 Looking
for some good ways to show off your home town to visiting friends and
relatives? Or, perhaps you’re planning a romantic evening? After 22
years as the concierge at The Pfister hotel, 424 E. Wisconsin Ave.,
Peter Mortensen knows plenty about the restaurants, clubs and cultural
attractions in Milwaukee. And he has many of creative ideas for making
the most of your time in the Cream City.
On the Town
For an enchanted evening with your
sweetheart, Mortensen suggests dinner at Third Ward Caffé. "It’s
a unique place and the Italian cuisine is wonderful," he says.
Another romantic spot for lovers is terrace dining at Coast in
downtown Milwaukee. If a French bistro brings back memories of your
honeymoon, try Chez Jacques on South 1st Street, described as "a
little island of Paris" in Milwaukee. "It’s a charming
place with classic country French cooking. I love the cassoulet and
the chicken," he says.
And, after dinner? "Of course, Blu
is hugely popular," Mortensen says of the jazz/cigar/martini bar
atop The Pfister. Travel a little bit north of downtown and discover
more nightlife. "For the right couple, The Jazz Estate is an
excellent place to hear some music," he says. "For those who
love wine, Balzac near Brady Street is a great wine bar."
Shopping Outside the Lines
To find distinctive gifts, one must get
off the beaten path, Mortensen says. "Of course, you can have the
mall experience at The Shops of Grand Avenue, but there’s more
available," he says. "The Village Bazaar on Farwell Avenue
sells art, but it’s different every time you go there," he
says. He also suggests exploring the Historic Third Ward for boutiques
like Lela with stylish women’s clothing and shops for sports
enthusiasts like Moda 3. As for children’s clothing, "You can’t
find shops for kids like Freckle Face or Sprout anywhere else,"
he says.
"I’m a big booster of Milwaukee’s
architecture," Mortensen says. "I often recommend walking
tours." The tours include Milwaukee’s German heritage, East
Town structures and homes of the former beer barons. "For a view
of the city from the water, harbor tours on the Iroquois or the
Edelweiss are great fun, too," he says.
Sunday Brunching
So many eggs to eat, so little time.
"To me, brunch is not about the food as much as it is about the
experience of taking your time enjoying a leisurely meal with
friends," Mortensen says. Casablanca on Brady offers Middle
Eastern fare and Lake Park Bistro on the East Side has a lake view and
award-winning food. Café at The Plaza is one of Mortensen’s
favorites. "It’s such a funky and fun atmosphere," he
says.
To top it all off, Mortensen recommends
a trip to Northern Chocolates on North Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
for some mouth-watering candy. "It’s one of our city’s
treasures!"
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