Another Farm-to-Table Restaurant

The Milwaukee restaurant scene continues to grow: seven new eateries are opening their doors (or carts) for hungry customers.

Morel: Jonathan Manyo is the chef and owner of Morel restaurant opening soon at 430 S. 2^nd St. The restaurant will be a true farm-to-table experience, serving only Wisconsin bred proteins, “lakefood” straight for Wisconsin waters, and locally grown produce. The building itself will mirror a rustic French farmhouse, with an open patio area in the back which Manyo hopes to use for open hearth cooking. Morel will serve dinner Tuesday through Saturdays. The restaurant hopes to open by the end of June.

Pho 43: Soon to occupy 1814 N. Farwell Ave., in place of previous tenant Mona’s Turkish Shawerma House, Pho 43 reopens in a new location on the Lower East Side. The Vietnamese restaurant opened its 2155 Miller Park Way location in 2009, but had decided to move to Farwell Avenue. With a focus on Pho noodle soup, the family run business hopes to bring healthy and authentic Asian dishes to its customers. Pho 43 has not indicated an exact date for their reopening.

Memah’s Kitchen: With such desserts as mini caramel mahs, turtle heaven cakes, and butter milk pie, Memah’s Kitchen will officially open to the public starting June 1. The Cajun bakery, which specializes in cakes, pies, and pastries, is located on the second floor of The Shops of Grand Avenue near Lexor Day Spa and Salon. The bakery will also offer catering and delivery services.

Butch’s Red Mill: Replacing The Historic Red Mill at 1005 S. Elm Grove Road will be a new pub, Butch’s Red Mill. The casual American eatery will serve steak sandwiches, burgers, and Friday fish fries. Construction is currently underway resurfacing the parking lot, installing awnings to the building, and decorating the interior with antiques before opening in July.

Pete’s Pops: Inspired by a frozen fruit-pop, or paletas, stand at a St. Louis farmers market, Pete Cooney hopes to create an army of carts selling his unique frozen pops. The Pete’s Pops cart will frequent the pedestrian bridge around Brady St. and Prospect Ave. and the Third Ward’s Public Market area. Pops go for three dollars or two for five dollars with flavors like avocado, strawberry basil, pineapple jalapeno, and chocolate sea salt.

Chick-fil-A: The fried chicken giant Chick-fil-A is set to open two new locations, one at 12625 W. 126th and Capital and another at 5351 S. 76th street near Southridge Mall. Both stores will be free standing buildings with drive thrus and outdoor seating, and are tentatively scheduled to open in September. Chick-fil-A is one of the largest privately-owned businesses in the country; both restaurants are expected to hire up to 80 employees each.

Sprecher’s Traveling Beer Garden: Working with the Milwaukee County Department of Parks, Recreation and Culture, Sprecher Restaurants will roll out a vintage fire engine modified with a tap trailer and concessions stand to serve six Milwaukee area parks this summer. The traveling beer garden will offer a selection of Sprecher beers and sodas, along with cocktails and root beer floats. Concessions on the fire engine will also be serving up ice cream, pizza, popcorn, cheese flights, pretzels and chips. The engine is open during the week from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and weekends from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Here is a complete schedule of the beer garden’s stops:

Root River Parkway South Picnic Area 1: June 4-15

Coast Guard Station Area near McKinley Marina: June 18-29

Doctors Park: July 2-13

Red Arrow Park: July 16-27

Greene Park: July 30-Aug. 10

Falk Park: Aug. 13-24