Hue Down There
It’s worth driving a little slower on South Kinnickinnic to observe the evolution of time. At this moment, the reason is to see the signage – and the backside of some bamboo furniture – inside the new Vietnamese restaurant Hue (2691 S. KK Ave., 414-294-0483). Co-owner Cat Tran pronounces the name for the restaurant “Hway.” The paper came off the windows recently, and without any fanfare, the door opened and whoever ventured in to try the food was among Hue’s first customers. Tran, with business partner Mark Nielsen, had taken over the space months prior. In doing so, they set to work removing the many colors of paint the interior once had (as Magic Dann’s Jazz and Blues Restaurant). The restaurant isn’t ready to roll out the full menu, but it is serving some apps, pho (traditional noodle soup) and several rice dishes. The Vietnamese sandwiches and bubble teas should be available next week. The kitchen is open Tues-Fri 4-10 p.m.; Sat-Sun 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Chili in Milwaukee
You might remember a restaurant called Holiday House (525 E. Menomonee St.),which lasted two years in the middle part of the last decade. Close to three years after it closed, there’s finally an occupant for that space. Perhaps better identified as an occupant-to-be. If things go Jay Schiek’s way, you’ll be sitting inside Chili Lili’s Chili Bar pondering a menu of some eight to 12 kinds of chili (among other menu choices) by Summerfest. Schiek says he’s worked in restaurants since he was a kid, so that opening a restaurant was no stretch. As for the chili angle, Schiek says that if your frame of reference is Real Chili and George Webb’s, his restaurant will bring some new definitions to the table. His design people are shooting for a look that aims for “vibrant.” That’s all I’ve got for now.
Hitting a Raw Nerve
I’ll never forget the sushi lunch I had with an acquaintance years ago. Before digging into the nori rolls, he picked up a large blob of wasabi (Japanese horseradish) and popped it into his mouth. A second later, he’d swallowed it like it was piece of candy (not something that could send smoke billowing out of a person’s ears). Beginning next weekend, Ginza Sushi Restaurant may be feeding the West Side (2727A N. Mayfair Rd., 414-771-333). The only thing this place seems to lack is teppanyaki. (So, no chefs doing spatula acrobatics behind an enormous cooking station/table.) But it looks like there’s plenty of creations from the sushi bar, plus tempura and teriyaki, salads, soups and noodle dishes. Sake, too, of course. Hours will be: L Mon-Fri 11 a.m.-3 p.m. D Mon-Thurs 5-10; Fri-Sat Sat 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and 5-11 p.m.; Sun 12-10 p.m.
Summer Feed
Northpoint Custard and Burgers’ 2010 season kickoff – on May 15 – is a taunt. Summer is little more than a month away, but it might as well be six months. (OK, I’ll shake off the negativity about the weather.) Bartolotta Restaurant Group, which opened Northpoint for the first time last summer, will start the season off with a bang this Saturday, by giving away free burgers to the first 200 people. This starts at 11 a.m. (2272 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr.). If you miss it, don’t worry. It’s not an expensive menu (burgers are $2.95 for a single to $9.75 for a Killer Quad – yep, four patties – with cheese.), and there will be plenty of days to stop in for a bite. This is your straight-up classic summer food – burgers and fries; brats and Chicago-style hot dogs; malts, sundaes and shakes. For pete’s sake, they even have veggie burgers and salads. Northpoint will be open daily at 11 a.m.
The Cupcake Diet
Following the thread of openings, Milwaukee Cupcake Company (316 N. Milwaukee St.) is making things official this Saturday as well. The cupcake bakery is the brainchild of three local women – Debbie Gale, Lynn Kobussen and Karen Neuser. They’ve taken over the old Harlequin Bakery space in the lobby of the Third Ward’s Landmark Building. Cupcake flavors range from salted caramel (The Tosa) to lavender (The Botanical Gardens) to cookies and cream (The Riverwest). Besides cupcakes, the bakery will have muffins (available by 7 a.m.) and Stone Creek coffee, Rishi teas and other liquids. Hours: Mon-Sat 7 a.m.-5 p.m. But… this Saturday, the bakery will open at 10 a.m. Free samples on opening day! (414-727-1209)
Twentysomething
Last summer, Cucina Italian Restaurant, in The Shops at Woodlake Kohler, turned 20. It was time for a facelift, the powers-that-be decided. So the restaurant closed for about seven weeks this spring and reopened with some new design details – draperies, painted stucco walls, pieces from the Kohler Co. Arts/Industry program, and a glass chandelier. As for the menu, they put in a wood-fired grill, which is leaving its mark on the roster of meats – steaks (21-day aged Black Angus tenderloin), veal and pork chops. There’s quite a few seafood entrées here, too, including sushi-grade big-eye tuna, swordfish and Atlantic salmon. The various forms of protein join pastas and many other Italian-inspired dishes. Hours (through May 31): Sun-Thurs 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat- 11 a.m.-10 p.m. June to September, the restaurant is open daily 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (725 E Woodlake Rd., 920-452-3888).
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Don’t miss this week’s Shopaholic to learn about new stores and events in the world of local retail.
If you spot any restaurant openings or closings, don’t hesitate to post them on my column, or e-mail me directly: ann.christenson@milwaukeemagazine.com.
