I like hitting Italian restaurants around the area and was wondering if anyone had any favorite spots that I may not have been to. Some of them I have been to are below.
Mimma's (my favorite)
Joey Buona's
Ristorante Bartolotta
Calderone Club
That's Amore
Rustico
Glorioso's
Two I haven't been to that I know I for sure want to try are Mia Famiglia in Hales Corners and Zarletti downtown.
I always loved Pasta Tree on Farwell, though that was 20 years ago.
I'm down with Zarletti's on Mason, y'all.
For those on the west coast (or who travel to the better coast)
San Francisco has the finest collection of Italian restaurants this side of Tuscany. I travel to San Jose a lot but make a point of getting up north for at least one dinner:
Uva Enotecca
Catogna
La Ciccia
Acquerello
Seven Hills
Delfina
Quince
Napa/Sonoma:
Della Santina's
Scopa
Alex
Tra Vigne
Cook St Helena
Bistro Don Giovanni
Stella Alpina Osteria
Seattle:
Go to the Bay Area if you want good Italian
Italian in Seattle
There are a few good Italian places here but Seattle's food scene is more Regional Contemporary and Asian. Having said which, there are a few Italian gems here that would thrive anywhere:
Salumi (Mario Batali's father's place - sublime.)
Tulio (NW-infused Italian)
Assaggio
Il Terrazzo Carmine
Café Juanita
Volterra
Serafina
Tenuta's is one of my favorite - http://tenutasbayview.com/restaurant/
Skip the grains wherever you're at, hey?
Trattoria di Carlo on S. Howell is very good IMO - don't let the pizza in the url fool you http://dicarlopizza.com/
their Spaghetti Alla Carbonara is fantastic and was a favorite of the late Dennis Getto http://www.jsonline.com/entertainment/dining/29409959.html
There's good Italian outside the Northeast (Chicago excepted)?
Real Chili with extra noodles.
Spend some money: Zarletti on Mason, downtown
Save some money: Tenuta's on Clement in Bay View (Drop Dwight Buycks name)
Quote from: ttheisen on October 01, 2014, 12:06:11 PM
I always loved Pasta Tree on Farwell, though that was 20 years ago.
I second The Pasta Tree. The pasta is made fresh and the tiramisu is great.
Also, Centro Cafe in Riverwest.
3rd on Tenuta
Zarletti
Quote from: MU Fan in Connecticut on October 01, 2014, 12:49:54 PM
There's good Italian outside the Northeast (Chicago excepted)?
C'mon Nutmeg. You've never been to the Bay Area? Joltin' Joe would be ashamed of you...
TripAdvisor...Glorioso #1. il Mito high up on the list.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g60097-Milwaukee_Wisconsin.html
Quote from: Ellenson's_Stronghold on October 01, 2014, 11:55:57 AM
I like hitting Italian restaurants around the area and was wondering if anyone had any favorite spots that I may not have been to. Some of them I have been to are below.
Mimma's (my favorite)
Joey Buona's
Ristorante Bartolotta
Calderone Club
That's Amore
Rustico
Glorioso's
Two I haven't been to that I know I for sure want to try are Mia Famiglia in Hales Corners and Zarletti downtown.
Milwaukee has such slim pickins on decent restaurants.
Go to Chicago.
Prosecco is my favorite.
Quote from: Bleutellenson on October 01, 2014, 03:05:55 PM
Milwaukee has such slim pickins on decent restaurants.
Go to Chicago.
Prosecco is my favorite.
Piccolo Sogno on Halsted. Exceptional Italian wine list and best summer patio in Chicago. Prices are very reasonable and the food is exceptional.
Quote from: Ellenson's_Stronghold on October 01, 2014, 11:55:57 AM
I like hitting Italian restaurants around the area and was wondering if anyone had any favorite spots that I may not have been to. Some of them I have been to are below.
Mimma's (my favorite)
Joey Buona's
Ristorante Bartolotta
Calderone Club
That's Amore
Rustico
Glorioso's
Two I haven't been to that I know I for sure want to try are Mia Famiglia in Hales Corners and Zarletti downtown.
Mia Famiglia was a disappointment. Went there twice in the past year, some of the appetizers were very good but overall the food was very bland. Had to salt everything to bring the flavor out.
Kenosha used to be the best place for real ItLian. But as some of the restaurants have passed down to the next generation, quality is definitely down.
Mangias is probably the best.
Quote from: Ellenson's_Stronghold on October 01, 2014, 11:55:57 AM
I like hitting Italian restaurants around the area and was wondering if anyone had any favorite spots that I may not have been to. Some of them I have been to are below.
Mimma's (my favorite)
Joey Buona's
Ristorante Bartolotta
Calderone Club
That's Amore
Rustico
Glorioso's
Two I haven't been to that I know I for sure want to try are Mia Famiglia in Hales Corners and Zarletti downtown.
Even though it's more of a pizza place, Dom & Phil DeMarinis in Bay View is very good. They also have lots of good micro brews on tap.
There is always the Olive Garden.
Quote from: muwarrior69 on October 01, 2014, 04:53:12 PM
There is always the Olive Garden.
Thought we were talking' Italian >:(
Quote from: brandx on October 01, 2014, 05:12:08 PM
Thought we were talking' Italian >:(
K, Fazoli's then.
My top 3 are:
Joey Buona's
Pasta Tree
Louise's
Zarletti's oso bucco is superb.
Porcini?
Quote from: keefe on October 01, 2014, 12:18:06 PM
For those on the west coast (or who travel to the better coast)
San Francisco has the finest collection of Italian restaurants this side of Tuscany. I travel to San Jose a lot but make a point of getting up north for at least one dinner:
Uva Enotecca
Catogna
La Ciccia
Acquerello
Seven Hills
Delfina
Quince
Napa/Sonoma:
Della Santina's
Scopa
Alex
Tra Vigne
Cook St Helena
Bistro Don Giovanni
Stella Alpina Osteria
Seattle:
Go to the Bay Area if you want good Italian
Try Perbacco next time in SF
Quote from: elephantraker on October 01, 2014, 10:45:10 PM
Try Perbacco next time in SF
+1. Great spot. Probably better for business than pleasure.
Quote from: elephantraker on October 01, 2014, 10:45:10 PM
Try Perbacco next time in SF
I've heard. Ate next door at Barbacco which is more trattoria. It was excellent.
Thanks, raker, I'll give it a try!
Quote from: keefe on October 01, 2014, 03:01:07 PM
C'mon Nutmeg. You've never been to the Bay Area? Joltin' Joe would be ashamed of you...
Unfortunately, I've never visited SF. It's on the family visitation list for sure. My cousin and family live in Sacramento and has been pestering my family to visit for a very long time. San Francisco has been the carrot she's been dangling to entice us to visit.
Around here, everyone's of Italian descent (including myself) and there's a mom & pop Italian restaurant in every town. My wife and were upset when our local decades old Italian restaurant closed a few years ago. The granddaughter who was going to take over died tragically in her 40's and the grandmother kept running it for another 3 years or so until she just couldn't do it anymore in her 80's. She sold to someone who stupidly changed everything that was right about the place and it went under.
Quote from: MU Fan in Connecticut on October 02, 2014, 07:42:09 AM
Unfortunately, I've never visited SF. It's on the family visitation list for sure. My cousin and family live in Sacramento and has been pestering my family to visit for a very long time. San Francisco has been the carrot she's been dangling to entice us to visit.
Around here, everyone's of Italian descent (including myself) and there's a mom & pop Italian restaurant in every town. My wife and were upset when our local decades old Italian restaurant closed a few years ago. The granddaughter who was going to take over died tragically in her 40's and the grandmother kept running it for another 3 years or so until she just couldn't do it anymore in her 80's. She sold to someone who stupidly changed everything that was right about the place and it went under.
The Bay Area has a large, vibrant Italian community and that heritage is reflected in the excellence of its restaurant scene and the exquisite depth and quality of viticulture in Napa and Sonoma. People may not realize it but cioppino was created in San Francisco's North Beach by fishermen from Genoa.
Is Mimma's still open? If so, then that's #1, #2, and #3 on my list. Though I have heard that the quality there has dipped since I lived in MKE; if that's the case, I guess I would default to Calderone Club.
Anyone who goes to Buca's, Magianos, or Olive Garden for Italian cuisine needs a big wet kiss from a burly old Italian, slick-haired type. If you sit down for a 5:00pm reservation and there isn't someone in the kitchen who's been minding the sauce and rolling sheets of double-zero since 8:00a, you might as well open a jar of Prego.
Italian food is like BBQ... to do it right takes time, which is a luxury that most restaurants don't have.
Chef boy ar dee rocks. The spaghetti-o's with little smoked sausages is exquisite
Yeah, back in my hood we used ta stuff those little sausages inta the spaghetti O's and get a rise outta the school chicks.
Did you take 'em out of the can before adding the sausages?
Angelo's
Quote from: real ellenson chili 83 on October 03, 2014, 04:18:03 PM
Angelo's
I still think it's f ucked up that Marquette played the decisive role in the destruction of so many institutions...People always mention the Plankinton Mansion but where is the anguish for the true heritage sites - The Lanche, Hegarty's, Angelos...Jesus wept.
Angelo's turning into Sobelman's is a huge campus upgrade.
Quote from: TallEllenson34 on October 03, 2014, 08:02:06 PM
Angelo's turning into Sobelman's is a huge campus upgrade.
depends on whether one is hungry or thirsty
Quote from: TallEllenson34 on October 03, 2014, 08:02:06 PM
Angelo's turning into Sobelman's is a huge campus upgrade.
I was in there about two years ago for the first time and was underwhelmed. Sorry, after hearing the praise for so long I guess my expectations were unrealistic. Fond memories of Angelos but can only remember it being dark and no recollection of décor.
Quote from: keefe on October 03, 2014, 08:05:11 PM
depends on whether one is hungry or thirsty
There's plenty of drinking you can do at Sobelman's and at least they clean out their beer lines. Angelo's never did and that's fucking disgusting.
Let's be honest, Angelo's brought nothing to the table other than a great place for 18 year olds to drink. The food was at best average bar food and the beer was always skunky
Quote from: MUsoxfan on October 03, 2014, 10:47:36 PM
Let's be honest, Angelo's brought nothing to the table other than a great place for 18 year olds to drink. The food was at best average bar food and the beer was always skunky
It was a treat watching the dine and dash action from McCormick, though.
Quote from: MUsoxfan on October 03, 2014, 10:47:36 PM
Let's be honest, Angelo's brought nothing to the table other than a great place for 18 year olds to drink. The food was at best average bar food and the beer was always skunky
THe pepperoni pizza was one of a kind. The pepperonis would shrink up into a cup, and each would hold a small pool of grease. Nummy.
Quote from: real ellenson chili 83 on October 04, 2014, 05:54:32 AM
THe pepperoni pizza was one of a kind. The pepperonis would shrink up into a cup, and each would hold a small pool of grease. Nummy.
They still have a booth at summerfest. The pizza is still amazing!
Sobleman's has mediocre burgers. Louie D's was better.
Quote from: Skatastrophy on October 04, 2014, 08:31:13 AM
They still have a booth at summerfest. The pizza is still amazing!
Sobleman's has mediocre burgers. Louie D's was better.
The meat itself I agree isn't great but I love the topping selections like that mexican one or the hangover.
Quote from: keefe on October 04, 2014, 02:36:01 AM
It was a treat watching the dine and dash action from McCormick, though.
Couple of my roomies tried the dash and Angelo's sons chased them down 16th to our house and made them pay up. At least they didn't beat the crap out of them.
Quote from: elephantraker on October 04, 2014, 11:08:18 AM
Couple of my roomies tried the dash and Angelo's sons chased them down 16th to our house and made them pay up. At least they didn't beat the crap out of them.
We would sit in the window on McCormick 10 and watch it. Some of those waitresses could of played linebacker in the NFL. Chase and tackle.
While students of later years of Angelo's never knew it, Angelo's pizza of the late 70's was some of the best.
Quote from: keefe on October 03, 2014, 07:48:43 PM
I still think it's f ucked up that Marquette played the decisive role in the destruction of so many institutions...People always mention the Plankinton Mansion but where is the anguish for the true heritage sites - The Lanche, Hegarty's, Angelos...Jesus wept.
My understanding is that Angelo's was simply a matter of the owner in poor health with nobody to take over. Didn't Sobelman's get the pizza recipes as part of the lease and say they'd start making it once they'd settled into the place?
Quote from: drewm88 on October 04, 2014, 04:43:22 PM
My understanding is that Angelo's was simply a matter of the owner in poor health with nobody to take over. Didn't Sobelman's get the pizza recipes as part of the lease and say they'd start making it once they'd settled into the place?
Was wondering whatever happened to Sobelman's making the pizza. I've been waiting for that to happen but it has never been on the menu. It would be fantastic if they brought back the pizza, maybe even as an "Angelo's Pizza" branded sub-section on the menu (if they got permission to use it from the previous owner). Wouldn't have to bring back to full Angelo's menu (pastas and such), but at least the pizza would be nice.
Quote from: MUsoxfan on October 03, 2014, 10:47:36 PM
Let's be honest, Angelo's brought nothing to the table other than a great place for 18 year olds to drink. The food was at best average bar food and the beer was always skunky
I disagree. Their pizza wasn't amazing, but it was above-average, better than the big chains like Pizza Hut or Papa John's, and it was right on campus, and served beer. The lasagna sticks were awesome. It wasn't just fried bar food.
Quote from: Bleutellenson on October 06, 2014, 08:56:04 AM
I disagree. Their pizza wasn't amazing, but it was above-average, better than the big chains like Pizza Hut or Papa John's, and it was right on campus, and served beer. The lasagna sticks were awesome. It wasn't just fried bar food.
I agree that it was better than average pizza. My wife and I went there our first date. I think that solidified my reputation on campus as a ladies' man of impeccable culinary taste. She knew her life had changed for the better when I not only ordered vino but asked the waitress if I could sniff the box before decanting.
Quote from: Bleutellenson on October 06, 2014, 08:56:04 AM
I disagree. Their pizza wasn't amazing, but it was above-average, better than the big chains like Pizza Hut or Papa John's, and it was right on campus, and served beer. The lasagna sticks were awesome. It wasn't just fried bar food.
You were way too late for classic Angelo's. Late 70's, it was good stuff.
Quote from: keefe on October 06, 2014, 09:10:57 PM
I agree that it was better than average pizza. My wife and I went there our first date. I think that solidified my reputation on campus as a ladies' man of impeccable culinary taste. She knew her life had changed for the better when I not only ordered vino but asked the waitress if I could sniff the box before decanting.
No comment.
If you're willing to drive a little, Stefano's in Sheboygan is probably better than anyplace in Milwaukee.
http://trattoriastefano.com/dinner-menu.html
I haven't been there myself but I have heard that Onesto in the 3rd ward is awesome
Quote from: Ellenson for an mu-rara on October 06, 2014, 09:21:16 PM
You were way too late for classic Angelo's. Late 70's, it was good stuff.
Yep, and into the early 80s.
Quote from: Ellenson for an mu-rara on October 06, 2014, 09:21:16 PM
You were way too late for classic Angelo's. Late 70's, it was good stuff.
Late 60s, too. Good pizza, good pasta.
Heard it was great in the 50's