Dining Out- Week of November 28th, 2005

Matteo's Italian Ristorante
Waukesha


Rosa’s Homemade Italian Chili
Italian sausage, pasta shells and seasoned tomato sauce topped with mozzarella

Packed with the ground sausage and with the distinctive sharpness of green pepper hearty is not a strong enough word to label this bowl.


Chicken Parmesan
Italian seasoned crumb breaded boneless chicken breast baked with mozzarella cheese and homemade sauce; served with mostaccioli

A very satisfying meal this breading didn’t have the thickness of most parmesans so instead of imparting that usual crunchiness this contributed a nice balance of seasoning on dense pieces of chicken. The stray sauceless mostaccioli noodles were bland, showcasing how good that bright tasting sauce was.


Décor: This place has always left nice connotations with its serene, relaxed and orderly feel. No kitschy Italian look here!
Service: Very nice. Almost too nice!

4 out of 5 stars



The Gathering on Hillside
Delafield


House Salad

It’s nice to see a house salad with mixed greens including baby spinach and a respectable amount of toppings. House dressing is great- strawberry vinaigrette.


Ahi Tuna
Sushi grade tuna cooked medium rare with a lemon herb butter; served with fresh vegetables and wild rice

A quick searing of tuna can result in a crisp skin over an interior that remains creamy. Not here. Average steak with flaky texture and occasional flecks of fishy taste.


Décor: Very pleasant Mediterranean look.
Service: Top notch.

3 out of 5 stars



Don’t let the name fool you. Jan’s Specialty Cakes & Flours also has bakery such as Danishes, turnovers, brownies and éclairs. My great choice was an impressively intricate Cranberry Walnut Muffin with layers of sweet, tart, moistness, syrupy with a granular crispy crown.



Gold Star Family Restaurant
Milwaukee- 58th & Oklahoma



The Finest! Fluffiest Buttermilk Pancake

Sucker. I think ‘not only are they the finest they are the finest exclamation point’. The first batch was uncooked in the center. Second not that great.


Décor: Could be any Greek place. Where to they get the same chairs from?
Service: Gruff

2 out of 5 stars



Selen's House of Prime
Cudahy


Selen’s Stacked Prime Rib
Slices of prime rib on Kaiser roll; served with au jus and my choice of a side of fruit

Although I didn’t add any au jus it was that meaty creaminess that made the slices of prime rib and made it fun to eat the bottom part of the bun that soaked more of it up.


Décor: Elegant and comfortable I dug the high backed chairs.
Service: Very weird guy- couldn’t wait to leave.

2 ½ out of 5 stars



American Serb Hall
Milwaukee- 51st & Oklahoma


Serbian Style Baked Cod
Served with mashed potatoes, cole slaw and bread

The Friday fish fry ritual in one of Milwaukee’s favorite spots. The topping of Serbian spices with tomatoes and peppers added even more interest to an already great piece of fish. Potatoes were nice and thick with some lumps and the cole slaw was too mild.


Décor: Now THIS is community.
Service: Rosy was great.

4 out of 5 stars