Some Like It Hot
 |
The only reason Anna Maria, 7th duchess of Bedford of Woburn Abbey, is mentioned in this column is that she enjoyed afternoon tea. Served in her boudoir, no less. Anna Maria liked to nibble on a few pieces of bread and butter, too. This apparently caused quite a stir in the 19th century. The English had been drinking tea for centuries at that point, but the duchess is credited with starting the Afternoon Tea craze. This should give you something to think about while you sip Ceylon black cinnamon at Blu in the Pfister Hotel. The hotel is hosting Afternoon Tea service – on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays through March. Elegance is the theme. A tea butler will arrive at the table to explain all the tea particulars and offer your beverage with the help of a silver service. So fancy. Orange pekoe and chamomile not to your liking? Chocolate mint rooibos and German orange tangerine tisane are other options. Once you’ve decided your tea, you must choose your accompaniments. “Simple Elegance” offers scones, mascarpone cheese, lemon curd and preserves ($14). “Victorian Tea” sounds like a full day’s meal: it has curried quail eggs, herb-roasted turkey pinwheels, crab Louis salad, smoked salmon crepes, opera torte and quite a bit more ($30). Kids 12 and under might like the “All Grown Up” option, featuring “sipping” chocolate (lemonade or another beverage) with ham and cheddar finger sandwiches, peanut butter and jelly scones and other treats ($11). Tea serve available 3-4:30 p.m. Fridays-Sundays. Reservations are required. Call 877-704-5340. Again, the location: Blu, Pfister Hotel’s 23rd floor, 424 E. Wisconsin Ave.
Out of the Grove
Listen up, Elm Grovers. You’re down a restaurant. In business a respectable 14 years, The Grove pulled the plug at the end of September. (The restaurant was located inside the Village Court Shopping Centre, 890 Elm Grove Rd.) Before the protestations begin, know that The Grove Catering is still operating. You can reach it – for all of your catering needs – by going to the website.
Korean Tacos and Kielbasa
When at Trocadero Gastrobar… you will order from the new menu (1758 N. Water St., 414-272-0205). The bill of fare at this Lowlands Group restaurant bears the stamp of recently appointed culinary director, Wil Borgstrom. The Wisconsin native has already debuted the fall menu at Third Ward sister restaurant Café Benelux. Borgstrom’s Trocadero menu is quite the menagerie. The inclusions: crispy Portobello mushroom “frites,” Korean tacos, grilled cheese “four-play” (a quartet of grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato basil soup), a lobster truffle burger, hydro Bibb and blue cheese salad (topped with buttermilk fried chicken), cashew curry scallops, and chicken and andouille jambalaya ($4-$28). Troc is, of course, also related to Cafe Centraal and the two locations of Cafe Hollander. A couple of months ago, Centraal hosted Sausage Fest, an event where 10 local companies fought a bitter battle for sausage supremacy. The winner of said festival won the honor of being featured sausage provider for Cafes Centraal and Hollander. Congratulations goes to Buddy’s Meat Market (3620 S. Clement Ave.) and its winning kielbasa.
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
