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The Third Ward is where it’s at. And it’s increasingly dominated by businesses owned and operated by restaurateurs Joe and Angie Sorge (of Water Buffalo, Swig and Smoke Shack fame). The duo recently announced their plans to open a doughnut shop – called Holey Moley – in the space formerly occupied by Milwaukee Cupcake Company (316 N. Milwaukee St.). Those digs were previously home to Harlequin Bakery. Along with the retail space, the lease includes a sizable baking facility, which will be the headquarters for all the breads, pastries, doughnuts, pastas, etc. served at the Sorge venues.
There are several key words in the previous sentence. One of them is “pastas.” The doughnut shop – which will offer six standard flavors, along with a couple of daily options – isn’t the Sorges’ only iron in the fire. They’ve also secured the lease at the old Palms Bistro and Bar (or Bourbon & Tunns) at 221 N. Broadway. There they will open the Italian restaurant Onesto (Italian for “honest”). Joe Sorge says to expect neither fine dining nor stereotypical red-checked tablecloth-and-Chianti-bottle Italian. Frequent collaborator Flux Design is doing the interior. The menu will “pay homage to traditional Italian, but with our modern touches,” Joe says. Expect handmade pastas, breads with various toppings, rustic sandwiches, protein-based entrées, and desserts. Wine (including tap options) will also be an important component.
“At no point will we print something you can’t pronounce,” he says. Target opening for Onesto is late July. The couple hopes to debut the doughnut shop in early July.
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