Dish on Dining

Ups and Downs
• In the mid-’90s, I wrote a story on restaurants located on the inland lakes. I’d drive around and around lakes like Pewaukee, just to get a lay of the land. Things have obviously changed massively since then. But there’s always gonna be bars and restaurants with a watery view. The new (as in, just opened on Wednesday, the 1st) Baja Grill Pewaukee used to be Kahuna’s Beach Club and Tiki Bar, and before that Caliente’s (W279 N2221 Prospect Ave., Pewaukee, 262-696-4621). “Mexican and American favorites” is the theme here. Nachos, tacos and tostados, fajitas and enchiladas, burgers, a Cuban sandwich, plus ribs, coconut shrimp, jerk-rubbed pork chop and other entrées. Beyond that, a fish fry and Sunday brunch. Owners Keith Klemowits and Drew Konop, both Pewaukee natives, also run Milwaukee’s Karma Bar & Grill on Ogden Avenue. The kitchen’s open daily 11 a.m.-10 p.m.

• Albanese’s of Mequon is down for the count (12020 N. River Rd.). The phone number and Web site for the Italian restaurant are no longer operational. A North Shore casualty.

Cosmic Comet Event
Earlier this week, I caught Comet Cafe in a brief segment on the Food Network show “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” The show featured Comet co-owner/chef Adam Lucks making the truly aptly named AJ’s Compact Turkey Dinner – two battered, fried balls of turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes served with turkey gravy. That creation is on the regular Comet menu. But the other stuff Lucks made – the Akimbo burger and “Sweet Cobra” – are not. What the…? Yeah, these items come from Comet’s “secret” menu. But you can order them pretty much any time; you just need to be in the know. The Akimbo burger is a sight: an 8-ounce burger topped with cheddar cheese, onion rings, jalapeno relish, bacon and a fried egg. This conglomeration is served between two grilled cheese sandwiches. Crazy? I'd pay good money to see somebody finish one. Adam says the Sweet Cobra – a mac and cheese pancake stuffed with barbecued pork and topped with sausage – is more of a breakfast thing, but it sounds pretty amazing for any time of day. (1947 N. Farwell Ave., 414-273-7677)

Village of Fresh Air
You live in Shorewood? July 1st may (or may not) have been a watershed day for you. The village’s smoking ordinance officially went into effect. According to the ordinance, a smoke-free area includes “enclosed, indoor areas of restaurants, bars, bowling alleys and other sports centers.” The businesses are required

to post signs indicating they are smoke-free. (Many of the restaurants had already banned smoking on the premises.) Shorewood celebrated with an event last night at the now ashtray-free Village Pub and Grill (4488 N. Oakland Ave.).

Pasta Night
Weeknights are deal nights at Crazy Water. Specifically, Tuesday through Thursday evenings. The restaurant has a wine deal on Tuesday and Thursdays – half-price bottled wine. On Wednesdays, it’s a prix fixe special: $13 for three courses (appetizer or salad, pasta entrée and dessert) for $13. Last Wednesday, the app was a goat cheese, leek and pancetta tartlet with curry. The pasta was linguine with prosciutto and peas in a sage-cream sauce. And dessert: a caramel flan. Normal hours are Sun-Thurs 5-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 5-10 p.m. But this weekend, owner Peggy Magister is closing the place for three days for a little R&R. But CW will be back in action on Monday, the 6th. (839 S. Second St., 414-645-2606)

Inside Scoop
It smells good inside Sciortino’s Bakery (1101 E. Brady St., 414) 272-4623). Really good. The new thing to hit Sciortino’s is not particularly odorous. It's a case of gelato, made by Brady Street neighbor Mimma’s Cafe. The bakery carries 10 flavors – such as tiramisu, chocolate and pistachio. Cones and cups of gelato are $2.50 for one scoop, $4.75 for two scoops.

Muddled Coffee
Milwaukee’s Stone Creek Coffee will debut a new drink on July 8th (that’s next Wednesday). It’s a little thing they’re calling the Espressjito. It was inspired by a drink that Stefanie Zydowicz, who works at the Bay View location, created at the 2009 Great Lakes Regional Barista Competition. Think of a caffeinated, nonalcoholic mojito. Stone Creek’s beverage uses a combo of muddled lime, sugar and mint, and a shot of espresso. The mixture is poured over ice and finished with San Pellegrino sparkling water. Sounds awfully refreshing. And available in all eight cafe locations starting next week.

Positive Ink
The Wall Street Journal was very kind in a recent story to two Milwaukee restaurants – Sanford and Lake Park Bistro. Writer Raymond Sokolov called dining at LPB a “Proustian revisitation of pre-1970 French dining.” The cuisine at Sanford is, he wrote, “inventive, complicated and delicious.” Check out the whole article here.

Don’t miss this week’s Shopaholic to learn about new stores and events in the world of local retail.

If you spot any restaurant openings or closings out there, don’t hesitate to post it on my column, or e-mail me directly: ann.christenson@milwaukeemagazine.com