News Summary
Braise, a well-known farm-to-table restaurant, has opened a new location in Lakewood, Wisconsin. The new venue, Braise North, offers a dynamic menu sourced from local farms. Open for breakfast and dinner, it also features a gift shop showcasing locally-made products.
Lakewood Welcomes New Farm-to-Table Restaurant: Braise North
Braise, a celebrated restaurant known for its farm-to-table dining experience, has opened a new location called Braise North in Lakewood, Wisconsin. Launched in late November 2023, this expansion marks the restaurant’s first venture outside its original Milwaukee site, which has operated since late 2011.
Braise North is situated at 15398 WI-32, about 200 miles north of Milwaukee. It operates on a reservation basis or accommodates walk-ins until 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The restaurant provides dinner service from 5-9 p.m., with menu offerings that are ingredient-dependent, showcasing dishes like paella, oven-roasted salmon, Neapolitan wood-fired pizza, and chicken mole.
Unique Dining Experience
In addition to dinner, Braise North functions as a café on Saturday and Sunday mornings throughout the year, serving breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon. The café menu is dynamic, rotating based on the availability of ingredients sourced from partner farms. Patrons can enjoy local products including Milwaukee’s coffee and espresso, regional cheeses, and various hot sauces. The café also features a collection of homemade pastries and customizable coffee drinks, aimed at enhancing the local morning food scene.
Although Lakewood is not regarded as a significant tourist destination, Braise North features a gift shop that sells apparel, wine, preserves, and other locally made items, providing a unique shopping experience for visitors. Guests can unwind in a cozy dining area or on the rear deck patio, making it an inviting spot for both locals and tourists alike.
A Legacy in Milwaukee
Braise has established itself as an integral part of Milwaukee’s dining landscape since its inception at 1101 S. 2nd St. The restaurant is owned by chef Dave Swanson, a four-time James Beard Award semifinalist, and his wife Becky. As one of the early adopters of the farm-to-table concept, Braise has cultivated a loyal following and continues to receive accolades from both customers and critics.
Beyond its quality food offerings, Braise has made notable contributions to the culinary field by providing culinary classes and mentoring a variety of aspiring chefs in the region. The restaurant’s commitment to supporting local farms and regional producers ensures that its menu rotates with the seasons, providing fresh, high-quality ingredients. Despite its successes, Braise has occasionally faced challenges with newer eateries in the area outshining it.
Community Connection
Becky Swanson has a personal connection to Lakewood, spending considerable time there during her childhood, which inspired the decision to open Braise North. The restaurant aims to replicate the flavors and excellence of its Milwaukee counterpart while bringing these culinary delights to the Northwoods community of Lakewood, which has a population of under 800.
For those unable to visit for dinner, Braise North offers a breakfast menu highlighted by items such as a smoked salmon everything bagel topped with scallion cream cheese, microgreens, pickled onions, and capers. Customers can also indulge in a small catalog of breakfast options and unique house-made syrup flavors for their coffee drinks.
Braise North represents the Swansons’ continuous pursuit of culinary excellence and their commitment to local sourcing, setting a new standard for the dining options available in Lakewood.
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HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Milwaukee Record: Braise North
- Wikipedia: Farm-to-table
- ABC11: Restaurant Opening Video
- Google Search: Braise North Lakewood
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Restaurant
- Google News: Braise North
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
