When it comes to high maintenance ordering, Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally is the queen: “…And the apple pie a la mode….But I’d like the pie heated, and I don’t want the ice cream on top. I want it on the side…” Every time Sally walks into a restaurant, she collides with an internal struggle: bite the bullet and order off the menu… or be annoying and get what she craves? Either way, Sally is going to feel badly because either she won’t get exactly what she wants or she’ll feel high maintenance getting what she does want: Catch-22 goes to lunch.
Do you have a little bit of Sally in you? Thankfully there’s a healthy and wallet-friendly solution in Milwaukee that lets you have your pie and eat it, too (heated, with the strawberry ice cream on the side). Green Kitchen in the Milwaukee Public Market (a foodie’s mecca located just inside the Historic Third Ward) is a picky omnivore’s haven. When you want to grab a quick bite for only $6.50 (a larger size hikes the price up to $8,50, whereas a side salad only costs $3.45; all sizes include the same ingredient options), the only thing holding you up is deciding between all of the fresh and flavorful ingredients at the salad bar. First, a friendly salad-maker will ask you about your greens preference (Spring mix, spinach or chopped romaine?) and from there you’re in the driver’s seat. Sundried tomatoes? Sugar snap peas? Portobello mushrooms? Check, check check. From walnuts to pecans, sunflower seeds to sesame, the combinations are endless… up the protein factor with some creamy garbanzos beans, avocado and grilled chicken and you’ve crafted a divine meal. The dressings are all homemade and your personal salad crafter will save you a shimmy-shake arm-workout by tossing your salad before placing it all in a to-go container.
This Arcadian indoor food stand is the epitome of progressive Milwaukeean fare: you can opt to be as healthy or as indulgent as you like. Regardless, you’ll have confidence that you’ve picked your own choice of fresh ingredients. Sally just might say, “I’ll have what you’re having.”
Indulge for a bite or two: Green Kitchen offers fresh fruit and vegetable smoothies, as well as an array of paninis ranging from gooey and warm (try the #11: warm focaccia embraces grilled chicken, fresh buffalo mozzarella, sliced tomatoes, arugula and a generous helping of classic basil pesto) to cold and crisp… split the generously-sized portion with a friend, or save half for later – you’ll be glad you did!
Green Kitchen
400 North Water Street
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 223-4305
http://www.milwaukeepublicmarket.org/vendor_greenkitchen.php
