Look for a new Dish on Dining column on Friday, March 14.
The Crust Is Coming
Brian Zarletti is gearing up for number three. You may know his charming Downtown Italian place, Zarletti (741 N. Milwaukee St.). You also may be familiar with his very first restaurant, Cafe Zarletti, a cute storefront space serving panini, salads and so on (and open just for lunch) in South Milwaukee. With the promise of spring comes the promise of more Brian Zarletti. He’s going to give us something of which I don’t think we can ever have too much – pizza. And he’s putting his newest venture in the former digs of Onyx and, more recently, Riverwalk Bistro (223 N. Water St.). “I want to stick as close as possible to the authentic Neapolitan” pizzas, he says, with one caveat: He won’t have a wood-burning oven. With its fairly recent renovation, the space is only in need of remodeling, Zarletti says, which is amounting to warming up a somewhat dark space (but one graced with plentiful exposed brick). The location also has a few other things going for it – a RiverWalk patio and a separate downstairs bar. Zarletti hasn’t decided on a name yet for the pizzeria, but he expects it to be open this spring.
A Tale of Many Tacos
In the last few weeks, I’ve mentioned Café Manna, a new restaurant in Sendik’s Towne Centre in Brookfield. Another restaurant is due to open in that same development this spring: Jake and Karen Replogle’s Haute Taco, a taqueria inspired by Jake’s upbringing in Mexico. The couple own Jake’s Restaurant (21445 Gumina Rd., Pewaukee). The 45-seat taqueria will serve tacos (made in corn or flour tortillas or lettuce cups), burritos, tortas (sandwiches) and Margaritas. Prices will start at $2.50. Among the specialties will be duck tacos, the meat supplied by Maple Leaf Farms. Karen says vegetarians will have their pick of options as well. The due date for Haute Taco – Francophiles might know that “haute” is French for “high” – is April.
Pros in the Making
It’s coming and it’s coming soon. What – spring? I hope so, but right now, I’m talking about MATC’s Food & Wine Fundraiser on Monday, March 10. It’s an opportunity for the public to sample some of the handiwork of students and faculty in MATC’s Culinary Arts Program. The food will be handled in seven themed “action” stations – Italian, Latin American, Asian, seafood, carvery, chocolate dipping and French country buffet. With a ticket, folks will get four tickets to be redeemed for wine and beer. Tickets: $35 in advance, $40 at the door. Location: MATC campus, 700 W. State St. March 10, 5-8 p.m. Call 414-297-6535 to purchase tickets.
Caffeine Dream
Barista! It’s a great word, isn’t it? And it’s a title – the name for those espresso machine experts at coffee shops and cafes. Barista-ing is an art form. (How do they make the mesmerizing designs in foam atop a cappuccino?) Milwaukee and Alterra Coffee Roasters got the nod this year to host the 2008 Great Lakes Regional Barista Competition, and you can be a spectator. This event is one of 10 regional competitions going on throughout the country and where baristas come to earn a regional title. With that title, they can move on to the U.S. Championship this May in Minneapolis. In Milwaukee, March’s event is happening at the P.H. Dye House, 320 E. Buffalo St., in the Third Ward. March 13-16. Check out www.greatlakesbaristacompetition.com for a schedule of daily events. If you go, you can sign up to sample the skills of the competing baristas. Cappuccinos, lattes, the whole she-bang.
Can’t get enough dining? I chat about restaurants every week with Jane Matenaer and Kidd O’Shea on “The Mix.” Listen between 8 and 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 6. That’s 99.1 WMYX-FM.
Also check out art critic Paul Kosidowki’s picks for the best events in arts and entertainment in Culture Club.
