Every Friday, Off The Record looks to other Milwaukee publications (and beyond) for bits of news we missed throughout the week.
• One of the final blows of 2017 was the closing of longtime Mexican restaurant La Fuente. But mourn not, Milwaukee! New life is headed to the Fifth Street building—though how long that new life will stick around remains to be seen. Nomad World Pub owner Michael Eitel has signed a one-year lease to take over the former La Fuente, and will transform the space into a “Latin-inspired version” of the Nomad—just in time for the World Cup in June. Dubbed “Nomad Nacional,” the new tavern will open in May and will stay open until at least November. Eitel previously planned to open a Latin-inspired Nomad at 636 S. Sixth St.
“I’ve wanted to bring a Nomad concept to the Walker’s Point neighborhood for a long time, which is why I purchased the building on 6th Street last year,” says Eitel in a press release. “The neighborhood is the ideal place in this city to have a soccer bar and to celebrate the World Cup, especially because of the community here and the fact that there are so many teams from Latin America in this year’s Cup. We’re honoring the game and the cultures that support it and La Fuente is a historic icon in this neighborhood. It all came together perfectly.”
According to the press release, Eitel is also contemplating a longer-term residence at the former La Fuente. [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• City of Milwaukee officials, including Ald. Bob Bauman and Ald. Michael Murphy, kicked it at the Five O’Clock Steakhouse, 2416 W. State St., to celebrate the implementation of a new restaurant Sanitation Grading System. Five O’Clock Steakhouse got an A! [OnMilwaukee]
• Oh, and Five O’Clock Steakhouse’s managing partner, Stelio Kalkounos, is a registered sex offender! “There’s been issues in his past personal life and so be it,” said Bauman of Kalkounos, who was convicted in 2006 for trying to meet up with someone he thought was a 14-year-old girl. “People are entitled to redemption and second chances and I say that about anyone.” [FOX6]
• Electro wunderkind Dashcam released his third EP of hazy, retro-flavored tracks that sound like they’re from a lost ’80s summer teen movie. It’s fucking great. [Bandcamp]
• Remember when that “ice bar” popped up outside the Milwaukee Public Market last year? You know, an outdoor bar that served drinks, but it was made of ice? Well, three of the things are coming to the Third Ward this winter. Beginning Friday, January 19, St. Paul Fish Company, Cafe Benelux, and The Wicked Hop will each host a 23-ton ice bar made out of 150 blocks of ice. [OnMilwaukee]
• The Milwaukee Press Club took down an old painting of a nude woman from its Newsroom Pub. That weird mummified cat remains. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]
• The Common Council’s Community and Economic Development Committee gave a thumbs-up to the creation of Hip-Hop Week MKE. Ald. Khalif J. Rainey, the primary sponsor of the legislation, envisions a city-wide celebration of music, performances, and events August 20-26. [OnMilwaukee]
• Kia Rap Princess released a video for her single “Fuck Up A Check.” It’s fucking great. [YouTube]
• The Harlem Globetrotters may have played their final New Year’s Eve game at the BMO Harris Bradley Center, but the long-running tradition will continue in the new Milwaukee Bucks arena. [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• Colectivo Coffee recently added a second location in Chicago. Colectivo’s first Chicago location, in Lincoln Park, opened in early 2017. [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• Snack Boys, 814 S. 2nd St., is opening January 17. [LoriFredrich.com]
• Peking House Chinese Restaurant & Bar, 780 N. Jefferson St., is closed. [Milwaukee Business Journal]
• Have a great weekend, Milwaukee!