1125 N. Old World 3^rd St,

Milwaukee WI

414-763-3852

http://www.uglyspub.com

It was Downtown dinning week. A friend and I went on an venture to find dinner before heading to a concert.  The first two places had a waiting list.  So we walked next door and found Ugly’s Pub.  Which is anything but Ugly.  They had seating on the patio. Up, up the stairs, around the corner, and to the roof.  The view is not the best in the city but it does overlook the city. It is not a bad view and quite enjoyable. 

The full bar is close to the seating.  The wait staff was doing their best.  Belly up to the bar or grab a table in the kind of closed in part. For the true roof top experience head to the fully outside part and relax on the couches.   Great place for groups and after work get togethers.

This place like the others was packed.  We had to wait for our first round of drinks but it wasn’t for lack of trying on the staffs part.  The menu is standard American Bar with a few high lights.   The fried asparagus and Edamame looked good.  It is always good to start your meal with vegetables.  The table next to us had a sampler started of some kind.  Looked great.  They do have truffle fired on the menu.  I am sure they would be worth trying.  NOTE:  The on line menu and the restaurant menu are not the same.

My friend had a burger and I got the “THE Boss Sandwich”  Everything is made in house from scratch.  The burger bun is even stamped with the logo.   It is a cool effect.  Too bad you have to eat it.   Once again the place was packed and everyone seemed to be in a hurry to get to the events for the night.   The steak on my sandwich was just a little too thick.  It was well seasoned and tasted good.  But the thickness made it hard to eat in a sandwich form.  The burger was good.  The fries had been under the heat lamps and had started to loose crispness. 

Over all a very nice place.  Just a little attention to detail and the plates would have been great. Again, it was a full house.

HI Hat Lounge

1701 North Arlington PL

Milwaukee WI

414-220-8090

http://www.hihatlounge.com/

Out and about on Brady St with friends on a Thursday night we stopped by the Hi Hat Lounge.  The upstairs at street level opens onto the down stairs bar level.  Hanging colored lights give the place its mysterious appeal.  From the street it looks to be quiet and unassuming.  In reality it is a not so hidden jewel of a hangout that is known for serving up an education in Cocktails. 

There are the house specialty martini’s , Manhattan’s and Old Fashioned.   Don’t worry,  the tried and true classics are ready and waiting for you as well.  Or you can mix it up with the seasonal cocktails.  Currently on tap is the Scarlet Sour and the Devils Makes Three.  The wine list is passable. The beer list is extensive in all things domestic.  Go for the Cocktails.

I have heard good things about the menu, though we did not eat there.  It is a good place to kick back, listen to some good music and be with friends.

P.S. The Garage is open next door.  If you don’t want the nostalgia of the  Hi Hat, watch the game at the Garage.  The bourbon and rye list will not leave thirsty.

Sometimes it is good to get out town and just get a change in prospective.  Get in the car and drive to someplace new. If nothing else it will add verity and give a “hey remember that time we…” story to tell.  This weekend was a short trip to Lake Geneva.  It is just an hour from the big lake to this picturesque smaller one.  The weather tried to cooperate – it didn’t rain.  There was plenty of walking, shopping, and hanging out with friends.

The main strip about a block from the lake offers lots of choices.  There are your standard fish shops of course.  There is the BBQ place overlooking the water.  The corner store has a deli to get made to order sandwiches.  Breakfast only places.  Bistro’s, sport bars, and dinners line the streets between the high end shopping and the souvenir shops.

As in all places out of town it helps to do your research. While great eats exist, they are not always as easy to find as one would think.  In previous trips with large groups we hit up the bigger known places.  They overlook the water and have plenty of seating.  The food was food.  Nothing really to write about and nothing that could not be had anywhere else.  This time we tried smaller places. The one that looked the most promising was closed when we were hungry so we tried the sports bar, score.  Yep, it was a sports bar and it lived up to all that it was supposed to be.  Lots of choices on tap, burgers, fries, and corn dogs.  Sports ranging from golf, soccer, baseball, and yesterday’s top 10 pepper the screens.

Do your research and look around.  You could end up in the ‘we used to be good’ place.  First clue that we should have walked out, the place was empty on a Friday night.  2^nd, folding tables and chairs too low for comfortable eating   3rd, menu said please allow ample time for you food to be cooked.  I don’t mind waiting for food when it is good but this was prepackaged, frozen that the kitchen just reheated the plates.  The menu was trying to be Greek with something to satisfy the Americans.   It failed on all fronts.  I got the BLT because it is hard to mess that up or get sick while eating it.

There are several great places to eat.  There is even a Chicago deep dish pizza place. You live in Milwaukee or close by.  If you have never had Chicago deep dish pizza, get your butt down there people.  You have no excuse. GO!! There is an UNOs in Brookfield and one in Menomonee Falls.  The one in Lake Geneva will do.  I say that the original (Wabash Ave, Chicago) is the best.  But since there is not much to writing about in the ways of Milwaukee pizza, try it.

Get out of town and try something new.  I will see you again next week; Promise.

KASANA

241 North Broadway
Milwaukee , WI 53202 
414-224-6158  |  Fax: 414-224-6326

Website: kasana-mke.com

Kasana had its official Grand Opening May the 10^th.  This beautifully appointed space down the stairs in Broadway Central Building is a great place for a gathering of any kind.  It is bright and friendly.   For the Grand Opening there was Flamenco singers, dancers, Hookahs, and live music.  The space has been open for catering and other evens prior to this.

 

Located in the heart of the Third Ward it is a convenient place to stop in for a snack or drink while enjoying the neighborhood.  The comfortable settees and mini chandeliers provide a sophisticated elegance.  This is a small space but it was not cramped or crowded even though the restaurant was full.

 

We were greeted by the owner and seated right away. We clapped along with the Flamenco dancers while we waited for our waiter and the drinks.  Each of us ordered several plates to share with the table.  These tapas plates included Brussels sprouts with a Béchamel sauce, Shrimp with wild rice, Ceviche, Roasted red peppers, and Crab cakes.  Each plate offered up just enough for us each to have a taste.   I should have tried the empanadas.  They looked really good.

 

The food was good for a light meal or a snack.  The entertainment kept us occupied as the service was slow and inattentive.  On Wednesdays the place becomes Rodizio De Pizza.  Apparently the pizza is very good and very well priced.  I have never been able to make it there but several friends go as often as they can.   They too say the food is good but the service is slow.

 

This would be a great place for an office party or wedding rehearsal.  There is plenty of space for mingling and the menu makes for great appetizer with drinks.