I think you could make an argument that La Merenda is right at the
top of the list of restaurants where it's tough to get a reservation.
And I was reminded why Saturday night at dinner with friends. I had
some things to eat you can't get any where else (that I know of) and
they were prepared with the kind of love and attention to detail that
you might find in your own kitchen.
La Merenda is a tapas restaurant so the best way to enjoy it is for
your table to order a variety of small plates and share them.
The star for me was a duck confit crepe. Soft chive crepes with duck
and mushrooms and a rosemary cream sauce. It was out of this world,
and I learned that any kind of confit means something that is cooked
in its own fat.
Second place was patatas bravas y chorizo (which might mean "brave
potatoes with sausage"). This was fried chopped potatoes, tossed in a
spicy tomato sauce, served with a garlic aioli and with a piece of
chorizo sausage on top.
I was also reminded of the wonderful atmosphere that Peter Sandroni
has created. It resembles nothing so much as a big family dining room
with mismatched chairs and servers who move easily back and forth with
small plates destined for a table, more than just a person.
The other thing about La Merenda is that it doesn't cost an arm and a
leg to get this wonderful food. Even if you have wine you can get out
of the place for less than $100 a couple. If you don't drink, you are
probably under $75 and that is more than worth an experience like
this.
With a history in Milwaukee stretching back decades, Dave tries to bring a unique perspective to his writing, whether it's sports, politics, theater or any other issue.
He's seen Milwaukee grow, suffer pangs of growth, strive for success and has been involved in many efforts to both shape and re-shape the city. He's a happy man, now that he's quit playing golf, and enjoys music, his children and grandchildren and the myriad of sports in this state. He loves great food and hates bullies and people who think they are smarter than everyone else.
This whole Internet thing continues to baffle him, but he's willing to play the game as long as OnMilwaukee.com keeps lending him a helping hand. He is constantly amazed that just a few dedicated people can provide so much news and information to a hungry public.
Despite some opinions to the contrary, Dave likes most stuff. But he is a skeptic who constantly wonders about the world around him. So many questions, so few answers.
