Bliss’ Time of Day
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Happy hour is the Hour of Excitement. When you can turn that frown upside-down. Anaba Tea Room offers its Two Hours of Excitement on three weeknights – Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 5-7 p.m. To erase the memories of a day at work, the tea room is offering half-price appetizers, and glasses of house wine and select beers. Apps, if you care to know, include baked oysters with Chinese sausage, deep-fried braised eggs on shoestring potatoes, black bean cakes with kim chi, and Japanese chicken tenders. Reservations aren’t necessary but rather, suggested. (The Garden Room’s lower level, 2107 E. Capitol Dr., 414-963-9510)
Restaurant Alley
Last Saturday, in early evening, the balmy weather drew clusters of people to the tables outside Three Lions Pub, North Star American Bistro and Alterra Coffee Roasters, all located at that red-hot corner of Oakland and Kensington in Shorewood. If you’ve been eyeing the temporary signage outside the old China Palace Restaurant, you know that it’s destined to be another restaurant. NaNa Asian Fusion & Sushi Bar (4511 N. Oakland Ave.) is still a work-in-progress. Co-owner Nick Zheng is talking about a late October/early November opening date. More details to come.
Hot and Cold
This makes my blood boil. In a good way. The East Town Association is spearheading an event that highlights two worthy creations – chili and the Bloody Mary. They will go toe to toe (glass to bowl?) at Heat It Up: Milwaukee’s Bloody Mary & Chili Challenge this Saturday at Cathedral Square Park. For a mere $2 per chili sample (and $4 per Bloody Mary sample), you can vote for your favorites. They’re still firming up the participants, but you can be sure to find The Knick, Blackthorn Pub, McBob’s, Soup House Milwaukee, Pfister Hotel and Hotel Metro. If you act right now, they’ll throw in some Ginsu knives. I’m kidding. But this is for real: For $10, you can eat unlimited chili; for $15, unlimited Bloody Marys; and for $20, you can get an unlimited amount of each. Note that this event tag-teams with the East Town Market, so you can also do a little shopping before or after. Oct. 15, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Class Act
Ever wanted to see the Parthenon? It’s on my bucket list, that’s for sure. Perhaps you can dream about it while feasting on Coquette Cafe’s Travels menu, which this month focuses on Greece. The three-course menu features lamb kreatopita with red pepper relish; Greek beef stew with skordalia mashed potatoes; and apple baklava ($32). You can also order the courses individually. You just want the Greek stew entrée? No problem. It’s $19.95. Also, the dates are set for Coquette’s fall/winter cooking classes. They’re held on various Tuesday evenings, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Cost: $59 per class. Coming up: Greece (Nov. 15), All Hors D’Oeuvres (Nov. 29), Comfort Foods (Dec. 6). Call 414-291-2655 to sign up. (316 N. Milwaukee St.)
Look for Dish on Dining on Tuesdays and Thursdays!
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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
