Suddenly Deutsch
I’m going to break from English for a moment, so bear with me. Strudel gefüllt mit schinken, apfel pfannkuchen. I seem to have a newfound obsession with the umlaut. Anyway, Blue’s Egg, which specializes in all things breakfast, is running German specials through December. The regular menu is in place, as well. You will simply have the option of ordering one of four dishes of a German nature. Examples (in English): schnitzel of pork with rye biscuit, arugula salad and Hamburg-style poached eggs; apple and cherry pancakes with Kirschwasser syrup; and strudel stuffed with ham, scrambled eggs, caramelized onion, liverwurst and BrauKäse cheese. Wear your lederhosen. Daily 7 a.m.-2 p.m. (317 N. 76th St., 414-299-3180)
Pigs and Port
Hey, two nights from now…. Bubbly, pigs in a blanket. An aluminum Christmas tree draped in tinsel. Sounds like a blast from the past, doesn’t it? Balzac Wine Bar will conjure up the Tom Collins-drinking past with its Holiday Wine Tasting and Sale this Thursday Dec. 15, 7-9 p.m. The tasting will be of champagnes, sparkling wines, ports and red wines. Because it just wouldn’t be retro without raw beef, they will serve “cannibal” sandwiches (on cocktail bread and topped with sliced onion), as well as beet-brined deviled eggs, cracked pepper/pimento cheese sandwiches, Gorgonzola cheese balls, cocktail meatballs, and, of course, pigs in a blanket. $25 per person. For reservations, call 414-755-0099. (1716 N. Arlington Pl.)
Music Men
It might surprise you to learn that musicians performing in Milwaukee eat very well while they’re here. At least, if their performance venue is the Pabst or Riverside theater. In a recent issue of Milwaukee Magazine, I wrote about a chef whose gig is to cook for people like Nora Jones and John Mellencamp when they’re doing a show at one of the above-mentioned spaces. Kevin Sloan, who spent earlier years of his career running restaurants like The Social and Sol Fire, is these days feeding the people who file into the Green Room before or after a show. So last weekend, I head-bopped with the crowd at the Wilco concert (Riverside Theater), and I started thinking about the contents of singer Jeff Tweedy’s stomach. Hmm. Sloan shared the menu with me: dim sum platter (ginger beef pot stickers, shrimp and napa cabbage spring rolls, tuna-avocado spring rolls); oven-roasted lamb chops with truffled white bean puree and rapini; mustard-glazed salmon with udon noodles; and handmade spinach ravioli with wild mushroom-Marsala cream and chive mascarpone.
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
