Good morning,
With Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror and a fresh blanket of snow on the ground, I’m in full holiday mode. The tree is up, I’m planning what cookies to bake this year, and I’ve already hunkered down with a couple of Christmas movies, too.
Earlier this week, I shared some Milwaukee-area restaurants that go all-out with Christmas decorations. They put hours, days, sometimes even weeks of work into transforming their spaces into holiday wonderlands, and the results are pretty magical.
But there are even more restaurants that offer festive cheer this season, hosting pop-up events with live music, special menus and extended hours (even some with an appearance from the big guy in red himself).
Here are a few you may want to add to your calendar this month.
The Fox & Hounds, 1298 Friess Lake Road, Hubertus, is one of the area’s most festively decorated restaurants. Each Saturday in December, it will host a special holiday lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Milwaukee-area restaurant holiday pop-up specials
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Throughout December: “Noël à Paris.” Charles E. Fromage, 5811 W. Vliet St., will host its “Noël à Paris” holiday pop-up, an immersive experience designed to transport guests to 1950s Montmartre, a Bohemian hillside neighborhood in Paris. The experience features signature snacks, cocktails and wine to help set the mood.
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Dec. 7, 14, 21 and 28: A Charlie Brown Christmas at Lupi & Iris. Milwaukee jazz trio The Commercialists will perform live at Lupi & Iris, 777 N. Van Buren St., in a music series featuring the Vince Guaraldi classic Christmas soundtrack “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” While no food will be served during the performance, a cash bar will be available, and guests are welcome to eat at the restaurant before or after the performances. Showtimes are noon, 3 and 6 p.m. Tickets are $57 per person and can be purchased online.
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Dec. 13 and 14: Saint Kate Brunch with Santa. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel, 139 E. Kilbourn Ave, will host its annual holiday brunch, featuring a signature holiday buffet, kids’ crafts, a letters-to-Santa station, and a special gift for every child, along with additional photo opportunities with Santa. Tickets are $72 for adults and $34 for children, and can be purchased online.
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Dec. 17 to 19: Dickens Dinner at the Grain Exchange. For three nights, the Grain Exchange, 225 E. Michigan St., will host a Charles Dickens-themed dinner with roving carolers, a four-course English feast, wine pairings, holiday music and ornate decor designed to transport guests to an elaborate Victorian holiday. Tickets are $180 per person. The full menu and reservations can be found online.
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Dec. 14 and 21: Harbor House Santa Brunch. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the two Sundays leading up to Christmas, guests at Harbor House, 550 N. Harbor Drive, can enjoy a customizable, three-course brunch menu with several choices of appetizers, entrées and dessert options curated by Executive Chef Michael Genre. During brunch, Santa will be on hand to take photos with guests. More information and reservations can be found online.
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Dec. 21: The Commodore Breakfast with Santa. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Commodore, 1807 Nagawicka Road, Hartland, guests can enjoy a chef-prepared holiday buffet featuring a selection of brunch favorites and sweet seasonal treats. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available for photos and Christmas wishes in the upstairs ballroom. The brunch experience is $60 for adults and $30 for children 12 and under. A full menu and reservations can be found online.
More December foodie pop-ups
It’s not holiday-themed, but there’s another pop-up coming this month you may want to know about: After a successful pop-up event on Black Friday, Red Light Ramen is coming back for another night at Purslane, 1751 N. Farwell Ave., this time on Dec. 19. It begins at 10 p.m. after Purslane’s dinner service, but it’s first-come, first-served, so you may want to line up early to ensure you can snag a bowl before the crowds slurp it all up.
Speaking of Purslane, the new-ish east side restaurant is introducing a monthly brunch series, opening up one Sunday morning a month for a laid-back, Mediterranean-inspired brunch in its sweet, semi-subterranean space. Its first installment is Dec. 28, and reservations are available now.
Happy dining,
Rachel
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: The Dish: Where to eat in Milwaukee if you want to feel festive