There’s good news on the horizon for lovers of fresh, scratch-made Italian fare.
Travis Dowden, owner of Bibinger’s in West Bend, has announced plans to open Culaccino Bar + Italian Kitchen later this summer.
The modern Italian concept, which will be located at 110 Wisconsin St. in the former home of Dublin’s Pub, will offer Italian-inspired home cooking with an emphasis on high-quality ingredients, sourced locally whenever possible.
The menu will offer made-from-scratch pastas and sauces, wood-fired pizzas baked in a stone oven and a variety of classic Italian dishes and seasonal specials. The restaurant will also showcase a full-service bar featuring 12 tap wines and modern interpretations of classic Italian cocktails.
Culaccino (pronounced cool-lah-CHI-no) is an Italian word that describes the mark left behind when a cold glass is left on a table. In the case of the restaurant, the name is a representation for the hope that it will be a place for friends and family to gather to create lasting memories.
Once open, Culaccino will be open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday.
Additional information about Culaccino Bar + Italian Kitchen will be available in the coming months. For updates, follow the restaurant on Facebook and Instagram.
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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