The Importance of Being Harry
As the months have passed, North Shore-ites can hardly have failed to notice that Oakland Avenue – Oakland, where it intersects Kensington – is evolving into a mecca of restaurants and watering holes. North Star American Bistro, Thief Wine Shop & Bar, Alterra Coffee, Three Lions Pub and Big Bay Brewing Co. are all new or relocated Shorewood businesses. But one mustn’t forget the enticements that await on the southern part of Oakland. If you’ve looked away from the steering wheel while driving past Harry’s Bar & Grill (3549 N. Oakland Ave., 414-964-6800), you might have noticed a patio in progress. It juts out of the south side of the building, where the small parking lot is located. The patio awaits some finishing touches, but it is open for dining – and will continue to be open for dining well into fall, with help from strategically placed heaters. There’s also a fire pit nearing completion. The patio isn’t the half of the changes. Harry’s lunch/dinner menu sports additions like chiles rellenos ($12), flank steak quesadilla ($13), flatbread grilled cheese with tomato-ranch dressing ($9), duo of salmon ($18), and chile grilled flank steak with wasabi mashed potatoes ($19). Come fall, Harry’s will close briefly for remodeling. Its new look – wood is the material of choice – will signal “upscale pub.”
Flick and Eat
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| Photo by Adam Ryan Morris. |
What does Will Ferrell have to do with fish fries? He is anchorman Ron Burgundy, and Friday, August 5, is the first Fish Fry and a Flick of the summer of 2011. The menu is pretty simple – beer-battered cod, coleslaw, fries, rye bread, tartar sauce. But guess what? You could call this event Food Truck and a Flick. Local mobile eats vendors like The Fast Foodie, Streetza Pizza, Tigerbite, Satellite Crepes, Red Truck Sliders and Cold Spoons Gelato will be selling their specialties as well. The action starts at 5 p.m. Future Fish/Flick dates: August 19 (The Dark Knight), Sept. 2 (The Big Lebowski), Sept. 16 (The Hangover), Sept. 23 (Bridesmaids). And don’t try carrying in any booze. You’ll get caught. The August 5 show, if you haven’t guessed, is Anchorman. Click here for more fish and flick info.
Friday Night Light
Whoever heard of a Friday-only Happy Hour? You will, in just a second. Starting Friday (August 5), Ryan Braun’s Graffito will start its TGIF Happy Hour. Only on Fridays (4-6 p.m.) will the Third Ward restaurant offer $5 martinis. Graffito’s new barman Jason Lyden (formerly of Hotel Metro Bar & Cafe) will whip up raspberry-lemon martinis, among other drink specialties. And chef Dominic Zumpano will offer a menu of $2 appetizers that includes pizzas and bruschetta. It’s every Friday until the end of time – or until they decide to stop doing it. (102 N. Water St., 414-727-2888)
Look for Dish on Dining on Tuesdays and Thursdays!
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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
