By Molly Snyder Senior Writer Published May 11, 2017 at 2:16 PM

Two new businesses will open this summer on Murray Avenue on Milwaukee’s East Side.

Michael Vitucci, who owns Whiskey Bar, The Belmont, Murphy’s and Caffrey’s, will open Izzy Hops Swig and Nosh inside the space that formerly housed Rascals, 2311 N. Murray Ave., in early August.

Vitucci will partner with Divino’s Wine and Dine to create a gastropub menu developed by Chef Tyler Cutsforth that will lean on the "healthier side of pub food." The Pub will have a cozy feel and offer a comfortable environment for sports watching.

"It will be a great neighborhood pub," says Vitucci.

Kawa Ramen and Sushi will also open this summer in the former Winchester space. This will be the second restaurant for Linjin Xiao, who also owns Kawa Japanese Restaurant on East Silver Spring Drive.

Kawa will offer a full range of both traditional and contemporary Japanese cuisine.

"Our plan is to use the freshest and highest quality ingredients" said Linjin.

Lin invited Chef Lu from Tokyo from Yamato Noodle School to assist with his new project. They plan to renovate over the next three months and create a "cutting edge design."

"We are excited to be a part the growing changes and progressive development on the East Side," says Linjin.


Molly Snyder started writing and publishing her work at the age 10, when her community newspaper printed her poem, "The Unicorn.” Since then, she's expanded beyond the subject of mythical creatures and written in many different mediums but, nearest and dearest to her heart, thousands of articles for OnMilwaukee.

Molly is a regular contributor to FOX6 News and numerous radio stations as well as the co-host of "Dandelions: A Podcast For Women.” She's received five Milwaukee Press Club Awards, served as the Pfister Narrator and is the Wisconsin State Fair’s Celebrity Cream Puff Eating Champion of 2019.