You probably heard the unfortunate news that EsterEv, 2165 S Kinnickinnic Ave., was shuttered earlier this month when a faulty valve in the upstairs radiator caused gallons of water to leak down into the restaurant’s dining room.

Unfortunately, the damage was serious enough that – despite being a temporary closure – EsterEv is likely to be out of commission until August to accommodate the necessary repairs to welcome guests back to the Bay View eatery.

Chef Dan Jacobs notes that the flooding was “a stroke of bad luck,” but that it could have been worse. The kitchen didn’t experience any water damage and the repairs, despite being inconvenient, will allow them to make a few upgrades to the bar and dining area that they weren’t able to afford when they first moved into the new space.

“In the end, nobody was hurt,” says Chef Dan Jacobs, expressing his usual sense of optimism. “But if we’re going to be closed for part of the summer, we all need a purpose. I have a bunch of great cooks, chefs and tipped employees here who I don’t want to lose. And since insurance doesn’t cover tips, we’re trying to keep the team as intact as possible.”

As a way to keep the band together, Jacobs pulled together a series of dinner pop-ups in Milwaukee, Madison and Chicago that will not only support the EsterEv staff, but give them a creative outlet during the closure.

Each multi-course dinner will take advantage of seasonal ingredients, prepared with EsterEv’s signature Midwestern influence.

“Each of the menus will be a bit different,” says Jacobs. “We’re just getting into spring, so there are all sorts of new ingredients to play with, from asparagus and mushrooms to baby greens and radishes.”

Seasonal pop-ups

The first pop-up at Birch May 28 has sold out. But guests still have time to get in on the second Milwaukee pop-up, which will be held at Lupi & Iris on Saturday, May 31.

The seven-course dinner will feature Jacobs’ famous caviar tater tots, along with numerous new dishes created by chefs Syd Zwieg, Val Bartram and Jacobs. Among them is poached trout seasoned with loveage and beef with braised artichokes and fermented blueberries. 

May 31
Lupi & Iris, 777 N. Van Buren St.
Seven-course tasting menu with seatings from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $158 per person (plus tax and 22% gratuity)
Tickets: exploretock.com/lupiiris

June 9
LouLou by Lula Cafe, 3057 W. Logan Blvd., Chicago
Seven-course tasting menu with seatings from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $125 per person (plus tax and 22% gratuity)
Tickets: opentable.com

June 17
L'Etoile, 1 S. Pinckney St., Madison
Seven-course tasting menu with seatings from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $125 per person (plus tax and 22% gratuity)
Tickets: opentable.com

Jacobs says that once this round of pop-ups is over, the staff is likely to focus on DanDan’s presence at Summerfest. But additional EsterEv pop-ups this summer are likely as we move into July.