If the last time you visited the Milwaukee County Domes was on a grade-school field trip, it’s time to go again. After all, it is open 365 days a year.
Here’s a great reason to go: This Friday, Jan. 27, the Friends of the Domes will host Restaurants Under the Glass from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Warm up in the glorious humidity of the tropical and desert domes and then fill up on food and drink from some of the finest local purveyors our city has to offer.
“It’s a great way to bring people into the domes and re-expose them to a really wonderful gem in the city,” remarks Gail Schumann, event co-chair. “It’s just one of those Milwaukee icons that needs preserving,” echoes other co-chair Liz Fehring. In fact, there was a major renovation about five years ago to improve and update the interior. Each dome is seven stories tall and about half the width of a football field. The three glass humps, as I used to call them as a kid, are filled with thousands of plant species and the show dome hosts rotating exhibits.
For Restaurants Under the Glass, food will be set up in the lobby and in the show dome. There will also be the famous laser light show choreographed to music for dinner entertainment. This is the sixth year of the event and attendance continues to grow. Schumann anticipates 1,000 to 1,500 people, as pre-purchase tickets are way ahead of last year. “With most events during winter in Milwaukee, it’s hard to predict attendance,” she admits.
This year they have also added some upscale restaurants to give attendees a wider variety of local establishments. “They are so tied to the community – they donate all the food and staff, we’re just blown away by their generosity,” says Schumann.
Participating Restaurants are: Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro, Kil@wat, Mason Street Grill, Maxie’s Southern Comfort/Blue’s Egg, Milwaukee Ale House (with beer tasting), Roots Restaurant and Cellar, Sake Tume, Transfer Pizzeria/Cafe Via Downer, and more!
Some of the of the menu offerings include: vegetarian jambalaya and pulled pork from Maxie’s Southern Comfort, pot roast topped with caramelized onions with a citrus stout demi glaze served over mashed potatoes from Milwaukee Ale House, and Korean pork belly, steamed buns, broccoli slaw and butternut squash soup with cilantro and pepitas from Roots.
There is a $15 admission fee for adults and both food and raffle tickets are $1 each or six for $5. A ticket not only gets you (generous) samples at the restaurant stations, but also a chance to win dining gift certificates from participating restaurants. As a family-friendly event, tickets for children ages six to 17 are just $5 and children under five can enter for free. You can save on advanced admission tickets by purchasing online.
The Friends group organizes six events each year at the domes, including the Thursday night weekly music series Music Under the Glass.
One More Not to Miss
SoundBites – A Benefit for Radio Milwaukee
Thursday, Feb. 2 at The Iron Horse Hotel (500 W. Florida St.)
It might be cold outside, but the good news is that you can just eat and drink your way through winter here in good ol’ brew town. Here is one more event, a bit more upscale, that allows you taste Milwaukee’s most innovative culinary treats.
From 5:30 to 11 p.m., nosh on delicacies at eight chef-hosted tasting stations and then wash it all down with craft beer from Milwaukee Brewing Company, wine from Wollersheim Winery and spirits from Great Lakes Distillery.
Participating Restaurants are all my favorites in the city: The Rumpus Room, Pastiche Bistro & Wine Bar, Hinterland Erie Street Gastropub, La Merenda, Umami Moto and more!
Tickets are $125 each. Call (414) 475-8819 to register by phone or click to purchase online. Full disclosure: You might see me DJing…
