Take the Cake
Why eat a fruit cake when you can do something useful with it? For your Christmas morning touch football game, it makes a nice departure from the typical oval ball. You could impale it with a broom handle and mop the floors. I like the idea of wrapping a Swiffer duster around it and sweep my hardwood floors. Miller Time Pub has another idea: Bring your fruitcake to the pub, and they will beer-batter and deep-fry it. A chocolate sauce is optional. The purpose is to make the brick, er cake, appear edible. This promotion begins Dec. 26 and runs through January 31, 2012. If you have no fruitcake of your own, have no fear. You can order a deep-fried fruitcake at the pub for $7. Can you recognize the fruitcake under the batter (shown above)? (509 W. Wisconsin Ave., 414-271-2337).
Facing Friday
Besides eating fruitcake this weekend, you might be taking relatives and friends to enjoy that most quintessential of Milwaukee traditions – the Friday fish fry. Klemmer’s Banquet Center, the hall popular with blushing brides, is back to serving fries, reopening its dining room to the public on Friday evenings. You can order the standard fry – deep-fried or baked cod – for $10.95 (with cucumber salad, rolls and butter, and your choice of potato) or really live it up with lake perch or pan-fried walleye. If you go for peel-and-eat shrimp, roast chicken or a tenderloin filet (up to $16.95), it’s no longer a fish fry. But it’s still a meal. Want a bring a small army with you? Klemmer’s accepts reservations for nine or more. Hours: Fridays 5-9 p.m. (10401 W. Oklahoma Ave., 414-541-0401)
Revolving Door
The last time I blogged about Hotel Metro Bar and Cafe and executive chef Justin Johnson, the hotel restaurant had just released its fall menu and Johnson was talking about the local farms with which he’d forged relationships. Much more, however, has been happening at Hotel Metro. If things proceed as planned, the restaurant will open for a fish fry tomorrow night (Friday, Dec. 23). Johnson is no longer working at the hotel. The menu will change to feature American “classics with a hip twist.” And the dining room has undergone a substantial facelift. Wall colors, carpeting and seating have changed. A private dining room has been built. Things are still evolving. When they have reached a more fixed position, I will share more news than you can possibly imagine. (411 E. Mason St, 225-3270)
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
