Here's OMC's monthly look at what's buzzin', shakin' and bakin' in Milwaukee. Tidbits, exclusives even a rumor or two. Enjoy.
CHOP, CHOP
Sometime in early February Milwaukee's newest steakhouse will open. The Milwaukee Chop House, 633 N. 5th St., will be inside the downtown Hilton. Look for it to be another Westown success story, just like The Miller Time Pub.
EAST SIDE BURRITOS AND BOOKS?
Rumors have been swirling about a new tenant for the old Oriental Drug Store building. We hear Half Price Books and Chipotle (McDonald's answer to Q-Doba) are looking. Either would be a welcome addition to that neighborhood. Meanwhile, although YNOT3, on Kenilworth Place behind Beans & Barley, has put up a sign outside, the interior looks like it needs a lot of work before an opening day can be announced.
CLOSED
The Big Apple Bagels on Marquette's campus has closed.
NUNSENSE
Circlestage Theatre will present "Nunsense-A-Men!" beginning Fri., Nov. 23. Producers are already expecting to extend this popular encounter with The Little Sisters of Hoboken. Call (414) 327-3552 for tickets and times.
FOSSE
Fosse, the Tony Award-winning smash-hit musical, will play in Milwaukee at Uihlein Hall of the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts beginning Tues., Jan. 8-Sun., Jan. 13. Tickets go on sale Dec. 2 at (414) 273-7206 or (414) 276-4545.
MILWAUKEE STREET EATS
Milwaukee Street between Mason Street and Wisconsin Avenue continues to grow. Watch for a new restaurant across from three. We hear it's "a mixture of Taylor's and Elsa's."
NOT TOO EARLY TO GET GREEN
Expect big news soon regarding The Downtown St. Patrick's Day Parade, scheduled for March 9.
SECRET GIFT SHOP
The 13th Annual Christmas in the Ward (Nov. 30-Dec. 1) will feature a new Jolly the Gingerbread Man's Secret Gift Shop.
MORE TO YELL ABOUT
Local band The Yell Leaders have shipped their new CD, "Noxajoy." Watch for it in stores in January and request it at WMSE, which has received advance copies.
ONYX
Right down from the Milwaukee Ale House, watch for Onyx, a new bar/restaurant to open in the next year or so. The old video store needs a lot of remodeling, but it will be worth the wait.
MID-JANUARY
Grenadier's tells us that they will be re-opening in mid-January 2002. Still recovering from a late summer fire.
NEW BRUNCH
Tula's, 117 E. Wells St., is now serving brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
A GRAND AVENUE ONCE AGAIN
The folks from Mo's are exploring options to open another restaurant along Wisconsin Avenue, somewhere in the Grand Avenue area.
KING HOLIDAY HOOPFEST
The 2002 King Holiday Hoopfest Weekend is scheduled for Jan. 18-21, 2002. Brought to you by George Karl's Friends of Hoop, it's a powerful weekend that will help to create a more positive and interactive experience for all people in Milwaukee. Good communication, exciting high school basketball and great people will make this one of the city's most anticipated events. Call (414) 272-4667 to see how you can get involved.
REBIRTH
Marlene's Touch of Class and Water Street Antiques have closed to make room for new condos in The Historic Third Ward. Milwaukee Antique Mall is closing, too, we hear. Adding a residential base to downtown will continue the rebirth of its neighborhood areas, but let's hope that it doesn't push out too many of its unique retailers. After all, aren't those retailers part of the reason folks want to live downtown?
MORE REBIRTH
The Shops at Grand Avenue are talking to several "big-name, national retailers" including music/book shops, clothing stores, home goods retailers and sporting goods stores. Watch for announcements soon. In the meantime, be sure to check out their new entrance on Third and Wisconsin Avenue.
COME BACK SCOTT
We have no idea if this rumor is true, but as long as we state it as just that (a rumor) we are comfortable reporting it. Several Bucks fans have noted that Scott Williams (traded in off-season to Denver) still has a residence here and might be back later this season or next.
MORE BUCKS SHOTS
There's a big spread and story on George Karl in Sports Illustrated. Pick up the issue with the Diamond Backs World Series win on the cover.
