Ginger Snap
The rebuilding of South Second Street has made it a little tricky to get to places like the Iron Horse Hotel from First Street. The Fifth Ward restaurant Ginger (235 S. Second St., 414-220-9420) dealt with this situation by closing for several weeks for its own renovation. Most of co-owner Julia LaLoggia’s efforts were on redecorating the second floor, used as a special event/private party room. But when Ginger reopened – on October 14 – it was to return to its small-plate focus. The menu is updated weekly and may include some of the following: venison and chorizo ragu, red miso-glazed kebabs with sautéed kale, crawfish cakes, Second Street sliders, butternut squash ravioli, and mushroom and cognac risotto ($4-$16). The one addition to the first floor is the family-style table that LaLoggia plans to place next to the open kitchen. It’s expected to arrive in the next few weeks. LaLoggia expects to offer brunch beginning in February 2011. Hours: Wed-Thurs 5-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 5-10 p.m.
Bistro Bay View
Charming little Pastiche Bistro & Wine Bar in Bay View has served customers from Michigan, the northern suburbs of Chicago and Santa Barbara, California. That’s certainly a wider audience than owner Mike Engel expected when he opened the unpretentious French-flavored restaurant last spring. But there’s no excess of good, comfortable, mid-priced restaurants for locals and visitors. Engel recently put his autumn spin on the menu. The entrées include beef short rib pot au feu; coq au vin with homemade tagliatelle; cassoulet with smoked pork shank, sausage and lamb; and pumpkin ravioli with walnut and Gorgonzola sauce ($15-$22). Engel has also added Sunday nights to his dinner service (4-9 p.m.). (3001 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., 414-482-1446)
Trumpeting the Crumpet
In the I-Can’t-Wait-to-Drink-Earl-Grey Department, the oolong is flowing again at Anaba Tea Room (2107 E. Capitol Dr.), which closed for several weeks to rebuild the kitchen, construct a new tea bar and make other adjustments for upcoming dinner service. The good news is Anaba is open and serving watercress sandwiches for lunch (though no soup yet) and scones and crumpets for tea. It’s not, however, ready to serve dinner. If the planets align, the roll-out could be next week. I will run an update when I’ve got a date. Hours for now: Tues-Sun 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (414-963-9510)
French Toast
Happy Hour is actually very French – an early break from the workday, a few glasses of wine, some nibbles. Four o’clock couldn’t come soon enough. Tosa’s Le Rêve Patisserie & Café is new to the Happy Hour business. Le Rêve’s version kicked off last week and runs Monday through Friday, 4-6 p.m. The liquid specials run as follows: Monday, half-price champagne drinks; Tuesday, $2 off beer; Wednesday, $10 discount on bottled wine; Thursday, $4 per glass on a featured wine; and Friday, $3 discount on all wines by the glass. On each of those weekdays, you can pair your drink with cured meats and pâtés, fromage and mussels – each reduced by $3 during Happy Hour. (7610 Harwood Ave., 414-778-3333)
Look for more Dish on Dining on Thursday!
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If you spot any restaurant openings or closings, post it on the comments section of my column, or e-mail me directly: ann.christenson@milwaukeemagazine.com.
