Another Dining Month at OnMilwaukee.com has come to an end and we hope you enjoyed it.
Of course, Dining Month wouldn't be a success without your participation. After all, it's you, Milwaukee, who casts your ballots to pick the winners of our annual "Best of Milwaukee Dining" poll. And this year, thousands of votes were recorded.
Here's a recap of the 2011 winners, along with the choices of the OnMilwaukee.com editorial staff.
And remember, this is your poll; did we miss a category this year or do you have a suggestion for 2012? Let us know by posting a Talkback below and we'll put it on the big board for next year.
Milwaukee's Best Restaurant: Sanford
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Crazy Water
From a less-than-flashy location on the corner of a mostly residential block at 1547 N. Jackson St., world-class chef/owner Sanford D'Amato created a culinary landmark out of what had been the family's corner grocery. The menu at Sanford changes with the seasons, and it's made up of the best ingredients, creating a pricey, special-occasion dining choice that was the clear choice among OnMilwaukee readers for the best in the city. This is a serious dining choice for serious diners, and it's a salute to the sophistication of the Milwaukee dining crowd that it has made an upscale restaurant like Sanford its top pick.
Best Restaurant, Northern Suburbs: Harry's Bar & Grill
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: North Star American Bistro
Harry's Bar and Grill, 3549 N. Oakland Ave., is the epicenter of NStars restaurant group. Located north of The Knick and south of North Shore Bistro (now NSB), Harry's is the most casual of the three and radiates neighborhood restaurant and upscale sports bar with a menu that can be simply classified as "better than bar food." We've loved Harry's for many years (try their awesome turkey burger), so we're not surprised OnMilwaukee.com readers made this Shorewood staple their top pick.
Best Restaurant, Southern Suburbs: Organ Piper Music Palace
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Organ Piper Music Palace
Organ Piper Music Palace – often referred to as "Organ Piper Pizza" – takes the brand new title for Milwaukee's best restaurant in the Southern Suburbs. Organ Piper is a unique, kitschy combination of pizza and live organ music. Every night of the week, with the exception of Mondays, a talented organ player sits down at the massive Wurlitzer and plays recognizable songs, both old and new. Plus, they take requests. The best part is that it's not all gimmick: the pizza is actually very good, too. Plus, Organ Piper offers adult beverages along with a menu of non-pizza items.
Best Restaurant, Western Suburbs: Eddie Martini's
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Blue's Egg
Over the years, Eddie Martini's, 8612 W. Watertown Plank Rd., has garnered recognition in Gourmet magazine and is a DiRoNa (Distinguished Restaurants of North America) award recipients. Eddie Martini's cuisine is simplicity defined. Just about every item on the menu is simply and expertly prepared with flawless results. Service is prompt and professional, attentive without being invasive, and the timing here is flawless, making a dining experience at Eddie Martini's one to be treasured. The restaurant's longevity, dedication to high-quality cuisine and reasonable prices make this a place to try if you haven't yet, and one to return to if it has been a while since your last visit.
And now, the rest of the 2011 winners:
Best New Restaurant: Cafe Benelux
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Ryan Braun's Graffito
Best Steak: Five O'Clock Club
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Eddie Martini's
Best Bar Food: Cafe Hollander
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Palomino
Best Breakfast: Blue's Egg Best Brunch: Comet Cafe Best Burger: Sobelman's Best Cheap Eats: Conejito's Best View: Harbor House Best Patio: Horny Goat Brewing Company Best Appetizers/Small Plate Dining: La Merenda Best Chef: Adam Siegel (Bacchus/Lake Park Bistro) Best Seafood: Harbor House Best Coffee Shop/Cafe: Alterra Best Frozen Treats: Kopp's Frozen Custard Best Comfort Food: Maxie's Southern Comfort Best Deli: Glorioso Brothers Best Fish Fry: Lakefront Brewery Palm Garden Best Pizza: Zaffiro's Best Hidden Gem: Barnacle Bud's Best Desserts: Honeypie Best Beer List: Cafe Hollander Best Hot Dogs/Sausages: Dogg Haus Best Late Night Eats: Oakland Gyros Best Local Fast Food: Culver's Best Lunch Buffet: Maharaja Best Romantic Restaurant: Lake Park Bistro Best Wine List: Balzac Best Ribs: Speed Queen Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant: Organ Piper Music Palace Best Market: Milwaukee Public Market Best Sandwiches: Cafe Lulu Best Street Food/Food Truck: Streetza Best Vegetarian Cuisine: Beans & Barley Best Festival or Event Food: Wisconsin State Fair Best Wings: Buffalo Wild Wings Best Chain Restaurant: P.F. Chang's China Bistro Best Chinese: Emperor of China Best French: Lake Park Bistro Best Greek: Oakland Gyros Best Indian: Maharaja Best Italian: Ristorante Bartolotta Best Japanese: Izumi's Best Mexican: Botanas Best Middle Eastern: Tulip Best Other Asian: Unami Moto Best Thai: The King & I
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Blue's Egg
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Wicked Hop
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Oscar's on Pierce
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Conejito's
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Screaming Tuna
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: The Yard at Iron Horse Hotel
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: La Merenda
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Adam Siegel
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Harbor House
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Stone Creek
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Kopp's
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Maxie's Southern Comfort
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Glorioso's
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Kegel's Inn
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Calderone Club
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Triskele's
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Coquette Cafe
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Erv's Mug
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Dogg Haus
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: George Webb
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Real Chili
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Mayura
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Bacchus
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Bacchus
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Speed Queen
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Lakefront Brewery Palm Garden
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Milwaukee Public Market
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Nessun Dorma
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Tiger Bite
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: The National
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Wisconsin State Fair
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Club Garibaldi
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Capital Grille
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Yen Ching
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Pastiche
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Ouzo
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Cafe India
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Ristorante Bartolotta
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Izumi's
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Cempazuchi
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Casablanca
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Hue
OnMilwaukee.com editors' choice: Thai Barbecue
