New Roots

Photo by Jessica Kaminski
Changing Scene
As the year winds to a close, local restaurants are firming up their menus for New Year’s Eve and focusing on the year to come. John Raymond, owner of Roots Restaurant and Cellar, is already thinking of seedlings and farmer’s markets. Other things are on his mind, too – specifically, the departure of chefs Paul Zerkel and Lisa Kirkpatrick and arrival of new executive chef Daniel Jacobs. Zerkel’s tenure with Roots was six years; Kirkpatrick’s, five. I don’t yet know their plans, but hope they’re staying in Milwaukee. As for the incoming chef, Jacobs spent time in the kitchens of Chicago restaurants Green Zebra and Bistro Campagne, among others. In Milwaukee, he briefly worked at Dicks Pizza and Pleasure. Roots will start its Winter World Tour of Spain – special dishes offered in addition to the regular menu – on Jan. 2. Raymond promises that Roots’ New Year’s Eve menu will bear the imprint of Jacobs. More on that in a future column. (1818 N. Hubbard St., 414-374-8480)

Sobering Meal
There are no adages that advise starving a hangover. To undo the damage of a New Year’s Eve bender, you might do best to eat your hangover away. Whole Foods Market is again offering its New Year’s morning Hangover Brunch. A 16-foot buffet of breakfast, brunch and lunch items ($6.99 per pound). Eat there or pack it up to go. Jan. 1, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (2305 N. Prospect Ave., 414-223-1500)

From India, With Love
With all those notes to Santa you’ll have written in the last month, you should be in the list-making habit. Of things to look forward to in 2012, add this to your pad of paper: the second season of Alamelu Vairavan’s cooking show on MPTV. If you like Indian food – particularly veggie-based South Indian – Vairavan is your cook. Born in India and now a longtime Milwaukeean, she’s released Healthy South Indian Cuisine, among other titles. From her recipe compendium: lemon rice with peanuts, butternut squash Masala and spice-rubbed seared salmon. Her TV cooking show, Healthful Indian Flavors With Alamelu, premieres on Jan. 7. Broadcast date: Saturday 12:30 p.m. on MPTV 10.1 HD. If you miss it, it will be shown again on Sundays at 2 p.m. (MPTV 36.1 HD) and Fridays at 6 p.m. (MPTV 10.1 HD).

Look for Dish on Dining on Tuesdays and Thursdays!

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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