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With The Bridgewater Modern Grill well on its way to becoming a new local favorite in the Harbor District at 2011 S. 1st St., Benson’s Restaurant Group has embarked on yet another new venture.
The concept and name for the new eatery is still under wraps. But the location for the project is 322 N. Broadway in the Historic Third Ward. That’s the former site for Wahlburgers, which closed its doors earlier this month.
Design and reconstruction has already begun on the space, led by partners RINKA and ADK Design. Benson’s shared that the new restaurant will feature 3,460 sq. ft of newly reimagined dining space and will offer both indoor and outdoor dining. The new eatery is slated to open sometime in summer of 2023.
“We’ve had such an exciting past few months celebrating with neighbors, friends and foodies across the region and guess what – we’re doing it again. Our team is absolutely thrilled to be bringing another restaurant option to the Third Ward, a location we consider home,” said David Marcus, CEO of Benson’s Restaurant Group.
“We’re looking forward to sharing more details soon about the concept and menu, but as with all of our restaurants, you can expect delicious food, craft drinks and an atmosphere unique to the area.”
The new restaurant will add to the Benson’s Restaurant Group growing portfolio, which includes three restaurants in the Third Ward (Onesto, Smoke Shack and Blue Bat Kitchen & Tequilaria) along with AJ Bombers Downtown and The Bridgewater Modern Grill in Bay View.
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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