Restaurants in West Allis

Chefs draw upon South Indian, North Indian, and Indo-Chinese influences as they concoct spicy curries and creamy gravies to drape over tandoor-roasted lamb and seafood, halal goat, and vegetarian-friendly paneer. Beyond the dining room's tables cloaked in blue linens and vibrant Indian artwork, bartenders pour beer, wine, and cocktails from a fully stocked bar nestled near a flat-screen television.

When the Radicevich family immigrated to Milwaukee from their native Belgrade more than four decades ago, they hoped to establish a family trade of restaurateuring that could be passed down from generation to generation. Since then, the Radiceviches and their children have worked tirelessly to make that dream a reality. Today, their daughter, who grew up working alongside her parents, helms the homey eatery on Lincoln Avenue, drawing in dedicated customers with a menu of flavorful homestyle Serbian cuisine that unites the Midwest with the Old World, promising a smorgasbord of traditional Serbian stews, dumplings, pilafs, and cutlets crafted using local farm produce.

The delectable spread ranges from multicourse feasts of meaty lamb chops and chevapchichi to wholesome meals of fresh fish or stuffed cabbage, captivating the uninitiated with substantial, handmade dishes that are simultaneously exotic and familiar. Families, tourists, and neighbors gather around linen-draped tables, sharing plates of cheese and olives or savory slices of phyllo moussaka as they revel in the eatery’s welcoming neighborhood atmosphere.

The vibrant orange walls are enough to make Antigua Latin Restaurant stand out, but owner and self-taught chef Nicolas Ramos appeals to his customers' other senses with a menu of contemporary Mexican, Latin American, and Spanish dishes. He taps into his family's experience in the restaurant industry-which spans across more than 50 years-to populate his dining room's blue tablecloths with Cuban sandwiches, paella, traditional tapas, and enchiladas crafted from fresh ingredients. Additionally, the eatery's culinary experts host hands-on cooking classes that instruct students on the finer points of preparing a Caribbean feast or using a shrink ray to transform an entree into an appetizer.

The eponymous owner of Sal's Pizza is nearly always on hand to greet customers and oversee the creation of his Italian-inspired dishes. Under his watchful gaze, cooks sprinkle toppings on bubbling thin-crust and Chicago-style pizzas or sauté veal and chicken in wine sauce. And if diners are lucky, they can behold one of Sal's ovens giving birth to hearty baked pasta, a thick Italian-style sub, or a tiny baby oven that tries to bake everything it sees.:m]]

Melthouse Bistro elevates a favorite childhood classic with its innovative roster of gourmet grilled-cheese sandwiches. The menu lists handcrafted creations such as The Arla whose buttered brioche loaf clasps Wisconsin havarti, candied pecans, and sweet-spiced apples. Each crispy medley of veggies, cheeses, and meats—which range from The Brasserie's braised short ribs to the hand-battered fried chicken of The Buffalo Bill—sidles onto plates tucked between locally baked artisan bread from Breadsmith. The bistro looks to local farms for its produce as well, prizing the down-home vibe of made-from-scratch meals over the artificial hum of fluorescent-light hoagies. Suggested wine and craft beer pairings whisper under each item listed on the menu, fleshing out the gustatory revelry.

The Melthouse's merger between modest and stylish cooking has garnered praise from OnMilawukee.com, the Journal Sentinel and A.V. Club Milwaukee, which praises the "delicious sandwiches, solid sides, and stellar service." Its decor mirrors the edibles, walking the line between rustic and modern: wood reclaimed from a century-old granary decks the walls, while floor-to-ceiling windows and metallic stools flaunt crisp edges.

The Landing Food & Spirits likes to boast that they’re so great that the state built an airport next to them. Regardless of why it actually happened, the restaurant is a haven for casual nights out in the shadow of small planes. Gaggles of friends settle onto red and wooden barstools or surround tables to grab slices of pizza or dive into beer-side nibbles of sour cream and chive fries. Along the walls, pinball machines, a foosball table, and video arcade games fire up healthy competition as the occasional live band croons from a small stage in the corner. Guests match wits during Monday-night trivia, and feast at the Friday-night fish fry—a great way to entertain visiting relatives or pet grizzly bears.