Dining - Nov. 16, 2009
Honeypie shows promise
There is much to like about Honeypie, 2643 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., the Bay View restaurant owned and operated by the same folks that have done great things with Comet Cafe, Palomino and Fuel. But while Honeypie's atmosphere and menu are pleasing, there are still some kinks that need to be worked out.
Tagged with: honeypie, bay view, comet cafe

Dining - Nov. 9, 2009
Scouting report: Kurt's Steak House in Delafield
In recent years, the term "steak house" has become synonymous with the phrase "à la carte." But Kurt's Steak House in Delafield sheds that misconception, offering steak house quality cuts with the accoutrements, atmosphere and price of a traditional Wisconsin supper club.
Tagged with: kurt's steak house, steak, supper club

Dining - Nov. 2, 2009
Wicked Hop shows some inconsistency at the plate
One of the most consistently busy restaurants Amy Schubert has encountered during her review tour has got to be The Wicked Hop. But what is it that makes the Hop so busy? While the service can be imperfect, The Wicked Hop hits some homers in the kitchen.
Tagged with: Wicked Hop, Third Ward

Dining - Oct. 26, 2009
Creative burgers, extras make Stack'd worth a stop
It seems that the culinary scene is undergoing a burger revolution of sorts, with media outlets pumping out articles on the hunt for the perfect burger, sliders cropping up on menus of restaurants large and small and a trend forming towards "gourmet" grass-fed beef. Stack'd, the burger bar at 170 S. 1st St., has found a winning combination of beef, beer and extras.
Tagged with: stacked, stack'd, tim dixon, burgers

Dining - Oct. 25, 2009
Reinventing leftovers: Meatloaf and mashed potatoes to Shepherd's pie
Okay, for round two, let's try converting meatloaf and mashed potatoes into Shepherd's pie; both of which could likely be classified as classic comfort foods.
Tagged with: leftovers, meatloaf, shepherd's pie, mashed potatoes

Dining - Oct. 19, 2009
Dining is a fine complement to wining at Balzac
As the name suggests, wine takes center stage at Balzac Wine Bar. The menu is unique, and the moderate prices allow guest to share a few small plates or grab a sandwich or salad without blowing the budget. Overall, the experience at Balzac is one of serenity. It's nice to have a nook to grab a bottle and know that if you do decide to eat, there are some very good options to play with.
Tagged with: balzac

Dining - Oct. 12, 2009
El Fuego heats up Layton Avenue dining scene
If a continuously packed parking lot doesn't give you a clue, El Fuego is the most popular dining spot to rear its head on the street in decades, maybe ever. The restaurant, whose name translates to "the fire," has lit a fire in the bellies of many South Side diners, creating an already loyal and large following.
Tagged with: el fuego, layton avenue, prime quarter

Dining - Oct. 9, 2009
Reinventing leftovers
In our house, we often struggle with eating leftovers. Point blank, no matter how well-intentioned you are, it's downright difficult to get yourself to eat the same thing day after day until it's gone. (Okay, so maybe some things are easier than others to do this with, but I still think you get my drift.)
Tagged with: dining month, leftovers

Dining - Oct. 6, 2009
Cheap meal of the week: Creamed chipped beef
For OnMilwaukee.com's dining month, I thought some quick and inexpensive meals might be a fun little feature.
Tagged with: dining month, cheap meal of the week, creamed chipped beef

Dining - Oct. 5, 2009
Scouting report: Taylor's People's Park in Waukesha
If someone mentions Taylor's, you likely think immediately of the jet-setter bar on the corner of Jefferson and Wells Streets that has accommodated Jazz in the Park patrons and the nighttime cocktail crowd since the mid-1990s. Earlier this year, Dan and Jim Taylor brought some of the elements of the hotspot to Waukesha's revitalized Downtown.
Tagged with: taylor's, people's park, waukesha

Dining - Oct. 4, 2009
We didn't leave a tip
For the first time in as long as I can remember, we didn't leave a tip last night. We ate at a well-known family run restaurant that is known less for the quality of its food and more for its conviviality. The name of the restaurant? Doesn't matter. The restaurant held up its end of the bargain. The server didn't.
Tagged with: tipping, service, bad server,

Dining - Oct. 1, 2009
Show me the love
For those of you who show people you love them by cooking for them, like I do, my husband very well may have found the perfect cookbook. Scott's in independent sales, so he periodically brings home samples from manufacturers that spark my interest, but this one takes the cake.
Tagged with: cookbooks, cooking, the gathering of friends

Dining - Sept. 29, 2009
The joy of the Cuisinart
Scott decided to spoil me with the recent gift of a Cuisinart Elite Collection 16-cup food processor, which I broke in this weekend.
Tagged with: food processor, cuisinart

Dining - Sept. 28, 2009
Sanford still sets the standard for Milwaukee dining
After 20 years in business, Sanford -- the restaurant operated by Sanford D'Amato and his wife Angie at 1547 N. Jackson St. -- still offers a nearly flawless dining experience. The service, atmosphere and food are impeccable. There is no glory in being "seen" at Sanford; the payoff is getting to spend an evening eating, drinking, and enjoying the art of fine dining. People who dine at Sanford truly appreciate what the restaurant brings to the table.
Tagged with: sanford, sandy damato, angie damato, 1547 n. jackson street

Dining - Sept. 21, 2009
Bombay Sweets balances spicy heat, sweetness
Bombay Sweets is a vegetarian restaurant that seems like a giant cafeteria and bakery featuring cases and cases of Indian, Pakistani and Bengali sweets and a substantial menu posted on the wall. Non-vegetarians should not be intimidated or discouraged from dining. Just about everything on the menu is explained by ingredient or photograph, and the confections are delicious.
Tagged with: bombay sweets, narinder kumar, brookfield, samosas

Dining - Sept. 11, 2009
Fun food, dazzling decor make Agavé worth visiting
If you're looking for cheap, ordinary Mexican food plated with boring rice and beans, Agavé Southwestern Grill in Brookfield probably isn't a place you want to try. If, however, you want to experience adventurous tapas, cevichés and entrees in a jaw-dropping indoor-outdoor setting, you should make a visit.
Tagged with: agave, brookfield, pandl's in bayside, eagan's on water, dave kelley

Dining - Aug. 24, 2009
Lucky Liu's is off to a strong start on Van Buren
It's located around the corner from East Side staple Emperor or China, but Lucky Liu's, 1664 N. Van Buren St., may carve out its own niche with fresh and tasty concoctions from a hybrid menu of Chinese and Japanese selections served from the tiny storefront that for many, many years housed Aveni's Italian Specialties.
Tagged with: lucky liu's, van buren street

Dining - Aug. 17, 2009
Silver Spur pleases with Tex Mex and BBQ
Milwaukeeans seem to have a love-hate relationship with barbecue. It seems just about everyone claims they love slow-cooked or smoked barbecue, but yet, the demise of many well-intentioned barbecue joints in our area seems to speak in volumes. Silver Spur Texas Smokehouse BBQ, 13275 Watertown Plank Rd., Elm Grove, however, seems unafraid.
Tagged with: Silver Spur Texas Smokehouse BBQ, barbecue, Elm Grove, O'Donoghue's

Bars & Clubs - Aug. 16, 2009
Firefly Sweet Tea is a new summer favorite
Our friends Bobby and Maire Greenya, proprietors of Champion's Pub, 2417 N. Bartlett Ave., recently introduced us to my new favorite summer libation, a Firefly Sweet Tea vodka press. Sitting in the sun on the patio at Champion's and sipping this sweet tea cocktail made all the months wading through cold, damp weather just float away.
Tagged with: firefly sweet tea, champion's pub

Dining - Aug. 10, 2009
Scouting report: Jalapeno Loco
Selections at Jalapeno Loco, 5067 S. Howell Ave., dance between the typical plates of rice, beans and burritos and more eccentric and regional dishes. The printed menu still gives diners some welcome options for the basics, such as letting you select two different meats for a fajita combination. If you're craving something different, look beyond this standard menu and grab the tabletop version.
Tagged with: jalapeno loco