Adjacent to Il Mito Trattoria e Enoteca (6913 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa) is a culinary studio run by the restaurant’s owner and Master of Cuisine, Michael Feker, where he personally hosts specialty dinners, beer and wine tastings as well as one-on-one cooking lessons. I’ve heard excellent reviews about these events and thought it high time that Your Milwaukee Dining take a test drive. Next on Il Mito’s calendar was a three-course beer pairing dinner; duty calls.
When we arrived at the studio, we were welcomed by a polite staff, personalized place settings, a detailed dinner menu and greetings from Chef Feker himself and Lakefront Brewery co-owner, Russ Klisch. Out of 16 total food enthusiasts, our seats were at the counter immediately in front of the preparation area, easily the best in this intimate house.
First course:
Roasted radishes, poblano peppers, mint, shaved red onion and grilled watermelon, all set atop a bouquet of watercress tossed with extra virgin olive oil and fresh lime. Beer pairing: Lakefront Klisch Pilsner.
While Chef Feker prepped the salads and explained the selection of the ingredients, Russ Klisch walked through the history of Lakefront Brewery (he and his brother are co-owners) and talked about the first beer, the Klisch Pilsner. As you’d expect from a craft brewery owner, Russ shared an insane amount of information about beer making and the Klisch Pilsner. He then encouraged us to taste the Klisch Pilsner alone, and then after a few bites of the salad: what a difference! The beer took the bitterness away from the watercress and, the watermelon took on a brighter taste. So far, so really, really good.
Second course:
Chipotle chili marinated beef brisket sliders, slow cooked over hardwood and finished with Ancho chili BBQ sauce. Served with slow cooked pinto beans and sautéed mustard greens. Beer pairing: Lakefront Wheat Monkey.
The spices in the beans, the savory mustard greens and the slight fruitiness of the Lakefront Wheat Monkey were a wonderful balance with the smoky sliders. As Chef told stories of his and his wife’s food adventures and traditions, we as guests were welcome to ask questions about our dinner courses. He even asked for our input as to what the next beer pairing dinner menu should look like. This was one of many guest-Chef exchanges throughout the night that made for such a unique occasion.
Finally, the third course:
Mexican chocolate cake with orange butter cream frosting and fresh berries. Beer pairing: Lakefront Cherry Lager.
You probably don’t think about beer when you think about dessert—at least I didn’t. But in this case, it was perfect. The Cherry Lager is made with real Door County cherries, a fact you notice immediately when you first smell and taste the beer. Russ also explained that this is one of very few lager fruit beers made today (many beers made with fruit are ales). As Chef Fecker explained, the orange butter cream frosting was made with fresh orange juice and powdered sugar instead of granulated sugar, which made it extra sweet. The secret to the chocolate cake? Cayenne pepper—yet another twist that makes Il Mito’s cuisine so popular. The dessert was the perfect ending to this pairing dinner.
The food and beer was wonderful, but we knew that would be the case. What made the night uniquely cool was the storytelling, recipe-sharing in a cozy, comfortable setting. Listening to Chef Feker and Brew Master Klisch share anecdotes with such passion was an inspiration to cook with more purpose and love at home, and of course, drink more beer.
Be sure to keep track of future tastings at Il Mito. Chef Feker’s passion for food and people alone is worth the price of admission.
By Heidi Sterricker.
www.yourmilwaukeedining.com