Milwaukee's Daily Magazine Saturday, July 4, 2009
Today
Hi: 74
Lo: 57
Sun
Hi: 80
Lo: 61
Mon
Hi: 78
Lo: 60
Section Sponsor
Article Tools
Print this Article
Make text larger
In Dining Briefs
New wine room set to indulge Milwaukee St.
Indulge opens Tuesday, June 17.
By Jeff Sherman RSS Feed
OnMilwaukee.com Staff Writer
Photography by Jeff Sherman
E-mail author | Author bio
More articles by Jeff Sherman

Published June 13, 2008 at 10:20 a.m.
Tags: marc bianchini, indulge, marta bianchini, milwaukee street, kendall polster,jaclyn stuart, osteria del mondo, cubanitas, nectar, sommelier, wine bar, wine room

Get ready to indulge, Milwaukee. Beginning, Tuesday June 17, restaurateur Marc Bianchini opens his newest experience, a sleek and very stylish urban wine room ("It's not a wine bar," Bianchini told me) appropriately named "Indulge."

Located inside the former Nectar Coffee Shop space at 708 N. Milwaukee St., Indulge is 100 percent smoke free and 100 percent style. From the moment you enter, you know you're inside something special. From the hand-chiseled cream city brick, amazing front tasting table (that can be reserved for an evening or half an evening), plush counter height chairs, hand-welded heavy metal tables with imported granite tops, cherry wood acoustic panels, to the dark leather tiles on the walls - every component was hand-crafted and custom designed by Milwaukee artist Kendall Polster. Polster, working with Bianchini, designed the space to look and feel unlike anything Milwaukee has experienced. The five-month build-out didn't spare a detail, in fact, Indulge is still waiting for a custom mirror for its entrance. "It's a relaxing, comfortable, indulgent space," said Bianchini.

Indulge, of course, is about more than design. It's about wine and food. With more than 300 different wines, 60 available by the glass, Indulge features artisan cheeses, decadent chocolates, hand-made truffles and charcuterie such as prosciutto and pates. Bianchini proudly purchased an anniversary edition Sirman meat slicer from Italy. It's only the third of its kind to be shipped to the United States. It shaves the proscuitto with outstanding slicing precision.

"Indulge will be the perfect place to have a glass of wine before dinner or relax after a show," explained Bianchini.

Indulge seats 46 guests and can be reserved for private wine tastings, meetings, parties and other special occasions. It's cozy, classy, yet not too stuffy. In the summer (hopefully beginning in July, Bianachini says) Indulge also will use a back patio area that's just next to alley next to the Pfister on Wisconsin Ave. The patio will feature sofas and tables.

With a focus on wine, Indulge has a new, originally from California, sommelier /wine director on board. Jaclyn Stuart is in charge of the food and wine and will help guests through the complexities of wines and rare labels. "Choosing wine can be so confusing. But it doesn't have to be," said Stuart. "My approach to wine is easygoing. I like to help people navigate wine lists in a fun way, without being too challenging or too cluttered. Demystifying wine - helping people fully appreciate wines is a daily passion for me - it's what I love to do."

Stuart, according to a news release, is the only person in the state that is both a certified sommelier and is Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) - certified. She most recently worked as a sommelier and service coordinator at Kohler's American Club, where she was responsible for maintaining a 500+ bottle wine list and inventory and conducting regular wine seminars and training for resort guests and associates.

Indulge should be a perfect place for before or after dinner, but they'll also have creative Jazz in the Park pacs to rent, use and return. No work required. Just put down a deposit, rent the pack that's pre-packed with cheese, charcuterie, wine and chocolate and be on your way to Cathedral Square. Prices will range from $40-$60, with deposit. Other specials, Bianchini says include a new "Cru Club" (monthly wine club) that will feature discounts, newsletters, meetings, recipes and other exclusives. Stuart says that the Cru Club events will feature meet and greets with wine makers. And, here's a cool item for you ladies. Wednesday nights from 4 to 6 p.m., is for "Working Women." All women get a free glass of wine.

Bianchini, whose wife Marta owns and runs Cubanitas just north of Indulge, emphasizes Indulge as an experience in itself. "What Indulge and all the Bianchini restaurants are about is enjoying food, wine and each other. Enjoying Indulge doesn't require a refined palate or sophisticated gourmands, just an openness to experiencing some of life's greatest pleasures."



More Information ...
Open Monday - Wednesday from 4 -10 p.m., Thursday from 4 p.m. - Midnight and Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Call (414) 390-WINE (9463).

Related links:

6 comments about this article.
Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...
Posted by Preview
Elmhurst Had a great experience with Jaclyn and love the concept. We went after dinner ...
KenV What a hit!! Indulge is one of the freshest places in MKE and nobody has heard ...
Caven Wonderful place tons of wine choices and very pleasant staff. I will be going ...
t Was there last week and will definitely return, as it was a fabulous experience. ...
jkashou Once again the Bianchini team spares no expense and does it right. As much of ...


Show me the other Talkback

Recent blogs/briefs by Jeff Sherman
M&I lights up, rocks the Milwaukee skyline
Wednesday
Back again from M&I Bank are two 18-story electric guitars. Nearly 940 windows on the ...

What is a blog?  For OMC, it is a short blurb that we write when the mood strikes us.  It can be first person, funny or informative. In short, a blog is whatever we want it to be. "Today's" paper gets the score wrong, and a funny look at the Times
June 25, 2009
Another indication of the demise of print comes from today's print edition of the Milwaukee ...

What is a blog?  For OMC, it is a short blurb that we write when the mood strikes us.  It can be first person, funny or informative. In short, a blog is whatever we want it to be. Karma owners opening new restaurant in Pewaukee
June 25, 2009
Lake Country is getting a new restaurant courtesy of the owners of Karma, 600 E. Ogden ...

What is a blog?  For OMC, it is a short blurb that we write when the mood strikes us.  It can be first person, funny or informative. In short, a blog is whatever we want it to be. Got a retail idea? Grand Avenue has free rent & more
June 25, 2009
The Shops of Grand Avenue is looking to create some excitement with a promotional contest, ...

What is a blog?  For OMC, it is a short blurb that we write when the mood strikes us.  It can be first person, funny or informative. In short, a blog is whatever we want it to be. Prove your competitive eating prowess on Thursday
June 23, 2009
At 7 p.m. Thursday at the Irish Pub, 124 N. Water St., 10 Milwaukeeans will have the chance ...

OnMilwaukee.com is part of the In Click Network. Other In Click sites include: 30RockReport.com | Behind The Scenes at OnMilwaukee.com | BetterRecipes.org | Bimmer Digest | Brain Brawn & Body | BrewCityBeats.com | Brewcitybigscreen.com | BritPop Rocks | Brooklynbanter.com | CactusLeagueReport.com | Caffeinateddigest.com | Culinary Piedmont | Cycling Chainring | Daily Lost Update | Daily Milwaukee News | Daily Spa | DannyGokeyMilwaukee.com | Dogs Blogs | EarthFueled.com | Edible Wisconsin | Gadget Deals and Steals | GolfLinksWisconsin.com | H1N1 Alerts | H1N1 Blog | H1N1 Prevention | H1N1 Reporter | H1N1 Tracker | HogEnthusiast.com | Informed Runner | iPhone Daily Report | Man United Nation | Milwaukee Brewers Nation | Milwaukee Bucks Blog | Milwaukee Dad | Minnesota Wild Nation | MomMilwaukee.com | My Super Stocks | MyGayMilwaukee.com | MyHangoverHelper | News on Draught | NY Mets Nation | OnAtlantaGA.com | OnAustinTX.com | OnBaltimoreMD.com | OnBirminghamAL.com | OnBostonMass.com | OnBuffaloNY.com | OnCharlotteNC.com | OnCincinnati.com | OnClevelandOH.com | OnColumbusOH.com | OnDallas.com | OnDCmetro.com | OnDenverCO.com | OnDetroitMI.com | OnFortLauderdale.com | OnGreenBay.com | OnHartford.com | OnIndianapolisIN.com | OnKansasCityMO.com | OnLosAngelesCA.com | OnLouisvilleKY.com | OnMadison.com | OnMemphisTN.com | OnMiamiFLA.com | OnMilwaukee.com Cars | OnMilwaukee.com Metro Headlines | OnNashvilleTN.com | OnNewOrleansLA.com | OnNYCny.com | OnOrlandoFL.com | OnPalmSprings.com | OnPhiladelphia.com | OnPhoenixAZ.com | OnPittsburgh.com | OnPortlandOR.com | OnProvidence.com | OnRichmondVA.com | OnSacramento.com | OnSaltLakeCity.com | OnSanAntonioTX.com | OnSanDiegoCA.com | OnSanFran.com | OnSanJose.com | OnSeattleWA.com | OnSinCity.com | OnStLouis.com | OnStPetersburg.com | OnTampaBay.com | OnTucsonAZ.com | OnTwinCities.com | OnWichita.com | OnWindyCity.com | Packers Posts | Porsche 911 Fans | PriusFans.com | Roller Derby Network | SnuggieFans.com | SummerfestRocks.com | Swine Flu China | Swine Flu Reporter | The 24 Reporter | The Barack Obama Fan Club | The Brilliant Manager | The Comic Book Reporter | The In Click | The Office Fan Blog | TheHDTVReporter.com | TheNetbookBlog.com | TheNewParentBlog.com | Trueguitarheroes.com | Vintage Mets | VW Busses | WaukeshaWeekly.com | Weekly Media News | WisWomen.com | Woodworker Digest