Best Wauwatosa Restaurants
Whether you’d rather skip the drive to downtown Milwaukee, or perhaps you and your crew are aiming to dine closer to a Brewer’s game, the State Fair or Milwaukee County Zoo, look no further than Wauwatosa, adjacent to Milwaukee’s west side and right off Interstate 94. “Tosa” has an impressive foodie scene of its own, and here are six of the best Wauwatosa restaurants and dining experiences for which you’re going to want to make reservations.
Ca’Lucchenzo
This modern Italian restaurant combines the expertise and passions of owners Zak and Sarah Baker: pasta and wine. The menu relies on local ingredients and is continually changing, but all dishes are inspired by the cuisine of diverse regions of Italy. Cicchetti, the Venetian version of tapas, vary daily including next-level deviled eggs (a Venetian tradition). The pasta is so fresh you can watch it being rolled out and cut right in front of you at the bar. Come for an intimate dinner with a special someone or get the gang together to sip wine and watch the pasta show.
Le Rêve Patisserie & Café
This award-winning French bistro occupies a century-old bank building in downtown Tosa. Be sure to check out the rainbow of macarons in the bakery case as you get seated. Lunchtime sandwiches and salads hit the classics including Croque-Monsieur, Croque-Madame or a Niçoise salad, while dinners offer steaks and seafood dishes. The French onion soup and savory crepes shouldn’t be missed. Share a plate of mussels and frites or charcuterie and cheeses with your dinner companion. The drink menu highlights French cocktails and a French-focused list of wines.
Story Hill BKC
What if your favorite wine shop served food? BKC stands for Bottle, Kitchen, Cocktail. Stop in for some wine shopping and stay for dinner. They offer a truly American menu: a melting pot of dishes, from a sharable Wisconsin cheese plate and a half-pound burger to kimchi chicken wrap, Kashmiri-style butter chicken or a gorgeous take on shakshouka with smoked lentils, sumac mayo and goat cheese. Don’t miss a chance to pull apart the rosemary-brie pull-apart bread with your friends.
Buckatabon Tavern & Supper Club
The supper club experience is a longstanding Wisconsin tradition and not to be missed. The carved wooden bear out on the walk hints at the Northwoods tavern décor inside. This is your place to go for prime rib with Yorkshire pudding or the classic beer-battered fish fry (daily, not just on Fridays!). The cheese curds are locally produced, and you can start off with an Old Fashioned and a relish tray.
Ristorante Bartolotta dal 1993
With national awards and even a certificate of excellence from Italy, this fine-dining restaurant is a sure bet for a special intimate evening for you and your companion. Wine Spectator consistently awards their exceptional wine list. Pasta is handmade and the chef’s menu changes every few weeks, offering “culinary tours” for a set price, with an appetizer, pasta course, main dish and dessert from short lists of options.
Kin By Rice N Roll
Take a trip to Asia with your pals without ever leaving Wisconsin. The family behind Rice N Roll created this fusion of foods primarily from Thailand and Japan, best expressed in their Tom Yum Ramen soup. A long sushi menu complements a list of Thai street food dishes such as Drunken Noodles and Penang Curry. Finish with the mango and coconut ice cream with sticky rice. Drink options include sake flights, bubble tea and Thai iced tea. Sit at the bar and watch your sushi being prepared or take over a corner booth with your friends.
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