Juniper Solstice
I drive on East Side streets and see people seated on the front stoops of apartment buildings, enjoying a meal on a summer’s day. Dining al fresco need not be much more than sitting on the grass in the open-air with a sack lunch or a hog dog fresh from the grill. We covet those days and nights of dining outside. Restaurant patios are overt and not. At Juniper 61, owners Cameryne Roberts and Sarah Jonas have been greening up their charming, well-shaded patio, a backyard sheltered from the sounds of their 60th and North neighborhood. The business partners have made the full leap into summer, with a new menu. Quite a few fresh items here, for instance: Vietnamese short rib sliders; scallop spring rolls; pizza Bolzano (topped with wild mushrooms, fresh mozzarella and black peppercorn salami from Riverwest-based Bolzano Artisan Meats; baby-back ribs in blackberry BBQ sauce, and pork tenderloin in a mole-spiced crust and served with a chipotle polenta cake. Appetizers $6-$10; pizzas $9.25-$12; sandwiches $7.50-$11; entrées $13-$28. Hours: Mon-Sat 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sun 10 a.m.-9 p.m. (6030 W. North Ave., 414-727-6161)
Beyond the Slice
Classic Slice Pizza has created a different way of looking at the “slice.” Their pieces are not your standard small triangles. Each one is a two-hand holder. And lest you think Classic Slice lives only for pizza, here is some news to chew on. The East Side location recently started a small-plates menu on Friday and Saturday night. Last weekend’s options included country ribs braised in whiskey and port wine with rosemary applesauce ($6) and mushroom tortellini in red pepper pesto ($5). The menu was such a hit that co-owner Marisa Lange after this weekend, the North Avenue restaurant will offer the Secret Second Menu every day. The menu is not so secret that I won’t share it with you: bacon-wrapped goat cheese-stuffed figs with romesco sauce ($6); handmade pasta with tomato, roasted eggplant, ricotta and basil ($9); an open-face chicken porchetta sandwich with caramelized onion and bacon ($9); and vegan broccoli rabe sandwich with tofu and spicy lemon olive oil ($8). Yum! Open 11 a.m.-midnight. Classic Slice Pizza (1609 E. North Ave., 414-270-1880)
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