Firefly takes casual dining to new heights

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Jerry Luterman

Wauwatosa's stylish Firefly.

Jerry Luterman

Wauwatosa's stylish Firefly.

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Nestled on a quiet street in the Village of Wauwatosa is Firefly Urban Bar & Grill, a small restaurant that has redefined the art of casual dining.

Vesna Madunic, who, with her sister, formerly operated Bjonda in the same space, is now the sole owner of Firefly. While Bjonda was gourmet and upscale, Firefly takes a casual approach, yet still features fresh, homemade and unique dishes.

"Firefly is stylish and comfortable with a diverse, well-rounded menu," explains Madunic. "You get a lot of value in an elegant setting. We offer contemporary food, served in strong portion sizes."

The two front dining rooms in Firefly are surrounded by windows and feature large comfortable tables. The back of the restaurant is the Skylight Lounge, simply one of the most lovely bars in all of the Milwaukee area. It features a dramatic skylight directly above the bar and a couple of private rooms, one of which is cozy and narrow with its own fireplace.

But diners need not worry; food is the focus at Firefly. Some of the very popular menu items from Bjonda carried over into the Firefly menu, such as the Crunch Salad - my favorite. So good and so unique, it can be a meal in itself. Another carryover is the Dijon Amish Chicken served with Basil Mashed Potatoes.

There's something for everyone on the Firefly menu - whether you want a burger or a sandwich, or are looking for a nice meal without the dress code and the high prices. Some signature items besides the Crunch Salad ($4.95 half/$8.95 full) and the Amish Chicken ($15.95) are the Trio of Micro Burgers ($12.25), the Lamb Sausage Beer Crust Pizza ($12.95), the Buffalo Shrimp Blue Cheese Linguini ($16.95) and the Jalapeno and Parmesan Crusted Pork Chops ($18.95).

Also worth noting is the Firefly Kids' Menu which, in my opinion, outshines any other. Although the standards are there - chicken strips, noodles & cheese, mini burgers - everything is made from scratch and includes fresh fruit. Finally, parents can enjoy a nice meal out and not feel like the kids are eating processed fast food. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, kids 10 and under eat free with the purchase of an adult dinner.

Another carryover from the Bjonda menu is on the dessert menu - the Warm Chocolate Bombe ($7.85) - that is definitely worth the short wait. Tableside S'mores ($4.95 for two/$6.95 for four) are certainly a big hit during long, cold winters.

If you're looking for a place for the entire family to dine out, Firefly is an option that is sure to please everyone.

The Basics

NAME: Firefly Urban Bar & Grill

ADDRESS: 7754 Harwood Ave., Wauwatosa

PHONE: (414) 431-1444

WEBSITE: www.firefly-grill.com

FARE: Contemporary (American) Fresh Food

HOURS: Monday to Thursday, 4:30 to 9:30 p.m.; Friday, 4:30 to 11 p.m.; Saturday, 5 to 11 p.m.; Skylight Lounge open late nightly

PRICE RANGE: $7.95 to $23.95 (approximately)

RESERVATIONS: Not usually needed, but can be made if necessary.

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, e-mail her at kmwaldkirch@yahoo.com.