Coffee Mate
Shorewood’s Cornerstone Building is really taking shape. North Star American Bistro and Thief Wine Shop & Bar have both opened in their new digs. Next week is Alterra Coffee’s turn. The cafe will anchor the Oakland and Kensington corner of the building. And starting Tuesday, Dec. 28, you’ll be able to get your favorite coffee drinks, baked goods, smoothies and the whole shebang of a food menu (breakfast burritos, yeah!). Hours: Mon-Fri 6 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat-Sun 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m. (4500 N. Oakland Ave., Shorewood, 414-312-8295)
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| The National Cafe, photo by Google Maps. |
Reduced to Crumbs
In Milwaukee Magazine’s December issue, I mention assorted breakfast items, such as the French Toastwich and the breakfast burrito, served at The National Cafe in Walker’s Point. If beginning the day on a positive note is a challenge, I would suggest coming here. Mark Neufang, who recently joined the staff as a baker, is putting his spin on the shelves, with treats like pumpkin whoopie pies, raspberry granola bars, grasshopper brownies, and peanut butter swirl brownies. And teetering the line between breakfast and treat – but who needs definitions? – Neufang has baked up pumpkin-cheddar muffins, Nutella scones and raspberry “Back to School” granola bars. Oooo. Hours: Mon-Fri 7 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Sat-Sun 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (839 W. National Ave., 414-431-6552)
Thursday Dream
A few years ago, Dream Dance added “Steak” to the end of its name. The implication being that DD knows its way around beef. It still, however, may come as a surprise that Dream Dance Steak devotes a night to the burger. That happens every Thursday, 5-9 p.m. The restaurant serves a 10-ounce Kobe Wisconsin cheeseburger with truffle potato skins ($17). The twist is that the toppings and bun change every week. On one occasion, the burger was split and double-stacked with Wisconsin mozzarella cheese, Italian sausage, sweet peepers and sun-dried tomato pesto, then served on garlic-butter toasted brioche. Sounds decadent and worth tearing yourself away from the slot machines. (Potawatomi Bingo Casino, 1721 W. Canal St., 414-847-7883)
A New Year
The website FoodChannel.com is like the Nostradamus of food. Among the channel’s predictions for what will be hot in 2011 is canning. (My mom canned pickles, tomatoes and all kinds of fruit, but frankly, I can’t imagine finding the time.) Another forecast: “men in aprons.” Translation: The downturn in the job market will put more men in the kitchen. And yet another “trend” I’d like point out: “eating for sex and other things.” I watched the video posted on the website to fully, um, grasp this. Along with images of oysters, they show chocolate-covered strawberries and vegetables touted as “natural Viagra.” Happy 2011!
Look for more Dish on Dining soon.…
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If you spot a restaurant opening or closing, post it on the comments section of my column, or e-mail me directly: ann.christenson@milwaukeemagazine.com.
