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  • azquotes:
    Once you begin to explain or excuse all events on racial grounds, you begin to indulge in the perilous mythology of race.

  • Mondeeezy:
    Indulge cupcakes or emerald city smoothie ? Mhmm what to choose.

  • Krokador:
    now now, should i indulge into my dark dark writer roots and do another 30 mins write or die today? 1267 words to beat? Here goes nuthin!

  • SillySeth:
    About to indulge myself in a three or four hour nap. Then I'll hit up some homework and wind down with a movie party at my house The Orphan!

  • meshwerk:
    @hilittle Great news! Or bad depending on how frequently I indulge. Thnx 4 the info.


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In Dining Briefs
New wine room set to indulge Milwaukee St.
Indulge opens Tuesday, June 17.
By Jeff Sherman RSS Feed Twitter 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 Elmhurst on Jan. 31, 2009 at 11:34 a.m. (report)

Had a great experience with Jaclyn and love the concept. We went after dinner next door. Only downside, THEY NEED A SIGN.

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Posted by KenV on Jan. 14, 2009 at 3:19 p.m. (report)

What a hit!! Indulge is one of the freshest places in MKE and nobody has heard of it!!! The staff was hip and friendly, the wine list offered great selections from around the world at a variety of price points, and the music choices were on key. But the reason we return is their wine guy. He is knowledgeable, witty and always makes us feel welcome, (my wife and I can be a handful)! One sugggestion though, GET A SIGN!!!! Our friends always have trouble finding the place and most people I talk to have never heard of Indulge, even those who work in the neighborhood! I cant see how a lit sign could hurt business.

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Posted by Caven on Oct. 8, 2008 at 11:53 a.m. (report)

Wonderful place tons of wine choices and very pleasant staff. I will be going again!

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Posted by t on June 24, 2008 at 3:09 p.m. (report)

Was there last week and will definitely return, as it was a fabulous experience. Casual, relaxing and laid back, yet lush without feeling stuffy. The flights and menus are smart, sophisticated and fun, and the atmosphere is rich and elegant, yet manages to be modern. Everything was delicious (had the soft cheese flight, the duck flight, and of course, wine--try the Cambiata Tannat). Service was excellent. Our server was knowledgeable, friendly, but not overwhelmingly so, and offered several nice suggestions. The photos here, do not do it justice. Being there has a way of making you feel regal, yet very much at ease. They didn't miss a beat. Congratulations, and nicely done.

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Posted by jkashou on June 19, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. (report)

Once again the Bianchini team spares no expense and does it right. As much of an experience as an education, I plan on making friends with Jacqueline, the resident sommelier, to learn what induglences go best together.

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