India Aria
There will again be Indian food on the corner of Van Buren and Brady – very shortly. Usha Bedi owns the building that housed her (and daughter Ami’s) Indian-fusion restaurant, Dancing Ganesha (1692 N. Van Buren St.). Usha has leased the space to a new business called India Rasoi. (The name, I’m told, refers to an Indian kitchen.) I just had a phone conversation with the manager at this soon-to-be. The restaurant will serve an Indian lunch buffet, as well as nightly dinner. The opening could be just days from now. I’ll keep you posted.
Troc Transition
Sometimes I like to pretend it’s not Wisconsin and bask in the heated air of Trocadero’s outdoor patio (1758 N. Water St., 414-272-0205). Troc had a minor tune-up recently – both cosmetic and culinary. The front door is usable again, so you walk through that intimate front dining room before you get to the back bar and the doors that lead to the patio. It was also transition time for the menu. It’s tricked out with a lotta-lotta new stuff. Such as? Tilapia with caper-brown butter sauce ($16); mac and cheese topped with toasted breadcrumbs ($11); grilled shrimp ratatouille ($15); a section devoted to crepes, quiche and eggs ($6.50-$8.50); and desserts like chocolate mousse ($5.50). The frites (fries) served with dipping sauces – from curry ketchup to honey mustard to basil aioli – will be familiar to fans of sister restaurant Cafe Hollander (2608 N. Downer Ave., 414-963-6366).
Whole New Chef
Chefs move around. That’s the nature of the business. Jordan Short, most recently executive chef at Coast Restaurant (931 E. Wisconsin Ave.), has jumped over to Whole Foods Market (2305 N. Prospect Ave.), taking the in-store chef position held by Tim McLean, who’s moved to Pennsylvania. If you ever find yourself in the Lifestyle Center at Whole Foods for a cooking class or private party, that area is Short’s territory – a cool high-tech kitchen on the southwest side of the store. As far as cooking classes are concerned, Short is doing one on Champagne & Seafood in the Center on Nov. 29 (6:30 p.m.; $25 per person). The class will feature a raw bar. Call 414-223-1500 to reserve a spot.
Bubbles of Fun
Bubbles in wine? I love ’em. If you’re reading this column minutes after I’ve posted it – and you have nothing planned for tonight – Cuvée (181 N. Broadway, third floor, 414-225-9800) is throwing its grand opening party this evening (Thurs, Nov. 8) starting at 7:30 p.m. (The music – Robin Pluer and Mrs. Fun – starts at 8 p.m.) The lounge is devoted to sparkling wines and Champagne. If tonight doesn’t work for you, there’s always tomorrow and the night after that.
Less than a month from now, “Bubbles, Bubbles and More Bubbles” will be flowing at Osteria del Mondo (1028 E. Juneau Ave.). The event means access to more than 30 sparking wines and Champagnes, as well as the hors d’oeuvres that will allow you to keep sipping. There’s also the chance to win a gift basket of sparkling wine, bubble bath and Riedel Champagne glasses. The reservation capacity is capped at 100, so the earlier you commit, the better. Dec. 3, 6-8:30 p.m. Price: $30 per person. Call 414-291-3770.
One more thing: Osteria’s parent company, On the Marc Restaurants, has a new wine director who comes straight from a two-year stint at the Immigrant Room in Kohler. Jaclyn Stuart is busy putting together a new wine menu for Osteria that takes the intimidation out of choosing what to drink. All the silly jargon associated with wines (example: “fervent cherry undertones with an assertive oak chaser”) won’t be part of it. “Delicate whites” and “full-bodied reds” are the kinds of categorizing terminology you’ll see. Stuart is also working on the menu for On the Marc’s new development, Indulge, which you’ll read more about in this column. Soon, I hope.
Can’t get enough dining? I chat about restaurants every week with Jane Matenaer and Kidd O’Shea on “The Mix.” Listen between 8 and 9 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15. That’s 99.1 WMYX-FM.
Also check out Colleen Heather Rogan’s weekly Shopping column and our Events Editor Evan Solochek’s picks for the best events in arts and entertainment in This Weekend.
