The votes are in, and the winners have been selected for OnMilwaukee's Best Dining 2009. The results of this readers' poll, including an editors' pick, are available in this series of articles that run all October long during Dining Month on OnMilwaukee.com.
Our annual "Best of" survey was designed to highlight the best and the brightest that our city's culinary choices have to offer, but that doesn't mean we don't have any love for the 'burbs. In this question, we asked our readers to chime in on their favorite restaurant outside of the city limits.
With many from which to choose, the decision couldn't have been easy, but the majority of you agreed that Wauwatosa's Le Reve was your favorite.
In summer 2008, Andrew Schneider and Therese Hittman opened the two-tiered, French cuisine inspired bistro and patisserie. Le Reve, 7610 Harwood Ave., pairs a sleek, contemporary dining environment with a small, well-thought-out menu and wine and beer selection; but the main attraction at Le Reve is undoubtedly its vast pastry and dessert selection which taunts diners from the far-reaching glass case on the first floor.
According to OnMilwaukee.com dining critic Amy Schubert, "Diners can expect a warm, cozy atmosphere with exposed cream city brick and the inviting smell of coffees and French hot chocolate permeating the air. The one page menu tempts with salad and sandwich selections as well as entrées, all with moderate prices and unique flavor combinations. Le Reve is one of the few restaurants I've found that offers paté in sandwich form, with a country pate (pork, $7.50) traditionally paired with cornichons, and served on a baguette with Dijon mustard and gruyere cheese."
During a recent scouting report Schubert adds, "I couldn't take my eyes off the lovely tarts, cakes and truffles behind the glass."
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Le Reve
Runners-up:
2. Fujiyama
3. North Shore Bistro
4. Jerry's Old Town
5. Weissgerber's Gasthaus
6. Jack Pandl's Whitefish Bay Inn
7. Cafe Manna
8. Silver Spring House
9. Highland House
10. Trattoria Stefano
11. Oakcrest Tavern
12. Golden Mast
13. Loaf and Jug
14. Fishbones
15. Sebastian's
16. Zin's
17. Cool Water
18. Hob Nob
19. Red Onion Cafe
20. Mangia
21. Back Street Cafe
