Pastiche Brown Deer, Merriment Social to open for lunch

Lunch options are increasing by two, starting next week: Merriment Social in Walker’s Point and Pastiche Bistro in Brown Deer will begin opening for lunch. Read on:

At Merriment Social

Starting Tuesday, Merriment’s popular burgers will be available more hours, as lunch is served 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

Also on the lunch menu: sandwiches, fried chicken, small plates, salads and boozy shakes.

Look for plates like garlic lamb meatballs in spicy tomato sauce with sourdough ($14); three styles of fried chicken with biscuits ($22 and $23); and a grilled cheese sandwich with three kinds of cheese, pickled peppers and bacon ($12).

Salads include kale chicken caesar ($14), and the five-burger lineup includes the Cream City Special ($16): cheddar “crispies,” beer cheese, caramelized onions and sweet mustard-mayonnaise.

And for something sweet, there are desserts such as pistachio pot de creme with blackberry compote ($7) and shakes including the Hazed and Confused ($14), made with bourbon, hazelnut liqueur, bourbon caramel, candied pecans and graham-ginger frosting.

To contact: (414) 645-0240. Merriment Social is at 240 E. Pittsburgh Ave.

At Pastiche Brown Deer

Besides adding brunch in April, Pastiche Bistro in Brown Deer will add lunch service, too, starting Monday.

Hours for lunch will be 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday to Friday.

At lunch, the restaurant will have two soups ($6 and $8) and several appetizers ($7 to $14), such as hummus and meat and cheese plates.

Entree salads are on the menu, including Lyonnaise, with a poached egg ($8), and Nicoise, with preserved tuna ($12). Warm duck confit crepes ($11) are served with a mesclun salad.

In addition to entrees — such as ratatouille ($14), skate wing in brown butter ($15) and steak frites ($18) — Pastiche will serve sandwiches.

Some of the sandwich options: portobello mushroom, topped with herbed cheese and red pepper salad ($10); Monte Cristo, the battered and sauteed ham-and-turkey sandwiches ($12); 8-ounce burgers ($10); reubens ($10); and Croque Monsieur ($12).

Program note: Pastiche is making a change to the previously announced brunch menu — it will be a la carte instead of three courses for a fixed price. Most entrees will be $15 or less.

Brunch’s soft opening is April 2, and brunch service officially begins April 23. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To contact: (414) 354-1995. Pastiche is at 4313 W. River Lane in Brown Deer.