We love to eat. And, we love to eat local. So, we wanted our first post to be the “top 5” places we like to go to in the Milwaukee area if we are just going to grab a delicious meal in an easygoing setting. These are not necessarily the top 5 best restaurants in the area (although all are great) – just our “go to” list from north to south that always runs through our minds. We’ll keep the descriptions short for now as we’ll write more about each one in later posts.
Trattoria Stefano’s in Sheboygan
OK, we will admit that it is perhaps a bit of a stretch to call Sheboygan the Milwaukee area, but we are willing to make the easy 45 minute drive north on I-43 to have an amazing meal. Also, we are cheating a bit as this entry covers four restaurants because it is hard to pick just one of Stefano’s places — it all depends on your mood. If you are feeling like a slightly higher end Italian experience (although jeans and shorts still work – isn’t the Midwest the best!), you’ll want to try Trattoria Stefano. For the best pizza in the area, it’s Il Ritrovo. (Even looking at the pizza on the website to copy the link makes me hungry.) I had one of the best multi-course tasting menus of my life at his British pub, Duke of Devon. Finally, only open for breakfast and lunch, is Field to Fork where I had an incredible lamb sandwich on a random Thursday afternoon. How is all this possible in tiny Sheboygan? Hint: It’s only 15 minutes from Kohler and the beautiful golf resort (including Whistling Straits which will be hosting the Ryder Cup in 2020), so a steady stream of hungry golfers helps!
Brandywine
Our current “go to” place (in that we were there every Friday night for a month this winter) is Brandywine in Cedarburg. It is nestled at the end of the historic district of Cedarburg in a renovated building with a great atmosphere. It feels like you are living in a Hallmark movie, especially when the snow is falling outside while Cedarburg is hosting its “Winter Festival”. But, of course, the important thing is the food, which is some of the best in the area. They always have multiple specials and we have not gone wrong yet. Finally, a special note about the service — fantastic and very welcoming.
Falafel Guys
Falafel Guys is in Mequon/Thiensville, right next to the bike trail. Don’t let the converted Pizza Hut building fool you. The food is great, and the service is fantastic. One of us loves the chicken liver sautéed with onions (the other is not a fan of liver, but to each their own). The lamb is also great, as well as the typical selections of hummus, kebabs, etc .
Zartetti
We are finally in downtown Milwaukee. Zarletti has been one of our favorites for celebrating special occasions for years. The atmosphere is cozy, the food outstanding, and the service great. And the desserts, homemade by the owner’s mom, should not be missed. And, they are open for lunch and dinner.
La Casa De Alberto
La Casa de Alberto is on National on the south side of Milwaukee. The area has many interesting Hispanic restaurants, groceries, and stores. But Alberto is always our top choice when looking for a solid meal. Yes, it is Americanized Mexican like so many other places on the South Side, but the quality is high and the margaritas are strong. Always great service makes it an easy choice on a Saturday afternoon.