Burger Obsession
So if you watched the Milwaukee cheeseburger episode of “Food Wars” on the Travel Channel last night (Oct. 13), you know which restaurant won: AJ Bombers. The 18-month-old burger emporium (1247 N. Water St.) prevailed over veteran Sobelman’s (which incidentally had to close its Menomonee Valley location, 1900 W. St. Paul Ave., for part of the day Wednesday due to a nearby chemical spill). On Bombers’ Twitter page, co-owner Joe Sorge is touting the win in his graphic – and in pretty much every post he’s made today. Sorge also shared the news that Bombers will move into the Madison market, presumably next year. He says the second location will be close to the Capitol building, just off of State Street. No additional details yet. If you missed the Wednesday broadcast, mourn not. It’s available for purchase on itunes.
Also, the anything-but-publicity-shy Bombers will appear in another Travel Channel show, “Best Places I’ve Been.” I don’t have an air date, but stay tuned for more deets once I’ve got them.
An Experience North of Our Great City
Road trip to Kohler? A great reason to cruise an hour north of Milwaukee is just two weekends away (Oct. 21-24) – the Kohler Food & Wine Experience, now in its 10th year. The big-deal events at this shindig are the celebrity presenters and chefs: cookbook author Sara Moulton, Anne Burrell (who hosts “Secrets of a Restaurant Chef” on the Food Network), Graham Elliot (a Chicago restaurant owner and “Top Chef Masters” contestant), and winemaker Marc Mondavi. The weekend’s events include the Kohler Chefs’ Challenge ($20), Grand Wine Tastings ($25), Oktoberfest with live band and beer tasting ($35), and Ultimate Tailgate Party (live Packers broadcast and tailgate-style fare, $35). Get more details on the individual events – and order tickets – by clicking here.
Coffee, Zimmern, Puzzle
A few weeks ago, Alterra Coffee Roasters completed the remodel of the 13-year-old Prospect location (2211 N.), which includes a comfy seating area on the west side (not surprised to see lots of people on laptops there this morning) and an airy “outdoor room” on the south end of the space. Prospect, mirroring locations like Humboldt and the Foundry, now serves a hot food menu. The lineup of eats includes kung pao wrap, grilled Cajun chicken sandwich, falafel on herb garlic flatbread, and Sumatra pork burrito ($3.95-$6.95). Next schpiel….
Remember when treasure hunts were, like, outside? Man, times have changed. Alterra is involved in a promotion – a social-networking-based word puzzle – that culminates with a visit by “Bizarre Foods” TV personality Andrew Zimmern at the Prospect location on Oct. 30. This website will enable you to sign up and download the puzzle. Clues and hints will be posted on Facebook and Twitter from now until the 30th. The winner will receive a gourmet food trip to Riviera Maya (the palatial area in the Mexican Caribbean, not the Mexican restaurant in Bay View). Even if you don’t participate, you’re welcome to head to the Prospect Alterra on Oct. 30 and meet Zimmern. The festivities will start around 10 a.m. For more info, check out Paradise Pursuits’ Facebook page.
Look for more Dish on Dining on Tuesday!
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If you spot any restaurant openings or closings, post it on the comments section of my column, or e-mail me directly: ann.christenson@milwaukeemagazine.com.
