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On this episode, our food-loving duo kicks things off with the return of Tables Across Borders, a heartwarming dinner series at Amilinda and Tricklebee Cafe that highlights the talents of refugee and immigrant chefs from communities such as Ethiopia, Eritrea, Syria and Burma. Next, they dive into the newly debuted chef counter at EsterEv, offering an intimate six-seat tasting menu that brings back those beloved "old school" vibes. Ann also shares her rave review of the new French bistro Cassis in the Third Ward. From the satisfying escargot to the succulent trout and that "best-ever" beef-fattened kale, find out why this spot was definitely worth the wait. The biggest news of the week? The Michelin Guide is officially coming to the Great Lakes region, and Milwaukee is on the list! Tarik and Ann break down the "101" on stars versus Bib Gourmands, the costs involved, and what this prestigious recognition might mean for local diners and chefs. Finally, get a sneak peek at Dos Islas Caribbean Kitchen, a tiny new spot heading to the Story Hill neighborhood with a focus on Latin and Caribbean flavors.

Milwaukee lands five James Beard Award finalists, MKE Wine Weekend returns, Nite Owl fires up for season 78, Rare Steakhouse closes and Eagle Park acquires SoulBoxer.

James Beard Finalists, MKE Wine Weekend, Steak House news & more....

We talk about good food on the podcast pretty much every week, but every once in a while we get the chance to combine that with a good cause — as in the case of our first bit of chit-chat for this episode. For the seventh time, Dan Jacobs and Dan Van Rite of EsterEv/DanDan fame will throw their Dim Sum Give Sum event, which raises money for the Kennedy’s Disease Association. Jacobs was diagnosed with the neuromuscular disorder a decade ago, and he’s been a highly visible advocate through his standing in Milwaukee’s culinary community and high-profile appearances like Top Chef: Wisconsin and Tournament of Champions VII. This year’s installment runs from noon to 3 p.m. April 19 at the Italian Community Center and will feature 35 chefs from across the country, including several of Jacobs’ Top Chef compatriots. Dim Sum Give Sum has raised more than $120,000 since its inception, and you can help add to that by grabbing a ticket to the 2026 event. Elsewhere in this episode: It’s off to the Third Street Market Hall, which will welcome Num Pang’s Cambodian-style sandwiches in April. Over in the Third Ward, CASSIS will add to its fast start by launching weekday lunch and an apéro-style happy hour. Then we swing by Zócalo Food Park to welcome Italian food truck Nadi Plates and their signature loaded fries (among other offerings).

On this week’s delicious deep dive, Tarik and Ann start at Agency’s theatrical Filipino pop-up Sinta, which has become a permanent part of the James Beard-nominated bar’s offerings at 817 N. Marshall St. Chefs Zach and Katrina Panoski are serving up a creative collection of small plates and snacks ranging from "celestial" eggplant dip to crab lumpia topped with Pop Rocks. Then, Ann shares her guide to finding exceptional seafood in the city, plus a scoop on the upcoming Freshwater Food and Wine Festival. She also gives us a peek at her recent interviews with two of Milwaukee’s top chefs: Dan Jacobs, who discussed the high-stakes "randomizer" wheel on Food Network’s Tournament of Champions; and Adam Pawlak, who shared his philosophy on culinary consistency and his new 15-pound wiener dog, Alfredo.

Ready for an episode you’re sure to love? Because it’s Valentine’s Day? Get it? Hallmark holiday jokes aside, we do think you’re going to enjoy this one because it starts with something just about all of us can get behind: chocolate. More specifically, we’re talking about Indulgence Chocolatiers (one of Radio Milwaukee’s neighbors in Walker’s Point) and its Valentine-inspired truffle collection. The adorable and lovingly crafted box is a pretty much perfect gift for the holiday, whether you’re planning to hand it to the object of your affection or just treat yourself. Ann took on the arduous task of trying all six truffles and shared a few thoughts on each in her Milwaukee Magazine article. While you’re checking out the mag’s website, pop over to Ann’s story on the return of Phobruary in Milwaukee’s Silver City neighborhood. It’s a month-long nod to the Vietnamese soup and a chance to support the hardworking restaurants on our south side. You’ll also hear about the grand opening of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern spot Aya and — at the very heart of this episode — a special interview with two people who just celebrated a grand opening of their own: Meghan and Kyle Knall. The talented duo behind Birch and the brand-new French brasserie Cassis share their sweet origin story that took them from Alabama to Brooklyn to Milwaukee, as well as why they decided to bring a taste of Paris to the Third Ward. With their help, we dive into the new menu — from classic steak frites to the social-media-famous ravioli dauphine — and chat about their Southern roots, the quest for the perfect sweet tea, and a potential future barbecue project.

A diverse food scene is an interesting food scene. Without it, we’d all be stuck in some dystopian future where every restaurant is a Taco Bell. Luckily, Milwaukee is worlds away from that scenario because of how global our city’s flavors are. In this episode, we touch on two recent examples that bring tastes from two distinctly different regions to Milwaukee. First up is a name familiar to the area’s food lovers: SapSap. Chef Alex Hanesakda’s excellent food truck has been just one of the reasons to brave the cold at Zócalo Food Park since it nestled into a parking spot earlier this year. As of last week, you don’t need to worry about the weather because SapSap has a new location at the 3rd Street Market Hall. Just like the Zócalo version (which will continue cooking), SapSap’s stall in the former Grand Avenue Mall will serve Chef Alex’s signature Lao-American offerings, including his Mama’s Eggrolls and brisket fried rice. According to Ann’s always-informed reporting, the new location will also expand its menu to include a few more Southeast Asian options. Our second globally flavored news item spins the globe to Germany’s take on a street food that originated in Turkey: döner kebab. Ray and Elma Ramic opened a fast-food joint of the same name in Hartford back in 2023, sending curious eaters up I-43 to wolf down the gyro’s European cousin. They shortened the commute by opening a second Döner Kebab at 138 E. Capitol Dr., and Ann stopped by as part of her most recent Dining Tidbits. Also in this episode, you’ll hear us flap our wings (or mouths) about: Broasted chicken, the unsung hero of the supper club. Milwaukee’s latest batch of James Beard Award semifinalists. A former convenience store on the South Side that will transform into a destination for Mexican seafood.

This week’s flavorful updates start with some exciting Puerto Rican news: the Bad Piggy food truck is officially moving into a brick-and-mortar location on South Howell Avenue late this February!  Known for staples like mofongo and the “La Combi Completa” — a massive platter featuring roasted pork, garlic tostones, and sweet plantains — the previously food-truck-only establishment will be able to expand its offerings in the new space, which will include a full bar. Unifying the entire experience: a communal atmosphere that owner Roberto Silva Lopez hopes will bring together guests from many cultures around Puerto Rican food and drink. From Howell Avenue we go to South KK in Bay View, where Mother’s has quickly established itself as a standout new restaurant (with a James Beard-approved chef/owner) in Milwaukee’s food scene. For her recent review, Ann got the chance to sample a unique menu featuring Madeira mushrooms and an unforgettable queso birria lasagna, which quickly won her over.  We wrap things up by bouncing over to the Third Ward and the refreshing vibe that Honeybee Sage has brought to its new home, complete with a cheerful yellow theme and craft mocktails. Then it’s a quick hop to Walker’s Point for a preview of Radio Milwaukee’s newest neighbor: Allende Cocina Mexicana, a family-run gem in the making that’s slated to open just in time for Valentine’s Day.

Our weekly round up food news includes the usual “good news, bad news” of openings and closings, but let's start with something that’ll warm the heart (and the stomach) during these chilly times. Soup is a classic example of a dish that can satisfy a lot of different purposes and flavor profiles. It can be savory, spicy, sweet, hot, cold, spoon-fed, sipped, slurped — it’s versatile, is the point. It’s also tailor-made for this part of the calendar, fueling your inner furnace to help you push through the colder months. Ann clearly had that timeliness in mind when she published her list of the best soups in Milwaukee, which adopts a worldly perspective by focusing on soups from around the globe. She highlighted seven bowl-worthy options, four of which we talked about in this episode: Broccoli Cheddar from Loup in Wauwatosa Khao Poon from Vientiane Noodle Shop on National Avenue Chicken in the Pot from Benji’s Deli in Fox Point Brazilian Seafood Chowder from Amaranth Bakery & Cafe on Lisbon Avenue You can find the full list of seven, including descriptions and Ann’s mini-reviews, over at Milwaukee Magazine. That’s also where you’ll find a couple of the other news items we covered in this episode: Ann dipped into her knowledge of Silver City and Burnham Park to share her top restaurants in both neighborhoods. A few months after eliminating dinner service, Bavette la Boucherie announced that Jan. 17 will be its last day. Milwaukee will add another restaurant Jan. 20 with the opening of CASSIS, a more casual concept from Birch owners Kyle and Meghan Knall.

It's a "good news, bad news" kind of episode, and we start by ripping off the Band-Aid to talk about the difficult spot Milwaukee restaurants are in currently.  Within just a few days, city institutions Beans & Barley and The National both announced plans to close, and several others have publicly pleaded for support as the traditionally slower winter months loom. We do our small part in the podcast by sharing a few important ways you can support the local ecosystem --- from gift cards to positive online reviews to simply visiting more often. On the more positive side of things, Ann dives into Milwaukee's recent "bakery boom," which afforded her the opportunity to sample delightful treats from recently opened spots like Poppy, Matilda and Midwest Sad. She also leans into her Wisconsin native-ness by revealing the secret to a perfect relish tray (hint: it involves a surprising grilled fruit). Finally, you'll hear about the holiday happenings coming up in Milwaukee, including “Noël à Paris” from Charles E. Fromage, a Charles Dickens-themed dinner at the Grain Exchange and a pair of events at Lupi & Iris with pretty distinct tones: a Charlie Brown Christmas and a Laurent-Perrier champagne dinner. ##### This Bites is sponsored by Whiskey Brown Whiskey-Spiked Cookies.

Amid the recent sad news about one East Side institution, we’re starting this episode on a much happier note from right up the street, as Von Trier continues its steady pace on the corner of Farwell and North avenues. As Ann pointed out in her Milwaukee Magazine tidbit, we didn’t have much to worry about when the nearly 50-year-old establishment changed hands earlier this year — primarily because those hands belonged to the city’s unofficial preserver of cocktail lounges, John Dye. The man has a demonstrated respect for history, and Von Trier’s first few months under his watch reflect that approach. You can get Ann’s full report (plus a healthy amount of sausage conversation) in the full podcast, which also sees us chatting about: The December 2025 cover story of Milwaukee Magazine, which reveals the area’s 51 can’t-miss food and drinks (according to Ann). The Hanukkah dinner being cooked up by chef Gregory León at Amilinda.  The Japanese restaurant set to take over Glorioso's Appetito space on Brady Street. Why hot pot just might be the best way to create a perfect communal Thanksgiving. ##### This Bites is sponsored by Whiskey Brown Whiskey-Spiked Cookies.

This episode kicks off with big news about the legendary Red Light Ramen, which returns for a special one-night-only pop-up on Nov. 28. Find out what's on the menu, including Tonkatsu ramen, Japanese curry and those famous boozy slushies. Next, we celebrate TrueMan McGee of Funky Fresh Spring Rolls! After pausing a national roll-out, McGee pivoted to the Funky Fresh Virtual Kitchen, now offering weekly online ordering for pickup, meal kits like Tuscan salmon, and exciting pizzas (hello, jalapeño elote!). We also cover the latest dining news, including the new Soban Korean Eatery, billed as Milwaukee’s first fast-casual Korean restaurant, with plans for a downtown location. Plus, the Curry Cat MKE food truck is setting up a permanent spot outside Red Maple, serving Asian-inspired comfort food like golden curry and beef bogey walking tacos. Ann also shares her long-awaited review of 1033 Omakase, the intimate 10-seat spot with a Japanese prix fixe tasting menu. Without spoiling the whole thing, there were 14 courses and a heavy serving of '90s rap. Finally, we discuss the importance of "third spaces" such as Haven Cafe and Serenity Lounge that transition from coffee houses to late-night bars, helping the community connect. ##### This Bites is sponsored by Whiskey Brown Whiskey-Spiked Cookies.

We pride ourselves on our ability to cover a lot of ground within the confines of this podcast, and this episode might have pushed those skills to new heights as we went from Thanksgiving to food assistance to more secrets from Milwaukee’s dining scene and beyond. The Journal Sentinel’s excellent dining critic Rachel Bernhard thoughtfully gathered information about restaurants offering free assistance to SNAP recipients (the program is called FoodShare in Wisconsin) and then added a few more programs/events in her weekly newsletter. We highlight a few things, but please use those links to see all the ways you can give help or get help. In a much less critical part of this episode, we talk about five places where you can get a humanely raised turkey for your holiday meal. Top billing goes to Riemer Family Farm down in Brodhead, which is already sold out of their small whole turkeys but still has medium and large options available. Other nods go to local spots like Bavette La Boucherie and Becher Meats in West Allis, and the full list is available at Milwaukee Magazine. Also at the magazine, Ann put together a hush-hush collection of hidden restaurants around the area. The coolest one for my money is Azteca Bakery, which peddles items like Mexican pan dulce and richly delicious chocoflan from inside … the Piggly Wiggly on Oklahoma Avenue. She’s got three other options along those lines, all of which you can learn more about in her Milwaukee Magazine article. If two lists aren’t enough, you’re in luck. Going back to the upcoming holiday, Ann jumped to the end of the meal (or the beginning if you’re a nonconformist) to give you 10 places that’ll hook you up with the perfect pie for your Thanksgiving feast. Finally, with the weather turning, that means it’s time for Barnacle Bud’s to turn into Gene’s Supper Club. The flip happened earlier this week, but it looks like the temperature will dip in a big way starting this weekend, giving you all the more reason to visit the extended pop-up between now and Feb. 14. Stay warm, inside and out, as we move into the chilly season, and please find a way to help your community during this tough time. Even if our politicians get their act together, fighting hunger requires more than what our government gives. So give what you can. Thanks. ##### This Bites is sponsored by Whiskey Brown's Whiskey-Spiked Cookies.

This week, we reveal some of the secrets of our culinary adventures around Milwaukee. And by that we mean we're sharing a few of the city's fantastic secret menu items, including the hush-hush "Carolina" Negroni and off-menu Cacio E Pepe at Calenzo. We also reveal the location of delicious pork tacos at Cloud Red and the rotating "secret handshake menu" at Braise Restaurant. Find those and a few more over at the very not-secretive Milwaukee Magazine website. Something that's definitely not on the down low is the new Wicked-themed pop-up at Onesto (221 N. Broadway) from Nov. 24 through Dec. 1 (with a day off for Thanksgiving). This 21+ event features photo opportunities, appetizers, a chocolate fountain and cocktails like the popular Dubai chocolate espresso martini that "sparkle, smoke and shine." Plus, get ready for Mosaic International Bistro, which will replace Allure MKE and serve globally inspired tapas like Nigerian jollof rice. We also look forward to the launch of The Conroy’s modern supper club dining series, complete with Wagyu carpaccio, dry-aged meatballs, and a fancy "Bubbles and Bumps" happy hour (caviar and champagne); and then we say goodbye to Ouzo Cafe, which closed after 21 years but will continue its catering services. ##### This Bites is sponsored by Whiskey Brown.

Everyone loves a good list, and that’s especially true for food people. We love identifying and then arguing over the best … whatever — burgers, beverages or, in the case of this episode, donuts. Our sweet discussion gets a seasonal spin as we focus on apple cider donuts and nine local (and local-ish) places churning out the orchard-friendly bakery item. Up front, it’s important to note that we haven’t actually been to all of these places. But we're told that the team from Milwaukee Magazine who compiled the list adhered to the strict standards laid down by the nonexistent Donut Review Council of North America.  In news we found considerably more sour, the excellent chef-driven restaurant Brandywine announced that it’ll close Nov. 7, and it’s no surprise that every reservation between now and then got snapped up. This was a real gem in Milwaukee’s suburbs — and a real surprise considering chef-owner Andrew Wilson noted that “business has been fantastic.” But, as you’ll hear in the full episode, this appears to be a decision motivated by work-life balance and how difficult (impossible?) that is in the demanding restaurant world. We wrap things up with two more stops around Milwaukee. First, it’s Bartlett Avenue on the East Side, which said goodbye to upscale dining spot The Original in June. Co-owner Craig Rzepka decided to make a return appearance with a more casual concept called OG Pub & Grille set to open soon. Then it’s over to the Deer District, where the Bucks rolled out their new food and drink options for this season.