty, the white chocolate cheesecake. It's a rich ending to a rich meal but worth the extra calories.

The House of Embers is sophisticated enough for an adult dinner for two but it also welcomes children. Families are usually seated in the Ben Franklin Room (named for the stove inhabiting the room) and a children's menu is available. Like most restaurants in the Dells, dress is casual.

If you stop by on Sunday, you can hear the Obois' 93-year-old grandmother play the piano for guests.

Wally's House of Embers is at 935 Wisconsin Dells Parkway, Lake Delton, WI. For reservations, call 608/253-6411. It is opened only for dinner