By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor Published Nov 29, 2016 at 1:11 PM

For the ninth year running, Carnevor was the restaurant of choice for about a dozen players from the 2016 NBA Champion Cleveland Cavaliers, who are in town for their showdown tonight against the Milwaukee Bucks.

The restaurant, 718 N. Milwaukee St., is a favorite among players from a variety of opposing teams that visit Milwaukee during their seasons. But Cleveland players have recently become regulars at the upscale modern steakhouse.

"They’ve been regulars every year," says Omar Shaikh, co-owner and president of the SURG Restaurant Group. "It’s gotten to the point where we block off the private room for them when they come. Last night they came in asking to watch the Packers game."

Among the players in the house was LeBron James, the three-time league champion, four-time MVP and 12-time All-Star. 

The 31-year-old James, who normally orders steak when he visits Carnevor, forwent red meat last night in favor of house salad and lobster bisque, followed by roasted chicken with creamed corn and steak fries.

"He finished off his evening with a cup of chamomile tea with honey and lemon," notes Shaikh.

The superstar forward, by whom Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo has said he hopes to be mentored, is averaging 23.6 points, 9.7 assists and 8.4 rebounds per game this season. The only other players in the NBA who are averaging at least 22.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists are Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook and Antetokounmpo.

The Cavaliers and Bucks tip off at 7 p.m. on Tuesday night at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.

OnMilwaukee sportswriter Jimmy Carlton contributed to this story.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor

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.