 |
| Black tea. |
In the Tea Leaves
I was just reading an article that expounds on the theory that drinking a certain kind and quantity of tea will boost your immune system by four times. Five cups of black tea per day was the magic dosage. That’s a lot of black tea. If you want to believe it and load up on infused tea leaves, you’ll have a new place to do that this spring, when “certified tea specialist” Jennifer Nowicki opens Verduras Tea House and Cafe on Broadway. It’ll occupy the first floor of the Artasia Gallery space (181 N. Broadway). Nowicki, a Green Bay native, says she will focus on large tea selection (teas served hot or cold) and offer vegetarian soups, salads and sandwiches. (“Verdura,” by the way, is Italian for “vegetable.”) You might remember Brew City Tea, which had a short stint in the Third Ward a few years ago (at 140 N. Jefferson St.). More on this tea house-to-be as we get closer to – my heart soars at the word – spring.
The Plot Thickens
Let’s recap. Ryan Braun’s Waterfront (102 N. Water St.) is closed. For the time being. And new owner SURG Restaurant Group (which has quite a few holdings now, with Carnevor, Charro, Umami Moto and others) is planning some interior renovations and culinary changes before reopening Braun’s place in March. That’s old news. What partners Omar Shaikh and Mike Polaski have been tight-lipped about – until now – is the new executive chef. Dominic Zumpano, who helmed and later left Umami Moto, is coming back to run the Braun kitchen. Zumpano’s menu will be Italian, but I have nothing specific about that yet.
The Wright Food
After you peruse the furniture, photos, models and drawings that make up the Milwaukee Art Museum’s exhibit to Frank Lloyd Wright, you’ll need to come up for air. And you’ll very likely be hungry. This show, “Frank Lloyd Wright: Organic Architecture for the 21st Century” (Feb. 12-May 15) gives the nod to both the 100th anniversary of Taliesin (Wright’s home’s in Spring Green) and the 10th anniversary of the Calatrava addition. The museum’s Café Calatrava creatively ties its menu to the exhibition. Look for the connections in the following menu items: Calatrava grilled ham and cheese; Strauss veal-stuffed cabbage with sweet potato logs and apple curry sauce; “woodsy” herb-marinated Portobello mushroom with Montchevré blue cheese and baked spaghetti squash; and pappardelle with wild boar ragu ($8-$16). Café hours: Tues-Sun 11 a.m.-4 p.m. (700 N. Art Museum Dr., 414-224-3831)
Grape Fun
Winter, though often brutal, offers opportunities to avoid its worst qualities. The one-word distraction: Wine! And here comes the Bay View Wine Tasting Benefit on Feb. 5 (7-10 p.m.), a benefit for the Bay View Community Center. Last year, the event had 50 selections from France, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and the United States. This year? No idea. But here’s hoping for that or more. Tickets: $40 in advance, $45 at the door. Location: Woodland Dreams Ballroom at Potawatomi Bingo Casino (1721 W. Canal St.) Buy your tickets online here.
Look for more Dish on Dining on Tuesday.…
Wait! Don’t stop reading. I’m on Twitter! Follow me @ann_christenson
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.
