restaurant of the month - november 2008

HOTEL METRO BAR & CAFE

STEP INSIDE THE Metro Bar & Café, and discover a dining experience that is as welcoming as it is stylish.

The hotel’s interior was inspired by the streamlined design of the building’s art moderne, 1937 limestone exterior. A tranquil ambiance was achieved through the use of smooth curves and ovals, natural fibers, warm colors, and recessed lighting.

Sink into the comfortable couch seating that is an option in both the bar and café, and your Metro experience begins. That welcome is affirmed by Metro’s staff, providing the knowledgeable yet personal service that the term “boutique” implies. General Manager Ron Edwards places a high priority on service, and describes Metro’s wait staff as “friendly and accommodating.”

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week, Metro also has become a favorite after-five meeting place, since “Happy Hour” is celebrated seven days a week, 5-7 p.m. except Sunday, when it runs 5-10 p.m. There also are nightly drink specials. The Rooftop Lounge, Zen on 7, and the outdoor patio area also are open to the public.

Many have discovered that Metro is a great place to greet the day, whether that means a business breakfast or a solitary session with a cup of coffee served on the restaurant’s lovely china. Lunchtime finds business people and leisure travelers alike enjoying gourmet pizzas, sandwiches, salads and noontime specials. Accustomed to travelers visiting from many different time zones, the Metro Café staff welcomes guests throughout the day.

Metro’s emphasis on being earth-friendly, evidenced by its designation by the “Travel Green Wisconsin” program, carries through in the restaurant. For example, when fashioning his menus, Executive Chef Nic Sandoval uses local, organically produced sources whenever possible.

The attention to detail that distinguishes Hotel Metro also is a cornerstone in the bar and restaurant, from appetizer to dessert. Begin your dinner Maryland Crab Cakes, Asian spring rolls, or Bruschetta made with French baguette.

Entrée favorites include Chilean Sea Bass, broiled with fresh herbs and sweet butter; Chicken Argentino, chicken breast wrapped around spinach, sun-dried tomatoes and provolone cheese and served with a Boursin cream sauce; or Beef Tournedos, two filet medallions flame-broiled and topped with roasted tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and Hollandaise sauce. Daily specials reveal the chef’s creativity. Often focusing on fish or seafood, these offerings vary, depending on the best from the world’s oceans and lakes.

For those dropping in after a Bucks game, concert, or theater performance, Metro’s incredible dessert menu beckons. All desserts, including the Apple Walnut Upside-Down Pie (served warm and topped with caramel sauce and Chantilly crème), are made on the premises.

From 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, order from Metro’s expansive brunch menu, served tableside. Choices range from egg dishes to sandwiches to entrees, including three different versions Eggs Benedict and Oatmeal Brulee.

During warm weather months, Metro’s outdoor dining is a popular option. Another Hotel Metro stressfighter is the valet parking. And the entire facility is WiFi. Your reservations for the restaurant can be made at 225-3270, and questions are welcomed at 272-1937. Visit the Web at www.hotelmetro.com.