Three-part Journey
Early next week is the target opening date of
Tosa’s new City Market (8725 W. North Ave. 453-0000). Co-owner Jeff
Swanson says the bakery/café will have the same menu as at the flagship
Shorewood location: sandwiches, soups, salads and a range of breads, pastries
and desserts. It’ll also be dishing up ice cream treats, which the Shorewood and
Watertown Plank Road locations don’t have – at least for now. If it proves a hit
in Tosa, cold, creamy desserts will probably get a spot in the sibling venues.
It’s summer, so of course there’s outdoor seating. Swanson’s not sure about the
shop’s hours (morning to early evening is likely).
Birds of a Feather
Say you’re driving south on Farwell and you
pass the Oriental Theatre and Kashou Carpets. In seconds, you’ll see a sign on
your left that says, “WOW.” The one-week-old bar, cafe and (chicken) wing
shop is a franchise operation, the first location of the national operation in
town. “WOW” stands for “World of Wings.” Sauce options for your chicken are all
over the map: sweet/sour, peanut, teriyaki, spicy Cajun, coconut curry, taco
nacho and many more. The menu is bigger than wings, too, including fajitas,
quesadillas, wrap sandwiches and Texas toast burgers. You’ll see the outdoor
dining tables on the sidewalk, and I’m told there’s a back patio as well.
Inside: more tables, a full bar and diversions like darts and pool. Hours: Daily
11-12 a.m. 2116 N. Farwell Ave., 223-4969.
Ward Expat
Third Warders might have noticed that the block of
Menomonee east of Milwaukee Street has one less lighted sign. Jido Cafe,
which put in about a year ago in its 419 E. Menomonee St. space, has moved
Downtown. It picked up a space in the First National Bank building at 735 N.
Water St. The menu of coffees, sandwiches and pastries is the same. Hours are 7
a.m.-2 p.m. Mon-Fri.
Eleventh Heaven
Have you seen the fifth anniversary issue of mini
magazine info? Osteria del Mondo’s full-page ad, a spoof of the
DVD cover of the movie Ocean’s Twelve, caught my eye. “Osteria’s Eleven”
(it’s the restaurant’s 11th anniversary this year) has owner Marc Bianchini
aping George Clooney – only the restaurateur touches the sleeve of his white
chef’s coat (while Clooney suavely touches his watch). Osteria staffers,
including partner Marta Bianchini, pose to his right and left. Sunglasses?
Absolutely. Smiling? Of course not. So not cool.
Fred’s House
I’m always thinking about the weekend. This weekend,
next weekend. If you don’t want to stay home and watch reruns of “Nanny 911” on
Friday the 16th of June, it’s “A Fine Time for Wine” at the Pabst Mansion
(2000 W. Wisconsin Ave.). Mequon’s Grapes & Grain is handling the
“assortment of fine wines.” Cheeses and chocolate are available for the chewing.
For $25 a ticket ($20 for museum members), the museum should offer more than
that. They do and it is: live music and admission to the exhibit “My Dear
Children: The Heirs to the Pabst Legacy.” If you buy your tickets in advance,
they’ll knock off $5. Call 931-0808.
Can’t get enough dining? I chat about restaurants every Friday with Jane
Matenaer and Kidd O’Shea on “The Mix.” Listen between 8 and 9 a.m. on June 9.
That’s 99.1 WMYX-FM.
And check out calendar editor Julie Waldren’s picks for the best events in
arts and entertainment on This
Weekend.
