Ever since Trocadero closed in mid-January, foodies' eyes have been glued to the Brady Street staple in anticipation of what might move into the popular spot. And now the wait is over: Milwaukee-based Wild Planet Hospitality announced today that DiModa Pizza will move into the former Trocadero space, located at 1758 N. Water St, with an opening planned for the end of April.
Moving away from Trocadero's French gastropub-focused menu, the new restaurant will focus on wood-oven pizzas – featuring classic and unique topping combinations – and modern Italian dishes.
"We are extremely excited for this concept ... when we started planning for our transition from Trocadero, we wanted something that encapsulated the European feel Milwaukeeans love about this property, while bringing something new and exciting to the space," said JJ Kovacovich, Managing Partner at Wild Planet Hospitality Group, in a press release. "We look forward to fun, long days on the terrace in summer flowing into cozy, fun filled nights with friends and family during colder months."
Some of those special wood-fired pizzas planned for DiModa Pizza include the Clam, Endive, Bacon, featuring little neck clams, charred endive, roasted garlic-lemon butter, crisp bacon and oregano; the Devil’s Pie topped with Nduja sausage, roasted peppers, giardiniera, fresh mozzarella and Sam Marzona tomato; and the Spicy Charred Pepperoni, complete with charred pepperoni, caramelized cipollini onions, buffalo mozzarella, spicy tomato and pecorino cheese.
For those looking to go a different route from pizza, DiModa's modern takes on rustic Italian favorites include scallop giardiniera pasta, featuring scallops, linguine, crab, house-made giardiniera, bread crumb, tomato and precorino cheese; Sardinian-style clams and fregola pasta, with little neck clams and charred fregola pasta mixed with corn, tomato, clam broth, olive oil and ricotta salata cheese; and Spicy Brick Chicken, organic marinated chicken dished up with blistered grape tomatoes and Calabrian peppers, grill potatoes, charred lemon, arugula, oregano, pecorino and olive oil.
In addition to its pizza and Italian entrees, the new menu at DiModa will feature salads, daily soups and sharable plates.
"We want guests to enjoy the experience of sharing a meal with friends and family; the menu presents new and creative dishes coupled with enjoyable classic Italian fare," said Mark Grimes, Wild Planet Hospitality Group Culinary Consultant, in a press release, adding, "There’s no right or wrong way to order off this menu ... just jump right in and enjoy!"
For those who miss brunch at Trocadero, have no fear, because Wild Planet also confirmed that the new DiModa Pizza will feature a weekend brunch menu on Fridays and Saturdays – featuring some returning favorites from the building's former concept, including the Frenchie Bloody Mary and beignets.
When it opens in late April, DiModa will be open Monday-Friday from 11 a.m. until midnight, with Saturday and Sunday brunch hours from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. and weekend dinner hours from 4 p.m. until close.
For a first look at the new DiModa Pizza, stay tuned to OnMilwaukee.
As much as it is a gigantic cliché to say that one has always had a passion for film, Matt Mueller has always had a passion for film. Whether it was bringing in the latest movie reviews for his first grade show-and-tell or writing film reviews for the St. Norbert College Times as a high school student, Matt is way too obsessed with movies for his own good.
When he's not writing about the latest blockbuster or talking much too glowingly about "Piranha 3D," Matt can probably be found watching literally any sport (minus cricket) or working at - get this - a local movie theater. Or watching a movie. Yeah, he's probably watching a movie.
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