SWIG WINS BIG!

They did it. Swig won us over – big time!

Last night we set out for a second time for dinner at Swig with Our Friends, Kay and The Doc Who Goes To Bed Before The Sun Sets. Therefore, we were eating early, even though we did not have theater tickets this night. Only the tables along the big glass doors in Swig were filled when we arrived. On one of Milwaukee’s three or four perfect weather days, it would be nice to sit at those tables, especially if the door is open, but last night it was pouring. Besides, the tables along the big door are rather close together and those in the back room feel a bit isolated, away from the real downtown atmosphere that we suburbanites crave. But there is a table that feels like it is the box seat of the restaurant. It overlooks the bar area and has no other tables around it. We sat there and will ask for that table any time we are come here. Which will be often. Especially since Barclay’s Gallery and Café closed, where we used to like to go before performances at the Broadway Theater. Swig is even more convenient for pre-theater dining.

The ambiance at Swig is modern, but definitely warm. The walls are covered with slabs of wood in various natural wood tones, all nailed together in a geometric pattern, like very artsy, three-dimensional wallpaper. The clientele is just like us: hip, young, very attractive and urbane. And for our friends who like to sit at a nifty bar and chat with a handsome bartender while eating dinner, this bar is perfect for you.

While riding downtown, we studied the wine list that I’d printed from Swig’s website. We decided on a bottle of the Picard Cotes du Rhone Grenache/Syrah ($32) while The Man Who Only Drinks White Wine Regardless Of The Color Of His Meat ordered a glass of Cutrer Chardonnay ($10). He had tasted it the last time we were here, had raved about it then and enjoyed it just as much last night. Our shared bottle grenache/syrah was lovely, after it gasped for breath a few minutes to shed its tannins. We agreed it was crisp, light, and not too fruity to serve with food. Very nice with the seafood we were going to try.

To share as appetizers, The Man Who Likes Any Food That Sounds Like It May Have Originated In Italy insisted upon ordering the Classic Bruschetta ($6.50 for four), while I pushed for the Asiago Spinach and Artichoke Dip ($8.75). Personally, I wouldn’t have ordered bruschetta. It’s available in grocery stores, and even I can make a reasonable rendition of it. But was I wrong - again. It is SO tiresome. The bruschetta was one of the highlights of the evening. The crostini on which it was served was perfectly light and toasty and the bruschetta was .... well, all I can say is, “WOW!” Well-drained fresh tomatoes chopped finely, fresh basil, just enough parmesan... Great flavors beautifully blended. Though there were four pieces, I had to beg The Man to allow me one bite. Next time we will definitely order the plate of seven pieces for $11.50. The asiago and artichoke dip at first seemed bland next to the bruschetta, but it grew on us. It was creamy and rich, served with very hot, crusty French bread. It would make a perfect after-theater snack with one of Swig’s specialty martinis – if you’re not out with A Man Who Goes To Bed Before Sunset.

On to bigger things. I was going to order a salad and an entre, but our waiter, Josh, told us that the salads are huge, so Doc and I split a Greek Salad ($9.00). There was enough feta and kalamata olives and even garbanzo beans - a delicious addition that I’ve never had in a Greek salad – to satisfy even the most ravenous of appetites. With it, I ordered an entre of the Pan-seared Scallops in a roasted red pepper sauce, served with spinach gnocchi ($12.50 -- The Man withThe Tight Wallet really liked the prices here). What a meal! The sea scallops were perfectly cooked, tender and not rubbery at all, and the mild red pepper sauce was amazing with them. I even brought a couple of scallops home to have for lunch today. Doc had the Crab Cakes ($8.50) from the “Small Plates” menu. There were four nice-sized cakes served with a chipotle pesto. Though the sauce was not excessively hot, I thought it drowned out the crab taste a bit. This was the only dish from the entire evening that I probably would not order again – and you all know I love crab cakes. The crab was blended into fine pieces or even meal. I prefer to have definable pieces of crab in my crab cakes – though that is not the preference of The Man Who Eats Almost Nothing With Fins or Claws, But Does Eat Crab Cakes If He Can’t Tell They Contain Something That Swims. He liked these.

The Man thoroughly enjoyed a bowl of the soup-of-the-day, a chicken vegetable soup, that I could make an entire meal of. The broth was unusual in that it had some tomato in it. With it The Man ordered the Breaded Three Cheese Ravioli that he missed having when we were here last time. It was worth the wait. I was only allowed a tiny taste, but I could tell these ravioli were unusually yummy. These handmade pouches stuffed with cheese had been steamed till almost done, then breaded and sauted so they were a bit crisp on the outside. What an unusual and tasty concept.

Kay ordered the small plate of Tempura Snap Peas ($6.75) and an entre of Chicken Manicotti Cacciatore ($10.50 – believe-it-or-not!). DO NOT EVER GO TO SWIG AND NOT ORDER THESE SNAP PEAS! These are about the best appetizer I can remember ever eating – and I love many appetizers. This cannot be considered a “small plate.” A mountainous portion of snap peas had been dipped in a very light, thin batter and deep fried oh-so-briefly, then served with a sour cream-based dip. OH, MY. That’s all I can say. After all of this food, Kay took home most of her chicken cacciatore, which consisted of a generous portion of manicotti stuffed with chicken and tons of tasty cheese served with a gorgonzola marinara sauce. We all agreed we would order this again.

I did even check out the ladies room for you public bathroom users. As I expected, it was immaculate.

Our service last night was outstanding, from the hostess to the bartender to our waiter, Josh. And the food! The food was to die for. And I almost NEVER say this. I reviewed 43 restaurants along Bluemound Road when we were dining out every night while my new kitchen was under construction. (You can still see those reviews at: www.bluemoundinseptember.blogspot.com ) There was some very good food – and some really bad stuff as well. But very few restaurants offered anything near as well- prepared as Swig’s. Hats off to your chef, Mr Sorge! And to you and to all of your staff.

We will Swig in again. (As soon as I review the rest of the Third Ward’s restaurants.

Sometimes I'm not -
Stirring the Pot