Hawaiian Hideaway
Have you been craving pork laulau (steamed, wrapped in taro leaf), Hawaiian almond cookies and manapua (pork buns)? The new Tosa shop, One Kine Grindz (“Delicious Specialty Foods”), offers in these and other Hawaiian staples. Co-owner Guy Roeseler lived in Hawaii for 12 years. His partner, Kawika “David KC” Lau, is native Hawaiian. When they moved to Milwaukee, Roeseler’s hometown, it wasn’t like Musubi makers and Portuguese sausage are found at every corner market. So the pair decided to bring a little Hawaii here. Roeseler, a chef, is offering a few hot deli items – smoked half-chicken with rice, Kalua pork sandwich on sweet bread, and a rice bowl with shaved Kobe beef. The shop, though, is far more than prepared foods. It carries seasonings (from the Hawaiian company NOH Foods), juices and teas, cookbooks and Kona coffees, photography and Aloha T-shirts. Roeseler also makes fruit smoothies. Sounds like a fun shopping escape. Hours: Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-7 p.m. (7215 W. North Ave., 414-778-0727)
Horse Wine
The Iron Horse Hotel (500 W. Florida St.) is not shying away from touting its new honor – a 2010 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. And it shouldn’t. To highlight the wine menu available here, the in-house oenophiles are starting a new weekly event: World Wine Wednesdays (Oct. 6-Nov. 24). Stop in the hotel lobby (between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.) for wine-sampling. Each week, they’ll highlight a different region. This week, it’s New Zealand. Along with wines will be complimentary cheese pairings. All glass-pours and bottles from the designated region will be half-price, as well. To further carry the theme, the hotel restaurant Smyth will run a special specific to the region. This Wednesday, it’s New Zealand rack of lamb with caramelized Brussels sprouts, lentils and Otago Pinot-balsamic reduction. Future regions highlighted: South America (Oct. 13), California’s Roads Less Traveled: Central Coast to Santa Barbara (Oct. 20), Italy (Oct. 27).
Needful Things
Waukesha-based Indulgence Chocolatiers has just come out with a new line of molded truffles. (Owner Julie Waterman’s signature line features things like caramel fleur de sel, mint, and dark chocolate cherry.) The new line includes such enticing sounding flavors as Limoncello espresso, Thai peanut butter, coconut habanero, balsamic fig, and bananas Foster. I am dying of hunger just reading about them. You can order these treats from the company’s website – indulgencechocolatiers.com. Or try some local stores that carry certain truffles and/or bars from the Indulgence line. They include G. Groppi Food Market, Downer Wine & Spirits, Layton Fruit Market, Grasch Foods, and the Sendik’s stores in Elm Grove and Wauwatosa. Waterman has also released a new fall treat – a dark chocolate cranberry pumpkin seed bar. Look for it in stores starting this month.
Hey, people: Look for more Dish on Dining on Thursday!
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If you spot any restaurant openings or closings, post it on the comments section of my column, or e-mail me directly: ann.christenson@milwaukeemagazine.com.
