Dreamy French Fare

The Village’s new bistro

The historic center of Wauwatosa is a far cry from Mayfair Road. Also called “The Village,” it houses a number of 19th-century buildings occupied by shops and restaurants, the latest of which is a cafe named Le Reve. Le Reve, which opened in June, is the dream of owners Therese Hittman and Andrew Schneider.

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Short Orders (A Taste of Art Coffee Bar & Deli)

Coffee Break

On sunny days the light streams into the large windows of A Taste of Art Coffee Bar & Deli (4701 W. Lisbon Ave.). Standard offerings of coffee drinks and fruit smoothies get a boost from a menu that strives for originality and great deals. Among the latter is a Tuesday all-you-can-eat combo of spaghetti, garlic...

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Never a Dull Moment

Specials at The Social

The Social came from modest beginnings, having started in a small, former bar in Walker’s Point. At that time, the kitchen occupied the spot of the old back bar, and the chefs would perform their magic directly in front of you. Three years ago, however, The Social made a big move north, to the site of a former foundry near the Milwaukee River.

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Short Orders (Bombay Sweets)

A Sweet Deal

Bombay Sweets has two unlikely locations, one in a Brookfield strip mall (19555 W. Bluemound Road) and the original at 3401 S. 13th St. As the name suggests, the cooking is East Indian, but in this case everything is vegetarian. The setting is modest—you order at the counter and help yourself to plastic flatware...

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Seventies Supper Club

South Woods’ timeless fare

Situated east of Mitchell International Airport in an area of low-rise office buildings, South Woods restaurant occupies a very unlikely location. The patch of mature trees lining its driveway and the sign announcing the restaurant will take you by surprise. The place, founded in 1970, seems like a bit of a relic, bringing the feel...

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Short Orders (Cafe Centraal)

Bay View’s Belgian Addition

The Diablos Rojos Restaurant Group, which owns Trocadero and Cafe Hollander, opened two new venues this year. In addition to the Belgian-themed Fat Abbey, the group started Cafe Centraal (2306 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.) in the booming neighborhood of Bay View. Cafe Centraal also leans toward Belgium and has the same...

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Fine Fusion

Milwaukee’s Umami Moto

Michael Polaski’s Umami Moto is already a familiar dining spot in Brookfield, where it has gained note for its menu of Asian fusion. A second Umami Moto opened in downtown Milwaukee this summer, located on Milwaukee Street in the former Eve. This time Polaski has two additional partners: Tom Wackman and...

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Short Orders (Painted Parrot)

Caribbean Cruise

The Painted Parrot (8028 W. National Ave.) is a fun, colorful restaurant that follows a Caribbean theme. Jamaican murals cover the walls and reggae music blasts from behind the large bar. The menu wanders through the Caribbean with a few Louisiana touches like jambalaya and gumbo.

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The South Side’s Tropical Skies

Cielito Lindo offers simple, sunny fare

In Spanish, "cielito lindo" means "pretty sky." In Milwaukee, Cielito Lindo defines simple Mexican fare in a colorful setting on Milwaukee's South Side. The ceiling in the main dining room portrays a vivid blue sky, in the center of which is a giant eagle with talons outstretched, and murals of bright Mexican scenery adorn the walls. The front bar continues the theme, offering several premium tequilas to match the tropical flavor.

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Short Orders (Savoy Fish Fry)

Overlooking busy Prospect Avenue from the ground floor of the Shorecrest Hotel, the Savoy Room (1962 N. Prospect Ave.) is a splendid setting redolent of bygone elegance. The walls are black marble, the floors terrazzo and white linen tablecloths are topped with little lamps.

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