Largely on Layton
“The place is massive – like a resort!” a friend of mine exclaims. He’s talking about this new Mexican joint on the South Side, El Fuego (909 W. Layton Ave., 414-455-3534). I’m listening to him and thinking, “Sure, sure.” But he’s right. This place is downright huge. Mexican pop music spills onto the walkway outside the restaurant, which is surrounded by more parking than it would ever need. The interior is like a resort, yeah, but minus the overnight accommodations. See for yourself. The menu includes shrimp ceviche ($6.95), cold oysters ($7.95 per half-dozen), gringo burger ($6.95), coconut jumbo shrimp ($15.95), steak a la Mexicana ($10.95) and a whole mess of standards like of tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, burritos and tostadas.
Friday Night Light
The second Fish Fry & A Flick is happening tomorrow night at Discovery World (500 N. Harbor Dr.). The name pretty much says it all: a fish fry and an outdoor movie. Head down no later than 5:30 p.m. and you can get in a line for tickets to the fish fry and lobster boil, prepared by Bartolotta Catering. The menu features beer-battered cod with fries, coleslaw, tartar sauce and rye bread ($9.95); whole boiled Maine lobster ($15.95); and a lobster dinner that includes red potatoes, corn on the cob, coleslaw and rye bread ($17.95). Also a few things for meat eaters – brats ($4) and Buffalo-style chicken tenders ($5). This week’s film – Animal House – starts at dusk. Now, a few words on what you shouldn’t do. 1. Bring children to the movie. It’s really not kid-appropriate content. 2. Bring in alcoholic beverages. But you can carry in water, soda, “small” snacks and chairs. The next installment of Fish Fry & A Flick is August 14th, when the featured flick is Pulp Fiction. One of my favorites. Go to the Pabst Theater’s Web site for more info and cute illustrations.
Dinner With Four Restaurants
You may have heard the acronym “RSA.” That stands for Restaurant Supported Agriculture. And restaurants like Cafe Manna, La Merenda, Le Rêve Patisserie & Cafe and Meritage are part of a growing number of restaurants using fresh ingredients from local farms. The upcoming RSA dinner at Cafe Manna will showcase this cooperative effort. And a fine-looking menu it is. The four above-mentioned restaurants are taking part. La Merenda has dibs on the first course – Moroccan vegetable-stuffed phyllo triangles called briouats. This course is served with a Sauvignon Blanc from Lange Twins Vineyards in Lodi, California. The second course is Meritage’s stuffed seasonal squash served on a bed of quinoa salad (served with Sterling Vineyards Chardonnay from Mendocino, California). Cafe Manna handles the entrée – a falafel platter served with a Pinot Noir from Monterey, California. Le Rêve finishes the meal with a dessert of farm-raised cherries with frozen Bavarian cream. The dinner is Tuesday, July 28th at 6 p.m. The $60 cost includes the meal, including wine, tax and gratuity. Spaces may still be available. Call Cafe Manna right this minute: 262-790-2340. (3815 N. Brookfield Rd., Brookfield)
Street Smart
For some diners, a patio is for quiet contemplation of surrounding flora and fauna. Other people want to soak up the urban experience. The latter describes Kil@wat restaurant’s new outdoor patio, which affords plenty for the eye. It’s a fenced-in, street-level area on the corner of Water and Kilbourn. In fact, it is a front-row seat for all the traffic happenings on that corner. Seating is attractive – at ornate black tables with striped umbrellas. If you’re thinking about a light meal, chef Robert Ash added more small plate-type items to the dinner menu last spring. They include fire-roasted shishito peppers ($6), spicy tuna tartare tacos ($11), bacon-wrapped dates ($6) and tomato-fontina flatbreads ($9). Intercontinental Milwaukee Hotel (139 E. Kilbourn Ave., 414-291-4793)
Hotel California
I’ve mentioned in previous blogs that the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee’s remodel resulted in a new restaurant, the lobby-level Bistro 333. (There’s a new bar, too. Bistro Bar 333, whose happy hour is one of 50 featured in our “The Happiest Hour” story in the August issue.) What’s transpired for this new restaurant is its very first wine dinner, coming up next Tuesday, July 28th. The six-course dinner highlights wines from Silverado Vineyards in Napa Valley. Specifically, five wines from Silverado and one from Schramsberg Vineyards, also from Napa Valley. Course #1 pairs pan-seared diver scallops with a Silverado Sauvignon Blanc. Course #2 is blue marlin crudo with cilantro salad, alongside Silverado’s Vine Cliff Chardonnay. Course #3 is an heirloom tomato salad with a Silverado Merlot. Course #4 is coriander lamb porterhouse with a Silverado Sauvignon Blanc. You’ll need to book this meal to learn the last two courses. $65 per person. (333 W. Kilbourn Ave., 414-270-6130)
Don’t miss this week’s Shopaholic to learn about new stores and events in the world of local retail.
If you spot any restaurant openings or closings out there, don’t hesitate to post it on my column, or e-mail me directly: ann.christenson@milwaukeemagazine.com
