By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published May 13, 2024 at 1:02 PM

Patio season is right around the corner and The Bridgewater Modern Grill, 2011 S. 1st St., is gearing up to welcome it – along with the extended Memorial Day Weekend – with a patio launch party on Friday, May 24 beginning at 11 a.m.

During the festivities, guests can participate in a cornhole tournament on the patio lawn throughout the day and enjoy an extended happy hour from 3 to 6:30 p.m. The outdoor lounge will also remain open until 11 p.m.

The Bridgewater will also debut its new seasonal menu featuring items like sweet chili shrimp with cabbage, cilantro and sweet chili glaze ($17); caprese salad ($16); and ravioli with lemon ricotta, asparagus, beech mushrooms, tarragon cream, sunflower seeds and Grana Padano ($28).

Thanks to the restaurant’s six much-anticipated boat docks, boaters and kayakers can also get in on the action with efficient QR code ordering, specialty dining and drink packages and the ability to pull in and enjoy indoor and outdoor dining.

The Bridgewater will also expand on its popular Saturday Jazz Brunch series every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with the addition of various genres of live music available on Sundays (plus Memorial Day and Labor Day) from 1 to 4 p.m.  Reservations are recommended and can be made online.

Saturday Jazz Brunch schedule

May 25: Suzanne Grzanna
June 1:  Crook + Company
June 8: Christopher's Project
June 15: Seagull and Friends
June 22: Suzanne Grzanna
June 29: Marcya Danielle Jazz Duos
July 6: Crook + Company
July 13: Seagull and Friends
July 20: Christopher's Project
July 27: Suzanne Grzanna
Aug. 3: Crook + Company
Aug. 10: Christopher's Project
Aug. 17: Marcya Danielle Jazz Duos
Aug. 24: Suzanne Grzanna
Aug. 31 Crook + Company

Sunday & Monday schedule

Sunday, May 26: Pangea
Monday, May 27: Pangea
Sunday, June 7: Listening Party
Sunday, June 9: TLALOK
Sunday, June 16: Pangea
Sunday, June 23: Listening Party
Sunday, June 30: She’s Right-I’m Left
Sunday, July 7: Pangea
Sunday, July 14: Listening Party
Sunday, July 21: TLALOK
Sunday, July 28: Plain Grass Folks
Sunday, Aug. 4: TLALOK
Sunday, Aug. 11: Pangea
Sunday, Aug. 18: Jesse Voelker Duo
Sunday, Aug. 25: Plan Gass Folks
Sunday, Sept. 1: Jesse Voelker Duo
Monday, Sept. 2: Pangea

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.