If you know me (and most of you don’t), there are two things you know: 1) I love TV. I watch a lot of it. More than I should, but at this age, some things won’t change. Unlike Tom Gaertner, I have cable and lot of it. 2) I’m easily distracted. I probably can’t walk and chew gum. If you’re talking to me and have some spinach in your teeth, I will not hear a word you’re saying. (Primarily because I will be having an internal argument with myself about whether or not to tell you.)

 

Sorry, I digressed. The point of this post is to talk about what is, to me, an annoying trend – televisions in restaurants. I eat out a fair amount and there seem to be many restaurants in Tosa that have giant televisions for all to view. This is really starting to bug me.

 

Let me say, however, that I have no problem with bars that have TVs. I think lots of people visit places like Colonel Hart’s or Leff’s to have a drink and watch a game. That’s just fine with me.

 

But when I go out to eat, I just can’t stand it when there is a giant TV where I’m having my dinner or my lunch. If I’m facing the TV, I have the most difficult time focusing on my dining companions. If they’re facing the TV, I know they are not paying attention to me. It’s a lose-lose situation.

 

Here are just a few of the Tosa places where I’ve found TVs:  ***'s Chinese Restaurant, Pizzeria Piccola, Firefly Bar & Grill, John’s Sandwich Shop and Cheesecake Factory. At many of these, the sound is turned off. That’s certainly better than competing with the TV sound, but still distracting.

 

Growing up, watching TV during dinner was a HUGE no-no, with the possible exception of a major news event, like the Lunar Landing or a presidential election. Once in a while, we’d have TV dinners and sit with metal trays in front of us as a special treat. Eating without television forced us to talk to each other, a foreign concept for many of today’s families.

 

What do you think? Am I being a cranky old lady about this?  

“This is GREAT. Let’s come here every Wednesday!”

 

That was an unsolicited pre-review that one of my lunch companions exclaimed when we visited Tosa’s new Le Reve Patisserie & Café the other day. And that was even before we got our food!

 

Here’s the deep, dark secret of Tosa’s SAHMs (stay-at-home moms): One of our greatest treats is going out to lunch or breakfast…and we’re not talking McDonald’s. Moms all over Tosa are always looking for somewhere fun, light, close and not overly expensive to grab a bite and share tales of motherhood with friends. With this in mind, thank goodness that Le Reve has arrived in Tosa…and not a moment too soon.

 

Loosely translated, Le Reve means “The Dream” and for many who “love to lunch,” Le Reve is a dream come true.

 

Located at 7610 Harwood Ave. (up the hill from Noodles and Bartolotta’s), Le Reve has carved out a charming and surprisingly spacious place in The Village. (Where they found TWO floors of space, I’ll never know, but when you walk in the door, you’ll think it’s been there forever.) The décor features exposed brick accented with dark wood and artsy photos. Overall, the ambience is warm and simple without being overly chic or trendy.

 

Step up to the counter and you have your first problem: You planned to try a light salad, soup or baguette but the desserts…oh, the desserts, look ridiculously good. (I managed to not give into temptation, so I can’t comment on them. But they just have to be good because they look amazing.)

 

I chose the Pan Poulet, which is sliced chicken with parmesan, red onion, tomato, romaine and a roasted garlic sauce on a baguette. It was good… really good. The baguettes are worth the trip alone. Crunchy on the outside and light and airy on the inside. One of my dining companions had the tomato, brie and pesto on a baguette which she said was excellent. Both of us opted for pommes frites (fries) with the sandwich. The fries are served in an adorable little paper cone. Here’s one tiny complaint, they look cute, but they’re really nothing remarkable. Just fries, perhaps a little too salty. At any other restaurant, we’d love them. It’s just that Le Reve raised the bar and we expected a little more. My other friend had a crepe and salad and raved about those as well.

 

Like so many Tosa eating spots, the deal at Le Reve is that you place your order at the counter and they bring your food to you. The service is not fast. We weren’t bothered because we were so busy chatting, but if you’re in a hurry, this probably isn’t the place to go. (Others have told me that their food took a while to be served.)

 

Another teeny complaint: if you sit on the second floor, grab napkins and to-go boxes before you go up because they aren’t available upstairs.

 

Oh and here’s an interesting twist that may be a challenge for some: If you go to Le Reve, leave your soda addiction at home. There’s not a Coke or Pepsi product in the place. That’s right. You’ll have to try one of their gourmet bottled sodas, ice tea or lemonade. This threw me for a loop, but on second thought, I kind of like it. I can have a Diet Coke anywhere, but I can’t get one of Le Reve’s baguettes anywhere.

 

I will definitely go back, perhaps for a breakfast selection – a croissant, a quiche or a brioche? Oh and I must try those desserts…those tempting desserts.

 

Le Reve is open Monday through Saturday, 7:00 am to 8:00 pm.

  

I recently visited the brand spanking-new “Intermodal” (i.e. Amtrak/Greyhound) Station in downtown Milwaukee. I was pretty excited when I heard about the renovation because the old station was, um, a dump. I have to say, the remodeling was a success. The place looks gorgeous, with its floor to ceiling windows.

 

So today, I read this story about how the city is fighting to get a decent restaurant next door, but thus far, the only takers are a couple of fast-food joints. Even Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett said “we can do better.”

 

I agree with Mayor Barrett…sort of.

 

I think they should look for something better than Dunkin’ Donuts and subs. But, before they look at adding fine dining, they might want to do one simple thing: Look up.

 

In my opinion, there’s a huge problem developing at the Intermodal Station that gives a worse impression than the smell of fried food. The flocks of circling birds are using the gigantic windows for, shall we say, target practice. That’s right, the first thing you notice about the beautiful new station is the windows and the next thing you notice is that they’re covered in bird poop. In fact, they look like....you-know-what.

 

And so I ask: Somewhere in that $15.8 million renovation, did anybody put in a few dollars for window washing? Because I don’t know about you, but the sight of bird-droppings doesn’t make me hungry for anything.

Sometimes, you’re just in the right place at the right time. That is exactly how I’m feeling  about summer in Tosa. Look around you and there are some awesome dining experiences just waiting to make summer in our town better than ever.

 

We’ll start out west. There’s Locker’s Pointe on 92^nd and North, where you can sit on chairs reminiscent of the UW patio and sip Alterra coffee or grab a scoop of Locker's gelato. Up the street, there’s City Market where the patio is packed on a typical Saturday or Sunday morning.

 

Down in the village, things are really getting fun. Of course there’s Vino 100 where you can sit outside on one of the most charming patios around, sipping wine and, on Thursday nights, listening to live music.

 

Around the corner, you can try outdoor dining at Bartolotta’s, which is decidedly casual and great for people-watching. (Oh and the food’s not bad either!)

 

Now, for something new: Pizzeria Piccola is about to open Piccola al Fresco – a picture-perfect spot for eating their delicious wood-fired pizza outside under the stars. Have you seen it? If not, take a peek, it’s quaint and inviting and will likely be packed on a warm summer night.

 

Last but not least, there’s La Reve, the brand new patisserie and café that looks absolutely adorable! Despite the recent closing of Drew’s (a moment of silence, please), Harwood Avenue has been poised to become the destination gem of the village. The one-of-a-kind shops like Jilly and George, Urban Laundry and Oro di Oliva have been waiting for their moment in the sun. I think La Reve will bring that day from the moment that it opens. (Not sure when that is, but it looks like soon!) The two-story dining establishment has the look of a real winner and the opportunity to lure diners and shoppers from all over Milwaukee.

 

With gas prices well over $4 per gallon, there’s no better time than now to plan your summer days out right here in our fair village. For those of us within walking distance of these great new places, summer just got a little bit better.

“Uh oh. I sense a new blogpost coming,” said my husband during a recent dinner out.

 

And although I denied it as we were dining at Tazza Pizzeria – Pizza at the Cup, I couldn’t help but consider the possibility. And so, here I am, writing about Tazzo and another “nearly” Tosa dining spot.

 

First Tazza. I have a confession, I miss The Milwaukee Coffee Company, the former identity of that tiny retail front at 50^th and Vliet. The food, the coffee and the artsy metallic interior were very hip. Plus, it all fit with the infamous giant cup that is perched on the roof. Alas, they went away and were replaced by a bagel restaurant and then some non-descript sandwich place.

 

Now, it’s Tazza. They’ve completely redone the interior with cute and clever pizza symbols. (Don't worry, the cup is still there.) The front window, which can open in nice weather, sits behind a tiny outdoor eating area. With Wick Park directly across the street, this place should be bustling.

 

The pizza is quite good. Not amazing, but definitely worth the trip. The salad was quite fresh - better than average. The meatball sandwich was gigantic and very tasty. The beer selection is pretty good and each table offers a bottle of wine. They also offer delivery in an adorable three-wheeled vehicle that probably stops traffic…and saves gas.

 

Just up the street, Meritage, across from The Times Theatre has generated lots of buzz since it opened last year. When my husband and I first tried it, just weeks after its opening, we walked in without reservations and practically had the place to ourselves. Now, you would be hard-pressed to have that kind of luck. Meritage has arrived, and for good reason. On a Friday night, the place was packed and we saw a couple of walk-ins turned away. Too bad for them.

 

Meritage features both seasonal and locally grown dishes that are both creative and tasty. The menu changes regularly and the wine list is terrific. And, even better, on a very busy night, the service was absolutely excellent. A night at Meritage is reasonably priced and certainly worthwhile for a special evening out.

 

Although neither Tazza nor Meritage are Tosa businesses, I still think it’s in our best interest that they are successful. Judging by our recent visits, the future looks bright.

Well, the dessert gods must have been listening to our dear, sweet Maddie. Gelato, my dear, is everywhere lately.

 

I too have gelato at the top of my Italian memories. One dish, in particular, stands out. It was called “Death by Chocolate” and it was consumed in the beautiful Piazza Navona in Rome. That memory is now filed in my mind as my “happy place.” I visited that happy place several times during our very long, record-breaking winter.

 

Anyway, back to Tosa and surrounding ‘burbs.

 

It started at Pizzeria Piccola where they offered us authentic Italian from start to finish. Although most go there for the delicious wood-fired pizza, you can also get a scoop of gelato. I have to confess that I haven’t yet tried Piccola’s gelato, but if it’s anything close to their other offerings, I’m betting that it’s worthwhile.

 

Then came Chocolaterie Stam on the corner of 92^nd and North. They make their own gelato, along with their tres elegante bon bons. It looks beautiful, but I have to say, after trying it twice, the Stam gelato is somewhat disappointing. It’s missing the dense, creaminess and high-fat (and delicious!) taste of true Italian gelato. (Perhaps because it’s not Italian?) For the money, Baskin Robbins plain old ice-cream is tastier.

 

If those choices aren’t enough, you can battle the soon-to-come traffic headaches on Bluemound Road and head over to Brookfield Square where Paciugo Gelato has opened its doors right next to Bravo! Italian Cucina. They offer true diet-busting gelato. The gal behind the counter told us that a small cup will add a mere 250 calories to your daily intake. But if you want to cut back, they offer a sorbet version that’s only about 150.

 

And, if you really don’t mind a little extra mileage on your car, a trip to Waukesha’s Divino Gelato is definitely worth the trip! This quaint shop in the center of downtown Waukesha gets packed in the middle of summer, but you won't mind once you taste the gelato.

 

Last, but not least, this just in: The former Loge’s Bakery near the corner of 60^th and Vliet will soon be home to still another gelato establishment! With the Times Theater just steps away, I’m betting this business will be instantly successful. I just hope they don’t skimp on the calories when they mix up their gelato.

 

You know what they say – Molto bene!

 

For no good reason, other than thinking it’s St. Patrick’s Day and everybody is at Mo’s, the family and I dined at the new McCormick & Schmick’s restaurant which opened their Mayfair location on Monday.

 

Tucked in the less busy north parking lot near Macy’s, the new M&S is rather unassuming from the outside. Once inside, it feels completely different. Sort of a mix of cathedral-meets-the-Titanic-grand-stairway, with its domed center ceiling outfitted with stained glass and capped off with a nod to the Badger State.

 

The deal here is seafood, seafood and more seafood, all of it flown in from places far and wide. To me, the menu very much resembled that of Mitchell’s Fish Market, another chain that operates over at Brookfield Square. Both restaurants have menus printed daily and boast how incredibly fresh everything is and that they’ll cook it pretty much the way you want it.

 

Having now been to both of these restaurants, I’d say that M&S wins in the ambience department, with its multilevel dining room, making every table seem cozy and private. I think their food is better too.

 

The bar area here is very attractive and it was great to see that the TVs in the bar weren’t hovering over the dining area. (Seems like TVs have invaded every dining room in town lately.) Our waitress made a point of mentioning that they pride themselves on the fresh ingredients in their cocktails. Nothing pre-made. Since we had wine, I’ll have to take her word for it.

 

The Lump Crab Con Queso with Avacado Dip Appetizer had a light yet creamy texture that was delicious and was served with large tortilla chips. The Calamari had a nice, crispy breading and was served with three different dipping sauces. (Still doesn’t rival our favorite from Bartolotta’s, but I’d give it a close second.)

 

One tiny complaint was that the sourdough bread, which was good, would have been much better if served warm.

 

The Bleu Cheese Wedge Salad and the Caesar Salad were better than your average restaurant salads – not drenched in dressing like you find at so many places these days.

 

My husband had the Catfish which was served over a sweet potato hash with corned beef (no doubt in tribute to St. Pat’s day). He said his was quite good. I had the Parmesan Crusted Tilapia, served with some excellent mashed potatoes. It was delicious, and I’m happy to say they didn’t skimp on capers, one of my favorite things. My daughter, not being a fish fan, had the Pot Roast, served with the mashed potatoes. It was very tender and came with a full-flavored gravy.

 

Just to give the entire menu a test run, we splurged on dessert. The Crème Brulee, which they claim to be their specialty, was airy and sweet, but unlike the cocktails, tasted somewhat pre-made and not recently “torched” on top. The chocolate cake was outstanding, but way too much for one person.

 

Another small gripe: The coffee was rather bland when compared with the food. Why do restaurants skimp on coffee quality when it’s often the last taste memory you have before leaving? Too bad, because the food was really, really good.

 

Overall, the service was terrific – very attentive without being intrusive. Since it was opening night, there were a few small glitches, but nothing that would prevent us from going back.

 

The prices? Well, it’s seafood, so you can’t expect a bargain. This is what they call a “white tablecloth” restaurant, so it’s definitely not cheap. But I think the quality of the food and service make it worthwhile.  

 

When comparing McCormick & Schmick’s and Mitchell’s, I’d say that we Tosans got the better of the two seafood chains in the area. Lucky us.

 

Gotta go now. I have some major treadmill work ahead of me after that dinner. That’s OK. It was worth it.

 

Once in a while, I encounter a few things that remind me why I love Tosa. Sometimes it’s something small, sometimes funny, sometimes a little sad. Here are a few:

 

Can there be a more fun bakery experience than Cranky Al’s? If I have overnight guests or need to entertain with breakfast or brunch food, Cranky’s is a sure bet. I stopped in over the weekend and there was Al, greeting every guest. “Whaddya want?!” he playfully teased. I walked out with a giant box of donuts and a big smile – a bargain, if you ask me.

 

My average morning starts out with coffee. Lots of coffee. It also starts out with a trip outside so that Millie the wonder dog can “do her business.” Today, as I stood outside in the warm air under a dark sky littered with stars, I heard an unusual noise. It’s very quiet in the pre-dawn hours so I quickly looked around to find the source. There, galloping across my yard, were two deer. It was really cool. Oh and Millie never noticed.

 

Are there enough ways to express the community sadness over the future loss of Drew’s Variety Store? I loved the store, but I also love how the community is embracing this icon of days gone by and lamenting its loss. I guess it’s too late to save the store, but perhaps it’s not too late to save the feeling and know that we need more of it here in Tosa.

 

Sure, it’s a little more expensive than it used to be and yes, some of the sandwiches are decidedly swanky, but John Sandwich Shop is to Tosa restaurants what Drew’s is/was to Tosa retail. A gem - an adorable and quirky little place where you can watch the world go by and greet neighbors and friends. We’d be wise to keep it busy.

 

My kids have friends from many other communities throughout Milwaukee – Bay View, Brookfield, Waukesha, Menomonee Falls, just to name a few. Without a doubt, the village of Tosa is hands-down the favorite hang-out for teens. (And don’t let that scare you folks – I promise these are nice kids.) Sure, they could go to Mayfair, but when given a choice, these kids would much rather walk down to the village and grab a bite at Noodles or Pizzeria Piccola or walk through Hart Park discussing life. I feel really fortunate for this.

 

Treasures abound in Tosa. Little places or small experiences. What makes you love Tosa?

 

 

Millie (see above) and I took a walk on this splendid, picture-perfect, day. She had a lot on her mind. Here are some things that she was wondering:

 

Millie wonders why some dogs walk their owners versus the other way around. How can that be fun with all the pulling and choking going on?

 

Millie wonders why the bike path/walking path for Menomonee River Parkway begins at the Harmonee Bridge and ends prior to Swan Boulevard. Did they think that people would be too tired to continue?

 

Millie wonders why some people bike, run or walk on the left side of the path.

 

Millie wonders why parking is allowed on both sides of the parkway when soccer games are being played. It seems so dangerous with so many kids running in between cars and across the road and people getting in their cars with little regard for traffic.

 

Millie wonders why I wouldn’t let her consume the old breadstick that she found on the sidewalk.

 

Millie wonders why drivers in Tosa interpret stop signs as “slow down” signs and roll through intersections.

 

Millie wonders if the street repairs at the corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Wauwatosa Avenue will ever be finished.

 

Millie wonders why the Root Commons Park (area in front of Drews) is called the Root Commons Park.

 

Millie wonders if any Tosa mayoral candidates have a chance against joeythelovesponge.

 

Millie wonders if we realize how lucky we are to have Ray’s here in Tosa with its amazing wine selection and knowledgeable staff.

 

Millie wonders if that store near 92^nd and North is really called Wallpaper Wallpaper.

 

Millie wonders if the Times Cinema will ever invest in slightly more comfortable seating to match the great films and great ownership.

 

Millie wonders if The Firefly will ever expand its menu and if it will ever be open for lunch.

 

Millie wonders if and when the new recycling program will start in Tosa and if many of us will get stuck with extra blue bags when it does.

 

Millie wonders why we all can’t just have trick or treat on Halloween (a.k.a. October 31st) from now on.

 

Millie wonders whether your pet is wondering anything about Wauwatosa.....? 

 

As you’ve probably heard by now, one of our local swanky restaurants, Bjonda, is no more. That’s the bad news, at least in my opinion. As I’ve mentioned before, we’ve visited Bjonda several times and have had wonderful meals there. It was a great place to bring out of town guests and impress them with gourmet cuisine right in our own backyard.

Alas, not enough people felt similarly and we were always a little sad to see the restaurant rather empty on most visits.

The good news is that the owners of Bjonda, Marija & Vesna Madunic, have transformed this unique location into a brand new unique restaurant, Firefly Urban Bar & Grill. It’s a decidedly casual atmosphere, complete with wide-screen TVs in all dining areas and down-to-earth wooden table tops instead of tablecloths. Further good news is that Chef Ryan Whitman is still running the kitchen and an integral part of Firefly. My family and I visited last night for dinner and although the atmosphere is obviously a work-in-progress, I predict that Firefly has a bright future in Tosa.

The best and most important part of Firefly is the menu. If you want bar food and burgers, go to the Chancery, Colonel Harts or Leff’s. If you want casual dining with a fun menu that is truly one-of-a-kind, definitely visit Firefly.

Be forewarned, you’re going to have to make some decisions at Firefly. Right off the bat, you’ll have to choose cocktails. The list of beers can be overwhelming but intriguing. We might be in a Miller town, but Firefly is offering much more than our local brew. The drinks and martinis are also a twist on the tried an true, including the “Firefly,” a mango-ey Mojito or a White Cosmo made with White Cranberry Juice.

After settling on drinks, you’ll need to spend some time with the menu. Although some of the old favorites are still there, such as Crunch Salad, Micro Burgers or some of the best fries (frites) in town, you’ll find a wonderfully varied yet reasonably-priced selection sure to please any palate.

The most unique part of the menu would be the meats cooked on the smoker and wood burning grill, accompanied by warm flat bread, two sides and 18 sauces from which to choose to accent the meats. The fun part is that you can order the same meat on your next visit, but get an entirely different taste experience by choosing different sauces.

Unlike the trend at many chain restaurants, the portion sizes are manageable and not ridiculous. Still, having ordered salads, an appetizer and entrees, we were plenty full by the end of our meal, unfortunately leaving no room for one of our favorite Bjonda desserts, Warm Chocolate Bombe. Maybe next time.

If you were a regular at Bjonda’s Skylight Room, the classy and hip cocktail lounge appears to be largely untouched by the restaurant change at least for now.

Right now, this is a dinner and drinks only establishment – no lunches at this time. However, I would assume that that might change if Firefly gains in popularity. Last night, the second official night of being open, there was a decent-sized dining crowd checking out the new digs and the new cuisine, which does include a kids’ menu, although we did not get a chance to look at it.

Further good news is that the owners are considering the possibility of rebirthing Bjonda in a new location. I truly think that would be worth doing. Perhaps in Brookfield at the now closed Sticks & Stones on North Avenue?....I can dream, can’t I?

Last night we had the pleasure of celebrating my husband’s birthday at one of Tosa’s nicest, but often overlooked restaurants – Bjonda. I have to tell you that rarely have I felt so special, so pampered and so well-fed during an evening out. Everything, from the New Orleans Old Fashioned in the Skylight Room, to the dinner entrees, to the adorable tuffets that allowed my daughter and me to rest our purses in style, was top-notch.

If you’ve never been to Bjonda, I highly recommend it. The décor is stylish, yet comfortable. The music that is piped throughout the restaurant felt contemporary without being pretentious and, best of all, we could have a comfortable conversation without having to shout across the table. Since middle age has cursed us with modest hearing loss, this really is a key ingredient to a nice evening out.

The servers at Bjonda were extremely attentive without being obnoxious. Never before has the phrase “Tosa Tap Water” sounded so elegant and inviting. I always smile when I’m given a black napkin to better match my outfit.

First and foremost, the food was excellent. The Crunch Salad is one of my all-time favorite items and I’m so glad to see it back on the menu as a regular. My daughter had a French-style filet, I had the Deconstructed Wellington and my husband had the Katsu Maki, which was panko crusted steak and tuna – an amazing combination.

Finishing off our meal was a treat aptly named Chocolate Bombe. Trust me, it’s worth every sinful bite and calorie.

Next time you’re looking for a nice place to celebrate or just dine out, try Bjonda. I really think you’ll enjoy it.

On one of the first seasonally chilly evenings of the year, my husband and I made our first visit this past Sunday night to the new Il Mito Trattoria e Enoteca at 6913 W. North Avenue. We were eventually headed to the Marquette vs. Syracuse game at the Bradley Center, but were looking for something different than the usual pre-game burger and a beer.

We had made a couple of previous attempts to get into this new Tosa eatery, but it was apparently very busy and popular during the holidays. Seems like Sunday night at 5:15 pm was good timing on our part.

Il Mito is small, dark and rather cozy. Candles are lit on every table and, at first, we were concerned that our game attire might be too casual. Of course, anything goes in Milwaukee and Tosa and we soon felt right at home. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable and helped me select a nice glass of wine to accompany my meal.

My husband and I were both surprised to find that the menu featured a fairly extensive selection of full meals. From what we had read, we were both expecting mostly appetizers and small plates, which would have been fine. And although you can opt to order a lighter meal, we found a full menu that offered salads, pizzas, pastas and complete dinners. I ordered Veal Osso Buco di Vitello and my husband ordered the Gnocchi Piedmontese. We both had salads as well. Although my dish was very tender, I didn’t find it quite as flavorful as my husband’s gnocchi which was excellent. (Although, in the interest of full disclosure, no one has come close to my mother’s Osso Buco, to which I’m quite partial.) Still, we both agreed that we’d love to try some of the other dishes.

As we were finishing our meal, we looked around and remarked that this quaint new restaurant had a nice neighborhood feel - somewhat like a hidden gem you’d find in New York City. Michael Feker has created a nice alternative to the more upscale Bartolotta’s in an area of Tosa that is truly blooming. My only negative comment is that whoever drives the very nice Mercedes with "Il Mito" license plates, (presumably someone in management) may want to consider parking around the corner so that the paying customers have first dibs on the limited parking in front. Nevertheless, I recommend you give Il Mito Trattoria e Enoteca a try. But call first because it fills up fast.

Let me preface this by saying that I love the Rosebud Cinema Drafthouse. I think it’s an outstanding theatre experience for which Tosa should be both thankful and proud. I also want to say that I love Cranky Al’s Bakery and I am both thankful that it’s open again and proud that it calls Tosa home.

However, there seems to be some potential for a misunderstanding brewing between my favorite theatre and my favorite bakery. The Rosebud has amped up its menu to include a new pizza vendor – Cranky Pat’s. That’s right, Pat’s, not Al’s. Cranky Al also makes and sells excellent pizza, (and of course outstanding donuts) but not at the Rosebud Cinema Drafthouse. Since my husband’s family is from the Green Bay area, I am well-acquainted with Cranky Pat’s, which I know better as Frank and Pat’s. It too is excellent pizza.

The point here is that you can only get Cranky Al’s at Cranky Al’s. Since there’s less than a block between these two businesses, I think many Tosans might assume otherwise…and that might make everyone a little cranky.

Hector’s Merely Smoldering…According to one of my blogfriends, Hector’s Mexican Restaurant is not doing as well as it may have seemed during my last visit. So, that leads me to ask: What’s wrong with you people? Aren’t you hungry? Seriously, this has to be one of the most affordable restaurants in Tosa. The food is good, they have a full bar, featuring great Margaritas, and the place is very casual and extremely kid-friendly, if that’s what’s holding you back. If you ever avoided it because of smoke, now is the time to show your support and have a great meal.

Is It Possible to Catch the Bus?.....Is it just me, or does it seem like the city buses that go through Wauwatosa think they’re immune to the speeding limit? I see buses all day long on Milwaukee Avenue, where the speed limit is 25 mph and I can assure you that there’s no way they are going 25 mph. More like 40 or 45. This is a narrow street traveled by lots of kids on their way to and from school. I’d like to suggest that they park one of those cute little speeding trailers out there to give the drivers a hint, but I’m told by my friends that this is a sure way to lure more speeders or kids on bikes looking to create a mini 'Tour du Tosa' and clock their speed, sometimes resulting in crashes and injuries. (True story.) I’m all for staying on schedule, but please bus driver, give us a brake!

A Sure Sign….I know it’s Fall. Not because the temperature has dropped today, but just because the giant oak tree on the corner of Menomonee River Parkway and Charles Hart Parkway is starting to change color. This stunning tree signals the start of autumn with its golden hues and vibrant colors. It’s worth a look. You’ll find it on the northwest corner, but wait a week and it’ll really be a sight.

Don’t Look Up Now…I haven’t been able to confirm this, but someone once told me that birds are incontinent, which makes the idea of watching the birds fly south for the winter something to be done with care…and perhaps an umbrella.

On a balmy Wauwatosa Saturday evening, hubby and I headed over to Hector's for a casual Mexican meal. Since it was about 6:15 pm, we weren't sure if we would face a long wait for a table or an empty dining room, due in part to the recent smoking ban. I'm happy to tell you that despite the absence of cigarettes, Hector's was smoking! The dining room was packed, except for an empty table for the two of us. The restaurant was filled with lots of families and several couples. Business was definitely hopping. I was truly glad to see it. I won't get into the politics of the smoking ban, but I was thrilled to see that at least on this evening, Hector's business looked brisk.

As we enjoyed our meal, there was suddenly commotion outside the restaurant. At around 7:00 pm, a fire broke out in the field across from Hector's near the railroad tracks. A suggestion to move cars parked on State Street had several diners scrambling outside to witness the spectacle. And without the haze of cigarette smoke, you could actually smell the brush fire as you approached the front door. The fire was quickly put out, thereby ending the evening entertainment for patio diners.

If you're looking for a great spot for affordable and delicious Mexican food in Wauwatosa, Hector's is the spot. No you can't smoke there, but you never know what might happen outside!

And here we thought we were the only ones with this idea. It was hot yesterday. Very hot. (Yes, I know this is news to many of you.) We do have air conditioning, but still, I used the heat as my excuse. That, accompanied by an overnight visitor and teen children whose dinner plans changed by the minute, was a good enough reason to head out to dinner. My poor husband, who had skipped lunch, arrived home to find no gourmet meal simmering on the stove. (Let me clarify: He has never come home to a gourmet meal simmering on the stove, unless it was prepared by someone else.) Still, he’s always an agreeable soul and he suggested that Cheesecake Factory might be the best destination for us.

We have a system in our family. If we go out to dinner where there might be a wait, one person jumps out of the car, heads to the hostess stand, asks about the wait time and if it’s under our maximum, puts our name on the list. Last night we pulled up to The Cheesecake Factory and opened the door. It was mobbed. Still, you never know. So we asked at the hostess stand and the friendly woman said it would be “10 or 20 minutes.” Our maximum was 30 minutes, so this was fine. Being the restaurant waiting veterans, we knew to expect the 20 more than the 10.

Fast forward 20 minutes. The lobby of the restaurant was getting more crowded by the second. After being jabbed countless times by too many Kate Spades, Pradas and Coaches, my husband started commenting on purses being classified as weapons. Our buzzer thingy was still not vibrating. I checked at the desk and the hostess apologized and said it would be just 5 or 10 more minutes. And it was. 30 total minutes, until we got to our table, which really wasn’t clean and had to be “re-set” while we stood nearby waiting.

If you’re thinking that my story ends badly, it doesn’t. Our meal was really quite good, as was the service. I have to tell you that they have something pretty good going at The Cheesecake Factory. Yes, the waits are long and sometimes crowded, the portions could feed a third world country and are pricey, but the staff is extremely well trained in handling overheated, impatient customers deftly. You wouldn’t call it intimate dining, but on a ghastly hot evening, it was a great way to relax and enjoy some good food. But if you do decide to head to "The Factory," for the sake of those around you, you might want to bring your small designer purse.

It’s not really difficult to find a beer or a drink in Wauwatosa. Like most Wisconsin communities, we have our fair share of bars and liquor stores. However, until recently, a place to sit “al fresco” and sip wine has been a bit trickier to locate or required a pricey meal at Bartolotta’s.

Thanks to Vino 100, on the corner of Underwood Avenue in the Village, we now have a relaxing and affordable destination to enjoy the warm weather while drinking a glass of wine. Although it’s been open since last November, this is a great time to visit our newest and only wine bar that features 100 great wines for $25 or less.

At Vino 100, you can purchase a reasonably-priced bottle of wine to share with friends, or just a glass or two to enjoy on your own, and sit on their lovely patio that is carved out behind and below Starbucks in the village. And if you’re hungry, you can even order appetizers from Bartolotta’s (from 5:30 – 9:00 pm) and enjoy the ambient music that’s piped in around you. What a great way to unwind after a long week – just sit back on a Friday evening and watch the traffic whiz by as you sip on a lightly chilled glass of Chardonnay.

And if you’re not a wine connoisseur, the friendly and helpful staff can assist you in finding a wine that’s just right for you without making you feel embarrassed. All in all, it’s a really pleasant, and very un-bar like atmosphere that has been long overdue in our emerging village.

Just east of the corner of 88th & North (Ludington & North if you’re coming from the south), there was a hustle and bustle this past weekend that hasn’t been seen since Sendik’s opened. This weekend it was the new City Market that took over the former home of Haasch Appliance. As you drove past on Saturday morning, you could see colorful groups of people sitting outside dining at tall cafe tables as the traffic crawled by so that drivers could gape at the newly opened restaurant. Yes, after a long, long wait, City Market on North Avenue has finally opened for business.

My daughter and I decided to try it out last Thursday for an early lunch. I’ve had coffee and muffins at their other Tosa location on Watertown Plank Road, but hadn’t yet had lunch there. The first thing I noticed is that there wasn’t a menu posted. The woman behind the counter asked if she could help me and I replied, “Yes, do you have a menu?” She handed me a paper menu, which appeared to be the only one on the premises. No doubt a posted menu will arrive shortly. The choices were many and varied.

I had the City Sampler with a half a turkey sandwich and a small bowl of their corn chowder. (The sandwich is of your choosing and the soup changes daily.) It was excellent and even came with a cookie! My daughter created her own ham and cheese sandwich and greatly enjoyed it. I didn't mind paying a little more for our meals since the ingredients were fresher than most casual restaurants. After ordering, we wandered around and gazed longingly at the baked goods, which looked very yummy!

Judging from the increasing crowd as we dined, I think City Market will be there a long, long time. It seems to fill the need for a moderately healthy, casual dining option. The fact that there is outdoor seating makes it all the more appealing. Even as the weather chills in the fall, I can just imagine moms gathering for a cup of coffee after dropping the kids off at school. The only challenge will be finding parking in an already busy area. Still, I think will be well worth the effort!