National News
 |
| The homey National Cafe. |
Last week, Michael Diedrick revealed the new owner of The National, the Walker’s Point cafe he opened in 2009. Diedrick (also the owner of Milwaukee’s Byte Studios) says putting the cafe in someone else’s hands has always been the plan. On December 1st, chef Nell Benton – who most recently was executive chef of Shorewood’s Thirst & Vine – will officially assume her head role at The National. Since the cafe opened, its focus has been on local, sustainable foods. It even sells works made by local artists. These things will not change, says Benton, who was selected to take over the business for her experience, knowledge and commitment to keeping this cafe a success. The Green Bay native – and graduate of Fort Lauderdale’s The Art Institute Culinary School – has also worked as a baker in Florida and a caterer in the United Kingdom. She plans to put her training in pastries and international cuisine to good use at The National. Although other media have reported that the cafe will operate as a nonprofit, that’s not the case. It is a model that Benton considered and ultimately determined wouldn’t be viable. But that doesn’t mean she doesn’t plan to give back to the community. Besides giving area nonprofit businesses the chance to use the space for their events when The National is closed (evenings, that is), Benton is planning to implement a pay-what-you-can system one day a week – Saturday. As for the particulars (hours and cuisine), Benton says she intends to keep “much of the current menu” and wants to add items to it. For instance, you will see more prepared dishes – maybe Indian curry chicken salad or vegetarian Thai noodles – in the cafe’s deli case. The hours will remain as they are: daily 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (839 W. National Ave., 414-431-6551)
The Days of Braise
Catching up with Dave Swanson these days isn’t easy. Swanson, owner of Braise RSA, has been in the throes of creating Braise Restaurant and Culinary School for quite some time. And the opening is close – early December, he says. Driving past the 1907 Cream City brick building the other day, it looked like the finishing touches were being made to this one-time bowling alley (1101 S. Second St.). More details to come.
Look for Dish on Dining on Tuesdays and Thursdays!
Wait! Don’t stop reading. I’m on Twitter! Follow me @ann_christenson
If you spot a restaurant opening or closing, post it on the comments section of my column, or e-mail me directly: ann.christenson@milwaukeemagazine.com
