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, as the anticipated fall 2025 opening of the modern French bistro approaches, the Knalls are releasing some tantalizing new information.
Cassis will be located inside the new apartment tower at 333 N. Water St., kitty-corner from the Milwaukee Public Market. It will be 5,175 square feet and will feature nearly 200 seats. According to a press release, design elements imported from Europe will “create a space that captures the charm and vibrant energy of a bustling bistro that transports guests to the heart of France.” What’s more, “thoughtfully curated details such as vintage chandeliers, intricate mosaic tilework, and leather banquettes, designed in collaboration with Chicago’s Kuchar Studio and Dan Beyer Architects, further enhance the ambiance, blending timeless elegance with a sense of place.”
But what about the food? According to the press release:
Inspired by the south of France, Cassis will celebrate the timeless charm of the French bistro, where good food, fine wine, and great company embody the art of living well. The all-day restaurant, located at 333 North Water Street in Milwaukee’s bustling cultural hub, the Third Ward, will feature a menu of bistro classics highlighting fresh, chilled seafood and vibrant, seasonal produce—familiar fare, reimagined with Midwestern ingredients. Cassis’ wine list will spotlight primarily French producers, including bottles from the region of the restaurant’s namesake.
Kyle Knall is a three-time semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation Awards, in Best Chef: Midwest (2024, 2025) and Outstanding Chef (2022). In 2023, The New York Times named Birch one of the best restaurants in America.
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