La Dolce Vita translates as “the sweet life” and is nestled between Starship and Starbucks just south of Brady Street on Farwell Avenue. It quietly opened its doors in early March 2009, but the food and our experience was nothing to keep quiet about.

Inspired by Moroccan, Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine, the dishes we sampled were tasty and unique. The Briwat ($5.95) and Calamari a la Plancha ($7.50) were immediate favorites. The Briwat resembles an eggroll that is stuffed with either beef or chicken and is served with a wonderful sauce on the side. We enjoyed it so much we had to add another 1/2 order.

The Calamari a la Plancha is unlike most calamari you will find in Milwaukee which is typically breaded, deep fried and served with a side of marinara. At La Dolce Vita calamari is done very differently and the taste is amazing! Another order of this would have hit the spot as well. I’ll be sure to order both when I return.

These are must try appetizers that are sure to please.

For our entree, each of us ordered a Panini. My favorite of the three we tried was the chicken Shawarma panini ($7.50). The vegetarian La dolce panini ($6.50) was excellent as well. Chicken is chicken and beef is beef but the sauces and marinades that accompany the dishes at La Dolce Vita is what makes the food something special.

The atmosphere is colorful and entertaining. Flat panel TV’s line the wall while Mediterranean and Arabic music plays softly in the background. Seating is available for around 30 or 35 people.

More than 3/4 of the menu is under $10.00 putting everything within reach and also making it possible to try many different items.

We washed down our lunches with a fruit smoothie, although wine, beer and mixed drinks are also available.

We’re looking forward to getting back to this unique and tasty establishment!

La Dolce Vita is located at 1673 North Farwell Avenue.
http://www.mydolce-vita.com/
414.277.7750

Star Bar and Razor open their doors to the public Thursday August 21, 2008 and offer what is sure to be a unique nightlife experience to Milwaukee partygoers. Drenched in hot reds and deep blues the edgyness and sex appeal begins with the name but can be found in each deliberate design element.

Star Bar Lounge occupies approximately 1/3 of the overall space and features 2 flush mount multipurpose LCD TV’s, intimate seating and an LED enhanced bar. The space has just the right amount of bar space and dance floor space to make for a high energy and intimate experience all at the same time.

While walking through the space I find it to be a reminiscent blend of both Mantra and The Rock Shop with its own flair and appeal.

A huge sound system is about to go up that I’m confident will be put through its paces at Razor.

A third, sunken area, is custom designed for VIP patrons and features excellent access to the clubs amenities while providing unparalleled privacy.

All in all Star Bar and Razor are shaping up to be a great new addition to The Milwaukee Scene and we look forward to seeing the place in action.

Star Bar and The Razor Room can be found on Milwaukee Street just south of Wisconsin Avenue at:

631 N. Milwaukee Street
Milwaukee, WI

or online at:
http://www.therazorroom.com/

Its been 8 months at the time of this writing since Chubby’s Cheesesteaks opens its doors on North Avenues east side but I finally got a chance to stop down and enjoy one of my favorite sandwiches.

One surprising thing about downtown Milwaukee is how few cheesesteaks are available in a city that loves to eat and specifically eat anything with cheese in it!

A couple other shops exist outside downtown proper but if you want a convenient cheesesteak for lunch or after hours Chubby’s is the sweet spot.

The menu selection is incredibly vast. Perhaps i was naive about the evolution of the Philly Cheesesteak but it was surprising to find that the cheesesteak can be delivered with steak, chicken or even vegetarian! I’m going to have to stop back and try each of those selections. As for the Philly itself at Chubby’s I found it incredibly tasty!

Red and Green Peppers, fried onions, steak and cheese all prepared at ordering time make for a warm, fresh meal. The bread was soft and tasty but held together perfectly as I chowed down my meal.

One thing you HAVE to try when you make it to Chubby’s are the fries! They are both seasoned and breaded which makes for a unique french fry experience that I have had no where else. I would put them up against Saz’s fries any day.

Like all of my favorite places to frequent, Chubby’s is locally owned and operated. This isn’t terribly suprising in downtown Milwaukee, however this kind of fast, tasty food being conceived and delivered by long time Milwaukeeans adds extra meaning to the experience.

They deliver and they’re open late. Theres no reason not to get a tasty meal at Chubby’s Cheesesteak.

Chubby’s Cheesesteaks
2232 N. Oakland Avenue
Milwaukee, WI
414.287.9999
http://www.chubbyscheesesteaks.com

Join our Cheesesteak Discussion Thread:
http://www.themilwaukeescene.com/forum/index.php?topic=7589.0

Bootleggers, located at 1023 N. Old World 3rd St, is the latest entrant to the up and coming Old World 3rd Street scene. Long a staple for destinations such as Buck Bradley’s, Have a Nice Day Cafe, Buckhead Saloon and Cafe Vecchio Mondo; the recent addition of Bootleggers and its neighbor Tutto are sure to continue to add to the excitement of the street.

Two floors of indoor entertainment in addition to a third rooftop floor make for a great space to tip a few beers or throw massive weekend parties. Amongst the vast amount of party space and flat screen TV’s Bottleggers features a DJ Booth, a stage for live acts, pool tables, dart boards and sofa lounges - all certain to provide a wide array of entertainment possibilities.

Without much fan fare Bootleggers showcased its capabilities on the weekend of Riversplash 2008 treating customers to a friendly and social staff that seemed willing to socialize and accommodate our requests for tall drinks, information and photographs.

A beautifully designed space, Bootleggers is sure to please a wide audience so be sure to stop by and hang out.

Bootleggers
1023 N. Old World 3rd St
http://bootleggersmke.com/
http://www.myspace.com/bootleggersmke

We had some wonderful food at Milwaukee’s latest Turkish / Mediterranean restaurant Tulip. While the address indicates its at 117 N Jefferson St we found the entrance to actually be on the corner of Milwaukee St and Erie St in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward but it wasnt too hard to find and when we did it was worth it.

Our group decided to entertain 5 different dishes between us as well as try a sampler appetizer platter which included any 4 items.

Each of us found at least one of the appetizers to be our favorite with mine being the yogurt based dip. We also tried the hummus, the dolmeh and a spicy tomato based dip shown below. Only complaint here is the appetizers didnt arrive with bread so we had to drool for several minutes while they delivered some more bread to the table.

The atmosphere was very consistent with what my imagination was expecting to find at a Turkish restaurant. Deep woods furnished the establishment with bright windows delivering light and airy contrast. The walls were a bit sparse with ethnic artwork, however I expect that details may be filled in or altered as the establishment gets its footing. There was also a nice patio outside that is conveniently positioned right on the corner of the street for ample scenery.

Several dark leather couches surround a fireplace in the middle of the restaurant providing a cozy, relaxing feel to the establishment. A nice, unique touch in my opinion which sets a pleasant atmosphere.

We ended our evening by dining on several delicious dishes. I ordered the lamb shank which was covered in cooked eggplant and served in a dish of sweet tomatoe sauce. We also tried the spicy meatball plate, the lamb shoulder and the apricot chicken. Their specialty dish, Iskender, is pictured below and is served with a side of yogurt that brings out the many wonderful flavors in the dish.

The chicken with apricot was exceptional as well. I intend to have the two dishes pictured when I return next time.

Of course no Turkish dinner is complete without a Turkish coffee so make sure you give this strong potion a try after your done eating. Entree’s were priced between $14 and $17 for the most part. Our tab including drinks for 6 came to $149.00 without tip so that averaged about $35.00 per person with tip (and cocktails) for what we all would consider an excellent and unique meal.

For more photographs and discussion about Tulip, join us on our Discussion Boards.

Complete Photo Shoot: http://www.themilwaukeescene.com/photos/tulip-071707

Discuss: http://www.themilwaukeescene.com/forum/index.php/topic,3317.0.html

117 N Jefferson St
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 273-5253

Monsoon’s rich and detailed atmosphere is what my guests and I first noticed when we stepped inside. It is a bit surprising to find a place like Monsoon in the Cathedral Square area. Sure there is some ethnic flavor nearby but most tend to have an ‘Americana’ feel to them. Not Monsoon. I immediately felt like I was transported to a different country and it was a nice sensation.

The next thing I noticed was the attention to detail which I find is often overlooked in many other places I frequent. The wall hangings, the statues and wood all add to the deep, rich, Asian atmosphere.

My guests and I tried several delicious appetizers including the Chicken Lettuce Wrap ($8) and the Calimari ($9) and we weren’t left disappointed. The Chicken Lettuce Wrap immediately became my favorite. It’s marinated in a sweet hoisan sauce and is presented with leaves from a head of lettuce - I loved it and have returned since to order it again.

Calimari at many places is simply calimari. I’m sure you’ve tried it and know what I’m talking about, but at Monsoon I think you’ll find it to be a different experience. First, it’s seasoned with salt and pepper which really sets off the Calimari. It is then presented with a spicy Thai sauce that adds to an already great taste. It’s better here than anywhere else that I’ve had it. Definitely worth giving it a try.

A word of advice - The portions of the appetizers are very generous so plan your dining experience accordingly. You can surely order a few appetizers and share them among friends and feel satisfied.

Dinners range between $13 and $19. We ordered the Cashew Chicken, the Kung Pao Chicken and the Teriyaki Tenderloin (pictured below). I ordered the tenderloin to be cooked medium and that’s exactly how it came out - medium. I’m always a bit skeptical if the chef can get it right but fortunately I wasn’t let down.

My favorite dish so far is the Kung Pao Chicken which is incredibly flavorful. Monsoon’s ‘fusion’ displays itself in the sauces they use to complement each meal. Sweet, spicy, thick and rich, each of the dishes has a distinct flair to it which made the experience vastly different from standard Asia fare.

The Cashew Chicken (pictured below) came off a bit spicy for my taste and I think in the future I will ask them to tone this dish down a bit.

The last item we tasted was the Crunchy Tuna Roll. Sushi? Chinese? Asian? I was surprised to see an extensive maki menu at Monsoon and wanted to give it a try. The maki didnt arrive with soy, wasabi, and ginger as I would have preferred but upon request they promptly delivered my training wheels and the sushi rivaled even the most focused of sushi establishments. The only unfortunate part of the experience was that by this time I was so incredibly stuffed that I pretty much had to go home and sleep it off.

I don’t recommend gorging yourself the way my party did, however, if you intend to go out and eat some great food with a tasty pizazz I highly recommend the food and the atmosphere at Monsoon.

– Edit –

Since the writing of this review the Cathedral Square location has been closed but is still serving at their Brookfield location:

BROOKFIELD, WI
17800 W. Bluemound Road
Phone: 262-782-SAKE Fax: 262-782-8844 (Wok-side)
Located between Calhoun Road & Brookfield Road.
Sunday - Thursday: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Friday - Saturday: 11:00 am - 11:00 pm