Chili Chaser
The “coming soon” sign posted on the windows of Chili Lili’s (525 E. Menomonee St., 414-897-0555) is a “now open” sign. Just happened the other day. Owner Jay Schiek was pleased with his “pre-season scrimmage” (trial run), so the flood gates to this bar-restaurant have opened. The name of the game is chili and not just one kind – close to two dozen. But, hold on… Since Lili’s just opened, it’s running a partial menu. For now, Schiek is offering close to five kinds of chili – Cincinnati, Southwest, Texas, Buffalo chicken and vegetarian. After Summerfest, he plans to roll out the rest of the menu, which, besides other chili varietals, will include a burger, chili dog, chili cheese fries, chili nachos and a chile (as in “pepper”) flourless chocolate cake. There’s a fun twist to ordering the chili. You can just get a standard bowl or you can order your chili over garlic bread, cornbread or mac and cheese. And the menu’s other items will be customizable to the type of chili you want. So if you like Texas chili, you can have that on your nachos or hot dog. If you’re a Cincinnati chili buff (this relatively sweeter version has cinnamon and sometimes chocolate or cocoa), you can order it three-, four- or five-way. That refers to how much you want added to it – spaghetti, hand-cut Vidalia onions, slow-cooked red beans and/or cheddar cheese ($5-$9.50). Again, just a limited menu for now. Hours: Mon-Thurs 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri-Sat 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m.-9 p.m. (Possibly extended hours during Summerfest.)
X More Hours to Dine
This is one bit of news that won’t keep longer than today – and that is Thursday, June 17. It’s pretty much everything you need to know about Dining Out for Life, a simple way to help kids affected by AIDS and HIV. The one-day fund-raiser is the brainchild of the national nonprofit, One Heartland (an umbrella organization that includes Camp Heartland, founded by Milwaukeean Neil Willenson in 1993). All you do is dine at one of more than 100 participating restaurants from all over the metro area. Once you’ve done that, 25 percent of your bill will be donated to One Heartland. Examples of restaurants in the mix: Lagniappe Brasserie, Cafe Manna, Sala da Pranzo, Saz’s State House, Milwaukee Ale House, Harvey’s Central Grille, Mia Famiglia, Mason Street Grill, Crazy Water and Cempazuchi. Again, the event ends tonight. To see the full list of restaurants, click here.
Summerfest is next week already – for 11 days starting June 24. (Where did the time go?) Before all that Third Ward ruckus begins – the very night before – Nanakusa will throw its customers a bone. A Nanakusa Customer Appreciation Night on June 23! Yeah, 25 percent off all sushi, sashimi and maki – during dinner only, 5-10 p.m. Come early, since it’ll likely be busy. Also, Nana will stay open during someof Summerfest – a switch from past years. Hours: June 24, 27, 29 and 30: L 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. D 5-9 p.m. June 25: L 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. D 5-10 p.m. June 26: 5-10 p.m. (408 E. Chicago St., 414-223-3200)
Meat on the Bone
Some people might say a good meal comes on a buffet table. The all-you-can-eat variety. In Milwaukee, a lot of buffets take the form of brunches and fish fries. Not at Allgauer’s in the Park. Well, at least not at Allgauer’s in the Park on Saturday nights. That is when the “Special BBQ Buffet!” (add another exclamation point) does its thing. The spread includes baby-back ribs, barbecued chicken, corn on the cob, potatoes, salads, soup and dessert. All for $15.95 (if you’re an adult) and $8.95 (if you’re a child). I’m told reservations aren’t necessary. 5-9 p.m. (Milwaukee Hilton Garden Inn, 11600 W. Park Place, 414-359-9823)
Moct Is Your Host
Moct (240 E. Pittsburgh Ave., 414-273-6628) is a bar whose pronunciation confounds people. “Most” is how it’s said. This Serbian word means, “bridge.” After Moct opened in 2004, it briefly offered a Serbian dinner menu. Then things changed, with dinner no longer a focus. In recent times, Moct ventured into duck fat fries, sliders and pizzas. Now things have changed again. Chef Jeremy Hoch is running a Novo (“New”) menu, a mix of Serbian and South American cuisines and American bar snacks. Following the organic/local track so popular now, the menu also has traces of Wisconsin in its ingredients. Among the options: caramelized plantains, Serbian pigs in a blanket, chevap (seasoned pork and beef skewers), Serbian salad, shrimp mofongo (shrimp simmered in charred tomato-citrus sauce over fried green plantain), and beef or spinach and cheese burek ($3-$13). The pizzas and duck fat fries are still in da house, as the kids would say. Kitchen hours: Tues-Sat 5-10 p.m.
Wait! Don’t stop reading yet. I’m on Twitter! Follow me @ann_christenson
And 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 them on my column, or e-mail me directly: ann.christenson@milwaukeemagazine.com.
