Comfort food is having a major moment. But for Paul Funk, executive chef at Saint Kate — The Arts Hotel, simple food beautifully prepared has always had its own cachet. It’s a philosophy carefully honed since Funk was a kid in Racine, cooking beside his grandma.
What is truly the best of MKE, especially in a year-plus that has challenged each of us in such unimaginable and complex ways? It’s simple, really. The same qualities that have always defined the people of this region: resilience and spirit, determination and cooperation, art, heart and soul. Read on for moving stories about those very things, and the teamwork and creativity that are sure to make metro Milwaukee all the better for years to come.
GERMANTOWN — The new Big Boy coming to Germantown is not open today as was originally expected, but it will be open next week.
WAUKESHA – With the Milwaukee Bucks winning the third game in the NBA Finals Sunday night, Bucks fans are showing support for their team and are also patronizing local restaurants, bars, hotels and stores.
WEST BEND — Vino con Volo Bar and Italian Kitchen is now open for business in downtown West Bend and welcomes those with a hearty appetite.
PEWAUKEE — Beachgoers and residents could soon have another spot for dining in downtown Pewaukee.
WAUKESHA – Waukesha deep dish pizza fans will have a legendary and delicious new place to check out as Lou Malnati’s announced they will open their Waukesha location July 12.
My dear friends, last year at this time we were all in survivor mode. The pandemic was still new and we were all trying to figure out what to do, how to deal with it, and how to protect ourselves, our families and our businesses.
Oconomowoc’s Patricia Kiefer knows what it’s like to hike among Italy’s fragrant lemon groves, olive trees and vineyards. She has dined in Michelin-starred restaurants in small towns in Portugal. She can find prime spots to picnic in the French countryside and recommend wines from a centuries-old vineyard in South Africa.
WAUKESHA – Hop Harvest & Vine, located at 2205 Silvernail Road inside Good Harvest Market, announced they will be hosting their grand reopening event on Saturday.
Welcome back summer socializing with this season’s area beer gardens and toast MKE’s continued recovery.
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — Owners of a group of restaurants, hotels and bars in Eau Claire have eliminated tipping and have raised their minimum wage to $16 an hour.
Back-aching work. Low pay. No health care: Here’s why Chicago restaurant workers aren’t coming back.
CHICAGO — Emilio Enriquez has climbed from busser to line cook during his seven years working in restaurants, and he still dreams of becoming a chef.
OCONOMOWOC — Just Smokin’ BBQ announced on Facebook last week that it is planning to move sometime in the near future.
RICHFIELD — Badger Burger Company will now be closed on Tuesdays, dropping a day from its schedule to cope with a shortage of workers without overtaxing the people they do have.
BROOKFIELD — Salad and wrap restaurant Grassroots Salad Company has reopened in the Brookfield Square mall food court, according to its Facebook page.
VOTE May 28, 2021 at 9:00 a.m.
What led you to where you are now?
Dan Jacobs and Dan Van Rite knew they’d have something new in the offing when they closed Fauntleroy, their acclaimed modern French restaurant, in summer 2020, after valiant attempts to pivot the business and keep their good people working. They just weren’t sure what that might be.
WAUKESHA — The 5 Joints @ 5 Points seem to be closing their doors after operating in downtown Waukesha for about three years.
It's not just gasoline that some Americans may have to do without. Chick-fil-A is cautioning customers that it is facing shortages of some items, particularly sauces.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A conservative legal outfit on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against President Joe Biden's administration for its prioritization of restaurants and bars owned by women and certain minorities in its COVID-19 relief package, arguing white men are being “pushed to the back of the line" for aid for their eateries.
WAUKESHA — Chicken wings are a popular staple for those dining out or grabbing takeout, but a national wing shortage has bars and restaurants struggling to navigate a way forward.
OCONOMOWOC — Crafty Cow in Oconomowoc is going to be seeing some changes as the burger and beer restaurant announced it plans on building a patio on the back part of its location downtown.
OKAUCHEE — The Golden Mast Inn has announced longtime Executive Chef John “Moose” Moosreiner is stepping back into a supporting role and Trevor Clubb, also a Golden Mast chef, is serving as his successor.
WAUKESHA — Detroit-Style pizza is coming to Waukesha this week Thursday or Friday with the opening of the new Jet’s Pizza location along Sunset Avenue.
CHICAGO — First came shortages of toilet paper and flour. Now, chicken wings are in short supply, forcing some restaurants to call off wing night specials and consider raising prices on the budget-friendly staple.
Take the opportunity to salute the local businesses who’ve made 2020 into 2021 a bit brighter for you, your home, your look and your outlook.
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WAUKESHA — Although economic activity is trending back towards pre-pandemic levels and COVID-19 cases remain low, some sectors remain more hamstrung than others. One in particular continues to struggle despite consumer enthusiasm: restaurants.
DELAFIELD — An Olive Garden restaurant proposed for the former Perkins Restaurant site at 2440 Milwaukee St. received an initial site plan approval from the Plan Commission on Wednesday, but not without commissioners asking applicants to make adjustments.
MILWAUKEE — Academy Award winner John Ridley is trying his hand at being a bar owner in Milwaukee. His No Studios is opening Skyline Bar + Lounge in the heart of Milwaukee’s Brewery District which will feature 360-degree city views and a unique sake collection.
Woven baskets and wooden crates brimming with tomatoes, artichokes and squash. A local musician’s guitar picking thrumming through the park. And as you stroll among the booths, aromas of breakfast sandwiches, fresh-brewed coffee and tamales with a kick coax you along.
What’s the first dish you mastered?
OCONOMOWOC — The Oconomowoc Common Council approved an ordinance at Tuesday’s meeting that would increase fees for the food trucks in town, restrict how many could be in town as well as length of permits issued.
WAUKESHA — A Waukesha favorite, Pat’s Rib Place, is headed to the Milwaukee Public Market to open the business’s second location and provide some Southern-style barbecue to the Milwaukee community.
MUSKEGO — Due to a plumbing issue, the new Milk Can Hamburgers & Frozen Custard will have to push its grand opening back to 10:30 a.m. today.
MEQUON — After spending years working at their family’s popular Wauwatosa Chinese restaurant, Brian and Tom Wang took a break for several years and waited for just the right opportunity to come up on the culinary horizon.
TOWN OF CEDARBURG — Just a few days after the death of its founder, Wayne J. Houpt, Wayne’s Drive-In is officially opening for its 23rd season as of 11 a.m. this morning.
WEST BEND — Wisconsin bars and restaurants are now allowed to serve cocktails and wine to go after Gov. Tony Evers signed the relevant bill into law Friday.
What was the first dish that you mastered?
WEST BEND — Despite the many challenges presented throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, local bars and restaurants have adjusted to maintain the health and happiness of their clientele and staff.
THIENSVILLE — The Thiensville Plan Commission last week approved design plans for the new cheel restaurant and baaree, but not without several conversations about parking limitations.
HARTFORD — A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place Wednesday afternoon to welcome Hartford’s newest restaurant to the community — Dude’s Clubhouse.
WEST BEND — The owner of Culaccino Bar + Italian Kitchen, 110 Wisconsin St., announced the business will close at the end of the month. The restaurant’s final day of operation is March 27.
MADISON — Paying for your meal would be different, and potentially more expensive, under a plan being pushed by Democrats at the Wisconsin Capitol.
THIENSVILLE — The flavors of the cheel will be revived again at The River Club of Mequon Saturday, April 10 as part of a kitchen takeover. Reservations are highly recommended. A $25 deposit is required for a group of six or more. The deposit will be deducted from the total bill upon conclusi…
Paul Fehribach, owner of Big Jones in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood, has wanted to eliminate tipping at his restaurant for years.
WAUKESHA — Fuzzy’s Southside Pub & Grill reopened its location after a nearly year-long closure Monday, and is now owned by a 14-year-long employee.
WAUKESHA — The Waukesha Chinese restaurant Spring Garden is closed, with a sign by VJS Construction Services notifying the public the space is available.
DOUSMAN — There’s a new fine dining restaurant in Dousman.