Pizza for One
At some point soon, you may think, “I’m going to order the BBQ chicken pizza from Oakland Trattoria,” You can still think that; you just need to edit the sentence. Owner R.C. Schmidt (papa of Louise’s Trattoria, Water Street Brewery, The Harp and others) has done the deed – the name change deed. Oakland Trat is now SoLo. Tina Lukowitz, director of marketing for the Schmidt bar-restaurants, says a couple of reasons played into the change – the “success” of the Black Rose, an Irish pub the company opened in 2009 in a space adjacent to the East Side pizzeria; and the “research” Lukowitz says the company has done suggesting that people want single-portion-size pizzas. “SoLo” has a connection beyond solo-size pizzas. The term also means, “South of Locust.” As for the menu, the focus is on wood-fired pizza. Composed pies like BBQ chicken and California trio come in three sizes. For build-your-own pizzas, there’s the Solo ($4.95 plus 50 cents per topping), Mezzo ($7.95) and Doppio ($12.95). (2856 N. Oakland Ave., 414-964-2850)
Expanding the Family
The guys from Diablos Rojos have announced their plans to take over the one-time Good Harvest Market space (346 N. Broadway, at East St. Paul, Third Ward). The market closed last February after little more than a year in business. The Diablos Rojos partners – who also own Trocadero, Cafe Centraal and two locations of Cafe Hollander – say their Benelux Grand Cafe and Market is targeted to open in spring 2011. Some details that might be part of the plan are a rooftop deck and a market area offering European foods. Once Diablos’ Mike Eitel shares concrete details, I’ll update you all here.
Green Weekend
Milwaukee’s Irish Fest is hitting a milestone this year. The fest’s 30th birthday! I’m expecting to see a lot of green silhouettes outside my office window. If you’re planning to add your shade of green to the crowd on the Summerfest grounds, it might help to know what you can eat. How Irish is the food? (You might be able to answer that. What’s an “ethnic” fest without Wong’s Wok, frozen bananas and fried eggplant strips?) Besides those inevitables, O’Donoghue (Aer Lingus Area and Children’s Area) will sell corned beef sandwiches, Guinness beef stew, garlic mashed potatoes with stew, soda bread and scones. Slim McGinn’s (High Life Area) will have Reuben rolls, shepherd’s pie, stout beef sandwiches, and an Irish breakfast on Sunday. The pleasing sounding Tipperary Tea Room (Lilliput Area) promises Irish oatmeal cookies, Guinness cheesecake, Irish coffee, scones and Jameson chocolate raspberry mousse torte. McBob’s (Lilliput Area) will dole out Scotch eggs, cheesy potatoes with corned beef, boiled dinner and corned beef sandwiches. Aug. 19-22. Thurs 5-10 p.m.; Fri 4 p.m.-midnight; Sat noon-midnight; Sun 11 a.m.-10 p.m. For more, click here.
Local Focal Point
The first two weeks in September are a critical time. During these 14 days, you’re asked to “make a conscious choice in learning more about food sources and choosing local producers.” That’s the raison d’être of the Milwaukee Eat Local Challenge (Sept. 1-14). So if you’re not already doing it, start eating slow food sourced locally. And if you need a jumpstart, the Urban Ecology Center (1500 E. Park Pl.) is hosting the Eat Local Resource Fair this Saturday (Aug. 21, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.). The fair will offer info, cooking demos and workshops to prepare for the challenge. In September, while you’re in the throes of slow eating, you can keep the momentum going by participating in these events – the Eat Local Kickoff at Westown Farmer’s Market (Sept. 1, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Zeidler Union Square, 301 W. Michigan St.), which promises local food for sale, samples and live music; a Friends of Real Food potluck dinner and chat at the Urban Ecology Center (Sept 8, 6-8 p.m.); and a local food festival at the Fondy Farmer’s Market (Sept. 11, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 2200 W. Fond du Lac Ave.). Why should you eat local? For starters, you’ll know where your food comes from. You’re also supporting the local economy and family farms. And you’ll help reduce your carbon footprint. Check out the website.
Grape Aficionado
Speaking of supporting the local economy, next up is wine. Next week Thursday’s wine tasting event at Andrew’s Bar & Restaurant features two Wisconsin wineries – Wollersheim and Cedar Creek. Prairie du Sac’s Wollersheim will bring its Prairie Fumé and Domaine du Sac (a medium-bodied red). Cedarburg-based Cedar Creek will have a Syrah and Chardonnay. The restaurant will provide accompanying appetizers. Aug. 26, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Cost: $15. Reservations are required. (The Delafield Hotel, 415 Genesee St., 262-646-1620)
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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.
