When the news broke that Water Buffalo had closed after 11 years in business, regular customers mourned the loss.
Folks spoke fondly on social media of favorite dishes, date-night specials and memories of time spent at the riverfront eatery with friends and family.
Meanwhile, the folks at Hospitality Democracy were listening intently.
"Among the things people were most upset about when we announced that Water Buffalo had closed was the bottomless mimosa offering for brunch," says Hospitality Democracy co-founder Joe Sorge. "So, it seemed reasonable that we bring it back."
So, beginning this weekend, a new brunch menu at Swig, 217 N. Broadway, will not only feature perennial Swig favorites, but also a selection of best-selling offerings from Water Buffalo.
In addition to popular small plate favorites like banana fritters and the famous avocado toast trio (featuring smoked salmon and roe, tomato jam, and Nueske’s ham), brunch will also include entrees like bananas foster French toast, the crab cake benedict, the black bean burger and the cowboy skillet with beef tenderloin, breakfast potatoes, corn, sun-dried tomato, caramelized onion and fried egg.
And yes, there will also be mimosas. Any customer who purchases a brunch entree is eligible for the bottomless offering, which is just $25 for both the entree and endless pours of the classic brunch cocktail.
Swig is open for brunch on both Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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.
