 |
| Image of Pier Wisconsin by Adrian Palomo. |
Tasteful Night
The quickly approaching Big Taste restaurant event at Pier Wisconsin will also be a Big View. The extravaganza is held on the last night of Festa Italiana (Sunday, July 24), a festival known for its primo fireworks display. Stick around after the food is served (7-9 p.m.). You’ll be able to watch the grand finale fireworks (at 10:15 p.m.) on the Pier’s lakefront terrace. Not that light shows in the sky are the only reason to come. The Big Taste has locked in more than 20 local restaurants to offer samples of their specialties – restaurants like Harbor House, Umami Moto, Pastiche Bistro & Wine Bar, Meritage, Jake’s Restaurant, Mason Street Grill, Kil@wat and Antigua Latin Restaurant. This all happens Sunday, July 24, 6:30 p.m. Tickets ($50 each) are going like hotcakes; call 414-687-5365. (Pier Wisconsin, 500 N. Harbor Dr.)
Clammy Feeling
Clams remind me of Elvis Presley. (I watched a lot of old musicals as a kid. One was 1967’s Clambake, starring The King and an actress by the name of Shelley Fabares. But I digress…) An honest-to-goodness New England-style clambake is a beautiful thing. And you can experience one right here in Milwaukee. The bake a few weeks from now at Motor Bar & Restaurant is an all-you-can-eat affair, held on the restaurant patio (an attractive spot facing the Milwaukee River). The spread will include clams, mussels and shrimp, along with potatoes and corn on the cob. If you miss this clambake, don’t fret. Motor is planning another one in August. Wednesday, July 27, 5-7 p.m. Reservations are not necessary. Cost: $21.95 per adult (includes one beverage), $10.95 for children 12 and under. Motor is located inside the Harley-Davidson Museum (401 W. Canal St., 414-287-2778)
Peaches and Herbs
Lately I’ve been slathering my toast with some great strawberry-rosemary jam. The beginning is all sweet, juicy strawberries. The end is a fleeting touch of piney rosemary. A thought-provoking after-bite. Pastry chef Annie Wegner LeFort teaches food preservation classes, and she’s starting a series of demo classes at Timothy J Kitchen & Bath (225 S. Second St., Walker’s Point) The first class caught my attention: Creating Herbal Jams. In the class, Wegner LeFort covers everything you need to know about making jams and jellies in a hot-water bath, providing hand-outs, recipes and samples. Cost: $30 per person. The class runs 6-8 p.m. Her next class at this venue is Salsas (Sept. 7). And she teaches many other classes at the Urban Ecology Center and Bay View Community Center. Check out Wegner LeFort’s engaging blog for details.
Wait! Don’t stop reading. I’m on Twitter! Follow me @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
