SALA Modern Sicilian Dining, 2613 E. Hampshire St., will celebrate 15 years in business at a special anniversary party on Oct. 2 from 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets for the celebration are $15 and include two drink tickets, complimentary appetizers, music and entry into a drawing to win a variety of prizes.
In the week following the celebration, the restaurant will also offer a variety of specials priced at $15 each.
Siblings Tony and Teresa Balistreri opened the neighborhood restaurant in 2001 as Sala da Pranzo, with a commitment to serve Sicilian fare rooted in family tradition with a focus on fresh local ingredients sourced from places like the family garden and a local greenhouse right on Hampshire Street, across the street from UWM.
And since then, the restaurant – whose name was shortened in 2012 – has become known for its lively happy hour, crisp, thin crust pizza, fresh fish specials and homemade tiramisu.
"Our great-grandmother, whose portrait hangs on the dining room wall, notably said, ‘There are only two things in life: food and respect’," says Teresa. "She lived to 102 years of age, cooking every day of her adult life, starting by standing on a stool beside her mother until her great-great-grandchildren were learning on a stool beside her."
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.
