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52 Restaurants is sponsored by Educators Credit Union. April marks 21 years of Financial Literacy Month in the U.S.! Check out their exciting new initiative that will grow your financial empowerment.
It’s as important as ever to support the amazing local restaurants we have in our beautiful city. And there’s no better way to do so than committing to patronize them throughout the year. I’ve composed a list of 52 amazing restaurants to guide you on your journey. Try just one of these every week and you’ll have visited them all by the end of 2025.
Tauro Cocina
1758 N. Water St., (414) 488-2941
taurococina.com
Latin-Italian fusion, brunch
$$$
[Read more]
Flavors collide (in a good way) at this family-owned East Side spot, which fuses Italian staples (like pasta, risotto and pizza) with Mexican flavors. And it’s no accident that I’ve placed this entry during the summer months, since it’s an extra special delight to visit Tauro Cocina while their quaint courtyard patio – complete with its burbling fountain – is in full swing.
Tender mussels steamed in white wine and flavored with the smoky spice of chipotle butter make an excellent shareable dish. Meanwhile, their Guajillo cream risotto highlights the spicy, fruity, and slightly smoky flavor of guajillo peppers and pairs it with tequila lime shrimp and the umami-rich flavor of shaved parmesan.
You’ll also 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. And don't sleep on summery patio-perfect cocktails like the herbal Rosemary Paloma or wonderfully floral Elderflower Margarita.
Recommended: Burrata frito; mussels with chipotle butter and white wine; guajillo risotto
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
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 every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, 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.
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