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!
FreshFin Poké
There was a loaded slate of candidates for Milwaukee's best new restaurant of 2017, with several culinary newcomers scoring well with voters. However, only one could come out on top of the scrumptious scrum of restaurant rookies. And that was FreshFin Poké, who beat out Third Coast Provisions, the second place runner up, by just five votes.
The restaurant marked a first for Milwaukee when it opened in January. And its fresh, modern take on classic Hawaiian poké bowls has made a splash thanks to offerings like the "Mango Tango" featuring salmon, mango, edamame, avocado, cilantro, spicy ginger and sweet shoyu sauce, tobiko and crispy onion for texture.
There was also tangible excitement when Freshfin announced that it would be expanding its footprint, putting a second location in the Third Ward. In fact, that location is due to open any day now, so watch OnMilwaukee for details as they develop.
Runners up:
2. Third Coast Provisions / Oak & Oyster
3. Bodegon at Hotel Madrid
4. Fuel Cafe on 5th
5. Farmer's Wife
OnMilwaukee editors' pick: The Tandem
Lori Fredrich's pick: Third Coast Provisions / Oak & Oyster
It was no easy task to choose best new restaurant this year. After all, Milwaukee's dining scene has offered up an embarrassment of riches over the past twelve months. And a number of new spots – including Bodegon, EsterEv, The Fitz and The Tandem – have added much to the restaurant landscape.
But I'm a sucker for well executed seafood, and that's exactly what you'll find at Third Coast Provisions and its little sister restaurant, Oak & Oyster. The restaurant gets big points for its gorgeous interior, which is not only opulent but comfortable. And its offerings are indisputably delicious, making them well worth your time, attention and hard-earned dollars.
Options like buttery Parker House rolls and lobster potholes are rich and indulgent, and entrees like King salmon with dill spaetzle are well executed. And if you're in the mood for more casual dining, Oak & Oyster offers something for everyone, including tacos, po'boys and plenty of oysters to go around.
