What’s so great about being herded though a convention center like cattle? Well, for just $49 ($39 in advance) you can sample Wisconsin’s finest purveyors of beer, meat, booze, wine, cheese and chocolate. Not bad, right?
All of that (plus you can learn about all those hot new restaurants you’ve been meaning to try) will be under one roof at Wine & Dine Wisconsin this weekend. The event goes from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. on both Saturday, Nov. 12 and Sunday, Nov. 13 at the Frontier Airlines Center (400 W. Wisconsin Ave.). There will be over 100 exhibitors, and here is a smattering: Antigua Latin Restaurant, Oilerie Brookfield, Beta by Sabor, Belgioso, Purple Door Ice Cream, Hinterland, Indulgence Chocolatiers, Bittercube, Bolzano Artisan Meats, Stella Artois, Dusted Valley Vinters, Columbia Crest Wines and Crispin Brewing.
Yes, we love local, but it’s always good to add to your circle of friends. There will be 16 vinters from Washington alone. In addition to wine and dine, there will also be craft and imported beers available.
In its third year, the festival is still going strong, expecting 6,000 guests. “We started this event in 2009 because we are continually inspired and excited by what Milwaukee’s dining scene has to offer,” says Becky Steimle, the event manager. “This event is simply a complete and total joyful celebration of our city’s culinary scene.”
Chef Joe Muench of Maxie’s Southern Comfort and Blue’s Egg
For the serious foodies, the “Critics Choice” corner has an exclusive tasting area from 12-3 p.m. and offers the chance to meet chefs from the best restaurants in town – La Merenda, Umami Moto, Bartlottas and more. There are 19 restaurants total, 7 more than last year. There are only a limited number of tickets ($19 in addition to main floor ticket) available for this area, so don’t hesitate. The Wine & Dine website reports that the “Critic’s Choice” is already sold out for Saturday.
If you are ready to learn, there will be 32 chefs and presenters on the four stages. If I must name drop, here goes: Justin Aprahamian of Sanford, Zach Espinosa of Harbor House, Michael Feker of Il Mito Enoteca, Nick Burki and Chris Hatleli of Coquette Café, and Jan Kelly of Meritage. If you can’t get into the “Critic’s Choice,” don’t worry, there will be other demos on the main floor, including Chef Joe Muench of Maxie’s Southern Comfort and Blue’s Egg, who will be cooking on both the main floor and in the “Critic’s Choice” area.
“We have a wealth of local and imported culinary talent in the area; chefs who have been regionally and nationally recognized. We have chefs who use locally grown ingredients and celebrate Wisconsin’s most beloved products like artisanal cheeses and locally grown agricultural items,” says Steimle. “There is no end to the creative culinary process. It’s expanding our imaginations and our palates. Enjoying food and wine is a uniquely satisfying, sensual experience that you can just never get enough of.”
Click here to order tickets for this extravaganza.
One More Not to Miss
Danceworks Performance Company presents Maria de Buenos Aires – Friday, Nov. 10–Sunday, Nov. 12, 8 p.m. at Calvary Presbyterian Church (935 W. Wisconsin Ave.).
Danceworks Performance Company joins forces with Milwaukee Opera Theatre and UWM Dance Professor Simone Ferro for Maria de Buenos Aires showcasing seductive tango and opera. Need I say more?
To purchase tickets, click here.
Photos courtesy of The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
