It’s as important as ever to support the amazing collection of local restaurants that we have in our beautiful city. And there’s no better way to do so than committing to patronize them throughout the year. To guide you on your journey, I’ve composed a list of 52 amazing restaurants. Try just one of these every week and you’ll have visited them all by the end of 2024. View the full list OR download an abbreviated printable PDF file for your fridge or wallet.
Appethai
3900 W. Brown Deer Rd., Brown Deer, (414) 362-4264
appethairestaurant.com
Thai
$$
[Read more]
From familiar favorites like creamy tom kha gai and comforting massamun curry to plump, crisp fried squid and slightly fiery nua nom tok (waterfall beef salad), a meal at Appethai is both an adventure and a joy.
This family-operated restaurant considers every detail, offering up a beautiful dining room and hospitality that makes you feel as if you’re dining in their home. Even better, thanks to its welcoming feel and beautifully presented fare, Appethai is the perfect spot for an easygoing date night.
Dig into satisfying dishes like nua toon, braised beef brisket served with a tart lime-garlic-chili dipping sauce and potatoes; or gai yang, Thai rotisserie chicken served with sticky rice and secret (delicious) house dipping sauce. If you love heat, try the pad ped moo pah featuring wild boar stir-fried with vegetables and (hot) chili paste.
Recommended: nua nom tok (waterfall beef salad); kang ped (duck curry); gai yang (Thai rotisserie chicken)
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
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