Tauro Cocina / Leo Lounge
1758 N. Water St., (414) 488-2941
taurococina.com
Latin and Italian fusion, pizza
$$
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Flavors collide (in a good way) at this family-owned East Side spot which fuses Italian staples (like pasta and pizza) with Mexican flavors. You’ll find pastas dressed with poblano pesto and mezcal chipotle cream sauce; pizzas topped with beautifully cooked mid-rare hanger steak, tomatillo salsa and Oaxacan cheese; and even some nostalgic 90s era flavor combinations like figs, goat cheese and balsamic glaze.
Don’t rule out their well-designed brunch, which incorporates Mexican staples like slow braised beef birria alongside American classics like French toast. If the weather is cooperative, don't miss the opportunity to take a seat on their quaint courtyard patio, complete with its burbling fountain.
Recommended: Burrata frito; mussels with chipotle butter and white wine; asada pizza
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
