Field of Dreams?
The big talk in Delafield is the new “luxury”
hotel – the Delafield Hotel (415 Genesee St., 262-646-1600). Each suite has a
spa bathroom with “chromatherapy bubble massage Kohler tubs” and a television
set. Silly me, I’m more interested in the restaurant – Andrew’s. Hotel
owner Andy Ruggeri operates this restaurant and another in Delafield, Ruggeri’s
Ristorante. Andrew’s, open daily for breakfast and dinner, will have more than
2,000 wines from around the world, according to press materials. Dinner entrées
are in the low $20s to $30s. Possible choices are crispy roast duck with
Cointreau liqueur pan sauce, Alaskan halibut with shiitake crust and lemon
beurre blanc, and oven-roasted veal tenderloin with caramelized Granny Smith
apples and Calvados pan sauce. My take on the food? Get ready for the plug –
you’ll have to read a future issue of Milwaukee Magazine to find out.
Dinner hours: Sun-Thurs 5-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 5-10 p.m.
Bang Twice
Next door to Bang Thai Cuisine, Mequon’s spring roll
and pad thai emporium, is another business with a “Bang” – Bang Cafe.
It’s a coffee shop and sandwich place operated by Thai restaurant owner Bang
Tongkumbunjong. I’m told that each day, the cafe will have two soups (like
lobster bisque) and sandwiches (grilled marinated pork loin). Hot caffeinated
drinks will include lattes and cappuccinos. Pastries, scones, muffins, bagels
and Danish, too. Seating is lounge style, with free Wi-Fi access. A patio may
open this summer. Hours are roughly 6 a.m.-9 p.m. weekdays; 8 a.m.-9 p.m.
Saturdays; 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Sundays. 6103 W. Mequon Rd. (at Highway 57).
Bunny Hop
Easter Sunday is quickly approaching. That means an
explosion of Peeps and colored eggs filled with jelly beans. It also would have
meant, when I was a kid, a baked ham. Probably with scalloped potatoes. Maybe
things are different in your family. Maybe you can’t face a canned ham with
pineapple on top. So far, what I’m finding for Easter restaurant festivities is
Sunday brunch April 16. Osteria del Mondo (1028 E. Juneau Ave., 291-3770)
is offering a three-course brunch, $27 for adults. Kids get two courses for the
amazing low, low price of $10. First courses are mainly omelets with potatoes
and sausage or bacon, second courses are entrées (baked stuffed jumbo shrimp or
roast prime rib), third is a dessert. Reservations are available between 10:30
a.m. and 3 p.m.
For something different, pack your Dramamine. You’re going on a two-hour
tour, champagne brunch included, on the Edelweiss, cruising Lake
Michigan and the Milwaukee River. The boats are fully enclosed and heated – two
key points, I’d imagine. The brunch includes a “welcome course” (muffins,
pastries, fresh fruit, juice, champagne), a brunch platter (omelets, baked
chicken, stuffed sole and others) and a warm apple strudel dessert. Adults $40;
kids 12 and under $35. Also: kids’ meals $20. Board at Third Street Pier, 1110
N. Old World Third St. Call 272-0330 for reservations.
Irritation of the Week
I was just listening to a co-worker vent
about her sandwich. I’m sure you’ve experienced something similar – whatever it
is that you’ve ordered is missing one or more ingredients promised on the menu.
In its (or their) stead, you might get some additions you didn’t expect. With my
friend, the issue was cheese. The menu promised provolone and she got an
American-like processed product. Nobody at the sandwich shop told her they were
out of provolone. At this moment, the old unannounced substitution trick feels
like my biggest peeve ever. Because, I mean, imagine how bad it could be if you
have food allergies! I’m thinking of an e-mail a reader sent me last fall. She’d
been at a restaurant and inadvertently ordered something with shellfish in it
(to which she’s allergic). The menu didn’t indicate it, nor did the server ever
warn her about substitutions made to the dish. When her food arrived, the fish
was hidden in the sauce. Fortunately, she noticed it before taking a bite. Close
call. Otherwise? An emergency room visit waiting to happen.…
Can’t
get enough dining? I chat about restaurants most Fridays with Jane Matenaer and
Kidd O’Shea on “The Mix.” Listen between 8 and 9 a.m. That’s 99.1 WMYX-FM.
E-mail your worst restaurant gripes to me at ann.christenson@milwaukeemagazine.com
