An A-Z visitors guide to Milwaukee Wisconsin. Sponsored by Key Magazine Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/37495
Key RESTAURANT OF THE MONTH Cafe Calatrava, where art, architecture and cusine meet Josh Stefanko MILWAUKEE has many great restaurants. Some are in architecturally interesting buildings, while others go out of their way to display artwork. But there’s only one where great art, architecture and cuisine combine. Café Calatrava, on the lower level of the internation- ally known Calatrava addition to the Milwaukee Art Museum, is the perfect place for lunch, whether you’re visiting the Art Museum or just looking for a restaurant with a great view of Lake Michigan. In the first few years after the Calatrava addition opened, service was cafeteria style, similar to other museums. But in 2004 the museum began to develop its own in-house catering staff that today serves most museum functions and provides a distinctive pro- gram for the Café Calatrava. Executive Chef Josh Stefanko changes the café menu three times each year, tailoring it to the three special museum exhibitions. For the current blockbuster “Summer of China,” the menu appropriately is divided into “Yin” and “Yang” sides. The “Yin” side contains primarily non-Chinese fare, although sides include “ten vegetable hot and sour soup” and crispy Asian slaw. On the “Yin” side are intriguing, artistically plated sandwiches – Sweet Water Tacos with seared Sweetwater Organic tilapia, mango-cucumber relish, lime-cilantro yogurt and local corn tortillas and “The Brady,” with Niman Ranch beef patty, lettuce, sum- mer tomato, red onion and optional blue cheese, caramelized onions or mushrooms. Unusual appetizers like Portabella Fries and four salad selections should satisfy lighter appetites. On the “Yang” side are Chinese delights, including traditional pork dumpling Potstickers and Chinese Crudités, with spicy peanut dipping and roasted sesame dipping sauces. Chinese sandwiches include Duck Flatbread or Five Spice BBQ Pork. Salad lovers can select “Bang Bang” chicken salad with cellophane noodles. Variety rules 74