Bars & Clubs - Feb. 3, 2009
Smoke-free bars breathe easier as trends shift
Unlike Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Paul and Madison, the lack of an official smoking ban in the city of Milwaukee places the decision to allow patrons to light up on business owners. Until recently, the number of bars and restaurants willing to tamper with tradition was minimal, at best.
Tags: smoke-free, non-smoking, smoking ban, adrienne pierluissi, water buffalo, swig, joe sorge, angie sorge, sugar maple, cuvee, kris gorski, bruno johnson, palm tavern, la merenda, peter sandroni

Dining - Nov. 5, 2008
Chefs embrace seasonal foods for fresh fall feasting
Produce is at its peak when it's ripe, which is why more and more restaurant owners and chefs are steering away from the Syscos of the world and turning to providers in their own regions for fresh, local, seasonal foods. It's a national trend and here in Milwaukee, several restaurateurs are beginning to cook seasonally and shape their menus around what Mother Nature giveth.
Tags: seasonal menus, buy local, la merenda, cafe manna, intercontinental milwaukee, kilawat, robert ash, peter sandroni, robin kasch, thanksgiving

Living - Aug. 6, 2009
Weekly New Thing: Sous Chef to Peter Sandroni, La Merenda
I always wondered how executive chefs of my favorite restaurants do it. How do they consistently plate tasty dishes to indulge? What is their philosophy? What is their management style which keeps the same servers happy day in and out, and the same line cooks behind-the-scenes? So I asked the exe...
Tags: La Merenda, Peter Sandroni, Hunger Task Force, Lettuce Entertain You, Joy Bach