Be MKE: Why downtown was so busy this week, go-to brunch spots and German Fest

Who we are. Where we go. What we need to know.

I'm a big brunch gal.

Whether it be chilaquiles from Golden Nest Pancakes & Cafe or Mad Rooster Cafe; hashbrowns from Blue’s Egg or The Lafayette Place; or the BELTCH from Uncle Wolfie’s Breakfast Tavern — if something involves eggs, bacon and/or potatoes, I'm in.

Here are 15 reader-favorite brunch spots in the Milwaukee area, from Sweet Diner in the Third Ward to HoneyPie Cafe in Bay View.

And there's a new weekend brunch in downtown to mention: Bubbles + Brunch at Giggly, the Champagne and wine bar on the second floor of the Saint Kate arts hotel, 139 E. Kilbourn Avenue.

What's on the menu? Endless mimosas and bloody Marys; other brunch cocktails; zero-proof drinks, including a salted cream espresso tonic; avocado toast with fried eggs and chile oil; the Big Boy burger; ham and rolls; egg dishes; and more. There's also a buffet. Brunch hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

What's YOUR go-to brunch spot? Let me know.

Let’s talk business

If you've spent any time downtown this week, you've probably noticed Northwestern Mutual employees all over the place. It was the company's first in-person annual conference since 2019. Thirteen-thousand employees were expected to attend, not including family members who tagged along. “It’s fantastic for the city,” said Peggy Williams-Smith, president and CEO of VISIT Milwaukee. “They’ll be eating in our restaurants, staying in our hotels, shopping at our retail, going to our cultural events and institutions. It’s a $19 million economic impact.”

Bobby Portis and Milwaukee. Name a better duo ... I'll wait. VISIT Milwaukee, a collective of local businesses and services that market the city as a business and leisure destination, announced a partnership with the enormously popular Bucks role player who just re-signed as a free agent to stay in Brew City. VISIT released a video of Portis — which will be used to promote Milwaukee in markets within a six-hour drive — hyping up local hotspots, from Bradford Beach to the Milwaukee Public Market.

Dave Wolz started going to La Cage more than three decades ago. Recently, he became the iconic dance club's new owner — and he wants to make sure it continues being a "safe spot" for members of the city's LGBTQ community, just like it was for him. And he also has some new ideas up his sleeve, including burlesque shows and bingo. The physical building, 801 S. Second St., that houses La Cage was recently purchased by a real estate investor, according to Wolz.

Out and about

Where can you watch a dachshund derby and costume contest, eat schnitzel, prost with a German beer and play sheepshead? Milwaukee's German Fest, of course. This year's installment runs Friday through Sunday at Maier Festival Park, 200 N. Harbor Drive — and will be celebrating its 40th anniversary. Here's what to know about the 2022 festival, from hours and entertainment to food and drinks.

Back-to-school supplies and fall décor have already begun hitting store shelves. But I'm just gonna refuse to accept we're that late into the summer already. Since there's so much to check out here during the summertime — but so little time — here's a list of nine must-dos before it's over.

Marcus Mumford — yes, of Mumford & Sons — will be playing the Pabst Theater on Oct. 20. He's going solo for his next self-titled album and opting for intimate venues for his upcoming, 31-date North American tour. Tickets for the Milwaukee show go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday at the box office (144 E. Wells St.) and pabsttheater.org.

Don’t go hangry

The owner of the popular west side spot Miss Molly's Cafe and Pastry Shop will be opening Sully's Sandwiches just a few doors west, in the same building. Owner Molly Sullivan plans to offer sandwiches, including a Cuban sandwich, Middle Eastern-style chicken wrap, barbacoa beef torta and pulled pork on a honey biscuit. The sandwich shop, 9211 W. Center Street, will roast its own meats; roast cauliflower can serve as a substitute. Patrons can also expect desserts, including big sugar cookies, big brownies and s'mores pie. There will be seating for about 20 people at a banquette along a wall and a counter along the window, and a children's play area at the back of the restaurant. Sullivan hopes to open the casual eatery in December.

Indulge Milwaukee food, wine and spirits tasting event — sponsored by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association Education Foundation and Badger Liquor — is coming to American Family Field, 1 Brewers Way, Aug. 20 and 21. Regular admission tickets cost $150 per day, which include tastings from 35 restaurants, 60 alcoholic beverage brands and 10 cheesemakers. A VIP level ticket, at $350 per day, also includes a two-hour on-field experience in the dugout, catered by the Bartolotta Restaurants. Tickets can be purchased online at indulgemilwaukee.com/tickets.html. All proceeds from the event benefit the WRA Education Foundation.

Vendetta Coffee Bar's second location, 524 S. Second Street, is having its second soft opening this weekend. It will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 30 and 31. The grand opening will be Aug. 5. The Italian-style café will serve up espresso and espresso drinks, Italian-style cocktails, gelato shakes, Italian baked goods and panini. Later, it will add a bar menu of Italian small plates. There will be seating for 55 or so customers, including a loft area that can be reserved.

Here are the talkers

In two weeks, six women of color lost their lives to domestic violence in Milwaukee County. They were mothers, daughters, sisters and friends. If you or someone you know need help, here are some resources:

• Our Peaceful Home, which serves Muslim families and is a program of the Milwaukee Muslim Women’s Coalition, operates a crisis line at (414) 727-1090.

• The Hmong American Women’s Association, which serves the Hmong and southeast Asian community, has advocates available at (414) 930-9352 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

• The Asha Project, which serves African American women in Milwaukee, provides a crisis line from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at (414) 252-0075.

• The UMOS Latina Resource Center in Milwaukee offers bilingual, bicultural, domestic violence, sexual assault and anti-human trafficking supportive services and operates a 24-hour hotline at (414) 389-6510.

• The Sojourner Family Peace Center in Milwaukee operates a 24-hour confidential hotline at (414) 933-2722.

• The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 800-799-7233.

Former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, pipeline construction executive Tim Michels and state Rep. Tim Ramthun met on stage for the first time Sunday in a televised debate at Marquette University's Varsity Theatre. An Aug. 9 primary will determine which one of these candidates will be the Republican nominee who will face Democratic incumbent Gov. Tony Evers in the November general election. Here are seven takeaways from Sunday's debate.

This went viral on social media last week, so I'm guessing you stumbled upon it: A poster featuring some of Milwaukee's most colorful characters. It had The Milverine. It had David Gruber. It even had The Purple House. Here's a look at the local celebs on it and the impressions they've made on the city.

Another Antetokounmpo to Wisconsin! The Wisconsin Herd, the G League affiliate of the Milwaukee Bucks, acquired the rights to former Dominican High School star Alex Antetokounmpo in a trade with the Toronto Raptors 905 for the rights of Jalen Lecque. The Herd also acquired a second-round pick in the 2023 G League draft in the deal. Alex has yet to appear in an NBA game but he partnered up with older brothers Thanasis and Giannis of the Bucks in the skills challenge during NBA all-star weekend in February.

Be MKE,

Hannah

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To see what I'm up to around the city, follow me on Instagram @hannahhopekirby. Always keeping it pretty profesh over on Twitter @hannahhopekirby. Be MKE love or comments can be sent to hannah.kirby@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Be MKE: Why downtown was so busy this week, brunch spots, German Fest