The other day, I was seated inside a new East Side place called La Dolce Vita – a Mediterranean-inspired experiment across from a the CVS drugstore on Farwell – pondering the current state of restaurant affairs. Closings, openings. Everyone’s freaked out about the economy – and understandably so, given the list of places that have given up the ghost (see below) – but there’s also some hope, it seems, in the openings of late. To give you some perspective:
Newbies, in no particular order:
• Pacific Bistro Asian Cuisine and Lounge: Thai, Chinese and Japanese cuisines. Sushi bar and hibachi tables. 3215 Hillside Dr., Delafield, 262-303-4981.
• Anderson’s Pub & Grill: Pastas, wood-grilled steaks, sandwiches, daily specials such as ribs (Thursdays) and prime rib (Saturdays). 621 Milwaukee St., Delafield, 262-303-4959.
• Mazatlan: A mishmash of Mexican-ish things (tacos, fajitas) and American food (burgers, Philly cheese steak). 601 Milwaukee St., Delafield, 262-646-9687.
• JC’s Pub & Grill: Replaced Edgar’s Calypso. Sandwich- and burger-oriented menu. Happy hour specials Mon-Fri. 628 N. Water St., 414-220-9252.
• Kiku: Japanese cuisine – from sushi to tempura and teriyaki. 202 W. Wisconsin Ave., 414-270-1988.
• AJ Bombers: From the same owners as Swig and Water Buffalo. Bar menu features burgers, chicken sandwich, hot dogs, etc. 1241 N. Water St., 414-221-9999.
• La Dolce Vita: Counter- and table-service. Mediterranean eggroll, shawarma panini, saffron-lemon chicken are menu options. 1673 N. Farwell Ave., 414-277-7750.
• Five Guys Burgers and Fries (at Bayshore Town Center): Fast-food burger chain with cult following. 5800 N. Bayshore Dr., 414-962-3560.
• Barbiere’s Italian Inn: Pizza and assorted Italian specialties. 1021 Milwaukee Ave., South Milwaukee, 414-764-1234.
• Fuzion Lounge and Café: Cuisine is all over the map – crawfish étouffée, Korean kalbi beef, Irish butter burgers. 524 S. Second St., 414-455-3281.
• Sonic Drive-In: First Milwaukee location of carhop chain. Burgers, Coneys, fries, malts. 2080 Miller Park Way, 414-384-8844.
• Byron’s Beer Garden: Owner John Chitko closed his Yaffa Café, renamed it “Byron’s” and changed the focus to American grill fare. 106 W. Wells St., 414-223-0101.
Recent buh-byes:
Patty Burger: Simple burgers and fries, chili and egg sandwiches. (1952 N. Farwell Ave.)
Benny’s Seafood Restaurant: Unpretentious fish shack. (3562 Hillside Dr., Delafield)
Butch’s Clock Steakhouse: But the original, Butch’s Old Casino Steakhouse on James Lovell St., is still open. (800 N. Plankinton Ave.)
Kincaid’s: The fish, steaks, and chops joint that replaced Third Street Pier. (1110 N. Old World Third St.)
Top Chef
The accolades keep coming for James Beard Award-winner Adam Siegel, executive chef of the Bartolotta restaurants Lake Park Bistro and Bacchus. The 35-year-old chef made the Business Journal of Milwaukee’s “Forty Under 40” list for 2009. To celebrate the honor, Bacchus has started a four-course menu (for $40, of course), available every night. The menu will change weekly. What my crystal ball is seeing for this week is… a puree of ramp soup with potato confit; asparagus with smoked salmon, watercress and a fried egg; roasted halibut with Royal Trumpet mushrooms, chickpea ragu and spring vegetables; and Chai-infused chocolate pot de crème with biscotti. If you decide to order this menu with the selected wines – a 2007 Chilean Sauvignon Blanc and ’06 California Pinot Noir – the cost is $50. (925 E. Wells St., 414-765-1166)
Sanford Tonight
Looking for a good time to visit Sanford Restaurant? Well, that would be any time. But owners Sandy and Angie D’Amato are offering a special incentive to visit their restaurant – two, in fact. First, as of April 1st, the restaurant is running its 20/20/20 special – 20 wines for $20, to celebrate the restaurant’s 20th anniversary in December. The list – which includes the 2007 Verdejo from Naia, Spain, and 2006 Grenache/Syrah from France – will run through 2009. Second strong reason for a Sanford stop: the new four-course “Sanford Classics Menu ” ($49), running Monday through Friday. The menu will be updated frequently with dishes that have become classics at Sanford. For the next couple of weeks, the menu features shrimp cakes with tamarind sauce and jicama salad (from the 1989 menu); lentil gumbo with chorizo (from ’91); and mustard-crusted Wild American sturgeon with kale and marinated potatoes (from ’90). (1547 N. Jackson St., 414-276-9608)
The Peeps Countdown
Last week I started compiling a list of restaurants open for Easter brunch (April 12th). It’s taking on a life of its own. Seriously. I’ve added some restaurants since last week’s Dish, so there may be places here you haven’t considered. Run, don’t walk, to the phone.
Pfister Hotel’s Grand Ballroom: Buffet includes seafood display, hot entrées, action stations (eggs Benedict, omelets, pasta), kid’s buffet and dessert station. Adults $49; children 5 to 12 ($20), children 4 and under free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 424 E. Wisconsin Ave., 414-273-8222.
Kilawat (InterContinental Milwaukee Hotel): Regular brunch menu, and special items like leg of lamb and grilled honey ham. 7 a.m.-3 p.m. 139 E. Kilbourn Ave., 414-291-4793.
Pier Wisconsin (Bartolotta Catering): Buffet-style brunch inlcudes several stations – for eggs, salads, waffles, meats and desserts. Also, a children’s buffet. Adults $34.95; children 12 and under $15.95. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 500 N. Harbor Dr., 414-765-8610.
Bacchus: Three-course, sit-down brunch. Entrée options: filet mignon with Bourbon peppercorn cream sauce, grilled lamb loin chops, smoked salmon Benedict. Adults $38.95; children $25. 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 925 E. Wells St., 414-765-1166.
Osteria del Mondo: Three-course meal. Main dish choices include steak and eggs, roast halibut and a crab frittata. Adults $21-$29; children $12. 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. 1028 E. Juneau Ave., 414-291-3770.
Weissgerber’s Seven Seas: Sit-down brunch served in main dining room; “deluxe” buffet served in Grand Ballroom. Adults $22.95 (sit-down) and $25.95 (buffet); children $10.95. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 1807 Nagawicka Rd., Hartland, 262-367-3903.
Carini’s La Conca d’Oro: Buffet ($21.95 per person), 10 a.m.-2 p.m. It includes 15 different entrées, like spiedini and roast ham. 3468 N. Oakland Ave., 414-963-9623.
Saz’s: Buffet brunch served 9:15 a.m.-3:15 p.m. Selections include salad and dessert bars, omelet station, ribs, waffles and French toast. $23.95 for adults; $10.50 for children 3-11. 5539 W. State St., 414-453-2410.
Sheridan’s (at Sheridan House): Serving a sit-down Easter brunch, 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Breakfast items include pecan Belgian waffles, vegetable egg soufflé and steak and eggs, $6.50-$10.95. After 11 a.m., the chef’s features kick in: balsamic-Dijon glazed ham ($13.95), roasted leg of lamb ($16.95) and others. 5133 S. Lake Dr., Cudahy, 414-747-9800.
Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro: Sit-down brunch served 10 a.m.-3 p.m. $38.95 per person. 3133 E. Newberry Blvd., 414-962-6300.
If you’ve listened to me dish with Jane and Kidd on 99.1 WMYX-FM, now you can listen to our food chats anytime right here.
Don’t miss this week’s Shopaholic to learn about a few hip, upcoming fashion soirées and the city’s best deals on great design.
