Looking Up
You could say life is getting better on Humboldt and Water. It might even be good, despite the (semi-)recent closings of nearby restaurants like Caribbean Good Life (1935 N. Water St.). Scott and Leslie to the rescue. By September, the intrepid restaurateurs, who own Brady Street restaurants Balzac and Hi Hat Lounge/Garage, plan to resuscitate Good Life’s abandoned digs. Their concept is a taqueria called Bel Air Cantina. Leslie Montemurro describes the vision for the decor – and the menu, for that matter – as “California surf culture.” With a distinct Mexican feel. If you’re familiar with some of the duo’s other businesses – Palomino or Fuel Cafe – you know that Montemurro and partner Scott Johnson don’t hold to any standard definitions. There’s some tradition in the way the taco is given its due (carne asada and al pastor will be fillings), and there will invariably be the creative takes. Burritos and tamales will also be around. The other component is, of course, drinks. The owners plan to offer a fair number of tequilas (tequila flights and tastings), and specialty margaritas. To tone down the bite of the tequila, the cantina will offer chasers of Sangrita (translation: “little blood”). Sangrita is a combo of tomato, orange and lime juices, but the ingredients can vary. Johnson’s take on the interior is to respect the beauty of the building without messing with it too much. You may recall that Good Life had a sweet patio facing the Milwaukee River. Bel Air will use that as well, which is why they’re hoping the opening will catch late summer’s balmy weather. Happily, the Humboldt Street Bridge is no longer the elephant in the closet. And now… learn everything you wanted to know and more about Scott and Leslie in Milwaukee Magazine’s August issue. A link to the Web version of the feature, “Definition of Cool,” is here.
Looking North
Food and entertainment all in one destination. That’s what Saukville’s Rhythm ’n Brews (150 S. Foster Dr.) promised. But the restaurant of less than one year closed last week. Owner Chris Greene linked its demise to the location and the sad-sack economy. Greene, who also owns La Chimenea in Germantown (N112 W15251 Mequon Rd.), is not giving up the space. He’s opening a second La Chimenea to replace R’nB in the coming weeks. The Germantown restaurant having “been so successful, we plan to emulate everything there,” including the menu, he says. But he also hasn’t entirely given up on the Rhythm ’n Brews concept. While it’s shelved for now, Greene thinks it could return somewhere sometime.
Tiger on the Street
Lunch calls. Everyday at around noon. Funny how that works. In your travels about town, you may have run across Streetza, the mobile pizza truck. Or Satellite Crêpes, which offers its filled French finger foods at local events like Chill on the Hill. Joining them on the quest to feed the ambulating masses is the Tiger Bite Truck. Found it the other day on Wisconsin Avenue near Northernwestern Mutual. The black truck with orange lettering presents a curious cross between Mexican and Asian food. On the menu, there are three kinds of tacos (chicken, pork and barbecued beef “kalbi”); meat- and veggie-filled egg rolls; a quesadilla; and sweet potato fries. Prices $3-$6. Track the truck’s whereabouts by following it on Twitter: @tigerbitetruck
Cold Comfort
In last week’s column, Cold Spoons’ gelato cart was still a glimmer in co-owner Sandy Murphy’s eye. “Glimmer” in the sense of “just waiting for the health department to issue the go-ahead.” Starting Thursday (tomorrow), the wheels of this handsome old-school orange cart will be in motion. The cart can hold six flavors of gelato and sorbet. On Friday, Murphy plans to send it on its merry way during Gallery Night in the Third Ward (5-9 p.m.). It’s weather-dependent, of course. Keep tabs on the cart’s progress by following the shop on Twitter: @coldspoons
Bluemound Burritos
The last time I blew down Bluemound, the former El Matador building (9155 W. Bluemound Rd.) looked like it was down for the count. La Fuente owner Jose Zarate is about a month from reopening the space as a second La Fuente restaurant. His popular Walker’s Point Mexican restaurant (625 S. Fifth St.) has all the ingredients to spread its success west. A couple of ingredients, really. Think of “salt around the rim.”
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And don’t miss this week’s Shopaholic to learn about new stores and events in the world of local retail.
If you spot any restaurant openings or closings, don’t hesitate to post them on my column, or e-mail me directly: ann.christenson@milwaukeemagazine.com.
