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

The Raw Bar

Okay, I blogged about mussels, but what about those delicious, aphrodisiac pieces in a half shell that have some people just crazy over oysters!  There are several spots in Milwaukee where the oysters are just outstanding.

Here’s where to get them:

Harbor House, during Happy Hour you can order oysters for 89 cents a pop!

Maxie’s Southern Comfort, during Happy Hour (daily from 4-6pm) fresh shucked oysters are half-off!

St. Paul Fish, get them fresh everyday, but on Thursdays, Blue Point Oysters are 2-for-1.

Barnacle Buds, (currently closed for the season), but Milwaukee’s only outdoor oyster bar sells them $18/dozen.

Mason Street Grill, “Throw ‘Em Back Thursdays” gets you a dozen oysters and a pitcher of beer for $20.

 

 

 

The Best Italian Beef

When it comes to Italian food, Milwaukee doesn’t have a “Little Italy” portion of the city, but that certainly doesn’t imply that we don’t have our fair share of authentic restaurants and famous Italian, immigrant families.  Today I would like to praise the Italian Beef sandwich, which encompasses a rich history of juicy meat, soppy bread, and either spice and/or  sweetness from a crazy, homemade giardiniera!  As a connoisseur of the sandwich myself, here is where I go to experience such an epic piece of heaven (in several areas of the city).

• Dr. Dawg
• Frankie’s Sammiches
• Martino’s
• Glorioso’s
• Sammy’s Taste of Chicago

Which establishment is your favorite?

 

 

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.

NYE

With a slew of options for what some belive is the most magical night of the year, (have you seen the movie yet), here are a few thoughts on where to spend the last night of 2011.  Click on each link for a full NYE website.

Iron Horse Hotel

106seeboth/Screaming Tuna

Mason Street Grill

Maxie’s Southern Comfort

Don’t forget about Miller Light Free Rides which begin at 8pm on Saturday.  Most importantly, what is your resolution???

IL MITO

IL MITO Trattoria e Enoteca made its first appearance in Walker’s Point on West Virgina over a decade ago and won over the hearts of many downtown dwellers.  These days we have to drive a bit farther but, Chef Michael Feker still makes his magical meals in Wauwatosa, and even has time to demonstrate his passion with his “Chef’s Counter Events.”  (An upcoming event on December 10th, allows guests to come in for a “Lunch and Learn” session of Holiday Creations, at only $15 per person.)   With a packed calendar of fun events from wine tastings, food pairings, and several course meals, IL MITO accommodates to what ever kind of foodie fetish you’re into.  For me, I like to dine at IL MITO, simply for a delicious evening meal.  I’ve always been impressed with every dish I’ve tried, even if it’s just to split their mediterranean classic, antipasto mista (definitely one of my favorites).  Their pizza is thin crust style, their salads are fresh and delightful, and their risotto has to be the best in the city.  I’m talking about the “risotto con pollo e funghi,” which is an exotic mushroom risotto with shiitake, crimini and porcini mushrooms accompanied by organic, free-range chicken and fire-roasted tomatoes in an aromatic with wine mushroom broth.  Here it is, IL MITO is comfortable, cozy, and rustic…a perfect place to warm up on an upcoming-cold, winter night (and definitely worth the drive down North Avenue).

Halloween Festivities (other than bars)

Take advantage of some rather cultural activities the city has to offer this weekend, instead of hanging out with “Sexy Kitty” and “Slutty Girl Scout”…

Midnight in the Garden, Saturday, October 29, from 8:00 p.m. to Midnight:  Spend an evening at Villa Terrace for their third annual Midnight in the Garden Halloween Masquerade Party.   Come in costume and prepare to be thrilled and/or killed during a guest participation game.  There will be prizes, trick or treating, fortune-telling, complimentary hors d’oeuvres, cash bar, and a midnight surprise.  ($25/Admission, $20/Psychic Readings)

The Milwaukee Ballet , presents Dracula from October 27th through the 30th.  One of the most famous vampire tales comes to life on stage through dance at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, 929 N. Water St.

Rocky Horror Halloween Weekend, at the Oriental Theatre on Farwell will be showing America’s favorite participatory drag film for Halloween.  The film is begins both nights at midnight, Friday, October 28th and Saturday, October 29th.

Times Cult Film Creepshows: Halloween & Trick ‘r Treat  , Head out to Wauwatosa to view two creepy films, playing exclusively this weekend at the Times Cinema.

Ted’s Ice Cream & Restaurant

There are not many diners left to patron these days, but if you’re in the mood for one, Ted’s in Wauwatosa is screaming milk shakes and patty melts!  Ted’s has been around since the early 40’s and is a family owned and operated establishment.  The huge wrap around counter covers most of the seating, as there are only a few tables around the perimeter of the restaurant.  The price is right and the portions of eggs and hash browns are incredible.  Ted’s opens everyday at 7am (closed Mondays), is casual, and fun.  Whether you’re on a date or bring your children, Ted’s is an old school experience not to miss.

Ales, Pales, Sticks, and Stouts

From 1-4pm tomorrow, the 5th Annual Beer tasting and festival (courtesy of the Milwaukee Hurling Club) will be going strong in Wauwastosa at Hoyt Park.  Admission (at $35), includes samplings from more than 50 varieties of ales, lagers, and porters from around the world.  In addition, live music featuring local Celtic rockers, Whiskey of the Damned and Atomic Whiskey Test  will be performing.  Your admission also includes hearty autumnal soups, stews, and more, courtesy of McBob’s Pub & Grill and Slim McGinn’s West.  Delicious!

A room with a view…of a fireplace that is!

When the weather turns, bar hopping just plain sucks.  This is the time of year to find a great spot with a fireplace, sip down a warm Irish Coffee or lovely glass of wine, and have a great conversation with someone completely interesting.  (Hopefully your significant other fits in that category).  Here are some places with hearths that just may warm your heart:

• Blu at the Pfister Hotel
• The County Clare
• The Iron Horse Hotel
• Firefly Urban Bar & Grill
• Brocach
• Tha Pasta Tree
• Swig
• Lake Park Bistro
• Tulip
• Palms