Milwaukee Specialty Food and Coffee

Wauwatosa: Le Reve Reigns

I'm sitting at Le Reve nursing a cappuccino that's reminding me why I became a coffee lover. For dinner, I had the crepes with poulet (chicken), which was one of the more expensive items on the original menu at $9.50, but now is a bargain. It exceeded even the sandwiches and other items I've had here, which were fantastic in their own right. They've recently introduced more expensive dinner entrees, and expanded their hours accordingly (looks like they're open until 9 on weekdays and 10 on Saturdays). Co-owner Therese Hittman has been here every time I have. I think that's awesome.

Snapshot: Wauwatosa Ramblin'

Tonight's ramblings began at Le Reve, where I took advantage of the relative peace and quiet of a Friday evening to reacquaint myself with the Pan Bagnat ($8.50) and this here cappuccino ($3). (Note to POS system programmer: "Pan Bagnat" looks better next to "$8.50" than "Tuna Sand"!)  I've noticed that the side salad portion has been trimmed a bit; it was fun to come here in this place's first weeks and experience some extra helpings!  The capp was a killer, hiding some seriously strong espresso under an igloo of dense foam.  The espresso had a different, though not at all disagreeable, taste to it and took quite a while to be served (my food actually came up first), so I wonder if there was some improvisation.  Whatever the case, the results were very good, definitely well suited to power walking, writing or. . .who knows where my ramblings will take me?

Snapshot: Pizza Shuttle

I'm at Pizza Shuttle, tackling a beer that seems bigger than me (grammatically correct version: bigger than I) and doing very well at it.  If I were a regular beer drinker, I'd definitely consider three bucks for this monstrous New Glarus Organic a Good Deal. As it is, I'm making awfully good progress on the cup.  If it weren't for the noise level, I would seriously come here (even) more often.

Snapshot: Wauwatosa Dreamin'

My lunch at Le Reve, already in progress.  After yesterday's discussion of the American blandscape, it occurred to me that this is the exact opposite.  One reason is the distinctiveness of the space.  It'd be hard to replicate this atmosphere if they were to expand to multiple locations a la City Market.  Another reason is that the space is inviting enough to be worth a visit even if you spend little or nothing (which I'm not advocating--let's keep these guys open!).  Last Saturday, however, I waited in line at least twenty minutes for a cup of drip coffee, and was happy to do so.  The American blandscape environment is engineered to create a feeling of discomfort that can only be stilled, however temporarily, by buying something.

Ristretto: July 12-13, 2008

-Today (Saturday), I was suprised--mostly pleasantly--to arrive at Le Rêve to find a line that reached almost to the door.  Ever since, a steady stream of patrons--mostly groups of nicely-dressed women--has come through.  However, I'm pleased to report that the rush was handled with dispatch, and the coast is now clear (just in case you were thinking about coming).

-I'm currently enjoying some of Alterra's Guatemala Pampojila.  When I typed "Guatemala Pampojlla" into Google, it asked me if I meant "Guatemala Pimpzilla".  So, when I create my own blend based on the Guatemala, I know what to call it.

Review: Le Rêve Makes Wauwatosa Dreamy

During today's brief rainstorm, I used the time to drive out to Le Rêve (*****).  (NOTE: I accidentally gave them **** instead the last time, not remembering that five stars is my superlative.  Sorry!  I've corrected the previous blog entry.)  Today, I dined on the Pan Bagnat ($8.50) and accompanied it with a cup of their superb drip coffee ($1.50).  The Pan Bagnat is actually a tuna sandwich.  From a cursory glance at the menu, I'd expected a twist on the usual Chicken of the Sea on a croissaint.  Little did I know that I would be presented with a tuna steak sandwich!

The entire experience at Le Rêve bespoke food and drink as something, if not quite sacred, then deserving of respect and attention.  I sat in along the front window, in a direct line over the counter with the kitchen.  Instead of a stereotypical short-order cook, the kitchen featured what looked like an entire chef line, with three chefs in neat white uniforms.  They worked at a methodical, unhurried pace.  Though carry-out is available, I didn’t see any plastic or paper plates, cups or tableware being used in the café or leaving with customers other than a couple cold drinks.  Soft music played in the background.  All of this for food and beverage at a price point equal to fast casual restaurants, a lower category.

Snaphot: Pizza Shuttle

Kind of a bizarre scene here at Pizza Shuttle as, in a restaurant filled with people who are almost all overweight or obese, images of the Congo flash on the overhead television sets courtest of Nightline.  I also note that bedtimes for children seem to be a thing of the past, though for these families, tonight's outing may have been a special occasion for the fireworks. 

Snapshot: Le Rêve (Wauwatosa) (Part 2)

I'm back at Le Rêve in Wauwatosa.  I've just polished off a "Pan Poulet" sandwich ($7.50, comes with a side of fries or salad) and am working on a cappucino ($2.50).  If the Google searches by which readers find this site are any indication, this place is making quite a splash--and with good reason.   The sandwich and salad were out of this world.  The salad dressing must have been custom-blended, as it reminded me mostly of the yogurt-based dressings I know from Germany.  If this place has any shortcomings, I have yet to discover them.  It's worth every second of the drive through the 'hood from the UWM area.  The woman who prepared the cappuccino here is an ex-employee of Alterra on Prospect.  (I overheard her talking to a couple ordering food who are regulars at Alterra.)  I was kind of hemming and hawing about taking this leap, but here goes: five stars (*****).  Hope they keep up the great work!

Snapshot: Pizzeria Piccolo

I was in the mood for some Tosage tonight.  Its little downtown is a perfectly idyllic place on a mild summer night.  It looks like it's becoming a mecca for foodies (though Lord, do I hate that word).  I noticed an interesting-looking place I hadn't last time, Le Reve.  To fulfill long-held curiosity, I stopped at Pizzeria Piccola, where I had a Chicken Caesar Salad.  It was pretty undistinguished, but I (naturally) ordered decaf coffee as my beverage, and expected some workaday brew.  When I took my first sip, I literally thought "holy f*****' s***!"  I, um, don't think that very often.  I don't know what it was, but it's hard to imagine that it was pre-ground coffee, much less regular foodservice swill.  Of the coffees I've had recently, it was most like Caribou's light-roast Ethiopian.

Indulge Opens Tomorrow--Also, Its Website Gives Sexy Seizures

Jeff Sherman of OnMilwaukee.com posted a lengthy preview on Friday of local Chef Marc Bianchini's newest addition to his culinary empire, Indulge. Scheduled to open tomorrow, June 17, at 708 N. Milwaukee Street, Bianchini was quick to inform Sherman that Indulge is a wine room and not a wine bar, which takes it up to the prized ooh-shi-shi-wawa level.

Bianchini owns On the Marc Restaurants, including Osteria del Mondo and Cubanitas, which he runs with his wife Marta. He also launched Kil@Wat at the Wyndham Hotel Downtown back in 2006.

The Indulge website has no worthwhile info as of yet, but makes up for it by presenting plenty of sexy wordage that fades in and out with seizure inducing precision, so if you're looking for a chem-free high, check it out!

Link