Charles E. Fromage Transforms into “Noël à Paris”

MILWAUKEE, Wis — Beginning the day after Thanksgiving, Charles E. Fromage, the intimate French-inspired bistro on West Vliet Street, will transform into Noël à Paris, a holiday pop-up that transports guests to Montmartre, Paris, circa 1953(ish). It is a memory, after all…

Noël à Paris invites guests to step inside a love story lost to time. As legend goes, Charles E. Fromage once left behind a Parisian Christmas with his beloved Paulette, and this winter, his Milwaukee bistro will become the one they once knew in 1950s Montmartre. The transformation extends beyond décor into details perceptible to all five senses, from the candlelight to the Charles Tenet music, and is designed to evoke the Paris of yesteryear. The immersion continues through flavor, with each cocktail serving as a chapter, and every sip or bite blending with the atmosphere to deepen the experience. “With locally sourced Wisconsin cheeses, charcuterie, and housemade touches like praline almonds and cranberry jam, our Noël House Board, paired with a signature hand-crafted cocktail, instantly transports you from Vliet Street to Paris,” said Chef Sam Alioto.

While most seasonal pop-ups are national leased or franchised concepts, Noël à Paris is an entirely original and local creation, envisioned by Milwaukee-based creative director Danielle Trecek, in collaboration with the Charles E. Fromage team. Every element, from concept to menu, was designed specifically for the bistro’s space and identity, conceived to tell a cohesive story.

SOME OF OUR SIGNATURE COCKTAIL FEATURES INCLUDE:

• Madeleine au Macaron – A silky almond-forward macaron martini garnished with a full macaron, evoking a French pâtisserie.
• Boule de Fête – A sparkling cranberry-elderflower cocktail served in a holiday ornament guests can take home.
• L’Orange Sablée – Cognac and Cointreau balanced with a salted orange fluff.
• Joyeux Martini Français – A French Martini reborn for the season with nutmeg and pineapple foam.
• Mulled Wine de France – Red wine steeped with citrus, brandy, and mulling spices.

Non-alcoholic options include the Pomme Tatin, a steamed apple and vanilla spiced cider, and Crème de Lune, a luminous coconut–almond sip beneath salted orange fluff.

Events will unfold throughout the month such as:

• December 1: Ticketed Charcuterie & Cocktail Tasting
• December 8: Industry Night ($2 off all drinks)
• December 27: Ultimate Fromage Holiday Party
• December 31: NYE Toast Around the World (with extended hours)

The bistro’s small scale is part of what makes the experience so immersive; it’s an atmosphere designed for lingering conversation and shared discovery. While we operate on a first-come, first-serve basis and cannot accommodate reservations, seating is best suited for parties of one to four. Larger groups may be accommodated at the bar if space allows.

Each visit is intended as a 90-minute experience. Guests are always welcome to stay longer when space permits, though during busy hours we may kindly ask parties to observe this time frame so others may also enjoy the space.

Charles E. Fromage
5811 W. Vliet Street, Milwaukee, WI
Open 4–10 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday
Noël à Paris runs November 28 – December 31, 2025
Full menu available upon request.

About Charles E. Fromage:

Charles E. Fromage is a family owned and operated French-inspired bistro on West Vliet Street. The bistro offers a rotating menu of wines, cocktails, and shareable boards always designed with seasonality, local procurement, and sensory imaginativeness in mind.

Instagram: @charles.e.fromage

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.