When a restaurant opens in Wisconsin and two of the partners in it are named Ryan Braun and Aaron Rodgers, you might be tempted to think that any generic menu would be enough to lure in customers. Although that might be true for a while, Surg Restaurant Group is not banking on superstar appeal alone in its new 8-Twelve MVP Bar & Grill in Brookfield.
A couple of years ago, Braun of the Brewers and Rodgers of the Packers expressed interest in partnering in a business. Braun has had local success with his Ryan Braun's Graffito in the Third Ward (another Surg restaurant) and the two MVPs decided that they would join forces in a new restaurant. Thus became the genesis for 8-Twelve.
Opened on July 5 in the former Charro location on Bluemound Road, 8-Twelve takes quality dining seriously.
"We are not a sports bar," states General Manager Eric Kaye. "We do have a bar and we do have a happy hour. We do have a little bit of memorabilia from 'the guys.' We do have TVs. But what we are really doing is really great cuisine."
That cuisine is defined as a "farm-to-table concept" that is done in conjunction with Hidden Creek Farm in New London. 8-Twelve aims to source food locally as much as possible.
"We're doing everything in house," explains Kaye. "Our menu focuses on comfort food cooked country style."
Already, that "home cooking" has resonated with customers. Some early favorites include the Rodgers Prime Cuts Steaks ($19 to $49), Buttermilk Fried Amish Chicken ($17), Cedar Planked Scottish Shetland Salmon ($25) and the Brauny Burger ($11). I will add that the Chocola8 dessert ($6.50) will impress any chocolate fanatic.
The atmosphere at 8-Twelve is casual, although patrons can be seen dressed up before a night out on the town or dressed down in jeans prior to a ball game. Either way, they will find a unique dining experience as memorable as the MVPs whose numbers are on the door.
The Basics
NAME: 8-Twelve Restaurant and Grill
ADDRESS: 17800 W. Bluemound Road, Brookfield
PHONE: (262) 641-5600
WEBSITE: www.8-twelve.com
FARE: American
HOURS: Dinner served 4 to 10 p.m. Monday to Friday, 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday; Lunch served 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday; brunch served Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
PRICE RANGE: $7 to $49 (approximate)
RESERVATIONS: yes
HANDICAP ACCESS: yes
GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS: yes
LOOKING TO 'GRAB A BITE'?
"Grab a Bite" is an informal look at the food scene in the Wauwatosa, Brookfield and Elm Grove area by freelance writer Karen Waldkirch. Whether you're looking for a place for a date night or a casual spot for lunch, Waldkirch will be out and about scouting eateries for you. If you have a suggestion for a column, email her at kmwaldkirch@yahoo.com.
Archives
- Red Dot aims to duplicate East Side success in Wauwatosa
- There's No Place Like Hom Woodfired Grill
- Mo's Irish Pub: A lively Irish American neighborhood eatery
- Sluggo's Sports Pub & Grill: Back in business on Burleigh
- Tall Guy and a Grill: Taking backyard BBQ to new heights
- Cocina DeLeon: Old-world gourmet Mexican you make at home
- Burke's Irish Castle carries on a local legacy
- Albanese's Roadhouse serves up generations of Italian blessings
- BelAir Cantina: A breezy, Cali-Mex casual eatery
- Sherbrooke offers a bit of Canada in Tosa, eh
- Colonel Hart's: A true neighborhood hangout
- Ted's: It's Cheers without the beers
- Penelope's: A labor of love in heart of Elm Grove
- Drink in a bit of island life at Jimmy's Island Grill
- North Avenue Grill Same name, new owner
- Highlands Café: Tosa natives expand restaurant
- Café Hollander: Upscale and Belgian-themed
- Jose's Blue Sombrero: Tableside fun with a Mexican flair
- Balistreri's secret is in the staff and the recipes
- Slim McGinn's West a touch of Irish hospitality in Brookfield