Late last year, husband-and-wife duo Kyle and Meghan Knall—a.k.a. the couple behind nationally celebrated Milwaukee restaurant Birch—announced plans to open a new restaurant, CASSIS. Now, the opening date for the modern French bistro has been revealed: January 5, 2026.
CASSIS is located inside the new apartment tower at 333 N. Water St., kitty-corner from the Milwaukee Public Market. Want all the details on the food, the drinks, and how to make reservations? Of course you do! Behold the following press release!
Food
The all-day restaurant features a menu from Kyle Knall anchored by the French tradition of cooking in the South of France. Inspired by French country cooking, the menu will be showcased in the restaurant’s brasserie setting, with classic roasts, slow braises, crisp frites, bright sauces, and dishes that feel warm and rustic. Guests can expect shareable plates of reinvented French canapés, fresh seafood, and well-prepared meats that respect the seasons and let the ingredients shine. Knall and Chef de Cuisine Miles Thomas have created a menu that thoughtfully differentiates the day’s meal periods, from weekday lunch and weekend brunch to a more formal dinner service and apero, the French tradition of pre-dinner drinks and light bites. Lunch highlights a daily soup du jour alongside French-inspired sandwiches and bistro classics, while apéro focuses on raw and chilled seafood and croques.
Signature menu items for dinner include:
• Grand Aïoli: crunchy farm vegetables, poached steelhead trout
• Huîtres: chilled oysters, mignonette
• Oeuf Mayo: soft-boiled farm egg, smoked walleye, fines herbes
• Croque Monsieur: Alpinage Raclette Cheese, pain de mie, country ham
• Foie Éclair: foie gras mousse
• Salade de Crevettes à l’Avocat: chilled shrimp, avocado, grapefruit
• Ravioli Dauphine: Pleasant Ridge Reserve Cheese, chive
• Crépinettes de Porc: grilled pork, mustard sauce, herb salad
“Our goal is to bring a sense of European leisure to Milwaukee dining,” shared Knall. “We want CASSIS to feel both transportive, but still deeply connected to our community.”
Beverage
The wine program will feature a carefully curated selection of exclusively French bottles, with a focus on classic wine regions. Overseen by Jeff Cleveland, the list will continually evolve and feature Knall and Cleveland’s favorite producers not currently available in Wisconsin. The list will echo the ethos of the program at Birch, spotlighting producers who take a responsible and deliberate approach to the grapes they grow and the wines they make. Above all, the wines will bring joy to the guests who drink them and serve as a reminder that behind every bottle is not just a product, but a family, a story, and a connection to the land.
The cocktail list will consist of modern takes of French-inspired classics, like the Sazerac, the French 75, the Normandy Flower and more.
Signature cocktail will include:
• Fines Herbes Martini: Citadelle Gin or Modest Vodka (guest’s choice), Dolin Blanc, fine herbes oil
• Lavender 75: Roku Gin, elderflower liqueur, lavender, lemon, grapefruit hibiscus bitters, Champagne
• CASSIS Royale: Creme de Cassis, Creme de Mure, Allspice Peppercorn Suze, Champagne
Design
Chicago-based multidisciplinary design studio Kuchar spearheaded the interior design for the CASSIS project. CASSIS was inspired by traditional French bistros, incorporating finishes like marble mosaic floors, vintage lights, brass details, marble tables with brass edges, wood paneling with filigree details, and noteworthy pops of color. Upon opening, guests will delight in antique mirrors with brass rosettes throughout the dining areas. As guests enter the space they will be transported to a beautiful bistro in France. The bathrooms serve as their own distinctive design moments, as each one pulls details from French landmarks, destinations or storylines (e.g. museum-inspired murals, a French auntie’s foyer covered with artwork on every wall, a custom wallcovering with monkeys smoking and drinking wine). The restaurant will have 179 seats, with 12 seats available at the bar.
Reservations
CASSIS is currently accepting reservations ahead of its January 5 opening via OpenTable. Upon opening, the restaurant will be offering dinner service, with lunch, brunch, and apero services to follow. Hours will be as follows:
• Lunch: Monday–Friday, 11 AM–2 PM
• Brunch: Saturday & Sunday, 10 AM–2 PM
• Apéro: Daily, 2 PM–5 PM
• Dinner: Sunday–Thursday, 5 PM–9 PM; Friday & Saturday, 5 PM–10 PM
Private Dining
CASSIS’ 14-seat, 253 square-foot private dining event space is inspired by a wine cave, and features a plaster-covered, curved ceiling as well as a floor that resembles cracked concrete filled with metal, custom wood wine shelving, and full wall of green silk drapery. The room can accommodate daytime or evening corporate events, social event gatherings, and everything in between, with room for 25 people reception-style. For guests interested in a more personal dining experience, private event bookings at CASSIS are available by emailing [email protected].
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