Bay View’s New Bistro
Mike Engel’s blogging days may be over, for a while. His Pastiche Bistro & Wine Bar – specializing in the cuisines of the Mediterranean – is pushing through its first week in business, and this man is swamped. (He wrote informative, entertaining blog entries chronicling the restaurant-opened process.) Engel, whose name may be familiar for his work at Hotel Metro in its infancy (the late ’90s), was ready to fulfill his dream of opening a little neighborhood bistro. His job at a Lake Country country club had run its course, as he put it. Pastiche’s Bay View space (3001 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.) presented itself. It’s been a haul since Engel started the process, but he wasn’t expecting a cakewalk. The menu at Pastiche – a synonym for this French word is “hodgepodge” – is a mix, of French, Spanish and Italian. Appetizers include a house pâté, shrimp de jonghe and caramelized onion tart. Trout almondine, cassoulet, steak frites, and pork osso buco are among the entrées ($12.50-$22.50). Hours are Mon-Thurs 4-9 p.m; Fri-Sat 4-10 p.m. (414-482-1446)
Home at Last
The Bartolotta people wasted no time getting their steakhouse situated in its new location. Mr. B’s: A Bartolotta Steakhouse is on target to reopen at 18380 W. Capitol Dr. (the former Agavé Southwestern Grille) on Wed., April 7. The 11-year-old steak joint is taking reservations starting at 5:30 p.m. I just received a copy of the updated menu, which, besides steaks and seafood, includes more Italian choices. As in, breaded Sicilian steak, “pennette” with ricotta salata and tomatoes, and chicken paillard with lemon-caper butter ($17.95-$24.95). If you recall, the space also has a patio and outdoor bar.
The Baseball Diet
It was Yogi Berra who said, “You can’t think and hit… at the same time.” But can you think and eat? That is the question. While you ponder that, I’m going to segue into a little baseball talk. But food talk, all the same. This Monday (April 5) is Opening Day for the Brewers at Miller Park. Chances are good that at least some of you reading this will be going to a game and checking out the concessions. New for this year: the outdoor Plaza Pavilion Grill, offering half-pound burgers, bratwurst patties, tenderloin steak sandwiches, and chicken shish kebab. If you’re looking for something that isn’t typical stadium food, check out the new concession carts. One will do made-to-order burritos (chicken, beef or shredded pork). The other is a “pasta action station.” So while you’re watching Ryan Braun get a base hit, you can munch on cavatappi with chicken and pesto sauce. If you don’t have tickets to the season opener, the team is playing exhibition games on Friday and Saturday. See what’s available, ticket-wise, at brewers.com.
Patio Pounding
It’s flip-flop weather. OK, I wrote that line before going outside at about 11:30 a.m. It’s not that warm in the Third Ward. But I’m not complaining. Beautiful day. And waitstaff circulated amongst the occupied outdoor tables at Palms Bistro & Bar (221 N. Broadway). On the West Side, Cafe Manna (3815 N. Brookfield Rd., Suite 100, Brookfield) is also on patio duty. In Walker’s Point, The National (839 W. National Ave.) served lunch in its cute backyard space, graced with umbrella-topped tables and a fountain. The plans for another South Side patio are far more grand. Horny Goat Hideaway (2011 S. First St., in Walker’s Point) released a rendering of its outdoor space, now under construction. Sounds like there’s little it will lack: outdoor bar and seating for diners, fire pits, an area for live music, and four volleyball courts. Not sure when it will open, but they’re advertising volleyball leagues, so it’ll have to be relatively soon… As for your more immediate outdoor dining needs, Tess’ bread-and-butter is ready. Both of the East Side restaurant’s patios (one heated, one not) are open tonight (Thurs, April 1). The weekday 3-courses-for-$25 menu is also available through this evening (2499 N. Bartlett Ave.).
Kids Must Eat
I know some of you who read my column have kids. I know some of you also take them to restaurants. Chain establishments, while abundant, may not be where the grownups want to eat. What else can you do? Here’s a for instance: North Star American Bistro, with branches in Brookfield and Shorewood. At both locations, kids eat free on Sundays. The kid’s menu includes a few salads, a chicken sandwich, burger, penne pasta plate, grilled chicken and pizza. This Sunday is, of course, Easter. The kids-eat-free policy doesn’t apply, but this brings me to my next order of business: Easter brunch. This week, the Brookfield North Star (19115 W. Capitol Dr.) is open on Easter only for brunch, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The menu features items from the regular brunch menu – mushroom and Swiss omelet, crème brûlée French toast and quiche Lorraine, etcetera – and a couple of specials. Reservation slots are filling fast, so call this minute: 262-754-1515.
Bunny Brunch
I might make Chinese tea eggs for Easter. Which means I may or may not be joining you for brunch on Easter Sunday. Oh, you didn’t know? Seriously, click here to see last week’s list of restaurants open for Easter brunch. For a few more suggestions, read on:
Bistro 333 (Hyatt Regency Milwaukee, 333 W. Kilbourn St., 414-270-6130): The brunch is available in the rotating, rooftop Polaris, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Looks like a buffet to me: omelet station, fruit salad, baked goods and desserts. Lots more, including seared chicken with prosciutto, grilled salmon with caponata, glazed pit ham, herb-crusted prime rib, butternut squash and shallot risotto, and so on. Price: adults $45; children $22. Reserve now.
Water Buffalo (249 N. Water St., 414-431-1133): The menu includes rib-eye Benedict, bacon and goat cheese quiche, and banana cornbread crêpes ($8.50-$12). Reservations recommended, but walk-ins are welcome. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Osteria del Mondo (1028 E. Juneau Ave., 414-291-3770): Formaggio ravioli, shrimp oreganata, Tuscan roast and crab frittata are among the choices ($7-$19). Hours: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Reservations, important.
Hey! Another thing. In my neverending quest to master technology, I’m now on Twitter! Follow me @ann_christenson
Don’t miss this week’s Shopaholic to learn about new stores and events in the world of local retail.
If you spot a restaurant openings or closings, don’t hesitate to post it on my column, or e-mail me directly: ann.christenson@milwaukeemagazine.com.
