MiL.WaLk.EaT: Diners Drive-Ins and Dives

Showing posts with label Diners Drive-Ins and Dives. Show all posts

7.24.2011

6.12.11 Brunch. Comet Cafe (Lower East Side. Milwaukee, WI)

Sunday Funday! I don't know if you are aware that I like, no, I LOVE brunch. So, Maretes and I were due for some hang out one on one time. We decided to hit up Comet... huge surprise right? I got there first and signed up for a table. It was only about a 20 minute wait which was pretty darn good but, it was earlier for the Sunday Brunch crowd... 10am. Remember, this is a "slow food" restaurant who prides themselves in good food from scratch, so don't expect a speedy in and out kinda joint.

Bloody Mary with High Life Mini for the Chaser

Maretes was running late but placed an order with me to get her a bloody Mary with a chaser. So, I ordered two bloody Marys with chasers and both with bacon. The Server was very attentive and got me a drink right away despite the other person not being there. I ordered mine spicy (SPICE alert. not for spice wimps. constant Tabasco heat to the back of your throat.) When you order a bloody, they ask you with bacon or not. If you've been following my blog, you've gotten the idea that I'm down with the bacon movement. Please keep in mind, when you order a bloody with bacon, I recommend that you remove the bacon and either eat it immediately or put it to the side. The bacon fat starts to congeal and it's not appetizing...unless you like a film of fat in your mouth. Gross. The other fixins in the bloody include pickled mushroom, pickled brussel sprout, lime, lemon, olive and bacon. I don't like brussel sprouts but I do love me some pickled brussel sprouts that has been bathed in bloody Mary goodness. The bloody Marys come with a cute mini high light life bottle. Love it.

Diner side. Obtained from Yelp.com

Crowd is usually 20-30s typical east side crowd but also people from all around Milwaukee and people coming into town. As noted in my last blog on Comet, the restaurant was shown on Diners, Drive ins and Dives so it brings in quite the foodie crowd sometimes. There are two sides to the restaurant, the diner side and the bar side. You can eat on both sides and can also eat at the counter and the bar. On nice days, there is also an option for sitting outside. So many options. It can get rather busy and you usually sign in on the sheet on the cafe side. Next to the sign in sheet is their beautiful baked good display. Great placement. The cupcakes and pies always look delectable. The servers and bartenders are usually very friendly. On this visit, the server was very nice despite the place being pretty crowded as time went on that we were there. There is usually some music playing can be from a wide variety of genres.

Due to my need to try something different every time I go to Comet (still have no doubled up on menu items...thank you very much), I ended up ordering an omelet. Maretes was excited to be part of the blog and asked me what else I have not adventured to try on the brunch menu and so she ended up getting the meat and eggs.

Maretes' Meal (I like alliteration.)

Details: Meat and Eggs. Meatloaf covered with homemade sausage gravy, two eggs which she ordered over easy and covered with cheddar, hash-browns and asked for onions added to it, and chose cinnamon toast. $11.00 (additional cost for her cheddar and cinnamon toast as well, I think, but I don't know how much.)

Meat and Eggs. Hashbrowns, Over Easy Eggs covered and Cinnamon Toast.

Maretes' thoughts: Initially, she was surprised and disappointed when she noticed that the sauteed onions were in a little clump under the hashbrowns instead of mixed into them but when she tasted them with the hash-browns, they were so good. She was happy and impressed with how fresh everything tasted. The eggs were overcooked and not over-easy as she had ordered. Possibly because they had to let the cheese melt onto them. Cinnamon toast was made from scratch in her opinion and was oh so delicious. Kind of like they took a piece of white toast and spread some butter on it and sprinkled cinnamon and sugar. Their homemade gravy is creamy and full of flavor. Large helping of meatloaf so come hungry. Per the servers, it's made daily. Let me tell you, this meal was comfort food in a nutshell. It's like getting a hug from an all American Grandma. Now, who wouldn't like that?

My go.

Details: 3 egg omelet with tomato, spinach and mozzarella, served with hashbrowns and I chose rye bread (I know, I've already been told that only old people eat rye but I love it!... Not just bread for a Ruben... a bread for all occasions.) $7.50 and $0.75 cents for an extra ingredient since the omelets come with a choice of two.

3 Egg Omelet (tom, spin and moz). Rye Toast and Hashbrowns

My thoughts: The mozzarella tasted so good. I really enjoy omelets with good fresh mozzarella. It was melted just perfectly and maintained a good melted consistency versus hardening up. The omelet, overall, was tasty but pretty simple. Not something that really stands out but when you order something like this, you can't expect anything mind-blowing and unique right? Right. It's an omelet that you can get at other places. Hash-browns were made just how I like them. I added a few shakes of Tabasco to my potatoes and it really brought them up a notch but that's my style. Dig the spice. Crispy and well done on the outside yet still soft on the inside. The rye is unique, as stated in the past Comet blog, since it has a salted crust. I love salt so this could be a turn off to those that don't enjoy it. Just like with a salted pretzel, I'm thinking it could be rubbed off if someone doesn't dig it.

Other things to consider:

-Since I had a bloody Mary, I was in need of some caffeine. I was able to order a coffee to go. BONUS was that I wasn't charged for it. God, I love this place.

-Great service on this visit despite the crowd and how busy it gets.

-Able to get your meal how you want it... ie all Maretes' add ons and the option for vegan and vegetarian dishes.

-Parking can be terrible on the lower east side. Maretes was struggling with this one.

-Brunch menu is more extensive than their typical daily breakfast menu. Brunch is served on both Saturday and Sunday.

Overall, this was a good visit. You know I'll always come back here. Love this place to death. Of course, there are some things I like more than others. On this visit, my meal was average, the bloody was good as always and the company and service was fantastic.

Comet Cafe

1947 N Farwell Ave

Milwaukee, WI 53202

(414) 273-7677

www.thecometcafe.com

OPEN

Monday - Thursday 10:30am-2am

Friday 10:30am - 2:30am

Saturday 9am - 230am

Sunday 9am - 2am

Food service ends at 10pm nightly

Happy Hour M-F 3:30 - 6:30pm

Daily Drink Specials start at 6:30pm

6.27.2011

6.3.11 Dinner. Comet Cafe (Lower East Side. Milwaukee, WI)

It was a Friday after work and I needed a drink after a busy busy day. I made some calls to see if anyone would join me for a beverage. Ben was riding down by the lake and Jamie was just leaving for a run and said she'd meet up. Oh yeah... my friends are kind of a big deal. Getting in shape and here I am tempting them to come out and be gluttons. Of course, we ended up going to Comet Cafe. Ben and I met at Comet and Jamie then joined us after her run.

It was such a nice day out that we decided to sit outside and there wasn't any wait since it was still before the dinner rush, around 5ish. The outside seats at Comet are along the sidewalk and provide great people watching of the diverse East Side. As we sat outside, it did get a little breezy and sitting under the table umbrella made it a tad chilly but doable. Inside, there were many tables available when we first got there but people did flow in at a steady pace. Friday at Comet can get oh so busy. Typically serves the typical East Side crowd but brings in all types of people... families, married couples, college students, etc.

I thought it'd be smart to fill you in and provide you my history with Comet. You'll notice that I may be less detailed about the restaurant because I've been to this establishment many times since moving to my current residency. It was love at first sight. I knew that this would be my Cheers bar from Cheers, my Max from Saved by the Bell, my Peach Pit from 90210... shall I go on? Didn't think so. I frequent this place often ut not often enough for everyone to know my name. Getting there though. During one of the first few times I went to Comet, I came up with a mission that I would not get any of the menu items twice until I've tried everything once. I chose the mission and have stuck to it since July 2010. If I'm motivated enough, I may get really gung ho and do a review of all the foods that I've had from their menu. I guess only time will tell. But, you take a quick glance at the menu and you'll notice all comfort food with an attitude. Anyway, lets move on with the review.

Front: Bell's Oberon Ale, Rear: Chatoe Rogue OREgasmic Ale

While waiting for Jamie, Ben and I ordered a drink. Comet boasts a great beer list, frequently changing draft beers, wine and various classic and unique mixed drinks. Ben and I took advantage of the Beermergency Happy Hour special of $1 off all taps (excluding those with an asterics). They also have $1 bottles of old style. This runs Monday through Friday, 3:30pm to 6:30pm. Ben chose Chatoe Rogue First Growth OREgasmic Ale. I picked the Bells Oberon Ale (one of my favorite brews for summer). I thought mine was oh so fresh and so clean clean. Ben liked his. I thought has had a slightly bitter aftertaste.

The server was one that we often had. Ben actually went to school with him. He is always friendly and helpful. Jamie, and her oh so motivated self, eventually met up with us. She passed on food and a beverage and just chose to re-hydrate with water... she was jealous of us I'm sure. Let's get on to the food. Shall we?

Vegan Chili with Noodles

Ben's up
Details: Friday Fish Fry Everyday which includes hand-battered cod, fries, coleslaw, rye toast and tartar sauce. Ben chose the vegan chili with noodles as his starter. (Entrees come with choice of soup or salad.) $10

Friday Fish Fry Everyday

Ben's thoughts: Chili is thicker than a typical chili. Has a little spice to it. Nice tomato flavor. Noodles are both on the bottom and top so it's distributed nicely. Ben added Sriracha since he likes the spice. Chili itself has a little bite though (from my personal point of view as I have had it in the past). Ben often gets this as he's "always liked their chili." Chili is hearty. Fish itself was crispy on the outside yet not dry or overcooked. Not greasy at all. Tartar tasted homemade and a thinner consistency. Nice manageable sized pieces of fish. Coleslaw is mayo based. Nobody tasted it because Ben "doesn't get down on coleslaw"and I wasn't in the mood for it. Rye bread comes has a salted crust and comes toasted. Jamie chimed in as Ben was providing me his thoughts and stated that she thinks it's one of the best fish frys in town...kind of a big deal.

Small House Salad with side of ranch

My turn
Details: Buffalo Grilled Chicken Sandwich with small house salad with side of ranch instead of fries. The sandwich came with tomato, lettuce and Hooks Creamery blue cheese sauce and served on a ciabatta bread. $9 plus $1 for salad substitution.

Buffalo Grilled Chicken Sandwich

My thoughts: First bite, oh so juicy. So juicy that it's probably not a first date type of food. Gets a tad messy. Especially if you try to cut it. I recommend that you keep it in one piece or ask for a sharper knife prior to tackling that challenge. I failed at that. Thank God I took a picture before going all Machete on it. Runny blue cheese sauce. Strong blue cheese flavor. Flavor warning... if you don't dig blue cheese, I wouldn't recommend this sandwich or ask to get it on the side. Although, the delicious buffalo spice balances the blue cheese out. The spice isn't too hot but definitely hits you in the back of the throat to the point that it makes you clear your throat after a few bites. The ciabatta is where it's at. Nice and soft and chewy and great flavor just like a ciabatta should be. Salad is a salad but will note that it is very fresh. Ranch is to die for. Cucumber'ish ranch. Thinner consistency. Always a good dipping sauce.

Other factors to keep in mind:
-Slow food: don't anticipate fast service or a short wait during prime meal times. This place prides itself in good quality food that sometimes takes time to prepare. They don't mess... Most definitely worth the wait.
-Various daily specials for both food and drink.
-Fish fry is everyday... not just Friday.
-Breakfast is served everyday until 3pm. (does not include all the Brunch items though)
-Homemade cupcakes and pies.
-Great people watching!
-Friendly service.
-Bar side and diner side available. Outside seating can only accommodate 3 to a table.

Do keep in mind that Comet is one of my all time favorite places in Milwaukee to go. So, I'm sure this is somewhat biased... I'll definitely admit that. But, it's pretty darn amazing. They've even been visited by the awesome Guy Fieri from Triple D (Diners, Drive Ins and Dives) from the food network. So, obviously it's worth your time then. Well, I know I would go anywhere Guy has been. Loves. Catch the Triple D clip on YouTube!