Comings, Goings, Movings, Etcetera
• Ten years and a new location. A few weeks ago, I mentioned that Brookfield’s Agave Southwestern Grille is kaput. And Mr. B’s: A Bartolotta Steakhouse, which is now 10 years old, would like new digs. The news is official. Mr. B’s will vacate its Stonewood Village space (177th and Capitol) and head west on Capitol to the old Agave (18380 W. Capitol Dr.). The new location offers advantages such as… a spacious patio, adjacent parking and better visibility from the road. Bartolotta Restaurant Group says Mr. B’s will close (in the old location) in late March and reopen (in the new one) just one week later.
• This may not be news to you but after the Valentine’s Day festivus, Trocadero (1758 N. Water St., 414-272-0205) will close and commence a “major renovation.” Mike Eitel, part of the ownership group Diablos Rojos, says he anticipates the restaurant will be closed for several weeks. The Humboldt Bridge’s longtime closing has certainly not helped any of the businesses around there. Which makes patronizing a place like Brocach Irish Pub (a shade north of Trocadero, 1850 N. Water St.) all the more important. The pub – which serves fish fry and Irish breakfast everyday, morning and night – opens at 11 a.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. on weekends.
• La Dolce Vita (1673 N. Farwell Ave.) is the victim of a disconnected phone number. I think you know what that means. Donesville. The East Side Mediterrean restaurant opened in March 2009.
• There’s something about that intersection of Bluemound and Hawley Road. Lots of action. A small building on the northwest side of the intersection recently opened under the name Blue Hawley Cafe (5814 W. Bluemound Rd., 414-875-3040). The current menu focuses on sandwiches and made-from-scratch soups. Some choices are cheesesteak, chicken almond wrap and black bean wrap ($4.25-$5.25), with more options to come. Open Mon-Sat 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Super Tie-in
Not planning to entertain your sports-loving cronies on Superbowl Sunday? Looking for a place to watch the game or just watch other people as they watch it? During Superbowl hours, COA, serving Mexican street food at Bayshore Town Center, will donate a percentage of its sales to the nonprofit Three Angels’ Children’s Relief organization. Proceeds will benefit kids affected by the earthquake in Haiti. The all-you-can-eat buffet is $20 for adults, $10 for children. Sunday Feb. 7, beginning at 4:30 p.m. (5750 N. Port Washington Rd., 414-967-1451)
Four Times the Chocolate
Regrettably I am missing Braise RSA’s Chocolate Dinner at Meritage (5921 W. Vliet St.) on Feb. 9th. It’s four courses all incorporating Milwaukee-based Omanhene chocolate. Meritage chef-owner Jan Kelly teams with chefs like La Merenda’s Peter Sandroni, Northwestern Mutual Life’s Michelle Evans and Le Rêve’s Andy Schneider. (The courses include savory Morel churros with chocolate dipping sauce, and duck confit Napoleon with chocolate-cherry sauce.) Wines will be red and supplied by Merryvale Vineyards in Napa. The dinner is completely booked, but if you’re interested in hearing about future RSA meals, send an e-mail to info@Braiseculinaryschool.com.… And, if the two examples from the chocolate dinner have made you crazy-hungry, Jan Kelly – who’s prepraring the duck Napoleon – has winterized her menu at Meritage. New menu items include a French “sandwich” (puff pastry filled with salami, Pepper Jack cheese and Dijon mustard), mushroom-potato lasagna (the potatoes sub for lasagna noodles), and bison short ribs with mushroom-potato gratin. Entrées $12-$19. (414-479-0620)
Heart-shaped World
It’s time to worry about Valentine’s Day. The pressure! Instead of – or in addition to – that box of Russell Stover chocolates, you might want to impress with an evening out. These local restaurants are doing something special – sweets for the sweet, you might say. Call now for reservations:
Sanford: The four-course meal gives diners a choice of appetizer, entrée and dessert, and a set soup course. Cost: $85 per person, not including wine. Feb. 14, 5-9 p.m. (1547 N. Jackson St., 414-276-9608)
Coquette Cafe: The prix fixe menu – offered on Feb. 13 and 14 – features shrimp bisque, seared duck breast with sausage wild rice, and cream cheese poppy-seed tart with white wine cherry sauce. Cost: $42 per person. Feb. 13, 5-11 p.m. Feb. 14, 5-10 p.m. (316 N. Milwaukee St., 414-291-2655)
Meritage: Will offer the regular menu, as well as specials like veal Oscar and butternut squash ravioli with browned butter. Feb. 14, 5-9 p.m. (5921 W. Vliet St., 414-479-0620)
Hinterland Erie Street Gastropub: Offering the full dinner menu, including elk tenderloin, sablefish and two species of scallops. Feb 14, 5-10 p.m. (222 E. Erie St., Third Ward, 414-727-9300)
Le Rêve Cafe & Patisserie: The prix fixe menu features seared foie gras or butter-poached lobster over risotto; wild mushroom bisque or salade maison; seared striped bass with chowder of cockles and bacon, tortellini with winter ratatouille, or grilled strip loin with shallot roasted haricot vert. Also a special Valentine dessert. Feb 14, 5-9 p.m. Cost: $45, or $65 with wine pairings. (7610 Harwood Ave., Wauwatosa, 414-778-3333)
Café Manna: Four-course dinner: chef’s choice soup; choice of two salads; entrée of wild mushroom risotto with spinach or grilled vegetable ratatouille; housemade chocolate bon-bons or fresh seasonal fruit tart. Feb. 14, 4-9 p.m. Cost: $60 per person. (3815 N. Brookfield Rd., Brookfield, 262-790-2340)
Sake Tumi: Special menu is available Fri-Sun (Feb. 12, 13 and 14). Four-course dinner features entrée choice of Shanghai black pepper filet, Korean kalbi barbecue or teriyaki salmon. $50 per couple. Feb. 14, from 3 p.m. (714 N. Milwaukee St., 414-224-7253)
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.
