Milwaukee must try: Italian
Are you searching for new locations to strive? Throughout Eating Month, Lori Friedrich is that includes must-have dishes in 20 completely different eating classes, from breakfast and brunch to barbecue and all the pieces in between. Here is what she’s really helpful thus far!
Milwaukee has by no means lacked for Italian eating places, though — for a very long time — it was troublesome to seek out a lot selection within the delicacies. Thankfully, issues are altering. The concentrate on regional dishes mixed with an emphasis on selfmade pasta and contemporary seasonal choices has raised the bar for the native presentation of the delicacies.
For the aim of narrowing down this record, I’ve overlooked a number of traditional, comforting “purple sauce joints,” in addition to eating places for which pizza is the first providing (see our record of the perfect locations for pizza on Sunday). Sure, I like them too; However I wanted to slim the sphere one way or the other.
Nonetheless, if you’re searching for a spot to get pleasure from a particular Italian meal, I believe you can be pleased with any of the locations on this record. Every of them gives memorable dishes, stable (if not glorious) service, and an honest ambiance. Good urge for food!
6030 W. North Ave., (414) 312-8968
calucchenzo.com
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At Ca’Lucchenzo, the ever-changing menu pays homage to Italian regional dishes with choices that embrace antipasti, selfmade pastas, and seasonally applicable entrees. The flavors are contemporary and every dish is ready with the eye to element that actually units Ca’Lucchenzo aside. Higher but, the service is among the many greatest on the town.
Highlights on their present menu embrace Pomo d’Oro, and Pesca e Mozzarella, an appetizer that asks us to cherish these final bites of summer time with contemporary tomatoes, peaches, hours-old contemporary mozzarella, basil, and additional virgin olive oil. The identical could be stated for the signature pastas, which embrace culurgiones di polenta: polenta-filled pasta fritters with candy corn, forest mushrooms, leeks, and parmigiano. How about kicking off fall with Capisante con Olivada that includes grilled jumbo scallops with child butter beans, oven-dried tomatoes, and Taggiasca olive sauce?
7616 W. State St., Wauwatosa, (414) 771-7910
bartolottas.com/ristorante-bartolotta
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For greater than 25 years, Ristorante Bartolotta has been a West Facet staple, providing visitors a protracted view of Italy by well-prepared dishes. Through the years, the restaurant has all the time shined when it pushes its boundaries (historically by seasonal specials). As we speak, they provide visitors the chance to journey overseas with out leaving Wauwatosa Village because of their month-to-month menus, every specializing in a special area of Italy. Regional dinners price $75 and embrace visitors’ alternative of 4 programs (some course choices include a slight extra price).
Presently, you may discover the Bolognese area by dishes resembling crescents, cured meats and cheeses (hors d’oeuvres of shredded ham, salami velino, mortadella, parmigiano reggiano and crescent/fried dough)) ; tagliatelle ragu (hand-cut large ribbon pasta served with traditional Bolognese ragu of beef and pancetta); and Scorfano dell’Adriatico in guazzetto (oven-baked Mediterranean wild scorpionfish with cherry tomatoes, shallots, potatoes, garlic and white wine).
785 n. Jefferson Avenue, (414) 488-9578
safinamke.com
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When Savina opened earlier this yr, it marked a return for the Savina household, lengthy identified for its traditional Sicilian delicacies. The brand new restaurant is cozy, with loads of nods to Sicilian tradition, together with a contemporary menu consisting of recent and nostalgic dishes which have stood the check of time.
Menu highlights embrace traditional antipasti resembling Giovanni’s baked mozzarella with San Marzano tomatoes; and Insalata di Mare, a conventional Sicilian seafood salad that includes calamari, shrimp and octopus served with celery, onion and carrot slivers in a lemon and purple wine French dressing.
In the meantime, entrees showcase dishes just like the Stuffed Filet Gio that includes center-cut fillets full of provolone, 18-month prosciutto di Parma, caramelized onions, Roma tomatoes and potatoes; Together with Veal Rib Eye Strauss Parmesan Served with Chef’s Selection of Pasta or Salad.
2613E. Hampshire Avenue, (414) 964-2611
Saladining.com
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It has been greater than 20 years since Sala opened its doorways on the East Facet, and this cozy restaurant nonetheless serves up a few of the greatest Sicilian delicacies within the metropolis. Constructed on the muse of household recipes handed down by generations, their menu showcases each outdated and new college in its vary of pastas, pizzas and antipasti. Higher but, you may discover service that makes you’re feeling as when you’ve been welcomed into somebody’s house.
Staples embrace a slow-cooked five-meat bolognese and gnocchi with spinach and gorgonzola cream. However you should definitely ask concerning the present specials, that are all the time memorable.
2535 S. Kinnickinnic Avenue, (414) 301-6255
sorellamke.com
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Regardless of its informal really feel, Sorella does not skimp on particulars (or service), providing a various menu of shareable, seasonal, Southern Italian-inspired dishes formed with a little bit of an East Coast inflection. You will discover a mixture of antipasti, vegetable dishes, pasta and wood-fired pizza in addition to engaging, reasonably priced entrees in contrast to some other restaurant on the town.
Do not miss the coleslaw Caesar salad with Tuscan cabbage, celery, fennel and crunchy Parmesan cheese; Cauliflower Savory that includes wood-roasted cauliflower with herbs and candy and bitter chili peppers; Gnocchi Genovese that includes potato gnocchi with quick rib and onion sauce; Or wood-roasted swordfish with cherry tomato broth, gaeta olives and capers. On the wood-fired pizza facet, the Carmelo with sausage, broccoli rabe, mozzarella and sharp provolone is just scrumptious.
