By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Jun 22, 2016 at 2:52 PM

If a highlight of your summer is enjoying pizza, pasta or weekend brunch on the Rustico patio in the Third Ward, now is the time to get your final fix.

The restaurant, which has been a fixture on Water Street since 2008, will be observing its last day of service on Saturday, July 2.

Owner Brian Zarletti has confirmed the closing, noting that he'll be taking time to focus on the other two Zarletti concepts.

"We've had a great nine-year run," he says. "And that's no small feat. It's not without sadness that we're giving this up. However, it's time to refocus our energy."

But the space won't be vacant for long. Joshua Janis, owner of Refuge Cafes, will be opening Rivalry, a dual-level sports-themed bar described as "comfortable and trendy with the best food and drink from both Illinois and Wisconsin."

According to Janis, the upstairs (street level) will feature a Wisconsin theme, along with state-themed sports coverage. Meanwhile the downstairs (riverfront level) will carry an Illinois theme, featuring games for Chicago/Illinois teams.
Watch for more information at OnMilwaukee as it becomes available.
Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. 

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.