The Red Dot

Red Dot's selection of upscale pub grub provides libation-sippers with solid brain food in between intense study sessions of the bar's beer menu. Red Dot's signature plate of poutine ($5 for regular size) pays homage to the Canadian staple with local flair, blanketing french fries in homemade gravy and Wisconsin cheese curds. The Hot Stuff pizza (ranging from $7 for an 8-inch to $15 for a 16-inch) balances bean salsa, black olives, and jalapeños atop its crust, and the "loaded" grilled cheese ($6.50) trumps Mom's made-with-love version, piling on onions, cucumbers, tomato, and four types of cheese. Wash meals down into the soul where they'll frolic forever with local brews such as Lakefront Brewery's Cream City Pale Ale ($4.25) or out-of-state sips such as Rogue Dead Guy Ale ($5) from the exotic island of Oregon.