The Noble

If you’re wanting to check out a fresh, hot spot these days, chances are you are going to be heading over to the Walker’s Point neighborhood, which in my opinion should be renamed “foodie heaven.”  Add The Noble to your list if you are looking for a quaint and vintage ambiance, coupled with sophisticated, comfort food.  The menu is about as small as the place (with only 7 tables and 8 bar stools inside), but packs a punch with the daily specials and the drink menu.  Rivaling the Blond Manhattan I had at the Rumpus Room, The Noble’s, Blood Orange Manhattan (made with Bulleit Whiskey) certainly gave a smooth entry into evening.  We tried two of the Saturday night specials, which I highly recommend.  First the chorizo mussels, which really had a nice, bright and zesty dipping sauce, and then the creole red-fish that was seasoned and cooked to perfection, served over rice.  The Noble is as refreshing as it is gratifying.  I will definitely be returning.

Zak’s Cafe

If you are looking for a new brunch spot, I would like to recommend the fresh, new spot in Walker’s Point, Zak’s Cafe.  Although Zak’s serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner 6 days a week, brunch is served until 3pm daily!  (And they even start serving at 7pm on Sunday mornings, YES!)  With a wide variety of burritos, omelets, and benedicts, Zak’s is priced well and is one of the few places that have decided to put biscuits and gravy on the menu.  With a casual environment, fresh smoothies, and a great neighborhood, Zak’s really shouldn’t be missed!

Welcome 2012!

Tomorrow many of my favorite spots are keeping the celebration going with Sunday brunch, (my personal favorite meal of the week)!  Whether you are in need in a beverage to chase away your headache or are interested in getting out of the house on the first day of the new year…

Here are some of our great offerings:

• New Year’s Day Mimosa Brunch @ the Iron Horse Hotel  from 10am-2pm, $39 for adults, $19.50 for kiddos.
• New Year’s Day Hangover Brunch @ Whole Foods from 10am-2pm, $6.99 per pound (from their 16ft buffet of breakfast, brunch, and lunch items)!
• New Year’s Day Brunch @ Saz’s from 10am-1:30pm, it’s going to be a blast with free bus rides down to the MU vs. Villinova game!

One other great event, aside from the Polar Bear Plunge, (which is way too cold for me), is the “Cool Fool” Kite Festivalfrom 11am-5pm at Veteran’s Park right downtown.

Riviera Maya

There are occasional Sunday brunch days that I find myself only craving Mexican food for breakfast!  When that’s the case, Cafe Corazon is usually one of my first picks, but so is Riviera Maya.  Located in the heart of Bay View, Riviera Maya serves a very reasonable, tasty brunch filled with spice!  Every dish comes with your choice of Refried Pinto Beans, Black Beans, Rice or Riviera’s incredible Potato Dish.  The chorizo is lovely, the pico is as fresh as it gets, and their Chilaquiles (fried tortilla strips stewed in red or green sauce, with sour cream and sprinkled with queso fresco) are a must have.  Riviera serves a mean Bloody Maria and is open at 11am on Sundays.  Enjoy your time and definitely try the Huevos Divorciados for breakfast.

Bagels

Sometimes Sunday brunch just isn’t in the cards, especially if you’re running low on time.  If they were carb free, I would eat a bagel everyday of my life, but since that’s just not reality, I tend to spoil myself on the weekends!  If you’re into bagels as well, here are some suggestions (for any day of the week).  (If Blue Dawg Bagels was still around it would definitley be my number one choice!!!)

1. Bruegger’s on the Eastside and Downtown
2. Anodyne in Bayview
3. Alterra on the Eastside and the Lakefront
4. Benji’s in Shorewood
5. City Market in Shorewood
6. Brewed Cafe on Brady Street
7. Einstein Bros Bagels on the Eastside
8. Panera on the Eastside
9. Dunkin’ Doughnuts on the MU campus
10. Sven’s Cafe in Bayview

 

Birdie’s Cafe

House turned cafe on 4110 West Martin Drive (just a few minutes from downtown), is home to the cutest, artsiest, place for a bite ever!  Birdie’s serves breakfast all day, with everything from homemade scones to breakfast pizza and morning buns!  The price is certainly right and Birdie’s is a great place to start your morning.  Although lunch is my favorite meal of the day,  Birdie’s Special Wrap (Oven-Roasted Turkey, spinach, roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomato pesto, goat cheese, and avocado slices wrapped in an herbed tortilla) is just to die for.  With a friendly atmosphere and the best desserts around, you can choose while you’re there or call ahead.  Just in case you’re wondering what’s in store, here’s what they have:

• Pies – Homemade fresh fruit pies with a flaky crust. Apple, Strawberry Rhubarb, Peach, Mixed Berry. Choices vary daily. Served by the slice or take the whole pie home.  Slice – $3.50. Whole, 10″ – $9.95 – $13.95
• Cakes – Coconut, Hummingbird or Chocolate Fudge just to name a few! Slice – $3.50. Whole – varies by cake.
• Tortes – Freshly made Raspberry and Espresso tortes. Served by the slice or purchase the entire torte for an impressive gift or part dessert! Slice – $3.50. Whole – varies by torte.
• Cupcakes – Daily creations of classics and new combinations served in perfect individual to-go sizes!

In the words of Rachel Ray, “YUM-O!”

Miss Katie’s Diner

One of my favorite places for brunch is over on the Marquette campus and has been around for nearly 70 years!  This old school, 50’s-themed diner has the best chocolate malts around.  They go particularly nice with the corned beef hash skillet or the specialty of the house, Miss Katie’s Skillet (two eggs prepared any style served over char broiled Italian sausage links with our famous hash browns).  The rest of the menu encompasses a variety of fresh egg dishes, pancakes, and french toast.  Most of the meals are served with a side of fantastic Italian toast, that happened to go hand in hand with butter and jam they serve.  Miss Katie’s is the type of diner that feels like home…the waitstaff is ancient, the shuffle board table is slippery, and you can actually get breakfast there all day!

Harry’s Bar and Grill

Owned by the same lovely people who make The Knick and North Shore Bistro both solid hot spots, Harry’s in Shorewood has recently remodeled its interior and is better than ever!  If you have never been, Harry’s is a great neighborhood restaurant with a fairly sophisticated menu, when it comes to appetizers, salads, and sandwiches.  I just love their chicken pita sandwich and the fish tacos.  The ahi tuna blt and the chinese chicken salad are favorites as well.  Harry’s puts together a supurb Friday Fish Fry (that is reasonable at $12), a great bar, and super Sunday brunch.  Tomorrow the Milwaukee’s own 5 Card Studs will be wooing patrons with a live performance.  Check out Harry’s any day of the week!

INdustri Cafe

An eclectic mix of new and old brings you to INdustri Cafe in Walkers Point.  Paying homage to all Milwaukee based industries, the cafe on South 2nd, certainly knows how to serve up a great brunch with a delectable, and frankly, HUGE bloody mary.  With a number of interesting brunch dishes including several benedicts (lobster, turkey, wiener-schnitzel, and the INdustri special), crepes, a homemade egg casserole, burgers, and salads, our group was pleased with every dish today.  The bloody mary is definitely meant for sharing…it’s $13 ($5 off, if you order a meal), served with a plate for all of the fixings, and has quite the smoky flavor going on.  Serving brunch all weekend from 11am-4pm, the INdustri is worth the short trip, past the Third Ward!

 

Hi-Fi Cafe

Brunch is really getting expensive these days, $10-$12 for eggs…forget about it!  Hi-Fi Cafe in Bayview is a great spot that brings you back to the days when Art Deco ruled every diner around, and eating the first meal of the day wasn’t breaking the bank (the most expensive item on Hi-Fi’s menu is $7).  Breakfast is served everyday of the week, until noon on weekdays and 1pm on weekends.  The Georgie Boy Sandwich definitely rocks my world, with two eggs scrambled, cheddar cheese and sautéed mushrooms on a toasted croissant, and all that for five dollars and a quarter!  The rest of the menu screams tasteful simplicity, with a variety of egg specialties, french toasts, granola and bagels, with a ton of vegetarian options.  Hi-Fi definitely is home to the hipster crowd, the food is great, and the jukebox is super fun!  Enjoy.