Combing the City
Restaurateur Marc Bianchini is looking for a new home for Osteria del Mondo, whose 16 years of life have been spent at 1028 E. Juneau Ave. (once the calling card of Sally’s Steakhouse). He refers to its future space as a “smaller, high-profile urban site” in Milwaukee. As Bianchini – who also operates COA and Cubanitas with his wife Marta – continues his search, he’s put an end date on Osteria’s habitation of the Knickerbocker Hotel space. He anticipates leaving those digs some time between fall 2010 and winter 2012.
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| Photo of Metro Bar & Cafe by John Cizmas. |
Earthly Commitment
Metro Bar & Cafe’s new executive chef Justin Johnson has wasted little time in debuting his menu. The chef who tuned around the dining program at Harwood Place retirement complex, is offering salads with aquaponic greens, sustainably sourced fish, organic poultry, and “humanely raised” beef on his lunch and dinner menus. Planning to head to Hotel Metro for lunch? Among the options: an artisanal Wisconsin cheese board; Wagyu beef sliders; pulled pork shoulder sandwich with Port apple jam and creamy savoy cabbage slaw; a salad of Rushing Waters trout and watercress; and 6-ounce Niman Ranch grilled flat-iron steak ($9-$25). From the dinner menu: Viking Village seared scallop salad; pan-fried New England skate wing with Great Northern bean ragout; Hillsboro chicken coq au vin; and 10-ounce Strauss free-raised veal chop ($10-$35). (Hotel Metro, 411 E. Mason St., 414-225-3270)
The Big Cheese
If you head to 2974 N. Oakland Ave. this Saturday, you can fête the new location of West Allis Cheese & Sausage Shoppe Café & Deli (whoa, what a name) on its grand opening day. Like its sister shops – in West Allis and at Milwaukee Public Market – the new store offers selections galore, including award-winning Wisconsin cheeses. Craving some cheese curds? Chocolate cheese? Beyond brats and beef sticks, this place will set you up with sandwiches (BLT, club, roast beef, as well as breakfast incarnations) and soups (chili and a soup of the day), espresso drinks and frozen custard (might as well make use of the machine that Bella’s Fat Cat left behind). Hours, for now: Mon-Thurs 7 a.m.-8 p.m.; Fri 7 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sat 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun 9 a.m.-6 p.m. (414-962-5455)
French Gimlet
The vibe in the front room of Le Rêve changes considerably with the arrival of the French restaurant and patisserie’s liquor bar. It offers a pleasing spot to wait for a table, and now allows Le Rêve to serve a range of mixed drinks. Owners Therese Hittman and Andy Schneider are doing up the arrival of this bar in style. April 19 is the date to save for “L’Ouverture Officielle.” It starts with a cocktail reception (three cocktals and four kinds of hors d’oeuvres), followed by a three-course menu paired with wine ($75 per person). The courses are a spring vegetable soup with tarragon almond pesto; Frenched bone-in rib eye with mushroom rösti; and warm molten chocolate cake with salted caramel ice cream. Reservations required. Call 414-778-3333. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. (7610 Harwood Ave., Wauwatosa)
Look for more Dish on Dining on Thursday!
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