I love it when my own Web site introduces me to a good, new restaurant. It happened again today, when my wife and I stopped by the brand new Edgar's Calypso, 628 N. Water St., after reading Amy Carlson's blog about its opening.
The restaurant has only been around for a week, so it was natural that it was pretty empty. The owner, Michael Dillon, stopped over and said that he plans an official grand opening soon.
But for a soft opening, the food tasted great. I ordered the "Edgar's Beef Sandwich," named (like the restaurant, itself) after Dillon's dad. It was a rope vieja, which is shredded skirt steak, slow roasted in red sauce on a grilled French bread. It came with caramelized onions and French fries on the sandwich, itself. I picked the sweet potato fries as the side, and both were really good. Zesty, a little spicy and tender, it made for a nice, unique and filling lunch for $8.50.
My wife had a cup of the roasted red pepper soup ($3.50) and a "Pommes Annas," which is small cake of thinly sliced potato and Swiss cheese ($3.95). She, too, really enjoyed the meal. We were both equally impressed with the speed of service, as well as the knowledgable and friendly waitress who checked in on us often.
Edgar's décor is unique, too. Dillon, a graphic designer by trade, painted the many wall murals, recollecting elements of his favorite Caribbean islands (he, like us, says St. Martin is his favorite). It's a radically different design than what was at Swank, the spot's previous inhabitant.
I really hope the restaurant takes off, and I'd like to return for dinner, too. There aren't a ton of Caribbean restaurants in Milwaukee, especially Downtown.
And on a cold and windy November afternoon, the zesty and tasty Edgar's Calypso really warmed us up.
Andy is the president, publisher and founder of OnMilwaukee. He returned to Milwaukee in 1996 after living on the East Coast for nine years, where he wrote for The Dallas Morning News Washington Bureau and worked in the White House Office of Communications. He was also Associate Editor of The GW Hatchet, his college newspaper at The George Washington University.
Before launching OnMilwaukee.com in 1998 at age 23, he worked in public relations for two Milwaukee firms, most of the time daydreaming about starting his own publication.
Hobbies include running when he finds the time, fixing the rust on his '75 MGB, mowing the lawn at his cottage in the Northwoods, and making an annual pilgrimage to Phoenix for Brewers Spring Training.
