Expanding Empire
Things are moving along smoothly at Bayshore Town Center, where restaurateur Marc Bianchini’s latest project, Coa, is getting buffed and shined in anticipation of a fall opening. The 7,000-square-foot restaurant – which replaces Cameron’s Steakhouse – will serve authentic Mexican street food. Bianchini’s inspiration for Coa (which is also the name for the tool used to harvest the agave plant) are the foods he and his wife, Marta, have eaten on their trips to Mexico. So for instance, at his new restaurant, the long-time owner of the Italian Osteria del Mondo will feature things like al pastor, which if done authentically, is pork roasted on a spit. That traditional preparation is exactly what Bianchini is going for at Coa. Tacos will be available individually ($2.50-$4 each) or as a family-style meal of eight tacos with sides ($30). Coa will serve a “true, traditional” salsa, and chips fried up fresh and hot. Other menu items include flautas, quesadillas and sopas (soups). The restaurant will serve nightly specials such as Yucatan ribs and (in true Milwaukee spirit) a fish fry. Cameron’s old wine room is being converted to a chamber for tequilas. The drink menu will have a traditional Margarita (made with straight tequila and lime juice) and a “Coa” Margarita, the more typical (to Americans, anyway) Triple Sec version. Nice boost for parents: Kids will eat free Mondays through Thursdays, 3-6 p.m. As far as the interior, I haven’t seen it, but I remember it being very spacious. Among the additions to the space is a patio with a four-foot fireplace and stone pergola.
Child’s Play
Tonight (Thursday, Aug. 6th), a rapt audience will be seated at the Marcus Majestic Theatre, their eyes fixed on Meryl Streep’s portrayal of Julia Child in the film Julie & Julia. They will also be dining on vichyssoise (chilled potato-leek soup), poulet grand-mère (chicken with potato puree and tomato Provençal), and mousse au chocolat. I think Julia Child would be proud. Understandably, the event – organized by the Milwaukee chapter of the American Institute of Wine & Food – is sold out. But with many more people interested than the theater could accommodate, Marcus Corporation added another night. That is this Sunday. I’m told there is space available. The Sunday night screening and dinner is not affiliated with AIWF, but the theater will prepare the same menu as served this evening. To get on board for Sunday night’s event, send an e-mail to aimee@marcuscorp.com or call 262-798-7592. Sunday, Aug. 9th, 6 p.m. Film/dinner: $75 per person. (Marcus Majestic Theatre, 770 N. Springdale Rd., Waukesha)
Spread of Pizza
Speaking of theaters, Marcus North Shore Cinema is close to pizza, a certain well-known Milwaukee pizza. I may have revealed some very personal information in this column, as in which thin-slice pizza I love the most. Or not. Because that’s getting really personal. The East Side pizzeria Zaffiro’s has been in the pizza business a long time – since 1954. Last spring, the North Shore theater completed its expansion, which resulted in the creation of a stand-alone restaurant: Zaffiro’s Pizza & Bar (11700 N. Port Washington Rd., Mequon). It offers a full menu of classic pizzas, like four cheese, the sausage special, the “everything” pie, and bacon and caramelized onion. Price range: medium pies $11.25-$18.50; large pies $14.95-$24.95. Daily L 11 a.m.-4 p.m.; D 4 p.m.-12 a.m.
Bottled Break
Bacchus (925 E. Wells St.) is having a BYOB night on Aug. 16th (5-8 p.m.). You bring the wine, and the restaurant won’t charge you a corkage fee. It got me thinking about the prices of bottled wine at restaurants in general. Oftentimes the prices make me boycott bottled wine. If you go to Branded bar or The Yard, both at the Iron Horse Hotel (500 W. Florida St.), you can order one of 25 bottled wines available at retail price. These bottles range from an $11 Veuve du Vernay sparkling wine to a $62 Elivo Cogno Barolo Rivera from 2003. Quite a few bottles are $20 and under. But the bottles – at retail prices – won’t last forever. When they’re gone, they’re gone.
Don’t miss this week’s Shopaholic to learn about new stores and events in the world of local retail.
If you spot any restaurant openings or closings out there, don’t hesitate to post it on my column, or e-mail me directly: ann.christenson@milwaukeemagazine.com
