Milwaukee, WI
Ask Rachel: Where in Milwaukee should I go for a fun birthday dinner?
Readers write in to Journal Sentinel dining critic Rachel Bernhard every day — sometimes with very similar questions. Each month, she picks the top FAQs in her inbox to answer publicly. Have a question for Rachel? Ask it at rseis@gannett.com.
Q: I’m celebrating my upcoming birthday with a group of friends. Where should we go?
Rachel: It must be birthday season in Milwaukee (shoutout to my fellow Aries!), because over the past month, I’ve fielded a handful of questions about where to celebrate the happy day.
Like reader Jessica Campolo, who was looking for recommendations for where to ring in a milestone birthday. “Not too fancy or intimidating,” she said, but fun for a group of around eight women in their late 30s to early 40s.
Ah, right in my wheelhouse. I’m always looking for a spot just like this when getting together with my friends. Casual and carefree but still elevated enough to make the guest of honor feel … well, honored. A place where we can reserve a table, put on a fun outfit, pass around plates and not get side-eyed if our laughs grow louder as the night goes on.
La Merenda, 125 E. National Ave., fits that bill perfectly. I’ve been to plenty of b-day dinners at the tapas-style restaurant in Walker’s Point and its celebratory vibe always hits the sweet spot between easygoing and elevated. Same goes for another Walker’s Point tapas standout: Movida, 600 S. Sixth St., is such a fun spot to sip sangrias and try Spanish-style dishes — especially on the restaurant’s stylish (covered and heated) patio.
Speaking of style, I’ve sent many groups to The Wolf on Broadway, 600 N. Broadway, since it opened last November. The dining room is a little small, so keep your group to four to six, but it’s such a chic spot for a celebration with a clever menu that has a little bit of everything: snacks for sharing, sandwiches, salads and playful entrees.
Italian food is usually a pretty safe bet for group dining, and with shareable pizzas, pastas and antipasti that can please a crowd, spots like Sorella, 2535 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (try to snag a patio spot if it’s nice out) and Tre Rivali, 200 N. Broadway, make group ordering a cinch, both with stylish spaces that feel celebration-worthy.
If your friends are into sushi, Kin by Rice n Roll, 7484 W. State St., Wauwatosa, is a vibrant spot in the Tosa village with loads of sushi options for every taste. And even if your friends aren’t into sushi, I bet they’d love the Thai specialties and ramen on the expansive menu.
Bonus Q: Where’s a fun Milwaukee spot for a birthday dinner for two?
Rachel: I love a big celebration dinner spent with friends, but sometimes you want to keep it simple. If dinner-for-two sounds better to you but you still like that middle ground of unfussy but refined, we’re one in the same, too.
When my friend Brie asked for birthday dinner ideas a couple weeks ago, the first place I thought of was Odd Duck, 939 S. Second St. It’s where I celebrated my birthday last year, and, aside from the buzzy atmosphere and the fun, keep-’em-comin’ global dishes on the menu, I appreciated sweet touches like a handwritten birthday card on the table when I arrived.
This year, I celebrated just up the street at Morel, 430 S. Second St., and it was the perfect choice. I love its farm-to-table menu with Wisconsin ingredients at the forefront, but the cozy dining room and friendly staff make the night feel extra special.
The Diplomat, 815 E. Brady St., has a similar vibe, warm and friendly with upscale Midwestern food that expands your palate but doesn’t intimidate. Try the sublime peanut butter pie and you may never go back to birthday cake.
I’ve had a memorable birthday at The Original, 2498 N. Bartlett Ave., too, and I’m always excited to see what’s new on their rotating menu. The vibes inside are a little speakeasy-style — dim and cozy but relaxed. And you can’t beat the cocktails.
Sometimes, a birthday brunch can top a birthday dinner (start the celebration early, I say!). In that case, Sabrosa Cafe & Gallery, 3216 S. Howell Ave., will make you feel special (its pancakes are some of my favorite in town), or head to Story Hill BKC, 5100 W. Blue Mound Rd., for killer crepes and fun cocktails and mocktails.
Happy celebrating!
Rachel Bernhard joined the Journal Sentinel as dining critic in June 2023. She’s been busy exploring the Milwaukee area food scene to share her favorite finds with readers along the way. Like all Journal Sentinel reporters, she buys all meals, accepts no gifts and is independent of all establishments she covers.
Have a question for her? Contact her at rseis@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @rachelbernhard or on Instagram at @rach.eats.mke.
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee mom confronts an employee who sold vapes to her 14-year-old son and demands accountability
MILWAUKEE — A Milwaukee mom confronted the man who, she says, sold vaping devices to her underage son. Reason Hill wants businesses that sell to minors to be held accountable.
“I found out that this gas station was selling my son tobacco products, selling him vapes — he’s only 14,” explained Hill, a concerned mother who has worked as a nurse and says she knows the dangers of vaping.
“I’ve seen what it does to kids,” she said. “I’ve seen them have tubes in and out their body, on breathing machines.”
Watch: Milwaukee mom confronts an employee who sold vapes to her 14-year-old son
Milwaukee mom confronts an employee who sold vapes to her 14-year-old son and demands accountability
It’s why she didn’t hesitate to confront an employee of the Lover’s Lane Petro Mart who, she believed, sold vapes to her underage son.
She used her cellphone to record the confrontation and shared the video with Milwaukee police. Police confirmed to TMJ4 that they investigated and issued the employee a citation with a $691 fine.
MPD also filed a report ensuring the underage sale violation will be considered when the business is due for a tobacco license renewal.
Hill says it’s not enough. “Honestly, I feel like their tobacco license should be taken. My son is not the only one they’re selling vapes to, and there are a lot of kids in this area.”
Last year, the city of Milwaukee adopted an ordinance to limit where new vape and smoke sellers can open, blocking them within 1,000 feet of a school.
The village of Greendale has similar zoning restrictions and an ordinance that goes a step further—businesses can have their license revoked if they’re repeatedly caught selling vaping products to minors.
“We pride ourselves on being a very pro-business community, but we also want there to be basic regulations being followed,” explained Mike Hawes, Greendale village manager.
He says in the past 13 months, one particular shop, Smoke On, has been issued five citations for selling to minors. Last week, it led to the business surrendering its license to sell electronic vaping devices. “These are pretty basic standards that are in place for them to follow, and the other businesses have been able to follow it,” Hawes added.
When TMJ4’s Andrea Albers stopped at Smoke On, she was told the business had been sold, and the new owners didn’t want to speak to TMJ4.
The shop is about 600 feet from Martin Luther High School. Because it existed before Greendale’s zoning ordinance, it was grandfathered in. The village anticipates the new owner will apply for a new vape license but says it is no longer protected.
“We have advised them that according to our ordinance, we will not issue a new vape license to a business located within 1,000 feet of a school,” reiterated Hawes.
Hill applauds the repercussions in Greendale and wants Milwaukee to take note. In the meantime, she has a message she wants parents to hear: “We’re all our kids have. You know? At the end of the day—be responsible, get on stuff like this. This shouldn’t be happening, and put a stop to it. That’s it.”
Hill also reached out to Milwaukee Alderman Lamont Westmoreland, and he responded to her call for accountability. “I have a ZERO tolerance policy when it comes to selling any tobacco or vaping products to minors, and if I could ban all sales of those products in Milwaukee, I would do so tomorrow. In my view, these products are poison and are a menace to the health and wellness of our community,” Alderman Lamont Westmoreland said in a statement, noting that tobacco/vaping licenses are applied for at the city but are ultimately approved by the State of Wisconsin.
“I have worked closely with the Milwaukee Health Department, the Milwaukee Police Department, and the State of Wisconsin to address this issue and hold people accountable, and I will continue to do so. We must make it MUCH harder for a tobacco and vaping license holder to stay in business if they are caught selling to minors, and I will push for changes that give more control to local officials so we can better prevent outlets that are looking to sell this poison to our kids.”
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Milwaukee, WI
Hazardous materials response at Maitland Park in Milwaukee
MILWAUKEE – There was a hazardous materials response at Maitland Park in Milwaukee on Tuesday, Nov. 19.
The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office tells FOX6 News that deputies responded to Maitland Park for a possible domestic violence incident.
While at the park, deputies came across an encampment of some sort and found jug-like containers with what they believed contained possible hazardous chemicals.
A hazmat team responded to contain and dispose of the material. Park rangers moved the encampment.
There is currently no danger to the public.
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FOX6 News is working to gather information about this incident. When we have more information, we will update this post.
Milwaukee, WI
Milwaukee Bucks 101-100 Houston Rockets: Damian Lillard leads late Bucks charge
Defeat ended a five-game winning run for the Rockets, who trailed by 14 points at one stage. Fred VanVleet scored 26 points and Jalen Green 21 for the Rockets.
The Bucks are fourth from bottom in the Eastern Conference, while the Rockets are fourth in the West.
The Los Angeles Clippers held off a comeback from the in-form Golden States Warriors to win 102-99 at Intuit Dome.
Norman Powell scored 23 points for the Clippers, including five three-pointers, while Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 26.
“I’m proud of the team. They made a big run like they always do, and we were able to keep our composure and come away with the win,” said Clippers coach Tyronn Lue.
The Clippers are ninth in the Western Conference and the Warriors second.
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