1. Indulge in K&L’s BBQ Brisket Burger
CHRIS DROSNER, EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Picture this: You’re in line for a barbecue food truck, and the options include the usual yummies: brisket, pulled pork and … a burger. Normally I wouldn’t give a burger a second look in this scenario, and it’s why I’m glad a friend told me not to miss the one from K&L’s BBQ. It’s legit one of the best burgers I’ve ever had: a succulent, flavorful brisket patty topped with cheese, pickles and a touch of a tangy mustard sauce. This one goes to 11. K&L’s is at Component Brewing this Saturday starting at 2 p.m. until sold out and Lion’s Tail Brewing and Sahale Ale Works the next two Sundays.
2. Check out Matilda Bakehouse
ANN CHRISTENSON, DINING EDITOR
Matilda Bakehouse started as a pop-up anchored by the treat-making skills of Allie Fisher, who trained at the French Pastry School in Chicago and has worked as a pastry chef at Bacchus. I’ve bought her baked goods at Makers Market and at the Dubbel Dutch hotel when Space Time briefly operated a café there. (Space Time is a great local micro-roaster that’s currently on hiatus but is planning to partner with Sip N Purr on its new café coming to Brady Street.) As for Matilda, Fisher and her mom, Julie Howard, opened their brick-and-mortar in Fox Point just a few weeks ago (6874 N. Santa Monica Blvd.). I realize that strolling into a bakery – especially a new one – at noon on a Saturday expecting to find a huge selection is pretty unrealistic. But they weren’t cleaned out! I bought a slice of poppyseed sunshine cake, a blueberry almond tart, and a chocolate chunk cookie. I will go back early to try a croissant and, with any luck, a kouign-amann, which is a flaky, sticky croissant-like pastry made with lots of butter and lots of sugar. Once experienced, it will be forever stamped on your mind. Matilda’s hours: Wed-Sat 7 a.m.-1 p.m.; Sun 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
3. Hear Present Music’s Honest Music
EVAN MUSIL, ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR
On Thursday, Present Music wraps up its season with a guest performer and curator, Nadia Sirota. The small ensemble focuses on contemporary, exploratory music, and the pieces in this concert do that by breathing new life into old forms, such as concertos for two violins. I’m looking forward to the opening piece – the shimmering, harmonious Duet by Steve Reich – and an Andrew Norman piece for eight violins inspired by the racing game Gran Turismo.
4. Read The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
ARCHER PARQUETTE, MANAGING EDITOR
According to Jonathan Haidt’s definition, I’m one of the oldest members of Gen Z, a cohort he believes has been – for lack of a better phrase – messed up real bad by phones and social media. I for one feel like a walking trash heap more often than not and so am always looking for educated folks like Haidt who can offer some explanations as to why that might be. In The Anxious Generation, the social psychologist posits that the introduction of smart phones to children and adolescents precipitated an ongoing mental health crisis that is turning a generation of kids into anxiety-ridden adults, unable to cope with life’s difficulties. His argument is two-fold: that parents have prevented children from the risk-taking behavior that would make them more resilient and that the internet, writ large, is making the effects worse through hyper-viral content designed to hijack developing brains. He presents his arguments with a trove of data to back them up, and also provides a few ideas of his own for combatting the phenomenon, such as phone-free schools, no social media until age 16, more independent play in the real world for kids and more. I haven’t digested the book enough to say whether I fully agree with Haidt or not (all that paper’s hard on my stomach lining), but I will say that as a member of the generation he defines, the effects of social media have indeed been odd. I think he makes some good points that are helpful to understanding young folks today.
5. See ‘Homage’ at the Jazz Gallery Center for the Arts
“Homage: Honoring Those Who Have Come Before” turns old notebook pages and glass fishing floats into tributes of personal loss. The exhibition, curated by Barbara Miner, is on view at the Jazz Gallery Center for the Arts until June 1. Viewers can bring their own photos, poems and reflections to add to a wall of remembrances.
– Evan Musil, from the May 2024 issue
