On Friday, January 16 St. Paul Fish Company, in the Milwaukee Public Market, celebrates the grand opening of its newly expanded seating section on the building's eastern end.

The new space was made available when Sheridan's Finest Wines and Generous Spirits, an original tenant in the market, vacated for another Historic Third Ward home at the end of 2008.

The new seating is a welcome addition to the ground floor of the market and good complement to St. Paul's Oyster Bar and Grill dining counter that opened in May 2007.

St. Paul will offer an expansion of its regular menu: soups, sandwiches and, of course, fried calamari and oysters on the half-shell. In addition, the vendor will offer table service and soon "an expanded menu of great seafood entrees," according to a company e-mail.

Milwaukee Public Market officials are continuing to work to enhance the ever-growing and evolving destination.