Anticipation has been mounting for the opening of The Diplomat, the new restaurant located in the former home of Bosley’s on Brady at 815 E. Brady St.
But, curious diners can get a sneak peek at the new space during a special open house during the Brady Street Festival, which takes place Saturday, July 29 from 11 a.m. to midnight.
Although the restaurant isn’t slated to open until sometime in August, festival-goers are welcomed to stop by and take a tour of the restaurant, which has undergone numerous cosmetic updates, including a new mahogany bar, deep vibrant blue and rusty red walls and artwork which pays homage to both Brady Street and Jimi Hendrix, a musician whose work holds a special place for chef and owner, Dane Baldwin.
Baldwin says they will be serving up a variety of beverages at the restaurant bar, as well as a variety of simple festival foods like hot dogs, bratwurst and sweet corn.
Onlookers can also view the progress on the restaurant’s design. Local artist Fred Kaems will be applying some of his creative stencil-work to restaurant walls during the event, providing a live art experience.
Baldwin, whose background includes work with the Bartolotta Restaurant Group, Carnevor, Dancing Ganesha, Barossa and Gil’s Cafe, says he’s excited to introduce the restaurant to Milwaukee during the festival.
"It’s really a modest beginning," he says. "The entire restaurant tells the story of my growth as a cook. We’ve been very resourceful in the way we’ve gone about the remodel, making use of a variety of local connections. And things are beginning to come together."
Baldwin credits his wife Anna, whose background in the arts has played a large role in the design of the restaurant’s decor, as well as his impressive staff which includes bar manager John Papp, former lead bartender at the Iron Horse Hotel; Executive Sous Chef Paul Taufner, who Baldwin worked with at Gil’s Cafe; Chef Nick Boyd of Mr. B’s Steakhouse and Eric Kaye, former general manager at Carnevor.
Although Baldwin is keeping the menu for the new restaurant under wraps, he says the restaurant will focus on shareable plates, including plays on some Wisconsin favorites.
Watch OnMilwaukee for additional details as they develop.
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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