’Tini Time
Thirsty? The entire menu at the Third Ward’s new Penthouse on Broadway is liquid – martinis, mixed drinks, Bloody Marys, wine, beer, soda and – throwing a little curveball in there – Alterra coffee. (Coffee sometimes comes in handy at the end of the night.) I counted more than 40 cocktails on the menu (Bloody’s and specialty drinks included). They have a melon Margarita, sidecar, Louisiana-style hurricane and Third Ward iced tea, which sounds rather potent (a mix of vodka, gin, rum and Triple Sec). Of the martinis, you have the obligatory Cosmopolitan and chocolate martini; also the Mae West (with macadamia nut liqueur and White Irish Cream); the Bond, James Bond (with Rehorst vodka and dry vermouth); and the Ring of Fire – vodka and vermouth, plus Tabasco sauce and jalapeno pepper. Open 11 a.m. until bar time. Located just down the block from Skylight Opera Theatre. Interesting note: Manager Peter Clement was the bar manager at Elliot’s Bistro on Murray. (184 N. Broadway, 414-431-5171)
Loving India
Ten years ago, Alamelu Vairavan released her first cookbook, Art of South Indian Cooking. It’s a great book, and I’ve cooked my way through it over the years. Alamelu has not faded into the woodwork since then. She followed up with the book Healthy South Indian Cooking, and has a busy schedule of cooking classes and demos. (The locations for her appearances range from Westminster Presbyterian Church in Milwaukee to a Bloomingdale’s store in Skokie, Illinois.) Alamelu is at work on another cookbook right now and is gearing up for a busy teaching schedule this fall. I’ve rarely encountered a cooking instructor with as much enthusiasm. Check out her Web site for specific info on classes: www.curryonwheels.com.
Indian cooking sounds like it would be really complicated, doesn’t it? It doesn’t have to be. Madison’s Neeta Saluja is coming to the Milwaukee Public Market August 25 to show how simple it can be. (Her new cookbook, Six Spices, emphasizes a straightforward approach.) Saluja has been teaching Indian cooking for 20 years in Australia and Japan, as well as the States. You’ll be able to buy her book at the public market class, as well as watch her prepare dishes from it: shrimp curry in creamy coconut sauce, fresh tomato raita and saffron rice. Sat., Aug. 25, 1-2:30 p.m. Cost: $25. Call 414-336-1111 to register. 400 N. Water St.
Meating Place
The PorterHouse, a restaurant that’s been run for 20 years by the same couple, has changed hands (800 W. Layton Ave., 744-1750). Jerry and Marie Arenas, who opened Palmer’s Steakhouse in Hartland last year, sold the PorterHouse to their GM, Kevin Murphy. The new owner started as a server seven years ago and worked his way up. The menu – dominated by various steaks and chops – will stay the same, Murphy says. The restaurant, however, is undergoing a substantial remodel that will change the entire look of the restaurant (from changing the chandeliers to adding a party room). Murphy is also adding a Sunday brunch, starting Aug. 26. The buffet ($15.95 per person) will include carving and main breakfast stations, desserts and free Champagne. Meanwhile, the Arenases are not leaving the restaurant business entirely. They’re just concentrating on their other steakhouse in Lake Country.
Combat Cooking
Last chance to check out Battle of the Chefs in Cathedral Square Park. On four Saturdays this past summer, chefs have gotten their cook on for the heavy-duty competition. From those preliminary rounds, six chefs have moved up to compete in the Final Battle this Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. The competition is stiff, let me tell you. Tim McLean of Whole Foods Market; Andy Stiyer, formerly of Moceans; Jarvis Williams of Carnevor; and The Knick’s Mike Wolf are among the fighting chefs. This is how it works: The chefs have just one hour to accomplish two very important steps – shop for ingredients from the vendors at East Town Farmer’s Market and make three courses judged by a panel of experts and local celebs. (WKLH’s Carole Caine and restaurateur Sandy D’Amato are two of the judges.) Aug. 11, 10:30 a.m.
Can’t get enough dining? I chat about restaurants every week with Jane Matenaer and Kidd O’Shea on “The Mix.” Listen between 8 and 9 a.m. on Thursday, August 16. That’s 99.1 WMYX-FM.
And check out our Events Editor Julie Sensat Waldren’s picks for the best events in arts and entertainment on This Weekend.
