Sunday, Nov. 20 marked the re-opening of the original Cafe Hollander, located at 2608 N. Downer Ave.
The restaurant, which observes its 10th anniversary this month, was closed for just over two weeks to accommodate a series of upgrades and improvements including new hardwood flooring, an updated bar and new kitchen equipment.
Get a peek at the rejuvenated space in the Facebook live we did onsite earlier today.
New menu items
In conjunction with the remodel, Lowlands has also launched a new seasonal menu for all of its locations. We got a preview of a few of the new dishes, which pack a definitive comfort food punch.
Among returning favorites, you'll find the return of the BTB, the bacon, tomato and brie sandwich served on toasted French baguette with a side salad for $11.95 and the mushroom brie risotto featuring brie, arugula and chive oil for $14.95.
You'll also find new dishes like a braised ginger short rib bowl featuring braised short ribs with ginger soy glaze over black nerone rice pilaf ($15.95). There's also a new creamy seafood stew (pictured above) featuring mussels, shrimp, lobster and cod in a garlic cream sauce with roasted carrots, onions, mushrooms, peppers and zucchini ($16.95).
A chicken tater tot skillet includes chicken and roasted vegetables in garlic cream sauce topped with housemade cheddar whipped tater tots ($14.95).
There's also Aleppo chili sausage served with smashed roasted butternut squash and shredded roasted brussels sprouts with a tangy house-made Carolina barbecue sauce ($15.95).
Top it all off with a slice of Gulden Draak pecan pie featuring a deep dish crust, pecans and a filling infused with Gulden Draak ale ($6.95).
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
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 every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, 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.
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