Shacking Up
There’s often a lot of talk around this office about Buffalo wings. We have some fans. The Third Ward’s MJ’s (322 N. Milwaukee St.), one of the office faves, is closing, so that means people have a small window of opportunity to get their 30-cent wings on Retro Beer Night, which features the unmissable $1 cans of PBR, Blatz, Old Milwaukee, etcetera (Thursdays). It looks like you have a few weeks yet to get serious about MJ’s wings. The bigger news is what was revealed to the world earlier today – that Joe and Angie Sorge (of Water Buffalo, Swig and AJ Bombers) Scott Baitinger (co-owner of Streetza Pizza), developer Robert Joseph and Flux Design are joining forces to open Smoke Shack in the old MJ’s. The Shack will specialize in barbecue. The space, though small, will use every square foot to good use – including plans for alfresco dining. Sorge says they’ll take over the space April 1, with the opening targeted for summer.
Day and Night
I remember walking through the echoing, leaf-strewn tunnel to get to Hubbard Park Lodge (3565 N. Morris Blvd., Shorewood, 414-332-4207). It felt like I was a million miles away from life, as we know it. Despite a change in the lease holder, Hubbard Park Lodge is still Hubbard Park Lodge – open on Sundays for brunch and on Fridays for fish fry. However, Lakefront Brewery Palm Garden owner Russ Davis, who now runs the lodge, is doing things a little differently. On Sundays, you can just walk in. No need for reservations. The buffet format is gone – it comes out only on special occasions like Easter and Mother’s Day. Brunch – which is already in its fourth week – is served family style and includes all-you-can-eat pancakes, scrambled eggs, smoked bacon and sausage, Wisconsin cheesy hash browns, cereal and an omelet bar. Adults: $10.95; kids 12 and under $4.95; kids 2 and under are free. As for the fish fry, it’s similar to the one served at the Palm Garden, complete with polka band. Prices are $10.95-$14.95. Friday 5-9 p.m. Reservations are accepted only for eight or more.
Something Fishy
In the fond-memories-of-restaurants-of-yore category, there’s the fish fry at Madjecki’s in St. Francis. (Madjecki’s having retired to that big restaurant endgame in the sky.) But the fry-loved-by-many lives on. Former owners Don and Pat Madjecki shared their fry recipe with the staff of Riverfront Pizzeria Bar & Grill, which, by no surprise, has been serving it since then (509 E. Erie St., 414-277-1800). The Third Ward restaurant fish lineup includes breaded cod and perch ($10.25 and $12.95), cracker-crusted bluegill ($10.75) and baked cod ($10.75). They all come with coleslaw, rye bread and choice of French fries and potato pancakes. Finally, in the staffing department, Andy Stiyer, former Eddie Martini’s and Moceans chef, has been running the Riverfront kitchen for the last two years.
The Fuss About Buster’s
Some kind soul invited me to the media preview for the Wauwatosa Dave & Buster’s (2201 N. Mayfair Rd.), which has been likened to Chuck E. Cheese for grownups. (The place is scheduled to open March 1.) Games are grouped under “Action,” “Drive, Fly, Ride” and “Sports,” to name a couple – “200 games of skill,” per the press release. I don’t attend media events, but all the people on the D&B’s brochure sure look like they’re having a good time. Some of them even appear to be eating. If that’s your purpose, it looks like an Applebee’s type of experience. Think Buffalo wings, chicken nachos, burgers, even steaks, ribs, seafood and pasta. The primary market is adults ages 21 to 34 years old.
Beard Is Love
It’s time to get all James Beard-sy. The Oscars of the dining world – the 2010 James Beard Foundation Awards – are in semifinalist stage. Local nominees are Sanford Restaurant (Outstanding Restaurant); Sanford chef de cuisine Justin Aprahamian (Rising Star Chef of the Year); and Crazy Water’s Peggy Magister and Hinterland’s Dan Van Rite (both for Best Chef: Midwest). The finalists will be announced in March; the awards celebrated in May.
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 it on my column, or e-mail me directly: ann.christenson@milwaukeemagazine.com.
