Hola, Not Bonjour
Jean Pierre, the Frenchman of Shorewood, has reinvented himself. He is Juan Pedro now, si. Owners John and Anne Nehring (whose also businesses also include the Sendik’s on Oakland) made the restaurant switcheroo about a month ago, to help jumpstart their dinner business (4330 N. Oakland Ave., 414-906-9333). Although the menu has taken a Mexican fusion angle, many staples from the old Jean Pierre Cafe remain. For breakfast, you can still order blueberry pancakes, French toast and quiche. And lunch items include a Cobb salad and classic hamburger. The new Juan side to the menu ranges from huevos rancheros for breakfast to a shredded pork torta (sandwich) for lunch to enchiladas and short rib burritos for dinner. The Nehrings also have a full liquor license now, so if you’re more of a mixed-drink person, well, olé. Mojitos, Margaritas, martinis – Juan Pedro is doing them all. Prices: breakfast $5-8; lunch $6.25-$9; dinner $5-$18.50.
A Meaty Love Affair
One John Guckel called me the other day. Guckel is involved in a new restaurant project in Belgium, WI (that’s just north of Port Washington). Guckel, who spent 16 years at Coerper’s 5 O’Clock Club (when it was owned by the Coerper family), will manage Deano’s Steakhouse. Guckel is no hurry to open the doors of this “real, bona fide supper club,” as he calls it. Service will not be thrown by the wayside. “We want friendly waitresses and bartenders – [people] who can interact,” says Guckel. Emphasis will also be on perfecting the back of the house. Right now, the staff has enlisted a former chef from Port Washington’s Port Hotel Restaurant to serve, for the time being, as executive chef. No E.T.A. on Deano’s opening, but I know where to find to Guckel. (305 Lakeview Dr., Belgium)
Fly in Tosa
A sign outside Firefly caught my eye the other day. It’s been six months since sisters Marija and Vesna Madunic changed the concept of their restaurant Bjonda, renaming it Firefly Urban Bar & Grill (7754 Harwood Ave., Wauwatosa, 414-431-1444). The space is a bit more casual. (Additional TVs have been added, but Marija says the coverage isn’t limited to sports.) Witness the homage to Bjonda in the micro-burgers and “crunch” salad – two items carried over from the old place. The wood-burning grill and smoker influence the rest of the menu – several kinds of meats with mix-and-match sauces and side dishes. OK, so what about that sign? I smell a special – more than one. On Sunday and Monday nights, there’s a 20 percent discount on each guest check. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are all-you-can-eat beef brisket night (plus free children’s pasta and cheese dinners). Fridays – it’s a fish fry, also all you can eat. Now that sounds like Milwaukee. Hours: Mon 4:30-10 p.m.; Tues-Thurs 4:30 p.m.-12 a.m.; Fri 4:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m.; Sat 5 p.m.-1:30 a.m.; Sun 5-10:30 p.m.
Bean There
I’m wearing my scarf in the office today. It’s chilly and damp, I tell you. Chili weather. (Also, hot cocoa weather. But I won’t get into that.) Buy some Beano and check out Milwaukee’s Largest Chili Cookoff, a benefit for Camp Heartland. I can’t say I know of a chili cookoff featuring more restaurants. There’s, to name a few, Anaba Tea Room, Annona Bistro, Bayou, Buckley’s, Harry’s Bar & Grill, Libiamo, Maxie’s Southern Comfort, Nessun Dorma, Roots, The Wicked Hop and Whole Foods. OK, that’s more than a few. Sign up in advance ($10), or at the door ($15). Call 414-687-5365. Dec. 8, 4-8 p.m. Chili location: Wisconsin State Fair Park, WI Products Pavilion, 8200 W. Greenfield Ave.
Watery Topic
I recently read in Jake’s e-mail newsletter that the Brookfield steakhouse is no longer serving tap water unless diners ask for it. The restaurant’s explanation is that it’s part of an “effort to be kinder to our environment.” People may grumble about this sort of thing, but I like the idea. Some diners don’t drink tap water when it’s automatically given to them. More water glasses are additional dishes that need to be washed, whether or not they’ve been used. So it amounts to more waste. I don’t mind having to ask for a glass of water, especially when there’s a responsible, environment-conscious reason behind it.
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, Dec. 6. 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.
