It’s as important as ever to support the amazing collection of local restaurants that we have in our beautiful city. And there’s no better way to do so than making a commitment to patronize them throughout the year. To guide you on your journey, I’ve composed a list of 52 amazing restaurants. Try just one of these every week and you’ll have visited them all by the end of 2023. View the full list here OR download an abbreviated printable PDF file.
The Diplomat
815 E. Brady St., (414) 800-5816
thediplomatmke.com
New American
$$-$$$
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A meal from The Diplomat is always a pleasure. Comfortable enough for a weeknight, but entirely worthy of a special occasion, the restaurant stands out for its menu of craveable dishes, which are simultaneously new yet comfortingly familiar.
I also love the balance between smaller shareable plates and entrees, which leaves room for a new experience every time.
Currently their menu features small plates like salt cod hashbrowns: a fritter-like mash-up of all the good things in a classic fish fry; tender octopus with Sardinian fregola pasta, Calabrian aioli, citrus and marinated olive salad; and pickled deviled eggs with dill salt.
There's also Cauliflower Au Poivre featuring the nutty fall vegetable with sage, cippolini onions and peppercorn sauce; confited chicken legs with farro, sweet potato porridge, poblanos, fried garlic and apple saba; and "Knife and Fork Chicken" served with 'nduja' Brussels sprouts, turnip and pear salad, mustard roasted potatoes and house biscuits with honey butter.
The menu at The Diplomat changes often enough that recommendations are tough. But, if you need a solid excuse to stop in for the first time, their burger (The Diplomac) is a staple. It’s stellar.
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.
