The best restaurants in Milwaukee, the richest person in the state and a baby MVP

Who we are. Where we go. What we need to know. 

A sign I've been away from Milwaukee too long — The New York Times has been here more recently than I have.

They spent 36 hours in Milwaukee and did an OK job. But will we ever really be happy with how a nonlocal writes about Smallwaukee? Probs not, especially because I don't really think they used the word right. 

I'm returning today and have so much to catch up on. But instead of thinking about that, I'm just looking at Lizzo in Wisconsin with puppies. 

The big deals this week: The best restaurants in Milwaukee, the richest person in the state and a baby MVP.

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Let's talk business

A Wauwatosa spice company is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to buy Facebook ads that urge for the impeachment of President Donal Trump. It sounds weird until you realize it's Penzeys Spices. This is kind of its thing. But still. The ad buy puts it second only to the Trump campaign for impeachment Facebook ad spending. Its total political ad spend on Facebook is more than $2.3 million since May 2018. That puts the company in the top 30 spenders. "The president is trying to use Facebook to turn America against his removal from office," Penzeys' owner wrote on Facebook. "Together we can offset his message and maybe even overcome it." 

Who is the richest person in Wisconsin? I know you're curious. It's John Menard Jr., the founder of home improvement retail chain Menards, according to Forbes. He has a net worth of $11.5 billion, according to the annual listing. Eight Wisconsin residents made the Forbes 400 billionaire roster. 

Kohl's Corp is about to join a 1% club for corporations. This exclusive group of Fortune 500 firms has women holding both the CEO and CFO roles. Kohl's has had Michelle Gass as its CEO since May 2018. This fall, Jill Timm will start as CFO, putting Kohl's into this elite group. Because who runs the world? Girls. 

Boozin'

Another Northwoods-themed bar is coming to Old World Third Street. The owners of Camp Bar are taking over the Trio spot to open Deer Camp, which will imitate a hunting cabin. I guess the name also plays into its location near Fiserv Forum and the "Deer District." Apparently we didn't reach our taxidermy saturation point yet when Uncle Bucks debuted down the street. The plan is for Deer Camp to open early next year. 

Milwaukee Brewing Co. is throwing an anniversary party Saturday to toast to 22 years. The free party has live music and limited-release keg tappings for high-ABV beers like Gin Barrel-aged O-Gii. 

I guess there are some similarities between beer brewing and coffee roasting. So Hacienda Beer Co., an offshoot of Door County Brewing, is starting up Hacienda Coffee Co. It plans to release eight to 12 different coffees a year. You can buy it in its Milwaukee taproom or online. 

Don’t go hangry

Y'ALL. THIS IS IT. SAVE. BOOKMARK. PLOT OUT YOUR EATING. 

Our dining critic has again released her choices for the Top 30 restaurants in the Milwaukee area. Take inventory of which ones you have been to and then start planning. While not everywhere on her list is a white tablecloth kind of place, she also gives us 20 more places to go where the food is just darn good. This is where a few of my go-to spots land, like Wy'east Pizza. 

One of the fine-dining spots is opening up an — how do I put this — off-brand(?) second location. Ardent is going to start serving hot dogs and burgers from a stand inside Fiserv Forum. I said I was done with hot dogs after eating six on dollar dog day at Miller Park this summer but these are fancy so I might renege. 

The pasta bar inside the North Avenue food hall Crossroads Collective is opening a second location in Bay View. Egg & Flour Pasta Bar will take over the spot left vacant by the former D14 brewery and taproom. Egg & Flour's second location should open early next year. 

The restaurant inside the Iron Horse Hotel has been revamped by the Dans of DanDan and will open Thursday. The new spot dubbed Ash will have a mix of hearth-fired plates with hearty sides. 

Here are the talkers

It's not just The New York Times visiting Milwaukee. Everyone apparently wants to come to Brew City. As they should! According to a new report from Airbnb, Milwaukee rentals are up 729% from last year. That makes Milwaukee the short-term rental site's No. 1 city for growth. 

When budget cuts come to schools, music and arts classes are one of the first things to go. Those cuts disproportionately affect schools with the highest concentrations of low-income students and children of color. Milwaukee Public Schools is putting at least $26 million to hire new teachers and maintain equipment so all of its schools — not just those with higher income students —  have access to music. There's a lot to this story about haves and have-nots. Read more here. 

Here's just another way that Giannis Antetokounmpo is going to melt our hearts. The NBA MVP is about to become a dad. Giannis' longtime girlfriend, Mariah Danae Riddlesprigger, posted on Instagram "BABY Fr34K COMING SOON." This is Milwaukee's version of a royal baby. 

Be MKE,

Sarah

My purebred mutt Nala is living her best life on my Instagram @HauerSarah. Keep up with my gif game on Twitter @SarahHauer. Questions, comments and Be MKE love can be sent to shauer@journalsentinel.com.

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