Dining Out- Week of September 26th, 2005

Balzac
Milwaukee- East Side

CHEESE

Serafina Chevre

Tart and smooth goat cheese paired nicely with walnuts and apple.

APPETIZERS


Marinated Olives: They were olives.

Rustic French Bread with Whipped Herb Butter: Basic.

Garlic Sautéed Cremini Mushroom: Can’t even say they were average as they were bland in taste and there was no presence of garlic.

Smoked Pit Ham Wrapped Marinated Manchego: The only standout of the ‘preludes’ this toothpick bundle combined a mouthful of mellow cheese, smoky meat and crunchy greens.

SMALL PLATES

Mixed Greens with Lightly Fried Chevre and Pistachios Tossed in White Caramel Vinaigrette: Permeating fresh elements linked together with the slightly sweet and sharp dressing.


Ahi Tuna Carpaccio with Pea Shoot and Tart Green Apple Compote: The cold compote was an attention grabber but did not make up for weak tuna and straw-like pea shoots that threw off the dish's texture.

Seared Duck Breast with Pan Roasted Turnip, Wilted Arugula: Duck is synonymous with tender. Not here.

DESSERTS

Italian Honey and Vanilla Custard with White Grapes and Light Caramel: The favorite of the desserts it gladly lacked any egg notes instead offering a richness boasted by the sweet honey. There was no trace of the listed caramel. And strangely it was garnished with radish. (?)


Chef Selected Trio of Sorbets- Peach, Raspberry and Mango: A tropical breeze of wide awake tastes.


Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Anglaise: With a crisp/dry outside and warm/soft interior this was like a cake/brownie. The anglaise presented some contrasting tartness.


Décor: Even with dark tones it appears larger than past occupants Watermark and Vinifera. Music was too loud and with a strange mix of alternative, rap and contemporary.
Service: Subdued. Hesitant. Poorly paced. No silverware brought for all the courses. Unfamiliar with menu.

3 out of 5 stars



Burrito Bueno West
Sussex


Chicken Burrito

What can I say? I’m a sucker for ordering something if it’s in the restaurant name. I liked the two kinds of cheeses and chunks of tender chicken and did not like the grease.


Décor: It is nice to see the sage and mahogany colored wainscoting in spite of the archetypical Mexican ornamentation.
Service: Invisible guy strikes again!

3 out of 5 stars



City Lunch
Milwaukee- Walker’s Point


Sarah’s Delite
Apples, walnuts, Montrachet, romaine served with raspberry vinaigrette

These few ingredients do the job to satisfy the palate. But look at the size of the apple and cheese- made it hard to eat.

Lobster Salad
Lobster claw meat, celery, mayo, tomato, lemon and parmesan

This creamy and sweet mixture was interrupted by resounding crunches.


Décor/Service: Discreetly tucked inside the sprawling Tannery complex this nice couple visibly caters to the building’s office clientele offering a great looking selection of sandwiches, salads and soups.

3 out of 5 stars