I urge everyone to get out of the office for an hour to grab some lunch and take a stroll on Milwaukee's beautful Rverwalk while the weather is still nice. The rejuvenating effects are innumerable. I'll just save you some time and tell you the best place  to eat - Yaffa.

Luckily, we chose a perfectly sunny 75 degree-day to snag a table on the patio. We started our meal with the falafel, which owner John Chitko jokingly claims is a traditional Polish recipe passed down from generations. Seasoned perfectly on the inside with a crispy outside, they were well complemented by the soothing and traditional tahini sauce. You'd never guess that Chef Chitko was fair-skinned with blue eyes; he cooks like an Arab with a fresh, experimental twist.

The lunch menu is moderately priced, with salads $7 and sandwiches ranging from $7 - $9. I ordered the Fattoush salad with mixed field greens, cherry tomatoes, scallions, cucumbers,  sun-dried tomatoes and figs. The creamy feta  dressing on the side was phenomenal. I even soaked up the extra with some warm, seasoned pita bread. It was a hard choice because the beet and goat cheese or watermelon and feta salad salad sounded equally exotic and delicious.

My dining companions opted for the popular Strauss lamb schwarma and the chicken schwarma. They were served with crinkle-cut french fries dusted with paprika and parmesan or a cous cous salad. Definitely a good choice for a hearty appetite.

The lunch menu offers other popular appetizers from thier dinner menu including calamari, mussels, bacon-wrapped stuffed dates, mediterranian flatbread and hummus.

Although not a normal noontime tradition, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Yaffa's amazing cocktail concoctions. They have an extensive and creative martini and mojito list ($5 and $4, respectively, during Happy Hour, 4:00 -6:30 pm on Tuesday - Sunday). The warm colors and modern ambience envelop the bar and dining room, making this the perfect cozy place for a date or just cocktails into the fall and winter.