It's almost time for Downtown to experience Good Life, the new restaurant and lounge located on the lobby level of the City Center 735 building at 731 N. Water St.
Originally forecasted to launch this past spring, Good Life is now preparing for its grand opening, which will take place on Friday, July 8 at 4 p.m.
Although the footprint of the restaurant remains largely similar to former tenant Tazino’s, Good Life promises a new identity for the Riverwalk-facing spot located inside the City Center building.
The decor is more modern and urbane, featuring art by Ken Brown, along with custom bench seating and large lounge-style booths. The concept is also unique, promising an effortless transition from a convenient daytime breakfast and lunch spot into a hip Riverfront destination, complete with happy hour and regular nightlife offerings.
According to general manager David Hinton, the grand opening will focus on happy hour, from 4 to 8 p.m. However, breakfast and lunch service at the restaurant will begin on Monday, July 10.
Breakfast options, which will be offered beginning at 7:30 a.m., will include an omelette station along with grab-and-go items like breakfast sandwiches and yogurt parfaits. Lunch service takes over at 11 a.m. with a menu that will include wraps, flatbreads and panini, along with burgers and grilled chicken sandwiches. Free Wi-Fi will sweeten the deal for folks looking for a place to hang out and get a bit of work done.
According to Hinton, the restaurant will not strive to be a dinner destination per se; however, happy hour will include a menu that features some carryover from the lunch menu, along with a variety of appetizers and a full bar with wine, beer and cocktails.
Beginning July 10, Good Life will be open Monday through Friday from 7:30 to 10 a.m. (breakfast), 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (lunch) and 4:30 to 8 p.m. (happy hour). Moving forward, Good Life will also be open on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for lunch, as well as brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays. Late-night events featuring music will also take place in the evening after 9 p.m.
Keep up with events and offerings from Good Life by following the restaurant on Facebook.
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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