Tosa's Night Out expands food options

Burritos, jambalaya and pulled pork sliders are just some of the mouth-watering dishes that will be served at Tosa's Night Out on Aug. 7 this year.

Taste of Tosa's Night Out came about as the result of feedback by attendees at last year's celebration of the city's neighborhoods and crime prevention.

"Participants said they wanted to see more variety when it comes to food," said Wauwatosa police Sgt. Paul Leist, who is helping plan the event.

The typical hot dog, chips and soda offerings will return - they go over well with the little ones - but there will be plenty of other menu items for more mature palates.

"Kids can have the $2 hot dog meals while their parents try some of the other items," he said. "We still want to have it priced inexpensively so a family can afford to come out."

Village restaurants jump in

Hector's, Leff's Lucky Town, The Chancery and Café Hollander have agreed to sell a few dishes each.

"We will be selling three things: pulled pork sliders, mini avocado turkey wraps and our rosemary goat cheese mac," said Matt Lorbiecki, general manager of Café Hollander.

Since opening in the Village a few years ago, Café Hollander has counted among the Tosa's Night Out sponsors. Last year, staff handed out lemonade and meal coupons outside the restaurant.

This will be the first year the restaurant will have a presence in the park, Lorbiecki said.

"We're trying to get involved as much as possible, so when the feedback was they wanted some more options we jumped at helping out," he said.

Most of the items will be prepared at the various Village restaurants and driven over for serving in the park, Leist said.

The restaurants are trying to keep to price point around $5 to keep it affordable, he added.

The Village has exceptional restaurants and people have come to expect their food at events, such as Tosa Tonight concerts and HartFest, so it makes sense to have them at Tosa's Night Out, Leist said.

"If it gets traction, it could expand (in future years)," he said.

New music choice, too

There will be a bit of a change in the entertainment line up as well. In the past, Tosa Tonight has made Tosa's Night Out one of its concert dates. This year, Night Out went solo and hired Michael Drake and the No Tan Lines Bands to perform.

The band's music style has been described as a beach party.

"He's a nonstop blast," Leist said.

In its 18th year, Tosa's Night Out will still focus on crime prevention through education and interactive booths, vendors and exhibits. However, it's a family night out and a community gathering, so some bells and whistles add to the fun, Leist said.

The prices will stay the same as last year. Leist recommends families register ahead of time at the Little Read Book or at one of the Night Out booths at the Tosa Farmer's Market or Tosa Tonight concerts. People who register are guaranteed a T-shirt and participation in the 1.5-mile flashlight walk, which includes handouts such as glow necklaces.

As always, the evening will end with a bang. Bartolotta's will start shooting off fireworks in the park at 9:30 p.m.

At a glance

WHAT: register for Tosa's Night Out

WHERE: The Little Read Book, 7603 W. State St.

WHEN: weekdays 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday noon to 4 p.m.

COST: $8 for the first family member, $6 for the second, $4 for the third, $2 for the fourth and additional family members get in free.

INFO: TosasNightOut.org or Tosa's Night Out on Facebook