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. 

 

Lazy Susan

414-988-7086
2378 S Howell Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53207

http://lazysusanmke.com/

I had the most interesting twist on Mac’n Cheese.  That is saying something considering this is Wisconsin, the home of all things cheese.  It was Bree and cauliflower with bacon and toasted pine nuts.   Not to rich, just cheesy enough.  Nice crunch from the pine nuts.  The cauliflower lightened the dish.  The description made me a little leery at first, but there was no need to worry.

The Lazy Susan is a little place in the Bay View neighborhood of Milwaukee.  This new place makes you feel like you walked into your best friend’s house for an afternoon tea.  The collections of mismatch old plates on the wall add a welcoming hominess to the conversation and the meal.  This place is new but already has a buzz.  Don’t forget to get reservations.

This restaurant specializes in dishes to share.  These are not tapas.  Each dish is for the table and is large enough for everyone to have a real portion.  No scrimping on just getting a spoonful to taste.  The dishes placed in the center of the table on the, yep you guessed it, the Lazy Susan.  Spin the dish and get as much as you want.  

The menu changes with the inspiration of the chef, the delights I had today might be gone tomorrow.  In fact some of what I had is not on the menu just a few days later.   We started our meal with the Grilled Baby Romaine- Crisp prosciutto, buttermilk basil dressing, and blue cheese. Then a sampling plate of lamb, chicken, and pork sausages took its turn.  Of course there was the man ‘n cheese, followed by fried chicken and desert

The bread is made fresh daily.  At least half of the menu is either gluten free, vegan, or can be vegetarian.  Let’s also, not forget the drinks.  There is a full bar.  The skilled mixologists can make you anything as well as suggest drinks for food pairing.  Getting the drink of the day is also recommended. 

The only downside is the parking.  But after a good meal a stroll around the block just adds to the enjoyment of the evening.

Trinity Three Irish Pubs


125 East Juneau
 Milwaukee, WI 53202


Phone: 414-278-7033


Fax: 414-278-0085

Three Irish Bars all in one.  Gallagher’s, Duffy, and Foy.  We went to celebrate several friends birthdays.  None of us had ever been there but how do you go wrong with three bars.  The group met, had a few beers at the bar.  Got a table, ordered food, shots, and a few more rounds. 

I couldn’t decide between the Guinness stew and the shepherds pie.  The bar tender (a vegetarian) said if she ate meat she would go for the Guinness pot roast.  She was right.  The stew was amazing.  Beef fork tender, lean, full of flavor, it tasted even better than it smelled.  The carrots where cooked through but still crunchy.  With a side of perfect colcannon mashed potatoes I ate my fill and then ate some more.

The Rueben rolls are a great appetizer.  A friend had the strawberry pecan salad with goat cheese.  It looked amazing.  I didn’t try it but I heard no complaints. After all who can complain with a place that has a pint of Guinness listed as an appetizer.  Of course there are potato skins for the traditionalist.  And a vegetable / hummus platter if you want a lighter side.  None of us had room for dessert.

The beer list is quite long. No one should have a problem  finding to suit them, though I would not say it is impressive.  There is Magners on draft, one of the few places outside of Ireland that actually carries it.  Bonus that its on draft.   The Irish whisky list is great.  They even serve it with a side of ice so you control the ice, water, whisky ratio.

It was a great evening among friends in a great atmosphere. Good drinks and good food.  The only complaint would be the service.  We were one of a few tables in the place.  There was plenty of bar tenders but no wait staff.  We had to order our food and drinks at the bar.   We would have stayed longer and had a few more rounds but after bussing our own table it was time to go.

Still the place is highly recommended on my list.  Just don’t expect great service, but do expect a great time.