Braun’s Spring ReOpening
Brewers leftfielder Ryan Braun is in spring training mode, but a crew of people are working to get his restaurant – the restaurant bearing Braun’s name – back in operation. Ryan Braun’s Waterfront, which opened close to this time last year (and closed in late November), will be back as Ryan Braun’s Graffito next month (exact date to be determined). The tag line for the menu is “scratch Italian cooking.” Dominic Zumpano (one-time head chef of Umami Moto) has returned to Milwaukee to head the kitchen.
In a phone conversation the other day, Zumpano shared some of what will appear on the menu. His small plates will include salamis and cheeses (and the plan is to make cheeses and cured meats in-house). Salads will range from a Caesar to a beet salad that also features cured, compressed watermelon and grilled ricotta salata. The menu’s “stadium section” will include the Sausage Race – a homemade Italian sausage, chorizo and brat with various condiment components, German-style pretzels and Wisconsin cheese. Zumpano’s staff will make the dough for its pizzas in-house. Among the Neapolitan-style creations is a sweet potato pie with radicchio and sopressata. In his entrée section, Zumpano is doing modern takes on familiar dishes like his steak, which will have the flavors of a Rossini but be very differently done, including into the equation, speck and a quail egg. More on Graffito’s opening when I have a firm date. (102 N. Water St.)
Green Day
So who’s for green beer and a leprechaun jig? Synchronize your watches for 5:15 p.m. this Thursday, March 17. The Third Ward is hosting its annual Shortest & Smallest St. Patrick’s Day Parade. If you can make it 844 feet, you’ve completed the route. It commences at The Irish Pub (124 N. Water St.) at 5:15 p.m., so get there 15 minutes early. You will then proceed to Club Charlies (320 E. Menomonee St.). The McMenamin Irish Dancers will perform in the Ward’s Catalano Square at 5:30 p.m. Wear your festive apparel.
Seafood Sunday
Has Daylights Savings put a spring in your step? I think I’m walking a little differently. Something’s in the air – a Sunday pick-me-up at Harbor House (550 N. Harbor Dr.), for instance. The restaurant’s Sunday brunch is starting this weekend. And this is some serious food. There are various tables from which you can partake: chilled seafood and salad, breakfast, lunch and desserts. Some examples: fresh oysters and clams on the half-shell, house-made ceviche, shrimp cocktail, Caesar salad, made-to-order eggs Benedict and omelets, breakfast potatoes, cedar-plank baked salmon, lobster pot pie, sliced roast beef and turkey, key lime pie, crème caramel and “Penny Candy” bar. Sundays starting March 20, 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Adults $39.95; children 4-12 $15.95. Call 414-395-4900 for reservations.
Chardonnay Day
If there’s a place for oenophiles to be on March 26, it’s undoubtedly the Milwaukee Public Market. That afternoon, Thief Wine Shop & Bar will host its first Spring Grand Tasting. The event feature 150 wines (from France, Australia, South Africa, Italy, the U.S. and other countries). March 26 (Saturday), 4:30-7 p.m. Event held in second-floor Palm Garden. Ticket cost is $55, which includes a Riedel wine glass to take home. (400 N. Water St.) Call 414-277-7707 to purchase tickets.
