The Latest and (Perhaps) Greatest
• I called Harbor House and was put on hold right away. It’s safe to say there’s a fair amount of commotion going on there in preparation for tonight’s grand opening. The bar opens at 4:00, and dinner service begins at 5 p.m. The 250-seater, the former home of Pieces of Eight, has a substantial menu for the seafood-inclined. A raw bar, pastas, sandwiches, seafood, all sorts of fresh fish and shellfish, even steaks and chops for people not so fish-inclined. Two gentlemen who sit close to me here at Mil Mag say they will be all over the seafood tower (with oysters, clams, shrimp and crab). Check out HH’s menu here. (550 N. Harbor Dr., 414-395-4900)
• Last Tuesday was D-day for Brewski’s Steakhouse (6024 W. Bluemound Rd., 414-312-7891). One of its claims to fame is that Rich Alvarado (formerly of the Five O’Clock Club Steakhouse) is running the kitchen. If you’re familiar with the crust on the Five O’Clock steaks, you know Alvarado beef. Brewski’s menu is straight-up old-style steakhouse, including shrimp cocktail and shrimp scampi (both market price), filet mignon ($29 and $39), New York strip ($37), bone-in rib eye ($38), lobster tail (market price) and prime rib on Saturday nights ($28 and $35). Open for dinner only, Tues-Sun 4-10 p.m.
• This space has been Camille’s Trattoria and Roux Brothers. The latest installment in the life and times of a corner Victorian in Cedarburg is The Lazy Susan (W61 N497 Washington Ave., 262-375-1772). Does that suggest a place where time stands still? The 2-month-old serves French toast and pancakes in the morning, and a slew of sandwiches – meatloaf to egg salad – at lunch. Seems you can go a bit fancier at dinner, with chicken cordon bleu and filet mignon. The Friday fish fry features all-you-can-eat cod ($9.99); Sundays are reserved for the breakfast buffet ($12.95). Hours: Mon, Wed-Sat 7 a.m.-2 p.m. and 4:30-9 p.m.; Sun 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
• When I think of Genesee Depot, two things come to mind: Ten Chimneys museum and The Union House restaurant. But there’s got to be more to Genesee Depot. And there is: Catherine’s Corner Shoppes. This retail “development” is in a circa-late 1800s Victorian house on Highway 83 (specifically, S42 W31428 Highway 83). The shops are having a dedication ceremony and summer festival this Saturday (July 17), 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. That’s a whirlwind affair of games (sack and spoon races), a pig roast, 20-piece big band, and ice cream-eating contest. It’ll be a good (well, busy) time to also check out one of the tenants in the building: Pal’s Ice Cream Shoppe & Grill. Pal’s burger, Chicago frank, grilled cheese and chicken sandwich are part of the “grille” menu ($5.95-$6.95). On the ice cream side, it’s scoops, floats, malts and shakes and create-your-own sundaes. I’m about ready for a hot fudge one, myself.
• Cold Spoons Gelato is going mobile, and hopefully that’ll happen next week. Co-owner Sandy Murphy says she’s just waiting for a final inspection before the gelato cart can hit the streets. One likely stopping point is the Third Ward. The cart will hold six flavors of gelato and sorbet. For example: caramel sea salt, cappuccino, roasted almond, chocolate hazelnut, mango, pink grapefruit and coconut. Suspected hours: noon-6 p.m. You can keep track of the cart’s progress by following the shop on Twitter: @coldspoons. And in the meantime, you can hit the shop itself, at 5924 W. Vliet St.
Cook, Cook
Kenosha-reared chef Tony Mantuano is no slouch. Besides holding court as executive chef of Chicago’s Spiaggia, the James Beard Award winner co-owns the Kenosha Italian restaurant Mangia. It’s plausible to think Mantuano has fans who will scoop up all the spots in his cooking class at the Milwaukee Public Market on Aug. 8. He and his wife Cathy will be demo-ing (and offering samples of) Parmigiano flatbread, crostini of treviso marmalade with goat cheese, flaming ouzo shrimp and marscarpone-filled dates with chocolate. These dishes appear in the Mantuanos’ book, Wine Bar Food. The cost of the class ($59) includes a copy of the book. Call soon if you want in: 414-336-1111. Sunday, Aug. 8, 1 p.m.
Is “Aria Kagan” not a household name? She is the Hartford native competing on this season’s “The Next Food Network Star.” She’ll be in Milwaukee later this month, giving locals the chance to see her culinary skills in action. On July 24 (Sat), Kagan will do a cooking demo at the Milwaukee Public Market (400 N. Water St.). No word on what she’s making. The cost is $24. Call 414-336-1111 ro reserve (July 24 at 11 a.m.) And on July 28, the Florida transplant will be at Hotel Metro (411 E. Mason St.) making a five-course tasting menu alongside John Chitko, the hotel’s new executive chef. Chitko and Kagan, who interned at the hotel, plan to use ingredients from area farmer’s markets. Cost of the meal is $65 in advance, $85 at the door. Call 414-225-3270 for reservations. (July 28, 5:30 p.m.)
Taste Buds
If events that involve a dozen or more restaurants offering samples of their food in a public space turns you on, the 3rd annual Big Taste might be the bomb. It’s this Sunday (July 18) at Pier Wisconsin (500 N. Harbor Dr.). A $45 ticket will get you in. Some 20 local restaurants are participating: Roots Restaurant, Pastiche Bistro & Wine Bar, Osteria del Mondo, Hue Vietnamese Restaurant, Meritage, Casablanca, Antigua Latin Restaurant, Bartolotta Restaurant Group and others (7-9 p.m.). Buy a ticket by calling 414-687-5365. Doors open at 6 p.m. The band King Comets will perform, 6:30-10 p.m. Stick around until 10:15 p.m. and you can see (reallysee) the Fiesta Italiana fireworks.
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And 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, don’t hesitate to post them on my column, or e-mail me directly: ann.christenson@milwaukeemagazine.com.
