It's time for Dining Month, presented by Deer District and its spooky Halloween-themed alter ego, Fear District. Throughout the month of October, we'll be serving up fun and fascinating content about all things food. The signature dish, however, is our 2019 Best of Dining poll, who's winners we will dish out all month long. Get hungry, Milwaukee!
Milwaukee’s hotel scene has been heating up for some time now, and among its newest players is the up-and-coming Cambria Hotel, which opened its doors at the end of August at 503 N. Plankinton Ave.
The hotel, conveniently located on the edge of Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward is situated just minutes from Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport, the shores of Lake Michigan and the RiverWalk District. It’s also the home of an upscale bistro and bar called 414 Bar + Kitchen.
The new restaurant, designed by Stan Ramaker of the Fond du Lac’s M+A Design, the venue showcases a bright 1,900-square foot bar and restaurant featuring natural wood and stone finishes combined with comfortable, modern decor. A courtyard patio extends the dining area during clement weather.
On the menu
Menu highlights include comforting small plates like "beefy" cambozola mac & cheese with shortribs and parsley; sea salt pretzel sticks with caramelized onion and IPA cheddar fondue; and a cheese curd and duck confit poutine with morel mushroom gravy and scallions.
Dinner entrees feature healthful options like lemon seared salmon with broccoli couscous and elevated favorites like seared flat iron steak and frites with sauteed spinach, mushrooms, bordelaise sauce and pesto.
Meanwhile, desserts include cheesecake tart with balsamic strawberries and mint; chocolate chip bread pudding made with croissants, vanilla custard, chocolate chips and whiskey sauce.
A breakfast menu showcases quick bites including breakfast sandwiches, steel cut oatmeal and yogurt, berry and granola parfait along with hearty staples like the Farm Breakfast featuring two eggs (cooked as you like) with a choice of two sides (bacon, ham, sausage, breakfast potatoes or fresh fruit) and toast. Signature offerings include the Cambria egg white omelet with chicken breast, spinach, mushrooms, avocado and salsa. Or guests can choose from additional offerings like breakfast tacos and buttermilk pancakes served with whipped butter and maple syrup (along with upgrades like berries, bananas or chocolate chips and whipped cream).
The bar has a selection of beer, wine and liquor with a special emphasis on local craft beer including brews from local favorites including Milwaukee Brewing Company, Lakefront Brewery and New Glarus Brewery. Meanwhile, specialty cocktails like the MKE Old Fashioned and the Bronz Fonz Mule highlight Milwaukee history and culture.
414 Bar + Kitchen serves breakfast Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m.to 10:00 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. – 11 a.m. Dinner is served daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Full bar service is available Sunday – Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 4:30 p.m. to midnight. 414 Bar + Kitchen is closed for lunch.
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.
