Horsepower
The Iron Horse Hotel (500 W. Florida St., 414-374-4766) is just in its very first spring, and while the bar Branded has been handling the food and drink for the clientele, there’s been the yearning for something more. A yearning for something… finer. To be sure, the hotel’s high-end restaurant, Smyth, is cruising towards its D-day of May 1st. Executive chef Tom Schultz, known for his tenure at the old Holiday House, has been having fun with the bar menu – the mini Kobe corn dogs to the surf-and-turf burger. I can only imagine what he has in mind for Smyth. And I mean that literally. They’ve been keeping the menu under wraps. But soon, folks.
Dinner With Jerry
Jerry Garcia, who never sang with the Grateful Dead but has helmed restaurant kitchens such as Coast, is very close to putting his stamp on the dinner menu at his new place of employment, the kitchen of Hotel Metro (411 E. Mason St.). Garcia’s new “Midwestern fusion” menu will be out next Thursday (April 2nd). Line-caught fish, organic greens and chicken – they seem especially apropos for a green month. (Earth Day is April 22nd.) Here’s an item for the meat lovers out there: coffee-crusted seared tenderloin stuffed with cherries and Gorgonzola cheese, served with Brie mashed potatoes and finished off with a cherry-Port reduction. Metro’s dinner hours are Mon-Fri 5-10 p.m., Sat 5-11 p.m.; Sun 5-9 p.m. Call 414-272-1937 for reservations.
Beans and Grapes
Coffee is a stimulant; alcohol is, of course, a depressant. Sounds like a yin-yang relationship. Sounds like… Javino, the soon-to-open cafe-wine cellar-retail store from the owners of Sheridan House in Cudahy. Owners Lee Barczak and Jane Schilz moved their wine shop out of the Milwaukee Public Market late last year and are slated to open Javino in mid-April (at 330 E. Menomonee St.). There’s a lot you’ll be able to do here – grab a pastry and coffee in the early morning, get some soup or a sandwich at lunchtime, stop for an evening drink or buy some bottled wine to bring home. Things may change, but for now, April 13th is the magic opening date.
Easter Feaster
You don’t want to just stay home and eat Peeps? Of course not. Easter (April 12th) is for baked ham and scalloped potatoes. But spending all day in the kitchen isn’t everybody’s cup of tea. (Little-known fact to the outside world: When I was little, my aunt made an Easter bread with hard-boiled, colored eggs. it made a very festive table centerpiece.)
You want to go out on Easter Sunday? A lot of people do, so call for reservations pronto:
Polaris: The last day Polaris will be open. Buffet brunch, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Includes carved pit ham, herb- and garlic-crusted prime rib, seared salmon, omelet station, cinnamon-raisin French toast soufflé and more. Adults $41; kids 10 and under $19. Reservations highly recommended. Call 414-270-6130. Hyatt Regency Milwaukee, 333 W. Kilbourn Ave.
Carini’s La Conca d’Oro: Buffet ($21.95 per person), 10 a.m.-2 p.m. It includes 15 entrées, like spiedini and roast ham. 3468 N. Oakland Ave., 414-963-9623.
Saz’s: Buffet brunch, 9:15 a.m.-3:15 p.m. Salad and dessert bar, omelet station, ribs, waffles and French toast. Adults $23.95; children 3-11 $10.50. 5539 W. State St., 414-453-2410.
Sheridan’s (at Sheridan House): Sit-down brunch, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Breakfast items include pecan Belgian waffles, vegetable egg soufflé and steak and eggs ($6.50-$10.95). After 11 a.m., the chef’s features kick in: balsamic-Dijon glazed ham ($13.95), roast leg of lamb ($16.95) and others. 5133 S. Lake Dr., Cudahy, 414-747-9800.
Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro: Sit-down brunch, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $38.95 per person. 3133 E. Newberry Blvd., 414-962-6300.
Fratellos Waterfront Restaurant: Brunch 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Adults $14.99; kids 12 and under $6.99. Open at 4 p.m. for dinner. 102 N. Water St., Ste. A, 414-271-1740.
Can’t get enough dining? I chat about restaurants every week with Jane Matenaer and Kidd O’Shea on “The Mix.” Listen at 6:10 a.m. – a new time! – on Friday, March 27th. That’s 99.1 WMYX-FM.
