1. Check out Vennture Brew Co. West
CHRIS DROSNER, EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Saturday was opening day for Vennture Brew Co.’s new Brookfield location (2970 N. Brookfield Rd., Brookfield), and the former Biloba Brewing taproom sure looks nice with Vennture’s spin on it. There aren’t a ton of changes from the Biloba days – the bar was refreshed, new seating brought in and co-owners Rob Gustafson and Simon McConico installed shelves featuring vintage cameras to reflect their passion for photography. The location will go dark to the public until Saturday (March 23) as they continue to staff up the new location and work to bring the coffee operations online. Gustafson said he’s still waiting on the state permit to be able to use the building’s brewery, but he expected that to be resolved in a matter of days, not weeks. Before Saturday, OG Vennture (5519 W. North Ave.) is open as usual to slake your coffee and beer thirst.
2. Watch the Premiere of ‘Top Chef’ Season 21
ANN CHRISTENSON, DINING EDITOR
Have you caught the fever? The long-awaited season 21 of Bravo TV’s “Top Chef” – filmed last summer in Wisconsin – premieres on March 20. That’s this Wednesday! A few of the revelations we’ve already learned: chef Dan Jacobs, co-owner of DanDan restaurant, is one of 15 contestants (all professional chefs). The format of the show features culinary challenges, which result in the elimination of one or more contestants. MilMag staff (not me) were able to observe a competitive cheese festival and the annual “Restaurant Wars” episode. More too, but we’re sworn to secrecy. Don’t have Bravo? It’s also streaming, starting March 21, on Peacock.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
3. Get Hot Ham and Rolls from Glorioso’s
BRIANNA SCHUBERT, ASSOCIATE DIGITAL EDITOR
There is quite literally nothing like hot ham and rolls on a Sunday afternoon. It’s so simple, yet so comforting. And it reminds me of my childhood. So when my partner surprised me with ham and rolls from Glorioso’s the other day, I was overjoyed. The sesame buns were delicious, the ham was sliced so thin, just perfectly. And there’s (almost) always leftovers for lunches throughout the week too!
4. Eat Margherita Pizza at Hot Box
ARCHER PARQUETTE, MANAGING EDITOR
During my young years, I was a devotee of a particular brand of pizza I now refer to as “idiotically overboard.” I’m talking the type of slice that has eight kinds of meat on it, slathered in barbecue sauce, peppers, olives, mushrooms and strange spices sprinkled on to fill what few cubic millimeters of space remain—one bite of which is enough to have you huffing and sweating like you’d just conquered Everest.
My taste, unlike my humor, has matured since then, and now I tend toward a lighter, airier sort of pizza that doesn’t sit like an eighty-pound boulder in my stomach. The margherita, with its classic combination of mozzarella, basil and tomato, is my go-to now – and my current favorite place to grab one is Hot Box Pizza at Zocalo Food Park. The food truck’s pizzas are wood-fired, with that strong smoky flavor, and I’ll admit that I’ve skipped lunch so I can eat an entire one myself for dinner (more than once). These are my ways, and to you, oh reader, I recommend them.
5. Eat at Café Corazón
EVAN MUSIL, ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR
The latest stop on my Milwaukee must-try list was this Riverwest mainstay. My group visited in the morning, earlier than most crowds – or any crowd, for that matter, as we were the first ones there. This made for a cozy, peaceful meal, which I’m positive is how the place always is. I ordered the wet burrito with carne asada and green sauce. It arrived dry to my despair, but once the sauce was acquired, I grubbed. Overall, a fun spot to try, especially with friends.
