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In Dining
Your picks for Milwaukee's best restaurants: 2006
 
By OMC Staff Writers
Photography by Eron Laber of Front Room

Published Nov. 7, 2006 at 5:37 a.m.

Audio Podcast: Bobby, Julie and Andy discuss their favorite Milwaukee restaurants
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You voted, you decided. This fall, thousands of OMC readers cast your votes for the fourth annual "Best of Milwaukee: Eat and Drink" survey, 2006. Last week, we shared your choices for best bars.

Now it's time to talk restaurants. Here are your winners, runners up and editors' choices -- because sometimes we'll just have to agree to disagree. Grab a knife and fork, dig in and, as always, share your comments using the Talkback feature below:

Best Bakery: Sciortino's
The smell alone makes this corner shop -- a remnant from a time when Brady Street was lined with Italian groceries and bakeries -- an institution. Small in size, but big on quality, Sciortino's continues to be the last word for all tasty pastries and fresh bread.
Runner up: Simma's
Editors' choice: Sciortino's

Best Bar Food: Hooligan's
Year in and year out, voters reaffirm that Hoolie's is an East Side staple that can hang its hat on great burgers and bar food. With televisions lining the bar downstairs and a more casual feel upstairs, it's a slightly more refined way to watch a Packers game at this original "super bar." Their beer selection is plentiful, too, with a bunch of hard-to-find brews always on tap.
Runner up: The Wicked Hop
Editors' choice: Palomino

Best Burger: Kopp's
It's no contest when it comes to Milwaukee's best burgers, Kopp's is tops, especially with some raw onions on top. Just be careful that all that ketchup and mustard doesn't slide out and onto your shirt! If you're new to Milwaukee and don't understand the concept of "butter burger" it just takes one trip to this custard empire. You'll be hooked.
Runner up: Elsa's
Editors' choice: Kopp's

Best Coffee Shop/Café: Alterra
They serve probably the strongest cup of java around, and with six locations and two more on the way, you'll be able to enjoy the stylish and comfy atmosphere of an Alterra café in just about any Milwaukee neighborhood. Word has it that the Foundry location is getting really close to serving alcohol.
Runner up: Stone Creek
Editors' choice: Alterra

Best Décor: Roots
Like the name suggests, Roots' decor is simple, elegant and natural. The surplus of windows and incredible view of downtown add to the overall serene environment. Plus, it's consistently clean and well maintained. Most will agree, beautiful Roots is the crown jewel of Brewer's Hill businesses.
Runner up: Lake Park Bistro
Editors' choice: Lake Park Bistro

Best Desserts: Hotel Metro
You won't find many restaurants in Milwaukee that will offer an $18 scoop of truffle ice cream, but Hotel Metro tried it once, and it was great.
Runner up: Trocadero
Editors' choice: Sanford

Best Fish Fry: Lakefront Brewery Palm Garden
It's a Friday feast at Lakefront Palm Garden, where the fish are fried, the potatoes pancaked, and the polka-bands are strapping on their accordions and adjusting their lederhosen. The high ceilings, long bench tables and flowing Lakefront Brewery beer make it feel like Munich in Milwaukee. It's a popular event for families in the early evening, and starts to get a bit rowdier as the night wears on.
Runner up: Serb Hall
Editors' choice: Wegner's St. Martins Inn

Best Frozen Custard: Kopp's
As for thick and creamy frozen custard, Kopp's is the gold standard. They have a different, often very inventive flavor daily; some sweet, some fruity and some just wacky.
Runner up: Leon's
Editors' choice: Bella's Fat Cat

Best Late Night Drunk Eats: Oakland Gyros
Prime location may be the best asset to this UWM campus staple. Perched on the corner of Locust and Oakland, and attached via side door to Axel's Bar, Oakland Gyros feeds the stumbling masses well after bar time. Greasy, salty fries and au jus sauce dripping from your chin may not sound appetizing now, but trust us, after a night of partying, all revelers are find their way to OG, like moths to a flame. You like-a da sauce? This greasy spoon satisfies that uncontrollable craving for au jus sauce, and all things pita. Order up the freshly prepared Greek Salad for a taste of the Mediterranean, or dive into the favored gyros or Athenian chicken. Oh, and always ask for more sauce.
Runner up: George Webb's
Editors' choice: Ma Fischer's

Best Patio: Trocadero
While on the inside, Trocadero strives to offer a slice of the City of Light, with its faux Metro passage, its lovely murals, delicious cheese and the zinc bar, out back, Trocadero is a patio lover's dream. In Paris, sitting outdoors means being crammed in between pedestrians and traffic -- everyone facing the sidewalk for maximum view -- at the Troc -- winter or summer -- the spacious patio (with heat when necessary) features a fountain and an often tranquil vibe, since there are few passersby to gawk at.
Runner up: Milwaukee Ale House
Editors' choice: Barnacle Bud's

Best Pizza: Pizza Man
Lucky for us, the local competition for best pizza was steep, but the East Side's provider of digital daily quips and peculiar pizza toppings ranging from cream cheese to conch, Pizza Man, reclaims its position as our readers' and our favorite. Add a lauded wine selection, and you've got a near perfect dining experience.
Runner up: Zaffiro's
Editors' choice: Ballistrieri's

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franie46 I am bringing 8 employees to the bead and button show in june and want to take ... ...
trkSF52 Phans Gardens is the best. Light food, exquisite herbs and spices. Try the Vietnamese ... ...
BB SO true. Terrible, heavy Japanese food? A crime. ...
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dianeh Amen to Rey Sol. It is the best Mexican by far and most authentic. I also love ... ...


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