restaurant of the month - may 2007

Potawatomi Casino’s 3 restaurants provide something for everyone

POTAWATOMI BINGO CASINO, 1721 W. Canal St. just south of downtown Milwaukee, is a popular entertainment for destination for locals and visitors alike. In addition to the full range of gaming choices, the casino offers entertainment in a 500-seat intimate theater, specialty restaurants and a gift shop complete with authentic Native American handcrafts.

Throughout, the décor reflects the rich heritage of the Potawatomi nation. Artworks focusing on Native American themes can be found in all areas of the casino.

The casino’s three restaurants provide everything from a quick snack between play to a special occasion dinner, with world-class food and service to match. Guests must be 18-years-old to dine in The Buffet and Dream Dance and 21 for the Fire Pit Sports Bar & Grill.

The Fire Pit Sports Bar & Grill features food and beverages in the casual, high-energy atmosphere reminiscent of a Las Vegas sports book.

Menu choices range from appetizers, to soups and salads, to sandwiches and entrees. “Second-to-none” comes to mind when contemplating The Big Fish Sandwich or Ultimate Philly. Desserts tempt as well, from the Homemade Carrot Cake to Caramel Apple Cheesecake.
Sporting events from around the world are shown via satellite. Large screen TV’s ensure ample coverage of many different games and events. This is a great spot to watch the Kentucky Derby on May 5. Mint juleps will be raised for what is considered “the most exciting two minutes in sports.”

Special promotions, such as the Fire Pit Baseball Fan Club, add to the fun. During certain Milwaukee Brewers games, members compete for special prizes. (Sign up at the Fire Keeper’s Club booth as early as one hour before first pitch, and up to one hour after.) Fan Club dates and times this month are May 6, Pittsburgh, 1 p.m.; May 13, New York, noon; May 20, Minnesota, 1 p.m.; May 27, San Diego, 3 p.m.

The Fire Pit is now open 24 hours. The regular menu is served from 11 a.m.-midnight and a late night/breakfast menu is then served until 11 a.m.

The Buffet offers a vast selection of ethnic and American cuisine, with special “themes.” It’s comfort food on a grand scale.

On Mon., Tues. and Thur.—International dishes including Mexican, Asian and Mediterranean; Wednesday—seafood buffet with Alaskan snow crab claws and peel-and-eat shrimp; Friday—Fish fry with Lake Perch, cod and Walleye plus the traditional sides; Saturday—slow-roasted prime rib and Alaskan snow crab; Sunday Brunch—Belgian waffles, made-to-order omelets, complimentary glass of champagne and more; and Sunday Supper—comfort foods including BBQ pork ribs, southern fried chicken and catfish.

The Buffet celebrates Cinco de Mayo on May 5. In addition to the usual fare, an array of Mexican dishes will be served, with $3 Margaritas and a mariachi band from 4 p.m.-7 p.m. On Mother’s Day, guests will enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne and all women diners will receive homemade chocolate truffles.

Hours are 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. lunch; 3:30-9 p.m. dinner (until 10 p.m. Fri. and Sat.), 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sunday Brunch. Buffet "To Go" is available for lunch every day, as well as for dinner Sun.-Thurs.

At Dream Dance, guests experience award-winning dining and gracious service in an atmosphere of pure elegance. The Dream Dance experience includes service from two-person teams and luxury champagne and cognac carts.

Jason Gorman, Chef de Cuisine, designs his menus around the best seasonal ingredients. “Small Plates” may include an Exotic Mushroom Fricassee with asparagus custard and asparagus frites, while entrées include Strawberry Grouper with caramelized fennel potatoes or Florida Spiny Lobster with Meyer lemon sabayon, dandelion cucumber salad and spring new potatoes.

Steak lovers can choose from U.S.D.A. PRIME, American Wagyu/Angus “Kobe Style” beef, or true Japanese Kobe Beef. Whenever available, Dream Dance also serves Potawatomi’s own farm raised venison. The ranch is located in Laona, Forest County, on 320 acres of tribal reservation land adjacent to the Nicolet National Forest.

Desserts offer the perfect finish to dinner, with choices from Pastry Chef Christina Mike. Dream Dance also features the most progressive wine program in Milwaukee, with 637 wine selections–all at retail wine pricing. Wine service is a priority for Dream Dance’s General Manager Nathaniel Bauer, who is a certified sommelier.

Hours are 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Tues.-Thurs., 5-10 P.m. Fri. and Sat. Closed Sunday and Monday. Reservations are recommended at 414-847-7883. This also is the number to phone for information on specialty dinners such as the Morel Mushroom Dinner to be served at Dream Dance on May 22-23.