Foundation Tiki Bar

Tonight is one of those nights where visions of tiki bars (on the beach) are running through my head.  Low and behold, Milwaukee’s only Polynesian themed bar is only blocks away in the Riverwest neighborhood.  Known for its killer Mai-Thai (which certainly gives Bangkok House a run for their money), Foundation serves up a mean Hawaiian version of this popular cocktail.  But that’s not all friends, the Foundation has an ambiance and drink list along the lines of Byant’s and At Random (my two favorite winter date spots), with a lot of rum.  Just think Polynesian in Wisconsin, and you have it!  Don’t miss, the Singapore Sling, nor the Little Grass Shack, and that’s the end of my advice…the rest is for you to experience yourselves.

Gluten Free Options

I love my mother dearly, but I’m being completely honest when I say, sometimes it’s difficult to have dinner with her due to her gluten-free dietary restrictions.  What I’m finding though, is that more and more Milwaukee restaurants are adding more gluten-free options (especially pasta, even pizza and bbq sauce) to their menus, which just makes my mom happy and my life a lot easier!  So, whether you have a dietary restriction yourself, a loved one does, or you just don’t like gluten because you think its bad for you, here are some fantastic hot-spots to hit up!

• Restorante Bartolotta in Wauwatosa
• Centro Cafe in Riverwest
• Transfer Pizzeria in Bayview
• Il Mito in Wauwatosa
• Beans and Barley on the Eastside
• Eddie Martini’s in Wauwatosa
• Water Buffalo in the Third Ward
• Cafe Manna in Brookfield
• Stack’d Bar in the Third Ward
• Cafe Tarragon in Bayview
• Saz’s in Milwaukee
• Roots in Brewer’s Hill

Sandwiches

Yes another top-10 list, and I will even give you advice on what one to order!

• Cafe Lulu…the Mooney Tuna
• Koppa’s…the Saturn
• Comet Café…the Buttafucco
• Benji’s…the Tuna Melt
• Glorioso’s…the Meatball Sandwich
• St. Paul Fish Co…the Peri Peri Mahi Mahi
• Nessun Dorma…the Portabella Philly
• The County Clare Inn & Pub…the Roasted Turkey Breast
• Jake’s Deli…the Reuben
• Cubanitas…it has to be a tie between the Cubano & the Pan con Bistec (fries come directly on the sandwich, come on!)

Shuffleboard

A little history…back in 15^th Century England, patrons played a game of sliding a “groat” (a large British coin of the day worth about four pence) down a table.  The game was called “shove groat” and/or “slide groat.”  Later, a silver penny was used and the name of the game became shove-penny and/or shovel-penny.  Although more of a hockey puck type piece, post WWII, “shuffleboard” is still a game of skill and quite challenging, especially a few beers in.  Some of my favorite bars to strike up a game include:

Champions Pub on the Eastside

Burnhearts in Bayview

Miss Katie’s Diner on the Marquette Campus

BBC on the Eastside

Bremen Cafe in Riverwest

Coffee Shops with WI-FI

It’s getting chilly out there my friends.  Here are my top 10 recommendations to grab a hot “cup of Joe,” to cure that end of summer cold, warm your insides, heal the blues, and of course, surf the web while you’re doing it!

1. Alterra at the Lake  
2. Brewed Cafe on Brady 
3. Fuel Cafe
4. Cedarburg Coffee Roasters (at the Milwaukee Public Market)
5. Anodyne Cafe
6. Rochambo Coffee & Tea House
7. Sven’s Cafe 
8. Bella Cafe 
9. Hi-fi Cafe 
10. Comet Cafe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vegetarian Hot Spots

Right now and into September, the “pick of the crop” as far as local produce is pouring into neighborhood restaurants for clean eating and mean satisfaction.  Some top options include:

Beans & Barley, with a mix of sandwiches, stir fries, burritos, salads, and chili, Beans & Barley has to be my top choice for tasty, creative, fare.

Riverwest Co-op and Cafe, with absolutely no meat on the menu, this Co-op prides itself on great prices and savory homemade soups and sandwiches.

Cafe Manna, with the best of both worlds, including vegetarian and organic options, this Brookfield gem has it all from scrumptious beginnings to lovely corn fritters and croquettes.

Casablanca, with fresh, authentic Middle Eastern cuisine, this Brady Street restaurant has the best lentil soup in the city, and offers other goodies such as stuffed grape leaves and potatoes, as well as some of the best baba ghannooj, hummos, and tuboleh salad around.

Top 10 Places for Pasta

The nights are getting a little cooler…fall is knocking at our door…  I don’t know a better meal to ease us into the curse of winter than the comfort of pasta.  Here are my favorites for that healing kind of food!

1. Zarletti
2. Sala da Pranza
3. Pasta Tree
4. Third Ward Cafe
5. Centro Cafe
6. Mimma’s
7. Tenuta’s
8. Palermo Villa
9. Savoy
10. Carini’s

“Everything you see I owe to spaghetti.”  -Sophia Loren

 

Music, Food, and Fun!

If you are in Milwaukee this weekend, you will have more than your fair share of fun things to do around the city!

• Brady Street Days:  From 11am until 11pm, Brady Street will be packed with 3 stages of music, local vendors, and plenty of food and spirits to keep you cool!
• Milwaukee Brewfest:  The 2nd annual, craft beer festival held on Milwaukee’s lakefront is here for another round.  Food and music will also be plentiful at this event beginning at 2pm.
• UWM Jazzfest:  Beginning at 5pm, four groups will take the stage at the Helene Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts.  The cost of this event is $25.
• Riverwest MishMash Fest:  This new, super fun, two-day music fest in Riverwest is located outside of Art*Bar on Burleigh Street.  This free music event coincides with the 24 Hour Bike Race rolling through our eastside streets.

Whatever kind of music you are into, this beautiful summer day is certain to be filled with great tunes and great times!

Jake’s Delicatessen

I’ve blogged about several Milwaukee staples thus far, but Jake’s just may take the cake in this perennial category.  Located a bit off the beaten path on 16th and North Avenue, Jake’s Deli has been serving up the finest corned beef for over half a century!  On an average day this Jewish delicatessen hand cuts between 300-400 pounds of corned beef in order to satisfy a busy lunch crowd that piles into the old wooden booths, the linoleum tables, or bellies up to the sandwich counter.  You can order your corned beef in five different signature sandwiches, but plain on rye bread is anything, but average!  If corned beef doesn’t strike your fancy, Jake’s also does a superlative pastrami, matzo ball soup, and a quarter pound hot dog on a pretzel bun.  Simply put, both Jake’s authentic food and urban decor truly take on an art form that will inspire you to keep coming back for more.

Centro Café

Another family owned, gem in Riverwest, Centro Café is known for its heavenly antipasta, sandwiches, and pasta selections.  This small café is reasonably priced, but you certainly are getting that “big bang for your buck,” with entrées ranging in the $7-10 range.  Similar to many other Riverwest establishments, Cento Café utilizes local products whenever possible, creating complex, gratifying meals ready to rival any Italian eatery around! Absolutely do not miss, the white bean dip or the grilled calamari with scallops off of the appetizer list, the penne con salsiccia nor the linguini pesto-cream from the extensive pasta list, and that great meatball sandwich (which certainly give Glorioso’s a run for their money)!  Cento Café serves daily, starting at 5pm.  They have a great happy hour selection from 5-7pm, Monday-Thursday, (during this time you are even entitled to a FREE Milwaukee made beer with the purchase of an appetizer) and late night summer drink specials from 9-close every night of the week.  This beautiful café certainly shines with its cozy atmosphere and its creative fare.

***Those of you that shy away from great pasta places because you are limited to a gluten-free diet, never fear, for a small $2 up charge, Centro Café will create you a meal with gluten-free pasta!