For Milwaukee restaurants, Downtown Dining Week is the most exciting time of the year – and the 7^th annual event is coming up fast! From June 7 through 14, some of Milwaukee’s finest restaurants will offer prix fixe lunch and dinner menus to showcase some of their favorite and must scrumptious meals. To get pumped for this incredible week of food, Milwaukee Magazine will be randomly selecting three participating restaurants to sample. Be sure to check back here for all the delicious details as well as scope out the menus of all of the participating restaurants!

Second on the menu…

Kiku
202 W. Wisconsin Ave., milwaukee-sushi.net  

Located in Milwaukee’s bustling downtown district, Kiku’s is perfect for a lunchtime stop with co-workers or a weekend go-to after a busy day of browsing The Shops of Grand Avenue.

Although nervous about the parking situation, my lunch companion headed north on a weekday afternoon to get our raw fish fix at Kiku. Shockingly, parking was a breeze and we were pleased to be seated immediately upon arrival.

To get our meal started, we opted for Gyoza (pork pot stickers) in lieu of edamame. We weren’t disappointed. The pot stickers were moist and satisfying with a dab of soy sauce. After placing an order for Spicy Tuna Sushi Rolls and the Chicken Teriyaki Bento Box, we were treated to our sides of miso soup and salad. The miso soup was a bit too salty for my taste, but the salad was spot on with a zesty dressing and fresh greens.

Already feeling full, our tuna and Bento Box arrived. In my sushi experience, I’ve found that it can be either really good or really bad. That said, Kiku’s sushi fell right in the middle. It wasn’t mind blowing, but it wasn’t bad either. The chicken teriyaki, on the other hand, was delightful. The chicken tasted fresh and the teriyaki dressing flavorful. The addition of a California roll and spring roll completed the meal.

Once again my companion and I were too full for dessert, but be sure to try the Red Bean Ice Cream or Green Tea Ice Cream when you stop by for Downtown Dining Week.

If you go…
Not too crowded and in the middle of everything, Kiku was a perfect stop for a lunchtime meal. However, it might be worth a nighttime stop to take advantage of the full bar. Make a note: Happy Hour prices all day on Mondays. Cheers!

For Milwaukee restaurants, Downtown Dining Week is the most exciting time of the year – and the 7^th annual event is coming up fast! From June 7 through 14, some of Milwaukee’s finest restaurants will offer prix fixe lunch and dinner menus to showcase some of their favorite and must scrumptious meals. To get pumped for this incredible week of food, Milwaukee Magazine will be randomly selecting three participating restaurants to sample. Be sure to check back here for all the delicious details as well as scope out the menus of all of the participating restaurants!

Up first…

Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
740 N. Plankinton Ave., rockbottombrewery.com

Living in a city with accessibility to both a river and lake, we Milwaukeeans often seek out restaurants with waterfront real estate to enjoy our meals. On a sunny Friday afternoon, there’s no doubt that Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery fit the bill. And for $10, the prix fixe lunch menu for Downtown Dining Week won’t empty your wallet.

To start the meal, Rock Bottom offers customers a choice of Southwest Egg Rolls, Caesar Salad or Made to Order Guacamole. My companions and I started out with guacamole and were not disappointed. The chips were crackly fresh and the guacamole was satisfying and refreshing with fresh cut tomatoes as garnish. The lunch entrees were a bit heartier, but the Santa Fe Chicken Salad offers customers lighter fare that is bursting with flavor and topped with jalapeno ranch dressing.

Also being offered is Rock Bottom’s Brewer’s Club. The Club was jam-packed with turkey, bacon and ham, but ultimately didn’t exceed expectations in the way of flavor. It will certainly fill you up, but if you’re looking for a lunch tour de force, you may want to reach for a classic: Mac ‘N Cheese. At first glance, it’s just like any other macaroni dish, but a helpful tip from the server clued me in to a delicious secret: dump the bowl onto the plate for a flavor explosion. Rock Bottom’s homemade sauce worked in perfect harmony with the Cavatappi pasta and parmesan breadcrumbs. Perhaps not the best option if you’re watching your waist line, but by far the best pick on the menu.

With no room left we had to pass on dessert, but the offerings sounded tasty: carrot cake topped with cream cheese or warm donut holes with caramel sauce for dipping.

If you go…
On a warm afternoon or evening, I recommend trying to snag a spot on the patio. Rock Bottom doesn’t take patio reservations ahead of time, but if you call an hour in advance of your arrival they will try to accommodate your group. Don’t forget to wave to the passing groups of river cruisers!