Von Trier, the German-themed bar established in 1978, is safe. That was my first thought when John Dye, the owner of Bryant’s, announced his plans earlier this year to purchase this East Side institution. Dye’s respectful approach has historically meant doing as little as possible. 

What makes Von Trier what it is – the mixture of the tangible (Teutonic bric-a-brac and that famous Colnik antler chandelier) and the intangible (the feeling of being deeply at home) – hasn’t been lost in the ownership turnover. Dye’s resurrection has preserved the restaurant side of Von Trier, whose food menu has rolled out in stages.

RELATED READS: VON TRIER IS A VON TREASURE

Two hits from the get-go: the Berliner currywurst, loosen-your-belt delicious Usinger’s knackwurst that’s grilled, laid on a bed of crisp, battered fries and covered in a very tasty tomato curry sauce ($14). And the half-pound Von Trier burger, cooked medium, is thick, juicy and satisfying ($16). The rest of the menu was to debut in September, after press time, including dishes like käsespätzle – egg noodles baked in cheese sauce and topped with bacon, caramelized onions and more cheese. 2235 N. Farwell Ave.

Expect Totally Tubular Tacos, arcade games and bodacious vibes at the new Summer of ’85 (2213 N. Martin Luther King Dr.).  “Look for the purple neon checkmark,” co-owner Paul Burgess says of the Bronzeville bar’s unique open signage.

Henry’s, the unassuming East Side bar that started in the 1980s as part of the storied Coffee Trader restaurant, rewards its loyalists. On Thanksgiving, the bar and kitchen close for regular business, and what ensues is a private potluck party where everybody – usually around two dozen regulars – contributes a dish from a list of traditional Turkey Day fare.

Owner Nader Pakroo just wanted his frequent patrons, some of whom had no other plans, to have a place to go. “That started the conversation about, why don’t we do it [here]?” he says. The mood is relaxed and informal – each guest gets one drink on the house, and everyone shares in the cleanup. “We all go home full and happy,” says Pakroo. 2523 E. Belleview Pl.

The second area location of KPot, the national chain of Korean barbecue/hot pot restaurants, opened in September at 2635 N. Mayfair Rd., Wauwatosa. This comes a year and a half after the ballyhooed arrival of KPot’s first Wisconsin restaurant, in Greenfield. • La Masa, the popular empanada bar on Brady Street, will have an outpost inside Milwaukee Public Market (400 N. Water St.), replacing vegan On the Bus. The rollout date is tentatively late November. • With a goal of minimizing food waste, the app Too Good to Go now has a presence in Milwaukee. It connects users to grocery stores, restaurants and such that have food surplus, selling it in “surprise bags.” Participating businesses (a mix of local and national) offer the bags at a discount and with a specific pickup time. Among the offerings in September was a fish stock bag from Rice N Roll Bistro containing 3 pounds of leftover fresh fish heads and bones.