By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Jan 22, 2024 at 11:02 AM Photography: Lori Fredrich

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 committing 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 2024.  View the full list OR download an abbreviated printable PDF file for your fridge or wallet.

Travieso @ The Clarke Hotel
314 W. Main St., Waukesha, (262) 899-2520
traviesolatinfusion.com
Latin fusion
$$-$$$

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Delightfully unexpected. Those are the first words that come to mind for me when I think about Travieso, a restaurant that weaves the flavors of Latin America into a slate of largely familiar dishes.

Humble vegetables like brussels sprouts stand out when fried until crisp and paired with chorizo aioli.  Caesar salad takes on a new thrill when dressed with poblano and lime-infused dressing. And beef tenderloin shines when beautifully cooked, topped with chorizo bearnaise and served alongside scallops on a bed of vanilla buerre blanc. Sweet treats like churro cheesecake and sweet plantain creme brulee tie things up beautifully.

Those are the types of dishes you'll find at Travieso, which has transformed the formerly dark Irish Pub at the Clarke Hotel into a modern destination that offers guests an opportunity to adventure beyond the ordinary.

Are you a brunch-goer looking for something new? Travieso is also open for brunch on both Saturdays and Sundays.

Recommended: Caesar salad; scallops with pork belly

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

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.