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Raw Return
It’s been sad to walk past the old Nanakusa digs (408 E. Chicago St.) and not see any signs of life. Ahh, but there are signs. Owner Richard Kaiser, who closed the Third Ward Japanese restaurant last March, has been working on repairs to the interior, in preparation for Nanakusa’s reopening this summer. Aside from a few menu tweaks, Kaiser says the menu will be very much the same. Which is great news for connoisseurs who’ve missed the sashimi, specialty maki and so on. Kaiser plans to create a Facebook page, where I imagine he will post updates on the restaurant’s status. For now, here is Nanakusa’s website.
Summer Yummin’
Are you craving a country-fried chicken salad? Or a smoked 14-ounce Porterhouse steak? Well, it’s close to dinner-time as I write this, so I gotta say… yeah! On the warmer West Side of town, I’m feeling a tinge of summer. Not just in the air, but the food at Juniper 61. The menu sports newbies like a lobster quesadilla, feta and watermelon salad, Dijon pork and Brie pressed sandwich, bacon-wrapped scallops with zucchini “fettuccini” and Israeli couscous, and Balsamic barbecued ribs with cowboy beans and horseradish slaw. Entrées $14-$26. Hours Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.-9 p.m., including brunch 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (6030 W. North Ave., 414-727-6161)
Best Use of Rum
Hat’s off to Mathias Simonis, mixologist at Distil, the cocktail, wine and cheese emporium on Milwaukee Street (722 N.) Simonis is one of five winners of the 2011 Ultimate MixOff Challenge by DonQ Rum and the United States Bartenders Guild (USBG). Whew, long name. His winning cocktail – named “A Postcard From a Call Girl in San Juan” – is a mix of DonQ Anejo Rum, the Italian liqueur Amaro Averna, spiced strawberry-rhubarb gastrique and other tasty liquids. Simonis competed against more than 50 other mixologists from across the United State. You can taste his winning cocktail for yourself at Distil. Mon-Sat 4 p.m.-close. (414-220-9411)
Your Choice… For a Little Longer
It’s getting down to the wire. If you haven’t done so, cast your votes now in the 2011 Readers’ Choice Dining Awards. You might win a prize! We’re offering gift cards to local boutiques, restaurants and Mayfair Mall. Click here to vote!
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What are you doing on Thursday? Reading Dish on Dining, right? This twice-weekly column features new info and updates on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
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
