Hot and Bothered
It’s colder than the paparazzi’s recent barbs about Lindsay Lohan. Well, it might at the end of this week. In any event, it is winter. And that’s why chili tastes so good. The Chili Bowl (a fund-raiser for the Hunger Task Force) is gearing up for a heated battle this Sunday (Jan. 30) at the Harley-Davidson Museum. More than 25 local restaurants are competing for glory in four chili categories – original, spiciest, vegetarian and most unique. There’s also a Golden Ladle winner. The competition includes Chili Lili’s Chili Bar, Bunker’s, Solly’s Grille, Stack’d, Antigua Latin Restaurant, Old German Beer Hall and Motor and Cafe Racer, the two restaurants at the Harley-Davidson Museum. With each ticket ($13 at the door), you get six 3-ounce samples of chili. Bring two nonperishable canned goods and you’re entitled to two additional 3-ounce samples. Jan. 30, 12-5 p.m. (400 W. Canal St., 414-687-5365)
Mary in the Morning
It’s a Bloody revolution. So for about a year now, Il Mito Enoteca has been serving Sunday brunch. From the menu roster: smoked chicken and asparagus frittata; breakfast cannelloni; green eggs and ham; and a pizza topped with scrambled eggs, potatoes and bacon ($8.95-$14.95). A month ago, owner Michael Feker added a Bloody Mary Bar. It’s $7.95 for a Bloody from the bar, and you can doctor up the Finlandia vodka and organic tomato juice mix with any of these additions: pickled artichoke hearts, smoked provolone sticks, bacon strips, roasted Brussels sprouts, blue cheese, string beans and more. Brunch hours: 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (6913 W. North Ave., 414-443-1414)
Land of Charro
Out with the old. Charro (part of the Carnevor-owning SURG Restaurant Group) has done some reinvention. A new menu was unveiled a few days ago. The focus has changed from Mexican to “authentic regional cuisine” from Central and South America, and close to half the menu is composed of small plates. The two locations were also closed for a few days to make some interior modifications. As for the small plates, they include torta sliders, ropa vieja (Cuban braised beef), pinchos (marinated lamb with chimichurri sauce), and papa relleno (deep-fried mashed potato filled with cheddar, ham and salami), $6-$12. Entrées range from Haitian stew (pureed pumpkin chowder with seafood) to Peruvian braised lamb shanks to Yucatan smoked chicken with dried pear and mango sauce, $12-$25. (729 N. Milwaukee St., 414-431-5557; and 17800 W. Blue Mound Rd., 262-782-7253)
Look for more Dish on Dining on Thursday.…
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