Walker’s Point is a neighborhood that lies south of the Third Ward in Milwaukee. The once industrial area, now mainly the Fifth Ward, is being transformed with new condo development and development along the river. With the influx of new people there are many new restaurants and shops.
I was amazed by the number of chocolate, cheese and ice cream makers, coffee roasters as well as great craft breweries. What is even more impressive is that many use ingredients from the other artisans to create new products for themselves! Don’t miss:
Clock Shadow Creamery: For cheese lovers, make sure to visit this cheese factory and store in a contemporary building. You can tour the factory, shop for over 40 varieties of cheese including European-style or grab a sandwich or ice cream in the deli. 138 W. Bruce St. in Walker’s Point.
Anodyne Coffee Roasters: This Walker’s Point coffee roaster is a great spot for a coffee, live music on weekends, wine or craft beer. The Milwaukee Brewing Company across the street makes a very good craft beer flavored with Anodyne espresso! 224 W. Bruce St.
Indulgence Chocolatiers: At 211 S. 2nd in Walker’s Point, this is a small chocolate shop and factory creating some wonderful artisanal chocolate bars, truffles and other products. The dark chocolate with sea salt is my favorite. What is even more unique is that you can do a tasting and pairing of their chocolate confections with wines, local cheeses and craft beers.
Purple Door Ice Cream: At 203 S. 2nd in Walker’s Point is a small gourmet ice cream shop that has some wonderful and unique flavors to try. High on the list is Black Tea and Fig, Whiskey and Espresso made with the espresso from Anodyne Coffee Roasters nearby.
Milwaukee Brewing Company: Sign up for a tour of this small micro-brewing company making some excellent craft beers. Make sure to try Louie’s Demise, their medium-bodied amber ale and Outboard, their cream ale. Their Snake Oil Stout flavored with Anodyne Coffee’s espresso is also good and very unique. 613 S. 2nd St. For spirits fans, check out Central Standard Craft Distillery connected to the brewery to taste their vodka, gin, white whiskey and bourbon.
Braise, 1101 S. 2nd St.: This is a popular Walker’s Point restaurant at 1101 S. 2nd St. It was named one of Bon Appetit’s 50 Best New Restaurants 2012. The menu by chef David Swanson changes daily. Swanson has worked in several award winning restaurants such as Commander’s Palace in New Orleans, Carlo’s Restaurant in Highland Park IL, Le Francais as Sous Chef in Wheeling IL and was Chef de Cuisine at Sanford in Milwaukee. After opening Braise, he received a 2013 James Beard Nomination for Best Chef Midwest.
Most everything is locally sourced. In addition to the restaurant there is a culinary school offering classes in cooking and baking as well as menu planning and wine pairing. There is a 2nd Floor Bar & Lounge and a Rooftop Deck and Garden. I had a really wonderful meal where I shared three small plates and an entrée with a friend. The salad with turnips was good, but the highlights were the Tea & Crumpet with tea smoked chicken and an herbed crumpet, a great chicken entrée and a tart with morel mushrooms.
Colectivo Coffee: Colectivo, formerly Alterra Coffee, is a local coffee chain that serves wonderful coffee and great pastries from their bakery Troubadour Bakery in Bay View. There is also a great location in the 5th Ward or Walker’s Point at 170 S. 1st St. called the Foundry Cafe as it is located in former Kramer International foundry building.
Stone Creek Coffee: Another local coffee roaster has a Walker’s Point location, called Radio Milwaukee, at 158 S. Barclay.
For a break from all of that eating stop in at Antiques on Pierce. At 1512 W. Pierce St., this is Southeastern Wisconsin’s largest antique mall with three floors, 90,000 sq. ft. and 200 dealers. You can find some great vintage jewelry, china and glassware and clothes.
Iron Horse Hotel: This eclectic boutique hotel in Walker’s Point has an outside bar, The Yard, where you can enjoy a drink on a beautiful evening. There is music on Sundays. Their new restaurant, Ash, with its new open, wood-fired hearth, has received excellent reviews. 500 W. Florida St.
Walker’s PointI just heard about a new cider bar, Lost Valley Cider Co. This is Milwaukee’s first hard cider bar, taproom and bottle shop. It features 20 ciders on tap, bottled ciders and cider flights along with small bites, cider cocktails, beer and wine. I can’t wait to try it on my next visit. It is owned by the brother of a good friend. 408 W. Florida St.
A favorite new find is Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge at 1579 S. 9th St. This is Milwaukee’s oldest cocktail lounge that has been open since 1938. The dimly lit classic decor really makes the place very special and is the perfect atmosphere to enjoy a classic cocktail before you head to dinner in the area. They also have the Jazz Estate on Milwaukee’s Eastside for cocktails and live jazz. It has featured national and local jazz musicians for over 40 years. I will definitely go on my next trip!!
