From Tortilla to Bun
The closing of Haute Taco might come as a shock to you. Owners Jake and Karen Replogle have pulled the plug on their Brookfield taqueria (18905 W. Capitol Dr., Suite 110). The phone number (262-781-1110) clues callers in to the operation that will replace it – Jake’s Burger, also owned by the Replogles. Haute Taco, Jake Replogle explains, is not gone. It is simply on hiatus. You will see it in a different location some time in the future. As for replacing the taqueria with a burger joint, Replogle believes that burgers are a “more fitting concept” for this Brookfield location. By mid-March, he says, Jake’s Burgers will be open and serving variations on the J Burger offered at his other far West Side restaurant, Jake’s Genuine Food & Cocktails. He plans to offer some 10 burgers ($7-$14) and sides (including Jake’s haystack onion rings) and a couple of salads. More details, when I have them.
Making History
Thomas Hauck’s bio and photo are still – as of this writing – on the website for Mason Street Grill (at the Pfster Hotel). The 31-year-old Milwaukee native held the chef de cuisine position at MSG for under two years, after serving a stint as sous chef at Washington, D.C.’s respected Citronelle. In Walker’s Point, Hauck is now cleaning all manner of equipment in preparation for opening his own place. Name? c. 1880. The building (1100 S. First St.) still has the Marchese’s Olive Pit sign on it, but not for long. The space was also once a cafe (Lava Java) and a barber shop. At one time, a boarding house, too, some say. The restaurant name echoes the date of the building – or, at least, the historic stamp on the building. While he plays up the history of the building with the interior, Hauck will play up his strengths with the menu. He’s an admirer of Wisconsin farmers, and plans to use them in abundance on his menu. (Note that Braise Restaurant and Culinary School, whose menu culls ingredients from Wisconsin farms, is located just a block away, on Second Street.) As Hauck gets closer to opening – the target is early May – you will read more in Dish about the menu, the chef/owner and this corner space.
Stately Past
The old Brown Bottle Pub (221 W. Galena St.) – was a repository of cool old stuff – ornamental ironwork by artisan master Cyril Colnik, a plaster ceiling copied and cast from a castle in England, and generous use of antique oak salvaged from castles, inns and estates in Europe. See what I mean? Cool. A year after the Bottle closed for the second time – in 2004 – Dean Cannestra opened Libiamo Restaurant, where all of this visual splendor continued to be on display. Until next month. Cannestra is closing Libiamo next month. The last day for this Italian place is March 24. Cannestra attributes the closing to a “combination of a lot of things.” (Schlitz Park is soon to undergo a major renovation.) So you’ve got about a month to get an order of calamari and ravioli while gazing up at the awesome antler chandeliers. Cannestra continues to operate the Riverwest bar-restaurant Nessun Dorma.
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