A Delectable Derby
Do you have an affinity for all things Southern? Or just for large, colorful hats? The Kentucky Derby is this Saturday (May 3), and whether or not the annual Louisville horse race is your cup of tea, I’m pretty sure if you’re reading this that food is. Maxie’s Southern Comfort, devoted to all things Southern, is going all out for the Derby. Instead of the regular menu, Derby Day will sport an all-you-can-eat Southern buffet, 2-10 p.m. Load up on deviled eggs, cracklin’ biscuits, fried chicken thighs, open-faced Kentucky hot-brown sandwiches, mac and cheese, ambrosia salad and, of course, Derby pie with whipped cream. Pray for clement weather. Maxie’s co-owner Dan Sidner promises live bluegrass in a tent in the parking lot. The $23 admission includes the buffet, a Derby Day T-shirt and a $5 bet (proceeds going to the Hunger Task Force). FYI: Race time is 5:04 p.m. 6732 W. Fairview, 414-292-3969.
Mexican Monday
Jessie Souza, who spent summers in Mexico during his formative years, has brought a new south-of-the-border element to the menu of Louisiana-style Fishbones. He timed the unveiling of this menu just right – Monday being Cinco de Mayo. The Louisiana flavor of the regular menu (ragin’ Cajun pasta) is staying put. The new “Loco Bones” menu is meant to be a complement. The rollout date of this addition is Cinco de Mayo (May 5th). That puts you just days away from Creole chicken quesadillas, catfish tacos, mahi mahi tostadas, loco burrito al pastor and roasted chicken enchiladas verde. Hungry? I could certainly eat something right now. (1704 Milwaukee St., Delafield, 262-646-4696)
Mama Mia
The first official Mother’s Day was in 1914, years after a Virginia woman began a crusade to institute a national holiday for this key member of the family. Since the maternal one is feted on a Sunday – this year, May 11 – it makes sense that brunching Mom would have a devoted following. If you’re planning on showering your madre with mimosas, don’t put it off. Reservations at the more popular joints will fill up fast. Here’s a look at three options:
Il Mito: Items like egg frittata with smoked chicken and goat cheese; beef short ribs on ciabatta with poached eggs and carbonara sauce; spinach and artichoke crepes; green eggs and ham ($4.95-$11.95). Hours: 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. 605 W. Virginia St., 414-276-1414; and 6913 W. North Ave., 414-443-1414.
Metro Bar & Cafe: Champagne brunch buffet, with carving station, chef-prepared omelets and pasta, eggs Benedict, stuffed orange roughy, roast pork loin and others. Seating available between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Adults $39.95; children 10 and under $9.95. 411 E. Mason St., 414-225-3270.
Maxie’s Southern Comfort: The restaurant, which spreads the gospel of Cajun/Creole and Carolina Low Country cuisines, will run the dinner menu along with specials (some of them breakfast-oriented). Accepting reservations between 11 a.m.-8 p.m.6732 W. Fairview, 414-292-3969.
Friday Night Light
How do you teach an old fish new tricks? Not that I’m knocking fish fries. But not everybody who heads out for fish on Friday night wants fried haddock with coleslaw and potato pancakes. Mi•Key’s, next door to Louise’s Trattoria on Jefferson Street, has something else in mind. The Friday “Fish Dish” (through June 20) offers a different fish preparation every week. The inspiration is varied – Sweden, Spain, Morocco, Italy. Where in the world is Mi•Key this week? In Germany. The featured fish is Bohemian cod with Maltese sauce ($21.95). On May 9, the fish creation is “patravwa zaprekana,” a Polish casserole of potatoes, Altantic cod, sour cream, cauliflower and Parmesan cheese. In the coming weeks, Mi•Key’s will visit Finland, Russia, Romania and Serbia, among other places. (811 N. Jefferson St., 414-273-5397)
Read Me
I’m keeping this riff going for a few more weeks. If you haven’t filled out your Readers’ Choice Dining Awards survey… what the heck are you waiting for? One way to do it is to send in the (completed) ballot found in the May issue of Milwaukee Magazine. Another way – an easier, faster way – is to fill out our online survey. Please do it, whichever way is most convenient for you. Surveys submitted through our Web site will also be eligible for a prize in our random drawing. Note that we will accept only one survey per person. (I promise you, we’ll be able to sniff out duplicates online, so don’t try it. We have the technology….) Click on the link below to access the survey. And, again, please vote!
http://www.milwaukeemagazine.com/readerschoice/
Can’t get enough dining? I chat about restaurants every week with Jane Matenaer and Kidd O’Shea on “The Mix.” Listen between 8 and 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 8. That’s 99.1 WMYX-FM.
