Belair Over There
Dish on Dining visits Tosa quite a bit. In fact, it loves Tosa, because lately, “Tosa” and “dull” are mutually exclusive things. For example, next year the people who own the East Side’s BelAir Cantina are opening a second location on (where else?) North Avenue. The design plans aren’t final, but the partners recently closed on the building (at 6817 W. North Ave.). Co-owner Scott Johnson confirms some things that fans of the East Side joint (1935 N. Water St.) will appreciate: a similar menu (new items, too), 100 tequilas, $2 tacos on Tuesdays and Thursdays, a patio and a “light-filled” dining room and bar. Cool, right? Look for it sometime next year. But of course, updates to come.
Sabor No More
Closing Brazilian steakhouse Sabor [and its small-plates sibling Beta] was, “on a personal level, by far the hardest thing I’ve had to do,” says co-owner Paul Berlin. “The team down there was more about giving a level of service than getting a paycheck.” Nevertheless, the restaurants (777 N. Water St.) became past-tense last weekend. Berlin, co-owner of the restaurant management company Oscar Inc., is also letting go of several Buffalo Wild Wings franchises. Because of that, he says he couldn’t continue to offer “the same level” of service at Sabor. As for executive chef Mitch Ciohon, I hear that travel is the next order of business. Sadly, our Best of 2012 [October issue] nod for Beta’s pork belly sliders is a posthumous honor. Click here now to savor the sliders in prose.
Secret Seats
The cat is out of the bag. Adam Lucks and his staff at Honeypie are holding a Secret Supper Club next month – seven courses and nine beers. Mystery is the dominant theme of the menu. But the chef isn’t being entirely coy. One course is expected to be wild boar, prepped three ways and paired with two beers. They’ve capped the reservations at 50, so call the restaurant (414-489-7437) as soon as the mood hits you – which should be soon. Oct. 9. Reception at 6 p.m., dinner 7 p.m. Cost: $95 per person. Honeypie (2643 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.,)
Look for Dish on Dining on Tuesdays and Thursdays!
One more thing! Follow me on Twitter: @ann_christenson
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
