Area Spotlights: Last Leaf

Meet some of our partners in the area who can help make your visit to APT even more magical. Last Leaf Public House is located in a historic bank, and is the place to go for pizza and cocktails. Learn more in this week's spotlight!

Last Leaf Public House
134 W. Jefferson Street
(608) 588-0041| lastleafpublichouse.com

Tell us about Last Leaf! When was it established, and where did you get the idea?
It all started with Freddy Valentines Public House in 2012, Dave Owen's first restaurant. FV's quickly became a local favorite and the go to restaurant for APT attendees. Freddy's found itself on many top ten lists over the years, a lot of this recognition was due to the talents of Dave's two sons Nate and Trevor. Nate was in charge of smoking our much-loved meats, and Trevor was the creative force behind the daily specials, soups etc. Then, the pandemic hit sending our world into a tailspin. Freddy's closed in September of 2020, never thinking we would ever open again. We had a signed offer for the building shortly after that inexplicably fell through months later, by then Trevor and Nate had found new positions. Dave needed a new idea fast, without the talents of his sons the restaurant needed simplifying. Last Leaf was the perfect concept, flavorful comfort food.

Dave is still working at the restaurant, but you won't see him very often, he now works in the kitchen prepping and cranking out pizzas. He loved being your host and Swiss Army knife of the front of the house for 8 years, but now you can see him through the kitchen windows head down doing his best to make his customers flavorful, fun pizzas! Wave or say hi to the old man in the window, he misses you!

What do people love about Last Leaf?
First and foremost, customers will love our menu items, flavor is the key, our menu items can't be considered bland, they will tickle your taste buds! The atmosphere is gorgeous, being located in a 1915 bank the building has a lot of character. The bar was designed by Dave and built with family members and a good friend Jim Ogden using some of the woodwork, iron work and marble from the old bank teller wall, it is beautiful. Last Leaf staff are a friendly group that will give our customers great service and deliver food with a smile.

How is Last Leaf a good fit for the Spring Green crowd?
Last Leaf is a great gathering place that annually draws 1000's of people to Spring Green not only to eat, but to shop, golf, visit the river, hike, see music at the Slowpoke across the street and music events at the Sh*tty Barn music venue. Last Leaf is a staple of Jefferson St., Spring Green's main street.

Looking for great comfort food or just a beverage before the show? Last Leaf is an excellent option in Spring Green. Take a casual stroll on Jefferson St., shop, eat, head over to the show. FYI, it gets busy in Spring Green before and after the shows, we recommend arriving 2 or more hours before the show to ensure you have time for a meal. Waitlists are very common.

How did you come up with the name?
"Last Leaf" is a song written by the Rock and Roll Hall of fame artist Tom Waits. His song is a metaphor for himself about a resilient, defiant leaf that refuses to fall of the tree. Dave uses it as a metaphor for himself, the restaurant and really aren't we all Last Leaf's fighting our way back to normalcy? Last Leaf is a perfect name for the times.