Look east on National Avenue from South 1st Street in Walker's Point and you'll find La Merenda.

Published Oct. 13, 2009 at 1:03 p.m.

Runners-up:

2. Crazy Water
(tie) El Rey
4. Tess
5. Jackson Grill
6. Triskele's
7. Polonez
8. Sala da Pranzo
9. Ilja's Place
10. Christie's
(tie) Cool Water
12. Centro
13. Guanajuato
14. Seoul
15. Phan' Garden

5 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by FoodieGal on Dec. 12, 2009 at 1:43 p.m. (report)

Hidden, yes. Gem, NO! Anyone who has ever had semi-decent tapas would recognize immediately the flaws of this place. In my experience, when a place deviates from the traditional spanish style tapas, they better know what they are doing. La Merenda attempts to offer international tapas, resulting in a large variety of mediocre-at-best options. The portions were small and overpriced even compared to popular tapas places in Chicago. And, needless to say, didn't come close to matching the quality of food. I went with 2 other people and we ended up ordering 8 plates, and left hungry. In addition, not all of the items on the menu were available. Service was mediocre at best: had to flag down our waitress a number of times to order additional dishes. I guess we expected the staff at a tapas place to be used to the staggered ordering of small plates. Pardon me for trying to raise the bill and in turn, your tip. In summary, overrated! Milwaukee (and perhaps Milwaukeeans) are just overly zealous about this place is a desparate effort to appear "trendy" and "worldly".

Posted by littletinyfish on Oct. 25, 2009 at 12:08 p.m. (report)

I went to Triskele's after seeing the poll, just for a change of pace, and I loved it. I hope they can claw their way further up the list next year.

Posted by rabid652 on Oct. 22, 2009 at 4:21 p.m. (report)

I went to Crazy Water after reading this article. I'd probably recommend trying it but I really don't think it was worth what the food cost. For a less crowded and less expensive "hidden gem", try Triskele's (sp?).

Posted by Aardvark on Oct. 15, 2009 at 9:20 a.m. (report)

It is hidden since you can drive right by and not see it. One of the best restaurants in Milwaukee. I still have to try Crazy Water though, which is also hidden in its own right. Speaking of hidden, I still can't find Barnacle Buds!

Posted by EatWisconsin on Oct. 13, 2009 at 3:18 p.m. (report)

La Merenda is awesome but hardly a hidden gem. Crazy Water is a hidden gem...in fact every restaurant on the list except LaMerenda and Polonez could be considered a hidden gem.