La Merenda

Locally-sourced small plates from around the world

When Adam said that La Merenda is the one place in Milwaukee where the food is consistently like a religious experience, I laughed. Then I realized the man is right. We don’t eat at La Merenda often, but there’s always something (if not everything) that leaves me uttering unintelligible yummy sounds as I do my best to inconspicuously use my fork to lick the plate.  Mix in a summer sunset and charming patio dotted with wildflowers and it really is a slice of heaven.

I’d actually never sat on the patio before. It was a Monday night, and Adam and I were seated at a communal table. Sounds like an invasion of privacy just waiting to happen, given the not-too-big size of this particular communal table, but no one else was seated with us. Having the whole table to ourselves was very nice, but it really would have been fine either way. So if they only offer you a communal table, go for it. It’s so worth it to be outside. 

La Merenda serves small plates, so Adam and I ordered four plates between the two of us. The menu changes, so don’t set your heart on something like the Gnocchi del Giardino — it wasn’t on the menu. But it’s still fun to check out their menu online to get some ideas. Our first plate was the Potato Pierogies: potato-stuffed dumplings with cheese, sage brown butter, and roasted pecans. This one had me dying to lick the plate. Sage and brown butter. Mmm. 

Our second plate was the Market Fish Curry: white fish in a coconut curry sauce with broccoli, potatoes, Thai basil oil, and tomatoes. So scrumptious! Also plate-licking good. Even after we’d finished all the fish and veggies, I kept going back for the sauce with my fork. To which Adam made a “Really?” face. To which I responded “Hey, we’re paying for it.” Score one point for me.

Next was part other-worldly delicious, part tastes-like-potpourri. I’d read on yelp, from multiple reviewers, that the Argentinian Style Beef was like an out-of-body experience. So naturally we ordered it. The beef itself was divine. Savor every bite. Then try the mashed sweet plantains that accompany that glorious meat. You’ll be confused. Should I like this? Everything else has been amazing, surely there’s something wrong with me if I’m not digging these plantains. Maybe I should try one more forkful. Why does it taste like flowers? There must be some mistake. No friends, there is no mistake — the mashed sweet plantains tasted like soap and I don’t know why. It’s tragic, because that beef — oh that beef! 

Luckily we washed down that flowery mash of plantains with Pork Belly Confit Crepes. Being a crazy person when it comes to fatty meats, I’m always wary of pork belly. But if you’re a normal person when it comes to meats, just order this crepe plate — it’s a one-way ticket to heaven. Even for me it was heaven. Tucked inside the crepe, along with the meat, you’ll find mushrooms and white truffle cream sauce. Say it with me: white truffle cream sauce. Hello lover.

Overall, I loved doing dinner-for-two at La Merenda. Adam and I each enjoyed a satisfying amount of each plate (two whole pierogies!), though obviously dining with a larger group would allow you to have just-a-taste of lots more things. It’s a win-win really. The key is dining at La Merenda either way. Hallelujah!