My annual article, 52 Restaurants for your Bucket List, was originally created to provide readers with an easy way to explore the wealth of restaurants in the Milwaukee scene over the course of one year (52 weeks). Today, as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, it provides a fun and equally compelling guide for folks who’d like to bring variety to their weekly meals while providing vital support to some of our finest local restaurants.

Here's the featured restaurant of the day, a sampling of their prix fixe private dining menu, plus five dishes to try for carry-out!

The Original
2498 N. Bartlett Ave., (414) 763-4811
theoriginalmke.com

Tucked away on a residential street on the city's East Side, The Original is as comfortable as a neighborhood spot should be, with approachable fare that goes the extra mile. Dishes seamlessly blend Midwestern sensibilities with distinctly Southern flair resulting in dishes like po'boys, fried chicken and more. The warm hospitable atmosphere is reason enough to go back again and again.  

Currently, The Original is offering safe reservation-only private dining for one party at a time (four to eight guests), with a four-course prix fixe menu ($100 per person includes four courses, two drinks, tax and tip). Reservations are available Wednesday through Saturday with seatings at 5:30 and 7: 30 p.m. They also offer a casual menu for take-away and curbside pick-up.

A sampling of the current prix fixe menu:

• First course: Squash carbonara with guanciale, pepper, arugula, parmesan, roasted garlic cream
• Second course: Salad with butter lettuce, coffee roasted carrots and pears, red onion, sherry duck fat vinaigrette
• Third course: Scallops with sweet potato grits, grilled broccolini and mushrooms (pictured above)
• Turtle semifreddo: Chocolate chip semifreddo, caramel sauce, candied nuts

Five dishes to try (carry-out): 

1. Brussels sprouts: Bacon, cider gastrique, cheddar; can be prepared mild or spicy ($12)
2. The Milwaukee Melt: a half-pound burger on grilled rye bread, barely fried onions, American cheese, bacon and beer mustard aioli ($12)
3. The Cordon Bleu: grilled or fried chicken thigh, ham, swiss cheese, Dijonnaise, brioche bun ($12)
4. Cider glazed pork chop dinner: 12oz bone-in pork chop with a choice of two sides: slaw, grilled broccolini, sweet potato grits or mac ‘n cheese ($25, available for carry-out)
5. Four-piece fried chicken dinner: mild or spicy with choice of two sides: slaw, green beans, grits, mac ‘n cheese ($20, available for carry-out)