Carnevor, the popular steakhouse owned by Milwaukee’s SURG group, will soon have new digs. The restaurant, which has operated at 724 N Milwaukee St. for the past ten years will move into the space at 718 N. Milwaukee St., currently occupied by Umami Moto.
Umami Moto will remain open through Aug. 29; Carnevor is expected to transition to the new location at the end of November after renovation of the space is completed.
Owners Michael Polaski and Omar Shaikh stated they could not come to terms on the new lease with the landlord so they have decided to move the popular restaurant to a new site.
"Carnevor has become a flagship for SURG and we are excited to renovate the new location giving our steakhouse an updated space," says co-owner Mike Polaski. "Moving to this spot makes perfect sense; In addition to our large wine cellar already located there, the close proximity to the original restaurant will allow all guests to easily find the new venue."
SURG plans to utilize its new banquet space The Garden for all Carnevor private dining and wine dinners. Smaller parties will be reserved at Distil in its private space The Vault.
As for the fate of Umami Moto, SURG is currently working on a new project that will be headed up by Umami Moto’s executive chef, Israel Cruz. The concept will be more focused on American-style cuisine, with Asian flair. The location for the new concept has not yet been announced.
In the meantime, Shaikh says the goal will be to find homes within the company for current employees during the transition.
In addition to the change of venue, Carnevor’s Executive Chef Jarvis Williams has been promoted to SURG’s Corporate Executive Chef and Mario Giuliani will become the new Executive Chef at Carnevor.
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.
