In June we announced that The Roman Candle would be closing its doors at 133 E. Silver Spring Dr. in Whitefish Bay. But thanks to the work of Anne Marie Arroyo and Tamela Greene, owners of MOXIE Food + Drink, the pizza restaurant won’t be empty for long.
The two spunky entrepreneurs – whose moxie has been a key to the success of their inaugural restaurant venture – will embark on a new journey with Trouble and Sons Pizzeria. And they’ve set an ambitious timeline, projecting a tentative opening date of Aug. 28.
The rustic Italian restaurant will feature a number of classic pasta dishes, but Arroyo says that the pizza – for which a recipe is currently being perfected – will be the star.
"We do know that we want it to be pretty special and authentic in its representation of style and geography," notes Greene.
Trouble and Sons will also have a full bar featuring creative cocktails, draft beer and an exclusive, curated selection of Italian wines.
As for the name, Arroyo and Greene note that it reflects much of the same relentless determination and boldness that MOXIE Food + Drink embodies. You’ll get the drift if you watch this clip from the 1993 Neil Simon film, "Lost in Yonkers."
"We like to think that believing in a dream is really half the battle," Greene says. "Plus, the words, and the ideas behind them, with their big-hearted spirit and spunk, simply make us smile."
Greene adds that their sons, aged 12 and 15, will undoubtedly bring additional meaning to the name as they glean life experience working the floor at the new restaurant.
Once open, hours for Trouble and Sons Pizzeria will be Tuesday through Sunday from 4 to 10 p.m.
Watch OnMilwaukee for additional details as they become available.
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.