Dining Out- Week of October 10th, 2005

Zin, Uncommon California Italian
Delafield


Lobster Ravioli (appetizer portion)
Housemade ravioli filled with lobster, fontina, smoked Gouda and ricotta topped with ginger citrus cream sauce and baby lobster tails

Deep pronounced tastes that were savory rich with overtones of smokiness. Accenting this was the firm and succulent lobster tails


Roasted Red Pepper Parpadelle Pasta with Fontanini Italian Sausage
Fontanini Italian sausage, fresh spinach, basil and tomatoes on parpadelle pasta in a Asiago cream sauce

Another superb pairing of ingredients that had matching tastes, yet distinctive characters.


Chocolate Lasagna

Oh my. Yeah. My oh my. The heft of this was proportional to the decadence which was proportional to the enjoyment! The noodles are actual noodles made with cocoa which provide a unique texture. The fillings are chocolate and sweetened mascarpone.



Décor: Very impressive. Hope these pics do it justice. The lighted colored glass is very attention grabbing. Open kitchen, natural maple, lacquered stone walls of the original 100 year old home, second floor couch lounge.
Service: She was awesome. Honest and insightful menu feedback, just the right follow-up and upbeat in attitude.

4 ½ out of 5 stars



The D’Amatos have added Harlequin to their successful Sanford and Coquette Cafe restaurant resume. Exhibiting little patience I waited three days after its opening and made the 20 minute drive down to the Third Ward looking forward to a French baguette sandwich, pot pie or Italian torta for lunch. Turns out they are ramping up to breakfast and lunch offerings and only have bakery now. Sadness turned to delight; it was worth the drive for this Macaroon. A remarkable texture unlike anything you’ll encounter. A crispy outside with an airy texture got chewier and tighter moving inward towards the buttercream filling. Reminded me how a good meringue should be. I shall return!



New World Wine Company
Third Ward


Stuffed Green Pepper Soup

Quite frankly I got this since I didn’t want to spend seven bucks on a too large salad or sandwich and liked the idea of this. But don’t you think it would have had more than three pieces of pepper?


Décor: Nice to see another revitalized Third Ward building.
Service: Counter. But the guy was annoying on how he kept coughing.

3 out of 5 stars



Brio Trattoria
Milwaukee- Downtown


Tonno
Grilled ahi tuna steak, fennel onion marmalade, tarragon aioli and pancetta

This one could have been more about textures than its great taste. Crispy and soft bread, crunchy pancetta, buttery tuna, chunky marmalade and creamy aioli. The tuna, properly grilled by maintaining a rare center, was many small pieces which worked great to intermingle with all the other great tastes. Once these Italian grilled sandwiches were rare but now that any coffee can, and do, buy a panini press it’s a risk to order one. Great to see Brio join Café Zarletti and G. Groppi at creating superb ones.


Norma
Chopped tomatoes, eggplant, basil, fresh mozzarella tossed with elicodali pasta

Hearty and robust each ingredient’s flavor was perceptible while commingling at the same time.


Décor: Small room where music is the theme.
Service: Detached, but we’ll acceptable.

4 out of 5 stars