South Milwaukee is home to large factories, but it doesn’t have much of a downtown area. There is a strip of about three blocks, but restaurants and even bars are few in number. One place, however, does stand out: Azteca, and its artificial saguaro cactus standing on the sidewalk with a sign announcing a lunch buffet and happy hour...

There is an interesting, eco-friendly shop in Bay View named Future Green (2352 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.). Though it’s not large, it has a wide choice of organic clothing, hand-woven fabrics and organic cleaning supplies. There is even a biodegradable paint stripper. Wander to the back of the shop and you will discover Café Tarragon...

The urban modern (with retro flair) style of the Radisson Hotel (2303 N. Mayfair Road), its lobby decorated with colorful paintings of Milwaukee landmarks, was a striking addition to Wauwatosa when it opened in the late ’90s. Along with accommodating visitors to the metro area, the Radisson’s restaurant and bar (especially the bar) provided...

It’s not likely that red meat is on its way out, but a few months ago there were two major, meat-centric restaurant vacancies: Yanni’s, located near Cathedral Square, and Cameron’s, at Bayshore Town Center. A Mexican restaurant recently replaced Cameron’s, but in mid-November, placing faith in the red meat concept, Ward’s House of Prime...

After many years in business, Brewed Awakenings, located in the heart of Brady Street (1208 E. Brady St.), quietly changed its name to Brewed Café. The change has been smooth, and all of the funky charm remains. Coffee drinks are still served in abundance, in addition to old favorites like vegetarian chili, a hummus wrap and meaty...

Berkeley’s Café, located in Whitefish Bay, seemed to have the right idea for the right location, serving breakfast, light lunches and an interesting international dinner menu in a North Shore village. After about a year in business, however, the café underwent a radical makeover. The new name is El Guapo’s and the focus is Mexican. Interior improvements...

The family tradition at one of Milwaukee’s longest-running ethnic restaurants, Old Town Serbian Gourmet House (522 W. Lincoln Ave.), has entered a new era in time for the restaurant’s 40th anniversary this year. Natalia Radicevich, daughter of Old Town’s founder, Alex, set out to move the restaurant into the present...

Nowadays, “taqueria” often refers to restaurants that serve authentic Mexican cuisine, but the term originally applied to street vendors. In Milwaukee, Taqueria trucks parked throughout the South Side are continuing that tradition by serving Mexican food on the go. Tacos, burritos, tostadas, tortas and quesadillas are all affordably priced because...

Another eatery opened its doors on North Avenue in East Tosa in November, joining Daymaker Café and Café Hollander as Wauwatosa's newest restaurants. The a la carte menu at Cosmos Café features a balance of traditional Greek and American cuisine, with a couple of...

The economic slowdown didn’t discourage new restaurants from opening in 2009, and although several have closed, most of those have been replaced with new owners. That said, and even though new restaurants in all price ranges have appeared, there is a noticeable trend toward affordability. Bucking that trend is Smyth, the fine-dining establishment...