By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Oct 04, 2017 at 7:35 PM

Season's eatings! The weather may be getting colder, but Dining Month on OnMilwaukee is just cooking up, dishing out your winning picks in this year's Best of Dining poll. Dining Month is brought to you by Fein Brothers, your premier food service equipment and supply dealer in Wisconsin since 1929. Congratulations to all of the winners, and happy eating for all those who voted!

AP Bar & Kitchen, 814 S. 2nd St., has been sold to new owners. As a result, the restaurant will observe its last service on Saturday, Oct. 14.

"I’ve entertained a number of offers to buy the business in recent years, but this was about timing," notes owner Justin Anthony. "I was offered an opportunity that I just couldn’t pass up working with a friend of mine in Palo Alto, California. It's with a great, growing food and beverage company. And I’ll be able to work with friends from my past that I’ve always adored. You just can’t say no when that happens."

Anthony disclosed that the new ownership includes John Revord and Mitch Ciohon of Boone & Crocket and Gypsy Taco, as well as Chef Shay Linkus of Vanguard. The new concept may open before the end of the year.

"I know they have something exciting planned," he says. "And I think it will be a great fit for the neighborhood."

Anthony notes that owning and operating AP over the the years has been a privilege.

"It’s been a wonderful learning experience for me, and I’ve been glad to have been part of this community," he says. "One of the biggest things I’ve taken away from it all is that you can come from a background of so many different experiences and want to be able to bring all of that to the table. But, it’s not about ego. The first rule is really to be empathetic to your customers, your neighbors and your community.

"The joy in this has been employing so many people, watching them grow and seeing them go off and do bigger and better things. It’s been a lesson in humility. We never did everything perfectly, and we were always learning. I can’t say how grateful I am for all the support we’ve had. And I’d love to invite everyone to scoot on in and visit us during these last days. Come in and let’s celebrate together."

Information on the new concept will be forthcoming. Watch OnMilwaukee for additional details as they become available.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

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 each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. 

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, 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.