http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/entertainment/162642546.html#!page=0&pageSize=10&sort=newestfirst
Wild Earth, the restaurant that closed in 2009 in Potawatomi Bingo Casino, will reopen as an Italian restaurant in late summer.
The targeted opening for Wild Earth Cucina Italiana is early September. In addition to the change in concept and menu -- from Wisconsin-focused to Italy-inspired -- the space is being redecorated, although elements such as the stone pillars, open kitchen, bar and private dining room for 12 will remain.
"The space will have its own unique look and feel, separate from what Wild Earth once was," spokeswoman Kim Dicke said.
The restaurant, located off the parking structure skywalk on the third level, also marks the return of chef Audrey Vandenburgh, who was at Wild Earth's opening in 2008 and more recently was the chef at SPIN Milwaukee in the Third Ward.
Vandenburgh will preview dishes from the menu in a cooking demonstration at 1 p.m. Saturday at Festa Italiana at Maier Festival Park at the lakefront.
The menu plays off of regional Italian cooking and Italian-American fare, with dishes such as spaghetti and meatballs, spaghetti with chicken, pancetta, mushrooms and asparagus sauce, and flatbread with shrimp, pancetta, pesto, fresh mozzarella and arugula. (That's the flatbread in the casino's photo above.)
The bar will have 40 Italian wines, Italian beers and cocktails.
Wild Earth will be open for dinner Wednesdays through Sundays.
