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Cool Water exceeds expectations
As promised last week, I went to check out the new Cool Water Bar and Grill on St. Francis Avenue in, you guessed it, St. Francis! The place is a new restaurant and tavern just west of Kinnickinnic Avenue in the space that long housed Majdecki's.
I knew that the owners spent four years renovating the building but I didn't realize just how nice it would look inside. That's partially due to the unassuming exterior, which comes alive later when the sky is dark and the lights come on and give it an alluring glow.
Exposed brick, hardwood floors and rustic earth tones make the bar and dining room warm and inviting. There's a triangular stage to the left of the entrance and above it, a balcony that allows the patrons in the smoking section upstairs to look down.
Cool Water is one of the smarter eateries in town that follows common sense (and physics) and puts the smokers upstairs. That way the non-smokers don't have to pass through the smoking area and the rising smoke, doesn't "infect" the non-smoking section.
There is a full bar up there, too, just above the one on the main floor below.
When I arrived with my wife, son and in-laws for a Friday fish fry, both owners came to greet us and doted on the little one. To say service is friendly would be an understatement. As the name implies, the vibe is cool, but the service is attentive.
Although the menu includes soup, burgers, sandwiches, salads, wraps, appetizers (the classics: wings, onion rings, shrimp cocktail, etc.), surf & turf, steaks and more, we were eager to try the fish fry. Especially because we'd heard the Majdecki's version was legendary and Cool Water was carrying on the tradition.
The fish fry -- we had battered cod -- was hot and delicious, with thick, sumptuous potato pancakes and all the fixings. The "meaty" pancakes were a nice counterpoint to the light, potato flour-style ones I'd had at State Fair the night before.
Considering we all had at least one beer, the $60 tab seemed like a bargain.
There's live music on weekends, but we missed it. That's no surprise; having a toddler at dinner often means we're on the road toward home while the band is just unloading its gear from the van.
Although Cool Water had only been open about a week and a half when we visited, it was doing a brisk business, suggesting that the word was out. And that's good news, because even though it's close to the KK nightlife, it's ever so slightly off the beaten path.
But don't let a block or two stop you from checking it out.
Talkbacks
A_Barfly | March 16, 2010 at 2:38 p.m. (report)
I realize that this aritcle was written in 2008 and it's now 2010 - but I went there last week, and it was absolutely one of the worst meals I've ever had. Perhaps they were just having a bad night or something, but nothing went right for them on this visit. It was "rib" night and they were out of ribs. In fact they were out of Filet for the entree, and Portabella's for the Pita sandwitch (all of which we ordered that night). The tenderloin they did have for the steak sandwich came out burnt through and through (I ordered it MR). Terrible. Hands down, I'd never go back, even if you reading this offered to pay for it... PS - I think there was stool on the hallway floor outside of the bathrooms...
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upofan | Oct. 20, 2008 at 2:24 p.m. (report)
You all had one beer? Even your kid? Haha...just kidding. I love this place. Very laid back. Cool atmosphere inside, and the wait/barstaff is extremely nice and attentive. I haven't tried the food yet, but I'll pick this place over the now overcrowded Bay View bars on KK and Lincoln.
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koszuta | Oct. 17, 2008 at 9:13 p.m. (report)
Terrible overall experience. Can't rate the food because we never go it, the service was so terrible. Took 10 minutes before we were even approached by a waitress and another 15 and our drinks had not even been made. Cancelled our order ... walked out and not a word was said by any employee working there. Ran into customers that were there when we were there later in the night at another establishment ... they commented on the terrible service and food!! Don't waste your time with this place - go somewhere else.
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misobento | Sept. 3, 2008 at 11:08 a.m. (report)
We were disappointed. We had walked past this place for the last few weeks and were very excited to see what it would be. The food was OK, but the atmosphere seemed.....confused. We liked the bar and lights etc and saw the potential, but what ruined it was the three tv's with sports, the loud neon signs, and the food which was served in plastic baskets and not on plates. We didn't go when it had live music, but one song we did hear on the speakers was "Home on the Range." Odd. At check payment, we got lollies. Cute, but again a little odd in our opinion. Overall, we felt it was trying to cater to too many people/interests and seemed confused as to what their goal was and what kind of establishment they were trying to be. Our initial feeling is that we won't go back. Bummer.
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Liz_Kreger | Aug. 20, 2008 at 1:38 p.m. (report)
I've been to Cool Waters twice now (and planning to return this Friday). Both times the service has been exceptional, the food terrific and the atmosphere outstanding. Its a great addition to Southside dining.
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