Our story

Step back in time to 1867 when the Draper Brothers founded their renowned meat house in the heart of Madison. Their passion for quality and taste quickly made them the region's go-to destination for the finest cuts of meat. Today, we honor their legacy with Draper Brothers Chophouse, a restaurant that blends the traditions of the Midwest with Italian flair.

Nestled within the walls of the iconic building - considered one of the most intact mid-19th century buildings in Wisconsin - this site was once home to the renowned House of Wisconsin Cheese and Blue Marlin. Our stunning interior design celebrates the building's rich history while introducing a new level of elegance and sophistication to Madison's culinary scene. Sink into our plush, comfortable seating, bask in the warm glow of soft lighting and enjoy impeccable service while enjoying breathtaking views of the Capitol. If you're looking for an intimate evening for two, a celebratory night out with friends, or a sophisticated venue for a special occasion, our restaurant provides the perfect ambiance to create unforgettable memories.

Chef Nick Johnson

Born and raised in Stoughton, WI, Nick graduated from Madison Area Technical College’s highly regarded Culinary Arts program in 2003, completed a 3-month internship in Torino, Italy and began his professional cooking and Chef career in 2001 at the well-loved and award-winning establishment, Restaurant Magnus, in Downtown Madison.

Nick spent more than 10 years at Magnus developing and establishing himself in the local Culinary community. During that decade, Nick gained national recognition for his work. In 2009, he was nominated for the esteemed James Beard Award, ”Best Chef of the Midwest”. Chef Nick was voted "People's Choice Best Chef" by Bon Appetit Magazine in 2013.

After the closure of Restaurant Magnus, Nick became chef at other local establishments such as 43 North, Gotham, 1847 at The Stamm House, RARE Steakhouse, DelecTable, Robinia Courtyard, Forage Cafe and most recently, as Executive Chef for One City Schools. He and his wife Kelly have three beautiful children, who have influenced his professional journey. Applying his skills and knowledge to impact the lives of younger generations, Nick strives to share the interaction and importance of food and how it plays a role in daily health, both physical and mental, before and beyond consumption.

Chef Nick Johnson joined Draper Brothers Italian Chophouse as Executive Chef in July 2024 where he will bring his vast experience, creativity and unique approach to fine dining sourcing local ingredients.

Jack Sosnowski, Owner

From bartender to entrepreneur to regional restauranter, Jack Sosnowski has created a series of innovative, multi-million-dollar concepts that have delighted, evolved, and endured.

From his Lakeside Bar & Grill, to The Ivory Room Piano Bar, Buck and Badger Northwoods Lodge, the Freiburg Tap Haus, to Rare Steakhouse, Jack’s formula for success is to determine what people will like and create a venue and experience that exceeds expectations.

Each restaurant is family owned and every employee is considered a member of that family. Thanks to Jack’s shared leadership style, his restaurants and bars are preferred places of employment for their training, compensation, flexibility, and long employee tenure.