January 2024 Restaurant News

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Espernolia’s Jazz Cafe will open at 9002 W. Silver Spring Drive. The jazz-themed restaurant, owned and operated by food entrepreneurs Espernolia and Yolanda Gates, will feature Southern comfort foods like gumbo and macaroni and cheese.

The Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill franchise opened a new location at 5003 S. 76th St., Greenfield. The restaurant also has locations in Brookfield and Madison. Naf Naf is known for build-your-own stuffed pita, bowl or salad options with chicken shawarma, steak or falafel, along with grains, vegetables and sauces.

Mandi restaurant, offering Yemeni fare, opened at 6508 S. 27th St., in Oak Creek. Mandi is a traditional Yemini dish made with meats such as lam or chicken, rice and hawaij, a spice mixture.

Detroit-based coffee chain Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co. opened its first Wisconsin location at 4818 S 76th St., Ste. 7, in Greenfield. The unique coffee and tea selection includes items like peppermint mocha, pistachio latte or Turkish coffee with cardamom, cinnamon and ginger. Food options include savory choices such as sambusa (pastry filled with vegetables or meat), or bakery such as walnut almond baklava or maamoul, a date-filled butter cookie.

Madison-based Forage Kitchen, specializing in healthy seasonal bowls and salads, opened its first Milwaukee area location at 103 E. Silver Spring Drive, Whitefish Bay. The restaurant is also known for its organic Forage Kombucha, available at retail outlets throughout Wisconsin.

Bars & Recreation will open The New Fashioned in the former Punch Bowl Social space in the Deer District. The 25,000 square foot space will feature “local traditions, rediscovered in a modern, state-of-the-art facility in the heart of the downtown Deer District,” the company stated in a Jan. 2 press release. Bars & Recreation is the parent company for the entertainment brands Amped, AXE MKE, NorthSouth Club, Nine Below, Game Show MKE and Splash Studio.

Caufield’s, a new wine bar and restaurant, is planned for the former Benno's Genuine Bar & Grill, 7413 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis. Benno’s closed in June 2022 after 41 years in business. 

This and That

Brunch service has returned to MOXIE (501 E. Silver Spring Drive, Whitefish Bay). The restaurant had suspended brunch service during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. Classics such as Salmon Eggs Benedict will return, along with new choices like the French Elvis, a peanut butter-stuffed French toast with bananas and bacon.

Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro has introduced a new brunch menu conceived by Executive Chef Amanda Langler. The “A Bite for Every Appetite” three-course brunch menu gives guests options to customize their meal. There’s also a three-course children’s brunch menu for guests age 12 and under. For more information or reservations, visit bartolottas.com.

The Lowlands Group has canceled plans to open a new Café Hollanderlocation, along with a new restaurant called The Feisty Loon, at the 84South development at 84th and Layton, in Greenfield. Increased interest rates and rising construction costs factored into the decision to cancel the project.

Closings

Krieg’s Lakeside Bakery (1100 E. Oklahoma Ave.) abruptly closed Jan. 9. The popular bakery was known for brownies, doughnuts, paczki, deli specialties and homemade pizza. Karen and Eric Krieg purchased Canfora Bakery from Carl and Rosa Canfora in 2017.

Lopez Bakery (1100 W. Historic Mitchell St.) closed Jan. 14. The bakery, started 50 years ago by Jose Lopez, had various locations throughout the south side over the years. After a series of unfortunate circumstances including an equipment breakdown and deaths in the family, owners Cindy and Jorge Lopez decided to close the business. Lopez Bakery was known for Mexican specialties such as pan dulce, polvorónes and tamales.

Cavas (401 E. Erie St.) Spanish tapas restaurant has temporarily closed while owner and chef Ana Docta recovers from shoulder surgery. The restaurant is expected to reopen in February.