Moto Cross
Are you taken with the photo above? It (the lobster creation therein, not the photo) can be yours if you visit Umami Moto. Executive chef Justin Carlisle recently took his editing pen to the menu. No worries – the sashimi, maki and specialty rolls remain. But he’s adopted a new approach for the rest of the menu. Instead of entrées, you’ll find 16 small plates ($5-$18). The plates range from a deconstructed gazpacho to cobia with red miso, lemon verbena, watermelon, tomato and olive oil. And from (shown above) poached lobster with black bean, pork, wax beans and ginger to Wagyu beef sliders topped with taleggio cheese and bacon. Carlisle – a Sparta, Wis., native who spent several years in Madison, at Harvest Restaurant and Restaurant Muramoto — has been running the kitchen at Umami for close to a year. Hours: Mon-Wed 5-10 p.m.; Thurs-Sat 5-11 p.m. (718 N. Milwaukee St., 414-727-9333)
Twist and Crack
Canal Street is the apt location of the Twisted Fisherman Crab Shack, which is just about ready to offer its crustacean-themed self to a mallet-happy crowd this weekend. The grand opening is a whole weekend – Friday, July 27 to Sunday, the 29th. But before you start salivating, the full menu won’t be rolled out quite yet. For opening weekend, Twisted Fisherman will serve a limited food menu (no specifics, sorry) and specialty drinks. The shack, a former gas station, is sibling to Rio West Cantina and Lakefront Brewery Palm Garden. This weekend’s hours: Friday, from 5 p.m.; Sat-Sun, from 11:30 a.m. (1200 W. Canal St., 414-384-2722)
Beef Relief
Who hates Sunday nights? Yeah, they can be a drag, but maybe not when you have a patty melt and $2 draft beer in your hand. Mason Street Grill recently started a Sunday night burger menu. It features three burgers – the Mason Street patty melt (two 5-ounce patties on grilled marble rye with onion rings, etc.); English pub burger (topped with aged cheddar, watercress and house steak sauce); and a turkey burger with smoked bacon, avocado, tomato and arugula. (The beef comes from Wisconsin cattle.) The burgers are available only in the bar and lounge and on the patio. Burgers are $11.95 each and include a side (fries, coleslaw, sweet potato chips and other options). Sundays, 5-9 p.m. The timing of this deal is pretty perfect. Our August “Top Burgers” issue is available on newsstands now. (425 E. Mason St., 414-298-3131)
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
