Last week the local Milwaukee newspaper, the Journal Sentinel informed readers Wisconsin has just posted its largest job loss rates in recent history. I was shocked. We are in the midst of the worst recession in my lifetime and the effects of its impact are being experienced by millions across the country. The current economic environment is teetering on the edge of disaster and even those that currently do have an occupation realize that today and tomorrow may have a very different story to tell. As such, living a more conservative life, maintaining a budget and limiting unnecessary expenses such as dining, consuming wine and traveling has become a priority for the majority of us, including myself.

Therefore I feel inclined to write a post that can help you to limit unnecessary costs yet still allow the ability to enjoy life’s little luxuries, such as good food, classic wine and adventurous travel.

Over the past ten years I have traveled each year including several domestic trips and at least one to two international trips.  I’ve been fortunate but I have also learned that traveling is expensive. Over and above my travel habits  I have made a serious point not to limit my expenses on other main hobbies, which include wine, dine, running and golf as these bring too much flavor to my life. For the most part I’ve succeeded.  I’ve learned a few key tips through experience, sometimes the hard way, and these I’d like to share with you today.

Tip #1: Good wine is not necessarily expensive

Those of you that follow me on Twitter know my love for wine, but you may not be aware that I rarely spend more than $10-$15 on any a given bottle.  The wine industry becomes more competitive year over year which has caused in inter-correlation between quality of wine and wine prices. Overall wine quality has improved while prices are decreasing.  In addition, over the past several years wine consumption has steadily increased in the United States, which has caused wine producers to produce more wine at a lower cost.  Some of you may argue that the quality of the wine produced has steadily decreased as a result.  I disagree.  Due to newer technology used and improved methodologies followed as well as creative new blends by new world wine regions overall the quality has improved.  The quality is better in all areas, however a large jump is noticeable in developing wine regions such as Argentina, Chile, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand , among other.  Lastly, due to the current economic crisis wine prices are dropping even more.  Therefore when you purchase a wine, read the reviews, ask why one bottle is pricier than the other and use this knowledge to determine the true value of the wine.

Tip #2 – Buy wine in bulk and from wholesale stores

Having said this you must still be aware and conscious of where you purchase wine.  Make sure that distributors are reliable and ask opinons from those have previously purchased at the given location. I have found that in general wholesale liquor stores offer wines at very reasonable prices compared to the alternative small wine shops. In fact, on average wholesale stores offer wines at $3-$8 cheaper than what the same bottle will sell in a Mom & Pop wine store. Good places to look include Sam’s Club, which has an impressive selection of 88+ rated wines at very affordable prices and I’ve seen a similar variety at local Discount Liquor stores, which exist in every city. Some States have amazing on-line, free shipping options. If you qualify for free shipping in your State I recommend to shop on-line as prices are very reasonable overall. Even though I don’t regularly shop online for wine given shipping charges specifically required in my home state I like to review web sites such as wine.com, vinfolio.com and napacab.com as reliable sources. I also recently noted a great article by Food & Wine Magazine that lists their Top 10 picks for online wine shopping and I agree with their assessment.

As mentioned above, buy wine in bulk from websites or store locations.  Once you buy more than a certain number of bottles the wine store by default provides an additional discount of 10-15% on average. If you chose this option make sure that you store your wine appropriately to prevent it from losing its true potential.

Tip #3 Take advantage of free entertainment in your home town or city you visit

Every city has its quirks, you just need to do your homework and find these. Cities offer music, wine tastings, art shows; in fact much more than what you may imagine free of charge. Milwaukee, for example, has a weekly Jazz in The Park evening, where one can listen to great Jazz while enjoying some refreshments completely free of charge. Listeners can bring their owns snacks while wine & food can be purchased as well at reasonable prices. Some cities offer opera, other folk music. Various recreational activities exist as well.  As a test, I searched three cities and here are the results:

1. San Diego

2. Chicago

3.  Seattle

When I travel use this amazing site by National Geographic Traveler which lists 10 free things to do in cities around the world. It is a great reference and I found it very valuable.

Tip #4 – Have a glass of wine at home before going out for dinner

Not only do you share a more intimate experience, you most likely will enjoy a better wine and easily save 30% percent on the overall price by limiting alcohol consumption during the meal.

Tip #5 – Look for travel/accommodation on travel sites but book it on the carrier’s web-site

I personally prefer Travelzoo as it compares the prices of all other travel sites out there and provide the most affordable option. However, instead of booking my flight through the travel site I always check the price of flight/hotel on the airline/hotel carrier’s website first. Prices are generally cheaper as commision is not applicable. Also, in the event that one needs to cancel a flight/hotel, it is much harder to cancel if one used a third party provider vs. booking it directly with the airline/hotel. To summarize, implement a simple two step process: find the best flight/hotel on the travel site and then book it through the carrier’s web site.  In those rare instances that the third party option is more affordable make sure to read the terms of the agreement in detail in the event that you decide to cancel the purchase.

Tip #6 – Consider luxury downtown hotels as potential cheap, alternative options

To play it safe book your hotel for the trip in advance at the more affordable hotel on the outskirts of the city which was recommended by the third party provider used. If you remembered to book it directly on the hotel web-site your cancellation policy will allow you to cancel up to 6 pm the day of arrival. Then,  1 to 2 days before you travel make a call to the hotel you really want to stay in and confirm their current prices. If prices are still too high reperform this exercise on the day of arrival. Many times when hotels are vacant they’ll do whatever they can to occupy rooms and prices will drop like a magnet.  I have stayed in the Plaza hotel (before it was turned into Condos) in downtown NYC at a rate more affordable than our alternative, The Holiday Inn, by calling the hotel the morning of our arrival! This is just one example where I have stayed at my prime selection yet paid less than what I would have paid staying in quite the opposite.

Tip #7 – Consider other housing options such as Bed & Breakfasts, Youth Hostels, Couches, Apartments.

You know these options are out there yet you are hesitant to consider given some of the horror stories you’ve heard. My suggestion is not to ignore these but just to do your homework. Read and compare on-line; hundreds of ratings are out there and are reasonably reliable. Bed & Breakfasts represent a wonderful alternative which I find in many cases much better than yet another mundane hotel.

Also consider renting a home or apartment for the stay or sleeping on someone’s couch. During my trip to Shanghai I met several expats that took advantage of couchsurfing.org, an organization on which one can post your couch as a place to sleep for wandering travelers.  Even though I have not personally tried it the feedback was very positive. If couchsurfing is too adventorous consider the staying in a home/apartment rental. The prices for apartments are generally similar to hostels but instead of sharing a bedroom with other individuals you have your own space and usually other quirks such as a kitchen included.

Finally, Youth Hostels are and will stay a great way to travel. Yes, the horror stories are out there, but I and several friends of mine have had amazing experiences in hostels including Paris, New York, Italy. Check it out.

Tip # 8 – While traveling limit spending on two of the three meals daily

Buy cereal/granola for breakfast from the grocery store and subway for lunch, or just make lunch. You’ll strip at least $10/person off each of these meals which will enable you to either spend more on dinner or just keep the difference. Then, if you want, buy the local regional wine in the local wine store and enjoy a glass before trying the local cuisine at the exciting restaurant downtown. Wine in general represents approximately 30-50% of the bill when dining out. For dinner, if you are in a large city, look at fixed menu dinner specials abundant in places where theatre/music reigns. I recall one spring break in college where a friend and I ventured to New York, stayed in a Youth Hostel in Chelsea (which was pretty decent by the way), and took advantage of these three course menu specials  each evening. We never spent more than $30 a day on food yet ate like queens. What a blast.

Tip #9 – Ask Advice

When you decide to venture to a new destination take trouble to identify if any of your friends have been there and if they have ask for some tips! I have learned a significant amount by traveling with locals from a city or just asking a few key questions from friends that have been there. Find out about affordable forms of entertainment, what the locals do ( these options are in any case usually best and cheaper!), where the locals eat and where to stay. Alternatively, ask advice from bloggers such as myself. We are free, we are usually reliable and through experience we know a great deal about traveling.

Tip #10 – Venture to your favorite restaurant during their happy hour

As the economy continues its lethargic pace it appears that happy hours are becoming more abundant around town. People want to stay at home to save money so restaurants try all means to lure them back for a visit. As a result I’ve noted a sharp increase in happy hours in my home town, and I am confident, around the US.

Cape Town, situated on the southern tip of Africa, has mesmerized millions over the centuries. Cape Town is the jewel of Africa and today a hot spot destination for locals and internationals alike. This city captures the true essence of a great cosmopolitan area that has been permeated with the ambiance of Africa and as a result is unique to the world. Tourists yearn to stay and experience more. I, also, find Cape Town the most beautiful city in world. If you question where to go on your next trip I strongly encourage a visit to Africa and specifically Cape Town and its surrounding areas.

The purpose of this post is to provide you with a few thoughts of places to visit during your trip. The list is not all inclusive by any means but hopefully can provide some guidance to those that have never before touched African soil.

Historically Cape Town was a halfway stop developed by the Dutch East India Company and served as refuel station on the spice route between Europe and the East. As a result most of the older buildings in the city carries a lovely Dutch charm and all over the strong influence of Europe has been captured in the buildings, the people and the culture. Today the sophistication of the European culture is reminiscent in the buildings and the people however wild Africa has slowly integrated the city’s charm to make Cape Town a true representative of the Rainbow nation in all aspects including cuisine, culture and lifestyle.

Each part of Cape Town has a different ‘feel’ and depending your mood you can venture from the Yuppie Clifton Beaches or Capetown Waterfront area, the Capetown Botanical Gardens, a a hike (or by cable car) up Table Mountain, or a trip to Robben Island or the wine lands. Here are a few items that you should not miss when you plan your trip down South:

Table Mountain

Table Mountain is the key attraction of Cape Town. Table Mountain derived its name from its appearance: a fantastic feature with a flat top which on cloudy days is covered by fluffy clouds that resemble a table cloth. A cable car runs tourists up daily (except if very windy, for then it is too dangerous) and tourists are allowed to explore the flat terrain for hours. The mountain is covered in Fynbos, a type of shrub unique to the area. For those that are more adventurous try a hike up the mountain instead (it takes about 2 hours) but make sure to check the weather forecast as it can be very dangerous on windy days. Once aloft you’ll have a great view over city below, Robben Island (the island on which Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 29 years), the sandy white beaches and surrounding areas.

Hout Bay

When you are tired of the city, jump in the car, drive from downtown east to pass Cape Point, Clifton, Gordon’s Bay and make your way to Hout Bay, a former British settlement. Only 20 minutes from Cape Town Hout Bay is many a tourists main destination and offers a unique and refreshing ambiance. Have lunch at the Chapman’s Peak hotel and take in the view over the white beaches and crystal clear water.

The City Bus Tour
(Yes, it sounds cliche, I know, but trust me on this one)
I have visited Cape Town many times over the years but only recently decided to take the City Bus Tour of Cape Town and I found it refreshing, informative and worth the trip! The tour guides are friendly and knowledgeable and the buses meander through the narrow streets providing a glimpse into the past, the more recent history of South Africa and its people as well as the present. The buses drop tourists off at the key spots in the city and run all day long. In addition a one day pass allows you to get on and off at will so if you decide to grab lunch at the Waterfront or take the cable car up Table mountain just jump off and grab the next bus back to following destination.

The South African Winelands

Over the past 4 decades South Africa has identified itself as a respected wine region whose quality compares to any established wine region in the world. South Africa, due to its diverse climate and ancient soils produce magnificent wine and the wine industry has evolved to become a must see hot spot for any wine lover. South African wine has a unique character driven by the quality of the soil and the perfect climate (hot summer days, cooler evenings and wet winters). The main wine regions are situated in Stellenbosch, Franchoek and Great Constantia. Take a couple of days and stay in a bed & breakfast in one of these areas. Wine tastings and tours are available daily. If you do plan to visit I strongly recommend going to Thelema, Vergelegen, Jordan, Alto and Glen Carlou wine estates, to name a few. Fairview wine estate, known for its wine Goats to Roam which is currently distributed in the US as well as its exceptional cheeses and olive oil production is quite a visit in itself as well. LaMotte wine estate, like the others, should be included if you have time. My favorite varietal in South Africa is Cabernet, closely followed by Shiraz. Chenin Blanc is the most popular white grape planted and South African chardonnay, with its distinct and decadent flavors of butterscotch is a close second. South Africa also produces a blend, called Pinotage; however personally I am not a fan and recommend a Cabernet or Shiraz as great alternatives.

Clifton Beach and Gordon’s Bay

Clifton beach is the most exclusive portion of Capetown. It houses 4 beautiful, white sandy beaches which may remind you of an exotic location on the Adriatic sea’s coast line. Many a celebrity has made their way to these chilly waters. In fact, my sister met Kevin Spacy at one of the New Years celebrations held here. This area is great for tanning, dining, surfing and its breathtaking views, but beware though, even on the hottest summer days the water is brutally cold and most people don’t make it into the ocean without a wet suit.

Argus Bike Ride

In March each year the local city newspaper called The Argus sponsors a bike ride, rightly named the Argus Bike Tour. The bike route, which starts in downtown Capetown curves around Table Mountain to provide breathtaking views of the sea, the small villages in surrounding area and the Mountain itself. The ride is 107 kilometers long and currently the largest race in the world that records the individual time for each participant. Each year approximately 35,000 people participate. Don’t be put off by the distance – this race caters to both super athletes and locals. In fact, I personally completed this race twice during high school and enjoyed it tremendously. I am bound to do it again. If you truly want to make this trip an adventure worth remembering I strongly recommend building the bike ride into the plans and taking advantage of seeing the city and the area from a different perspective. I may even sea a whale or two jumping in sea while working your way up the slope of Chapman’s Peak.

Dining

Don’t forget about the cuisine in this magnificent city! According to Eat Out Magazine, a highly acclaimed production in South Africa, 8 of the top 10 restaurants in the country are located in Capetown. See a listing of these by clicking this link. No matter your craving the local restaurants will cater to it. If none of these options cater to your palate venture to Willoughby’s restaurant, which serves seafood, sushi and hot Japanese cuisine. Known around the country as one of the best places to eat, Willoughby’s, situated in the Capetown Waterfront, is to die for and one of my personal top picks on the trip.

Final notes
The listing above is small in comparison to the hundreds of different things one can do in Capetown and South Africa. In addition to the breathtaking views, excellent food and wine, several other options such as whale watching and diving with sharks exist. If you do consider staying for longer, please contact me (erica@EricasChoice.com). South Africa is familiar territory and I would love to provide some additional information on places to stay, cities to see and things to do.

So, next time you decide to go somewhere, place Africa on your list and venture to these untrodden waters. I promise you that you’ll never want to come back. I look forward to hearing about your adventure…

I have had the opportunity to travel to Washington DC several times over the past two years and every time I fall in love with it all over again. As noted in prior blog posts there are various different things to do in DC and today I’ll provide you with yet another few things to do in the Capital City. I recently spent a couple of days there with family and here is what we decided are must do’s during a visit:

Running along lake Potomac & the monuments
We are a running family and Washington DC is a city that embraces runners. No matter your ability the city will cater for you. There are lovely running trails all over and I encourage you to explore the monuments and parks during an early morning run. You won’t be the only runner on the road and you’ll be amazed at how much sight seeing you accomplished. In addition the city has wonderful parks with walkways which will be missed if you don’t bike/run through these. Click this link to see the route that we completed during our stay.

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Dining out
Washington DC is a diverse city which caters to every palate. The city is divided into several districts and each offers a unique experience. Be sure to venture to areas such as Du Pont, Adams Morgan, and Georgetown, to name a few.

Lunch

American Indian Museum Cafeteria
Grab lunch at the cafeteria in the American Indian Museum which is located downtown in the museum district. The American Indian Museum cafeteria offers an array of authentic American Indian and Latin American cuisine and is a popular hit in the city. Lines over weekends get long so plan a trip during the week or opt for an earlier/later lunch. In addition the ambiance of the museum itself has captured the spirituality ingrained within the American Indian culture. The flowing design of the building, the wooden interior and the artifacts/videos displayed throughout enhances the spiritual feel to make it almost tangible.

Union Station – Center Cafe

Head over to Union Station for lunch one afternoon. Our venue of choice was Center Cafe. We found the prices affordable and the food superb. In addition the majestic building creates a lovely ambiance and it is a great spot for people watching.

Dinner

Morton’s, The Steakhouse in Georgetown.

Some of you may be surprised that I listed a chain restaurant as a recommendation in this blog, however this steak house experience was really special. My family has fond memories of our first trip to Morton’s, The Steakhouse, which was also my first trip to the US in 1993 and as a result we have visited Morton’s steak houses in many cities, including Manhattan, Boston and Chicago over the subsequent years. Morton’s, The Steakhouse in Georgetown offered a different flavor. The walls are covered with pictures taken in the restaurant of famous celebrities that have visited this venue and the atmosphere is intimate and sophisticated. The restaurant is spacious, the decor classic and the food to die for. In addition is has an exquisite wine list. We kept it simple – each of us ordered a steak and shared the chopped salad and a side of freshly steamed asparagus. The best steak of the evening, by far, was the Cajun spiced rib-eye. This specific rib-eye steak has been marinated in a lovely Cajun base for more than a day and as a result the juices were infused with the meat. The flavor of the Cajun was surprisingly not too spicy or overbearing and had a lovely sweet taste to it in addition to the spice. Very impressive and a must order on the menu. The combination of the steak with the chopped salad, dressed in feta cheese, hearts of palm, bacon and tomato, among other, was perfect and I strongly encourage to order this as part of the main course vs. ordering it as a starter to your meal.

Other restaurants visited during the trip included The Reef in Adams Morgan, which offers a more modern and laid back atmosphere, an excellent beer list and caters to a younger crowd. I opted for the fish tacos and De Koninck beer and found the fish fresh and tender and the beer, served in a traditional De Koninck glass, excellent. The tacos are served with black beans, guacamole and a freshly made salsa, consisting of cilantro, garlic, onion and tomato. All food served at the Reef is strictly organic and beers are strictly served on tap to offer it to diners in its most authentic form.

Sight Seeing:

If you are not a runner, then during your visit get a bike!!! Biking from one monument to another is a great way to explore the sites. As noted above in this blog the city has wonderful trails and you’ll be able to see so much more during a day trip than what can be seen by walking from monument to monument. For those that don’t like to combine exercise with vacation hop on the bus tour. We found this fun, informative and very convenient.

Smithsonian museums – All museums are free to the public and a visit to DC is not complete if you do not incorporate a trip to the Smithsonian museums. If you have limited time, the Air & Space museum, which is part of the Smithsonian is an absolute must see.

Arlington National Cemetery – similarly a trip to DC is not complete without a visit to Arlington National cemetery. Explore the lovely grounds covered in ancient trees, the perfectly maintained landscape and take in the breathtaking views over downtown. Make sure to stop by the graves of Jack Kennedy, John Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy as well as the grave of the forgotten soldier. It is gripping.

Housing:

There are many areas to stay in the city and most are especially close to the museums, the capital and the White House. This time, however we opted to stay in Georgetown, which is only a few extra minutes away from the city’s main attractions. I was truly happy with our choice. It opened the door to an area a little off the tourist track and provided us with the opportunity to explore an area that the tourist tends to forget. Georgetown has a lot of character, the buildings are quaint and the streets are covered by little boutiques and galleries, mom & pop restaurants and popular clothing stores such as Banana Republic. This is also home to the Georgetown University. We found the housing is more spacious and less crowded. My family opted for the Georgetown suites, however there are several other options in the area including the Four Seasons Hotel.

Final notes…

This listing is of course not all inclusive of all of the wonderful things one can do in DC, however represent fun alternatives to those that like to see a city and its people from a different perspective. Next time you go to DC give my suggestions a shot and let me know if you found other hidden gems worth exploring in this amazing city.

Approximately one year ago a new restaurant opened its doors in Milwaukee – Walkers Point area, namely Transfer Pizza. The Milwaukee Dinner Club made this our venue of choice for the April Dinner Club event. We left fully satisfied and hungry for more…

Transfer Pizza is another prime example of young entrepreneurs in Milwaukee who decided to pursue a great opportunity and succeed. The story goes like this: John Rossetto and Chris Zielinski and their wives frequented two regular pizza places in town where they befriended the Chef, Italian born Vasyl Lembersky, known for his ability to make some of the best Italian pizza in Milwaukee. Transfer Pizza was born when the property in which it is located today went vacant and John and Chris saw this as the prime opportunity to pursue their dream of opening a restaurant. They partnered with the Chef Lembersky and soon after Transfer Pizzeria opened its doors.

Now, a year later Transfer Pizzeria is a well known venue among locals and has rightly earned the status of one of the places to go to for good pizza in Milwaukee. Per John the secret to the pizzas served at Transfer lies in the homemade dough, made fresh daily by Chef Lembersky, as well as Transfer’s secret ingredient, (which only the chef knows by the way) its garlic sauce, served on most pizza varieties.

Atmosphere

The building in which Transfer Pizza is located was originally a Pharmacy. Upon turning this into a pizza place the 7 owners (that is John & his brother, Chris, Chef Vasyl and their wives) decided to keep some of the features of the old pharmacy such as the decorated glass tiles in the walls in order to maintain some of the rustic character left behind from the 20th century. It worked. Today the restaurant, seating about 45-50 people, is cozy, casual and comfortable inside. The interior is covered with wooden features, resembling that of a ‘pub with character’ and in the center is a bar with ample selections of locally brewed and international beer varieties, an assortment of wine and mixed drinks. The acoustics are good and the layout offers the opportunity to cater to both small and larger groups. In addition, original art work of local artists are displayed on the walls. The waitress informed me that these change frequently and approximately once a month the restaurant hosts a gallery night in which the art work is formally displayed for sale. One thing to note is that only street parking is available yet none of the group seemed to have trouble in finding a parking spot.

Food

Transfer Pizzeria is all about the pizza. The restaurant serves a variety of meat, vegetarian (including vegan) and seafood options. Instead of serving bread as a starter a focaccia with the secret garlic sauce, fresh mozzarella & olive oil is served instead. I found this a nice alternative to the regular bread option and the bread was not too garlicky nor too heavy. Several appetizers are also offered as well as pasta, panini and salads, however pizza definitely rules at Transfer.

Here are some of the favorites of the evening:

Appetizers:

Bruschetta Salami
- This appetizer blew my mind. The presentation is simple and I was truly surprised to taste the flavors blending perfectly with each bite. The secret (of course) lies in the garlic sauce in addition to freshly grated asiago cheese over the salami and tomato. I usually do not like salami very much as it is a very overpowering meat. As a result of this fact the bruschetta blew my mind away. I could not believe how tasty this was. Make sure to order this during your visit and don’t be unimpressed with the presentation until you’ve had a bite. You’ll be floored.

Pizzas:

All pizzas are served on a thin homemade crust cooked in the oven until crispy on the bottom and fluffy and fresh on top. We tasted a variety of vegetarian and meat options.

For the meat lovers:

Paisano
- Pesto & tomato sauce with a variety of cheeses including feta, mozzarella, then covered in spicy sausage with fresh slices of salty asiago over the meat. The presentation is impressive especially driven by the slices of asiago melting over the sausage and the meat lovers’ around the table mouths watered when this was served. It turned out to be one of the hits of the evening. Be careful though, it’s spicy. Try it with a glass of the Zinfadel or Malbec off the wine menu.

Garlic lovers
- generously covered in the secret garlic sauce this is a meat & garlic lovers dream and even the very hungry of visitors will leave fully satisfied. Personally I thought that the Paisano was a more flavorful meat option however this one followed by a close second.

For the vegetarians:

Da Vinci
- This is the Paisano pizza without the sausage and my personal favorite as well as the overall favorite for the group. The blend of mild and stronger cheeses with the pesto & tomato base made this a taste sensation. None of the flavors were overpowering but blended together perfectly.

Tutti i Vegetariana
- served with a light tomato sauce as base infused with lots of garlic and topped with fresh vegetables and mozzarella cheese the table found this to be fantastic. Personally I thought it lacked something to offset the sweetness of the tomato and next time I go to
Transfer I will most likely order this with extra feta cheese, which may add that extra saltiness that I was craving to offset the sweet.

Other Items Tasted:

House salad
Transfer pizza is about the pizza, not the salad. Even though the local ingredients used were super fresh I found the salad to be plain and lacking in flavor. We also had the Caprese salad, which was good but no shocker and seemed to lack some flavor as well.

Prosciutto Fungi
- a tomato based pizza served with mushroom and onion and freshly sliced prosciutto and arugula over the top. The pizza was good but the prosciutto was overbearing. I couldn’t really identify any of the other ingredients as I only tasted prosciutto with each bite.

La Bella
- This garlic based pizza with artichoke, white onions and mozzarella was a personal disappointment. Overall lacked flavor and the presentation was bland. Even a few sprinkles of fresh basil or another herb over the white cheese & artichokes would have improved the presentation. Almost the entire pizza was left untouched whilst most other pizzas were devoured among the group.

Service/Price

When it comes to service Transfer Pizzeria rocked the charts. The Milwaukee Dinner Club thoroughly enjoyed the event and I strongly encourage other groups to give Transfer Pizzeria a shot. In addition the service is fast which makes this a good option for both lunch and dinner. Prices are reasonable (entrees range between $10-$20), and this as well as prompt service makes @Transfer a favorite among locals for both lunch and dinner.

Overall:

Transfer pizza was one of the best Dinner club experiences we’ve had as a group over the past year and half. The service is great and the character of the people and the restaurant makes this inviting to young and old. The food, driven by using homemade pizza dough for their pizza crust, topped with quality cheeses and the freshest ingredients places it on the map as one of Milwaukee’s great pizza venues. The pizza at Transfer compares other local favorites such as Pizza Man, to the highest degree.

I look forward to visiting Transfer Pizza again and our entire group placed this as a venue to frequent more often. Give it a shot and let me know your toughts on the overal experience!

Overall Rating: 8.7/10

Avec, located in the heart of the Windy city opened its doors in 2003 and has been the talk of the town ever since. The restaurant has attracted many the celebrity and other food lovers, including one of my personal favorites, the highly acclaimed Anthony Bourdain.

This past weekend I had the opportunity to try Avec during a visit with two of my best friends from college. My friend Kirsten had the whole weekend planned and, as always, the line up was exceptional. We started our Saturday evening off venturing over to Avec, located on W. Randolph. Avec, which cuisine is inspired & created by award winning chef Koren Grieveson, a world traveler herself, is a tapas style restaurant specializing in small and large plates specifically focusing on the food and wine from the wine regions in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Southern France. Chef Koran Grieveson’s cuisine is an expression of her experience from working in both San Francisco and Chicago, the military as well as her experiences from living abroad.

I was truly looking forward to trying Avec especially given the excellent reviews noted online in addition to the fact that my friend Kirsten, who chose the venue, has the ability to identify great spots in the city. Furthermore, small plates and Mediterranean cuisine allows the opportunity for dishes to be creative, unique and expressive. A personal pleasure of mine is enjoying a meal that is an explosion of different flavors and both the nature of the serving style as well as typical features of Mediterranean lends itself to such an experience.

Atmosphere

Avec prides itself in being a wine bar and therefore the atmosphere is more laid back than a regular yuppie restaurant in the city. The seating space is limited, the design open and the wine abundant. In addition Avec does not take reservations and as a result there are always guests waiting outside the building with drinks in their hands and chatting merrily away hour after hour until their tables are available. The lively atmosphere does not subside until the late night hours.

We arrived around 6:15 PM to find out that Avec boasted with a 1+ hour waiting list. This, according to the locals, is not an uncommon phenomenon over weekends so I recommend heading over when it opens or early after to place your name on the waiting list. The server will call you on your cell phone once your table is available.

The Danish inspired design is minimalist and the room, seating only 64 people, is covered wall to wall by rich cedar wood panels. Upon entering one feels as if you become part of the family: tables are shared with other guest and one is immediately drawn to come relax and enjoy the friendly hospitality offered by the Mediterranean countries that inspire its cuisine. This is a place where the joy for food and drink is shared among regulars and new comers alike so don’t be surprised if your neighbor asks you what you just ordered or where you’re from. Also, beware that the acoustics are not very good and seating space quite cramped. This may ruin the experience for some. I found it cozy, rather than cramped though and the great flavors in the air and happy atmosphere made up for the limited space.

Drink Menu/Wine List

The wine menu has a great variety of Italian, French, Spanish and Portuguese varieties. I was very impressed by both selections and price. I love Spanish Rioja and we were happy with our choice of 2005 Lar de Paula, “Madurado”, ($35) a full bodied Tempranillo with spice and earthy undertones. The wines options are extremely well chosen and allows the opportunity for ideal pairing with the array of plates offered.

Food

Avec may call itself a wine bar; however I tend to disagree. This is a place to come and enjoy the cuisine. In addition, I truly do not feel that most people would be willing to wait to be seated for over an hour to merely enjoy a glass of wine…

Here are some of our highlights of the evening:

Avec salad -
a generously portioned salad served with an array of mixed leaf lettuce and other vegetables. This salad was made beautiful by the superbly chosen olive oil used in the hazelnut vinaigrette. This salad was striking due to its simplicity and refreshing yet intense flavor.

Braised baby octopus -
grilled in a tasty light sauce of cherry tomatos, cilantro, olive oil and lemon this meal was an explosion of exciting flavors on one’s palate. In addition, the octopus is served whole which I love and reminds me of the way seafood is generally served in the temperate climate countries around the world. The octopus itself was a touch tough and not as good as I’ve had it before, but the sauce was my favorite of the evening and I strongly encourage you to order this when you venture to Avec.

Chorizo stuffed medjool dates with smoked bacon and pequillo pepper tomato sauce

- the explosion of sweet and spicy in one bite combined by a kick of strong tomato flavors makes this one of the best plates of the evening. Beware it is spicy, but every time I thought the spice was too overwhelming the sweet dates & tomato flavors lingered in my mouth and implored me to take another bite. Phenomenal, creative and a must try on the menu.

We ordered three large plates including the lamb maccheroni with cinnamon, lemon, yoghurt and coriander, the truffle oil & tallegio cheese foccacia (Yum) and the braised pork shoulder with beef tongue, garlic sausage, ginger and horseradish.

The pork shoulder
- Having been cooked for hours this dish melted in my mouth. The combination of garlic, ginger and horseradish mustard was fantastic. It is a bit greasy but very filling and superbly prepared.

Lamb Maccheroni
- definitely not the traditional maccheroni and cheese that you will find in a restaurant! Instead of being served in a rich cheesy sauce the pasta is mixed with yoghurt, cinnamon, lemon and a lot of coriander. This was another favorite of the evening.

Other meals that we tasted:

Roasted Monkfish
- served with garbanzo beans & tomato, flavored with cinnamon and cumin, was an interesting choice. Overall I loved the combination of contrasting textures of the creamy & fluffy fish fillets to the crispy squid ink fideo sprinkled over the fish & garbanzo stew yet the dish was a touch too sweet. It was not was not the favorite among the group that evening however I still found it impressive as the combination of textures added a uniqueness that I rarely taste in meals offered.

Brussels sprouts
- I was impressed at how such a simple dish such as this can be transformed into a great addition and a top seller on the menu. Once again, the secret was all in the sauce: buttery brown sugar vinaigrette which was not too greasy and lingered in your mouth for several seconds after one bite. Once again I found this a bit too sweet, and even though it stood out among the plates offered I didn’t find it to blend well with the other meals on the menu.

Service/Price

The restaurant is lively and busy and the service was quick and courteous. Prices affordable and very well priced for a top notch restaurant in the heart of Chicago. Wines range between $29-$90, appetizers $5-$15 and large plates $15-$25 except for the specials of the evening.

The service is quick and courteous driven by the fact that the restaurant is extremely busy; however all our requests were timely attended to and servers expressed a knowledge of both wine and food selections.

Final notes…

Overall Avec is impressive. Even though the acoustics are not very good, the seating space somewhat cramped and waiting time significant, the food makes this a dining experience. I am truly impressed with the chef’s ability to combine uncommon flavors and textures to emphasize the true quality of the product served. Each meal that we had was surprising and sparked conversation among the group. Avec is a restaurant that I will add to my list as one of the places to eat when one visits Chicago.

Final Rating: 9.5/10

In anticipation of the summer….

Try the following simple, fresh and healthy recipe on a hot summer evening.

Ingredients:

2 thick cut, fresh salmon steaks

4 table spoons soy Sauce

2 table spoons of lemon juice

2/3 teaspoons Ginger (powder/puree)

1 table spoon Sesame Oil

1 table spoon Olive Oil

Salt, Pepper

Oregano

2 fresh ciabatta rolls

soft goat cheese or creme freche

fresh basil

red onion

tomato

Salad:

mixed greens – I prefer a mixture of red and green leaf lettuce, arugula, spinach

1 tomato

1/2 green/yellow/red pepper

1 nectarine

2 table spoon of good quality balsamic vinegar

2 table spoons of olive oil

salt, pepper, mixed herbs to taste

2 teaspoons of golden syrup

Salmon:

Rub salmon in a little olive oil on both sides

mix the soy, lemon juice and ginger together and toss the salmon in it. Pour the remainder of the mixture over the salmon steaks.

sprinkle salt and oregano over salmon on each side and ground black pepper over it.

Turn steaks around and make sure all sides are spiced

Put salmon to the side

Mix the salad ingredients in a bowl

Cut the tomato, pepper and add to salad

Cut the nectarine into 1/2 inch wedges and add to salad

Add balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper, as well as syrup in a bowl and mix until thoroughly blended. Add about half a teaspoon of Italien herbs, or oregano, and blend into the salad dressing

Put salad to side.

Cut the rolls and spread the goat cheese on one side.

Heat a pan and add a about a spoon of sesame oil to the pan. Lightly fry the salmon – about 3-5 minutes on each side until the salmon steaks have a nice crispy brown edge but are still pink in the middle. Take the pan off the heat. Note that alternatively these can be grilled on a grill outside.

Set the plates:
Place the salad mixture and rolls on the plate. Top the rolls with a salmon steak and serve immediately.

Wines:
A fresh crisp german Riesling or South African Chenin Blanc will go very well with this meal. If you prefer red, try a medium bodied Pinot Noir, such as Wiliamette Valley Pinot ‘05

China has captured my imagination. During a recent business trip I spent 3 weeks in Shanghai during which time I also had the pleasure to explore Zhouzhuang as well as a sensational trip to Beijing and Si Ma Tai Great Wall. China, literally translated to mean “The center of the world” is a pulsating machine bursting with ambition and innovation. The true essence of the progression is captured in the boundaries of the growing city, Shanghai. Housing 22 million people Shanghai is not a city that one can see in a day; however, the following summary should provide you with ample opportunity to get a glimpse of what makes Shanghai truly unique from other cities in China and why every westerner should plan a trip to Shanghai. If you have a few days to spare try some of my recommendations and let me know your thoughts.

The Bund

Each city has its highlights and to many the primary tourist destination for Shanghai is the magnificent walk way, namely The Bund. If you only have a few hours to spare I recommend going to The Bund first as it offers a great view over the newest portion of Shanghai, Pudong. Pudong, only developed over the past 6-10 years, houses sky rises such as the Jinmai tower, the World Trade Center and The Pearl Tower. Walking The Bund is the best way to experience it however if weather does not permit view the skyline of Pudong from New Heights Bar or M on the Bund & The Glamour Bar, restaurants/bars located in Puxi just off The Bund. Even though I don’t recommend dining at either of these restaurants the view/drinks are great and truly worth a visit.

Old Town & Tianzifang

For the history lovers make the next stop Old Town, and specifically make sure not to miss Old Street and Yuyuan Bazaar & Gardens. Even though heavily populated by local tourists this is still worthy a visit as it is one of the last areas where traditional Chinese architecture is captured in the city. Make sure to try the local Shanghai dumpling – a large dumpling with soup inside that you drink with a straw, which makes it an experience in itself. The Tea House is worth a stop for the weary traveler but make sure to sit upstairs as it offers a view over the Yuyuan Bazaar and a much better atmosphere. After a morning’s exploration (go early, this place gets busy!) head over to Tianzifang and explore the alley ways of this little treasure. This is a must see, as it is a perfect combination between East & West yet has more character than Xintiandi. Art Galleries cover the old, Chinese streets and around each corner the gems of another local photographer will capture your imagination. This is a great location for a light lunch late brunch and a favorite of many expats of the city. I was amazed at how many expats in general live and work in Shanghai and it is truly worth a visit to this district to experience it for yourself. In addition the photography in the galleries in Tianzifang is quite impressive.

The Chinese Massage

A visit to Shanghai is not complete without a massage. Head over to Jade Spa for a massage (I recommend the traditional Chinese massage – a perfect blend between the deep Tissue massage and the magic works of a chiropractor .. heavenly).

Pudong

A view over Pudong from The Bund is a must see; however a view of Puxi area from Pudong is just as beautiful. Puxi is much older and represents the original Shanghai. The architecture is rich and old and the view of Puxi captures a scene which view is almost a paradigm shift from the opposite side of the Huang Pu river, Pudong.

Shanghai Museum and Peoples’ Square

A morning in the Shanghai museum is a morning well spent in Shanghai. Situated on Renmin (also called People’s) Square, entry to the museum is free of charge so beware of long lines accumulating after 11 am. The Shanghai museum offers a glimpse into the history of China & the Chinese culture. The four story museum is well laid out and not overwhelmingly full. Everything is translated into English & I walked away feeling informed, impressed & inspired to learn more. Exit the museum onto People’s Square and take in the breathtaking view of the city sky rises as well as the Chinese Opera House, The Chinese Government and the Shanghai Urban Planning Center.

Zhuozhuang

If you have time grab a taxi (round trip 450RMB) and head over to Zhuozhuang, China’s little Venice. This ancient village, built around water canals and former living quarters of the Shen family is a hidden gem and worth the trip. Make sure to sample the traditional meal of the town, Yen Shen Pork and walk around the streets taking in the history, aroma and atmosphere. Zhouzhuang is approximately one hour outside of Shanghai and the deep contrast of character of this village is welcoming after exploring the busy streets of the city for a few days. This is the perfect day trip for those who yearn for a bit more of the original character of the East or needs to get away from the city buzz.

Restaurants and Food

Food lovers have limitless options in Shanghai. The restaurants are affordable, the service generally good and the dishes exotic. The French Concession houses Sophie’s Restaurant, which situated in an old house, specializes in traditional Shanghai cuisine. Note that the menu is unfortunately only in Chinese so if you or your travel partner speaks Mandarin make this stop on the trip. The service is impressive, the food divine and the atmosphere warm and welcoming.
If you don’t have the luxury to communicate in Chinese then 1039 represents a wonderful alternative. This restaurant is the favorite of many locals and I could see why. 1039 is a restaurant that I will visit during every trip to Shanghai and truly captures the essence of the local cuisine. Make sure to taste the jellyfish salad and leave space for dessert.

For the most part Shanghai has the ability to perfectly blend East & West and welcomes both with open arms in certain areas such as Xintiandi. Xintiandi, meaning “New World” offers a variety of local & European options. As a traveler to Shanghai one cannot miss Xintiandi. Known as the most luxurious (and expensive) area to live in Shanghai Xintiandi is a new development that provides options to all cultures and is a local expat and business traveler’s escape to international cuisine, music and culture. Walking through the area felt more like walking through the streets of a European city and I truly couldn’t believe that I was in China. That is until I tasted the food in both Zen Chinese & Ye Shanghai restaurants in Xintiandi who both serve traditional Shanghai cuisine.

JC Chinoise of Nouveau Chinese Cuisine is another restaurant to worth visiting. JC Chinoise of Nouveau Chinese Cuisine was the most beautiful restaurant that I visited in Shanghai. Most importantly the food complimented the atmosphere. The ceiling of each booth represents an aquarium filled with turtles while the remainder of the restaurant is sleek modern & vibrant. I had the opportunity to try frog for the first time which resembles a light flaky & moist white fish and is delicious.

The traditional Chinese hot pot is an affordable option to those on budget. The experience resembles a fondue setting in which a bowl filled with flavored broth infused with herbs and spices is placed in the middle of the table. The party at each table chooses the ingredients and is responsible for cooking the ingredients in the hotpot. In general the seafood is super fresh, but beware, the shrimp that we ordered appeared to be so fresh that one of its legs was still moving! Don’t be put off by this however as our overall experience made this a frequent place to visit during the busy work week. The location that we frequented close to our hotel was called Lai Lai Hotpot. We stayed in the Huanqoui district, an area of the city that houses a blend of eastern cultures including Japanese, Korean & Taiwanese. As such we had the opportunity to sample a variety of excellent types of food including Taiwanese, Korean among other. Check this area out for good alternatives to the traditional downtown favorites.

Shanghai has unlimited options for the traveler or business professional. Hopefully my summary above provides you the opportunity to experience some of the city & its luxuries.

A few key travel tips to keep in mind:
1. Always have a travel guide book with Chinese translations of each area that you want to visit with you. The taxi drivers and locals do not speak nor read English and you will be lost without this.
2. Have the address and cross street of your hotel written down in Chinese. Taxi drivers require the closest cross street to locate most places.
3. Keep your valuables close and your purse zipped up.
4. Keep a cell phone with you and a number that you can call to reach someone fluent in Chinese for emergency scenarios. I am not joking when I say that in some areas you will not hear a word of English.

5. Carry local currency with you at all times. Most places do not accept credit cards.
6. Do not pay more than 40% of the asking price on street markets. As a tourist you are the target and if you are not careful you will grossly overpay for goods.
5. Try the local cuisine and don’t be shy! You may be pleasantly surprised.

PS. A special thanks to my friend Lucy who was a great tourist guide during this trip!

The last evening before my departure to Shanghai and in celebration of two of my friends’ upcoming birthdays a group of us dined out at recently opened Milwaukee restaurant, namely Charro. Charro is yet another creation by well known Milwaukee restaurant owners, Omar Shaikh and Tom Wackman who also opened highly acclaimed Umami Moto and Sake Tumi, among other. Situated just off the heart of the city center, Charro, located on Milwaukee Street, is surrounded by other well known local favorites such as Cubanitas and the aforementioned Sake Tumi and Umami Moto. Charro has received excellent reviews in local Milwaukee guides and OnMilwaukee.com praised it as yet another success story for Shaikh and Wackman. Even though our personal experience was not as astounding as these reviews had claimed, the service excellence and quality of the most meals turned this into a moderately positive experience and the consensus was that Charro will be tried again on a different occasion with notes as to what to order and which meals to avoid.

I will yet again apply my standard 4 criteria rating scale to Charro, rating it on Atmosphere, Service/Price, Drink Menu/Wine List and Food Quality.

Atmosphere

To say that Charro’s atmosphere is unique is an understatement. The décor in the front portion of the restaurant is a combination of black walls consumed by continuous narrative script covering the entirety of the black wall side to side and front to back. If this is not busy enough portions of the black wall paper is covered with a large, red plastic exterior. The red exterior has hundreds of carved out crosses revealing the black wall with written script through the crosses. The first thought that crossed my mind when I entered Charro was whether the purpose of this décor is to create the appearance of a gothic church or something similar. I was indeed a bit overwhelmed by the abundance of contrasting features! Additionally the back room of the restaurant looks remarkably different. This room is covered by silver wall paper, covered in a black, decorative print and is a true paradigm shift from the front room. I was astonished.

One unique and yet again contrasting feature of Charro is the fact that all drinks (yes, even the margaritas) is served in plastic ware that resemble traditional glasses. Additionally only paper napkins are offered. Based on my understanding the restaurant wants to convey a more informal atmosphere, hence the plastic cups and paper napkins; however when entering a restaurant whose décor resembles that of a gothic church the words ‘informal’ and ‘laid-back’ surely do not come to mind. The plastic cups and paper napkins did not contribute to a positive experience and over and above anything else I strongly recommend re-assessing the use of these in the restaurant.

Drink Menu/Wine List

The drink menu is excitingly diverse including home made cocktails, mojitos, martinis, wine and beer. An array of different types of mojitos and margaritas are offered ranging from the well known traditional, to other creative inventions such as the pineapple & very tasty melon. The margaritas were not very impressive however and I muffled a laugh when a friend of mine ordered a shot of amaretto to subdue the bitter after taste of the margarita that she ordered. It is important to note though that both margaritas were replaced, free of charge (however we were still charged for the shot of amaretto). On a different note it also appears that the quality of the mojitos varied as a taste test between two melon mojitos revealed – one being remarkably sweeter than the other. Both were tasty however consistency is preferred.

Food

Overall the food got average and above average reviews from the group.

The highlights included freshly home made salsa served with chips, home made guacamole, the tamales and the lamb corn taco. Charro also proudly offers a ‘burrito as big as your head’ and the actual version holds true to its description. Priced at a reasonable $13/burrito this represents true good value for money. The tamales ($3), served a la carte, are excellent and I particularly liked the flavoring on the chicken tamale, which was sweet & spicy at the same time and kept the meat moist. The goat cheese, mushroom & onion tamales got mixed reviews. Personally I loved it; however my friend Susan received one with only a tiny slither of goat cheese in the center. The tacos ($2.5/taco), also served a la carte, were promptly renamed ‘super min tacos’ as each one is slightly larger than the palm of my hand.

Items that were disappointing included the mahi-mahi taco which was served cold. In addition the fish also lacked flavor and creativity. The tacos are also misleadingly small and the fried plantain chips tasted old.

The menu is Latin American inspired and Charro serves a variety of different dishes ranging from enchiladas to steak and seafood specialties.

Service/Price

Even though inconsistencies were experienced in both food & drinks, I have to applaud Charro’s service of excellence. The restaurant owner stopped by various times throughout the evening requesting feedback and the waiter was very accommodating, friendly and informative. Service excellence was of the best that I have lately experienced in Milwaukee. Well done! Our group consensus to give Charro another shot was primarily driven by the quality of the service staff.

Overall the experience at Charro was as inconsistent as the contrasting features noted in décor, food and drinks. The food & drinks were of average to good quality but the service excellent. All of us decided that Charro will be tried again and hopefully this time with a real glass in the hand.

Final Rating: 7.8/10

The idea of starting a blog dawned upon me when I changed jobs late last year. I moved from working about 70 hours per week to approximately 40 hours and for the first time in four years I finally had time to do other things. This was challenging at first because I was so used to eat, drink and read ‘work’ that I did not know what to do. I needed to define what would make this extra time more productive. Then it dawned on me that expanding my hobbies to include writing about my passions, thus writing about travel, dining and wine represented a great alternative to crunching numbers until the late night hours. And that was how this blog was born.

Writing a blog is a rewarding experience. I have met some amazing people and have been able to truly connect and share my opinion with many of you. In turn your feedback, whether through Twitter, Facebook or through a comment, has been rewarding and enlightening. Thank you! I love doing this and I am excited to make this a more enjoyable and rewarding experience for you as well. And this is where I seek your help. I have  reached a point in my blog writing experience that I feel I need to change something. My approach to maintaining this blog must be more clearly defined.  Personally I have reached a stopping point, as if I’m at a split in the road and I don’t know which way to go. In the beginning I had so many ideas and so many thoughts to share that I failed to truly define the purpose of the blog. I have been thinking for quite some time on how to approach this and I have considered many alternatives. The dilemma of reaching my reader better and making the experience more rewarding for myself has been a challenging one. Therefore I want to open this up for discussion among you as well. Whether you are a novice or an experienced blogger, or whether you are just a reader, I am reaching out to all of you. What can I do to make my blog better to serve your and my needs?  Your advice during this journey of blog development is invaluable and will be taken seriously.

Question to readers:
As a reader what kind of knowledge would you like to gain when reading my blog?
How would I reach you and other readers/knowledge seekers better?
What focus would you like to see my blogs take?
What do you want to find/learn when you read my blog? ?

Question to experienced/novice bloggers:
Alternatively, as an experienced blogger what do you recommend would make my blog more effective?
What can I implement to make this something that will provide value to those that tread upon it?
What should I do to make the time that I spend on it more productive and valuable for myself?

What has work for you and what helped you overcome times like these?

Your feedback is greatly appreciated and I look forward to all your comments/advice whether on this post or through Facebook or Twitter. Please remember that any advice that you provide to me is considered invaluable and will help me reach my goal of making this a blog that makes a difference to those who read it.

The Third Ward Cafe, located in Milwaukee Third Ward is one of the oldest restaurants in the area celebrating its 27th anniversary this upcoming month. It is situated in the heart of the Third Ward and specializes in Northern Italian cuisine inspired by the owners’ heritage. The history of the restaurant is quite interesting, having started when the owners, who own the building in which the restaurant is located, had a long term tenant that decided to move out and gave up his apartment lease.  The apartment, located on the 1st floor of the historic sight, was so well suited for a restaurant that the owners decided to pursue their hobby for cooking and venture into new territory! They soon realized that running a restaurant can be a deep money pit if not done properly. After having another party manage the facility they decided to reign-in the gears and took complete control of the wine list, the kitchen and the finances.

Since then nothing stopped them. They introduced true Italian cuisine to a very segregated Milwaukee audience and soon became a staple to the growing downtown market. As the character of the Third Ward changed (from a bustling, industrialized city center to a characteristic, quieter area filled with art galleries & boutiques) so did the style and atmosphere of the restaurant adapt and today one finds a chicque, balmy and cozy space that reminds one of the heart and soul of Northern Italy.

The Milwaukee Dinner Club held an event at the Third Ward Cafe this past Friday and here are our results. As promised this restaurant will be rated using four criteria as outlined below:

1. Atmosphere

The restaurant is filled with reminders of Northern Italy and when walking in it feels as if you enter the home of a prosperous farmer from Tuscany. The tables are all garnished with olives; flowers & Italian artifacts are abundant. The wine display on one of the walls has been done very professionally and proudly displays some of the most sought after wine varieties from Italy. Overall the atmosphere is great, however as the evening progressed I realized that music was not continuously playing. This particular evening specifically was a very cold (sub zero temp) evening in Milwaukee, which means that most people tend to stay home. As such the restaurant was rather quiet. The solitude would not have been so noticeable if cheerful Italian music played in the background.

2. Service/Price

The service is absolutely excellent. The wait staff had a good knowledge of the wine and food and definitely added to the overall experience. Every question was answered, wine glasses were generously refilled and yet their presence was not overbearing. Plates average between $16/plate (for certain pasta entree dishes) to $30/plate for some entrees/specialties of the evening.

3. Drink Menu/Wine List

The wine list is 100% Itialian, not too large and very impressive. I personally enjoyed the Rosso di Montalcino 2006, which made up only one of many excellent options. The owner mentioned that the list has been built with years of experience and travels to Italy and even today they boast with at least one wine selection not served by any other restaurant in the Milwaukee Country area.

4. Quality of food

The food received a mixed review from dinner club members. Some were fully satisfied while others left feeling unsatisfied. I had the opportunity to taste quite of a few of the dishes as we tend to share during these outings and in general I agreed with the assessments. Some plates were excellent and others quite disappointing. My favorite for the evening was the stuffed home-made gnocchi, served in sweet & creamy tomato sauce. In general gnocchi is of my favorite Italian dishes if made well and from scratch and this was superb and beautifully traditional. Other dishes that I tasted and that were good, but not spectacular included the minestrone soup, pasta genovese, and the Osso Bucco. The Osso Bucco was a disappointment as its flavoring was spot on and lovely, however the meat was chewy. The pasta genovese was well flavored however overpriced for what was provided. The minestrone soup was nice and hearty but lacked the flavor that I have tasted at other traditional Italian restaurants. A true disappointment for the evening was the bruschetta appetizer that lacked flavor in general.

To conclude, overall the Third Ward Cafe is a great and impressive restaurant, the service is splendid and the atmosphere is inviting. We were, however, disappointed by some of the dishes that were served. When a restaurant adds a certain price tag to an Italian dish the meal has to be spectular; otherwise one might as well make a good pasta for a third of the price at home no matter how nice the ambience may be.

Overall experience: 8/10