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Balzac
“Small-plate” dining and drinking made easy!
“SMALL PLATE DINING” at Balzac makes ordering (and eating) fun. This restaurant and wine bar also takes the fear out of ordering wine. Billed as “wine for the masses” and with a knowledgeable, friendly staff and five-page wine list, ordering a glass, bottle or “flight” of related wines is easy.
Balzac is located at 1716 N. Arlington Pl. in a corner of the Passeggio building, which is on the 1300 block of E. Brady St. This is the heart of the historic Brady Street neighborhood, one of the city’s top entertainment destinations.
Natural woods, rich earth tones and the glow of candles warm the clean, modern lines of the décor. Adding a counterpoint as well are the antique crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.
At Balzac, the menu offers a wide range of items, with something for the sushi-lover as well as the carnivore. Eating is designed to be a shared experience, where guests choose several items, tasting many different flavors and textures.
Don’t hesitate to ask the wait staff for suggestions! Once you receive your first selections, beautifully “plated” and promptly served, it’s easy to order the next round.
Anthony Trester is Balzac’s executive chef. His impressive resume lists work experience at The American Club, Velvet Room and Lake Park Bistro. Trester recently revamped Balzac’s menu with a focus on fall and winter’s seasonal foods. The menu also reflects an emphasis on pricing that allows for lots of sampling.
Tempting choices include petite fillet with sauce périgueux and mini duchess potato, vegetarian napoleons encrouté, wild mushroom strudel and balsamic gastrique, tomato confit with garlic bread, and coconut battered shrimp with pepper marmalade and mango cilantro coulis.
Balzac’s wine list is a breezy, fun-to-read directory. The restaurant’s special wine classes and wine dinners are drawing a growing list of fans. This is Milwaukee, so of course there also are 20-plus beers available and at least eight more on tap. The long martini list also is tempting.
Visitors, who often find themselves searching out food at odd times, will be happy to know that Balzac opens seven days a week at 5 p.m. and offers food until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and midnight the rest of the week. The bar is open until 2 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 2:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
For more information, phone 414-755-0099. The Web site is www.balzacwinebar.com.
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