Milwaukee Specialty Food and Coffee

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

Adam Siegel Wins Chef's Crown

Way back on March 25, I posted the news that Adam Siegel of Bartolotta's Lake Park Bistro had been nominated for the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef in America, Midwest Region. Well, guess what? He won!

That's right, kids, a Milwaukee chef beat out five other outstanding culinary artists for top honors on June 8. Oh how I wish I would have been at that party.

See the winners here and rejoice!

Former Pizza Man GM Returns from the Valley with Vino to Share

I received an e-mail last week informing me that Curtis Strohl, former general manager of Pizza Man who now works for Ancien Wines in California's Napa Valley, is returning to his old haunts to introduce wine lovers to the vino offerings of his new employer.

From 6-9PM on Wednesday, June 4, Strohl will host the tasting of, and I quote:

"... some of the finest, most expressive, most enduring, palate-pleasing, joy-giving pinor [sic] noir  wines in the world. We'll also have some wonderful (explosive, juicy, zesty, and racy) pinot gris as well as one of the most elegant and well-balanced chardonnays coming out of California."

Whew! Now that's what I call building expectation. We are, of course, depending on you to let us know whether or not it lives up to these elaborate and numerous adjectives, but be prepared to fork over $20 per person 'cause anything that's joy-giving, explosive, racy and/or elegant certainly ain't free.

R.I.P.: Riverbrook Restaurant

Riverbrook restaurant in Shorewood closed earlier in this month.  As far I as have gleaned from the media, Shorewood basically master-planned it out and the property was bought by a developer who will turn it into an assisted-living facility (link). I don't have very distinct memories of the family restaurant portion.  It was better than (affiliated) Ma Fischer's but not in a league with Omega.  Despite this, the Greek family restaurant parameters are relatively narrow. 

What does stand out in my mind is the burger and custard portion, which opened in--1999 maybe?  It was a nice change of pace from Kopp's when I was going to the latter regularly.

This sign looks like some kind of scrawled, half-crazed rant from the street.  I was rather disappointed it was so polite--I had expected it to say "Death to the Turk!" or something.

Snapshot: Ristorante Bartolotta (Part 2)

Ristorante Bartolotta offers a very attractive tasting menu for $35.  It includes your choice of either of two options from each of three courses, plus a complimentary dessert.  I decided to put that off for next time.  Instead, I ordered the Salmone ($22.95), which the menu describes as follows: Salmone con Salsa Olivada
                        Wood roasted filet of Atlantic salmon on a bed of
                        sautéed spinach and  creamy potato purée, topped with
                        a savory Ligurian “Taggiasca” olive sauce
The entree was excellent.  By the time it arrived, I was so engrossed in conversation with my neighbor at the bar (the regular) that I wouldn't have properly focused on the tasting menu, so I'm glad I took a pass.

My wine was the 2004 Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (Masciarelli, Abruzzo).  I'm strictly a layperson when it comes to wine, but I really liked this one.  As is almost universally true, wine is marked up considerably, so my strategy will be to try different wines by the glass and buy bottles later on my own.