Latest news with #JamesBeardAward-winner
Eater
27-06-2025
- Climate
- Eater
How to Enjoy Dining When It's Hot AF Outside
A few weeks ago, I found myself standing outside of Birdie's, helmed by Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel and newly minted Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service James Beard Award-winner Arjav Ezekiel. The wine bar and restaurant is known for its pre-hours line of eagerly awaiting patrons, and I, like most Texas-born folks, braced myself for the late afternoon sun's punishing rays. My sister and I scurried under a countable number of cedar elm leaves, sweat beads slowly building on both of our foreheads. And then it came: the pitcher. Of water, importantly, but it was that familiar plastic pitcher (this one was a sort of magenta hue, making me feel like I'd been zapped back to the '90s), that signaled to me that cold, liquid relief inside the container was coming. A server brought it out to those waiting in line, serving generous pours of cool water that got us through. Cooled off and cared for, I walked into Birdie's ready to order my patio-friendly bottle of wine, and to enjoy what was a lovely early summer dinner of beet tartare (yes, beet, and it was wonderful), penne alla vodka, and divinely luscious sweet corn soft serve. As gentle gusts of air cooled the restaurant, and my sister and I sparred over the last bite of dessert, I was reminded that great summer dining doesn't have to be interrupted by the heat. Dining in the heat, whether you're doing so indoors or outdoors, takes its share of strategy. No matter where you find yourself, here's how I would tackle it: I get that the milkshake is part of American summer lore, and I'm not going to yuck anyone's generationally enduring yum. But when the temperatures extend beyond 90°F (which they often do, and increasingly, earlier in the summer), I'm searching for the lightest possible sugar hit I can find. Enter, the sno-ball. Or Icee. Or snow cone! Or water ice! Or Chilly Bears! Whatever you call them (which is likely depending on wherever in the United States you're from), the ingredients from these icy summer treats are largely consistent: crushed, softened ice, and sugary syrup, the dye of which defies all scientific and parental guidance for food intake. It's sweet, unhealthy, and indulgent — everything the summertime should be. Among the many things America adopted from Europe during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic was its advanced approach to outdoor dining. And while some cities have passed laws infringing on their ability to exist, many restaurants have patio spaces that are perfect for large summer gatherings, or a late-night read with a glass of wine. Bonus: Many restaurants have outdoor fans or a cooling system in their outdoor spaces, ensuring comfort is accessible across the restaurants. The sun is typically at its hottest point around 3 p.m., but it's safe to say that once breakfast is finished, it's often a scorcher outside. Avoid al fresco seating dining the hours of 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., and aim to do restaurant group hangs around happy hour during the evening hours. If dining during the day, try to pick a seat in a cooler part of the restaurant. Look at where the sunlight shining in from windows falls in the room, and avoid that area so as not to get overheated. Be mindful that sitting near a window will likely also make you susceptible to warmth from the sun. If the host seats you somewhere that's too directly in the path of the sun, feel free to ask them, politely, to seat you elsewhere. As much as I love a meal that sticks to your bones, summertime isn't the time to order it. Climate change has spread in such a way that no longer is it just places like Texas seeing temps of 100°F or above, but also cities like Paris, Philadelphia, Boston, and Bareclona, Thankfully, all of these locations, and others, have plenty of regional salads, pastas, and cuisine that feels a bit better on the system when needing to walk down a hot street. Cold, flavorful gazpachos, raw bar bars filled with a host of bivalves, and cold noodle soups are the menu move here. Embrace the bounties of summer produce — peaches, watermelon, plums, tomatoes, cucumber, oh my! — and let the light energy of the season find its way to the table. Hotter temps mean critters that are more closely associated with the tropics are out in abundance. If you're dining outside or in a restaurant with open walls during the months of May to September, you can be assured that at some point, a bunch of gross, germ-carrying flies are going to be hopping from table to table, searching for their next meal, hoping that it's yours. The error folks make is thinking flies only coalesce around the remnants of a meal and leftovers waiting to be bussed. But take a few extra minutes to take another bite of a perfect dish, or try to enjoy a drink that begs for a slower sip, and they'll find you — and your meal. Ask the server for a fly fan. The contraptions will look like ridiculous Back to the Future paraphernalia, and they'll also protect your $40+ meal from becoming fly food. Every AC unit or outdoor fan imaginable can't counter an unnecessary layer of clothing or a jacket that simply doesn't belong in summer. Dress comfortably, and utilize materials like linen, sandals, and open-toed shoes. Enjoy your meal in the comforts of your air-conditioned home. And if possible, order via the restaurant's website. A recent Eater profile on DoorDash's efforts to impede policies that support delivery drivers is a timely reminder that supporting restaurants directly is always best.
Axios
27-05-2025
- Business
- Axios
Harry's Pizzeria closing its Coconut Grove, Miami Beach locations
Harry's Pizzeria appears to be closing its Coconut Grove and South Beach locations. The big picture: The local pie chain from James Beard Award-winner and restaurateur Chef Michael Schwartz first opened in Miami in 2011. The latest: With no announcement from the restaurant itself, both Harry's locations appear as "permanently closed" on Google.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Target Announces Strategic Plans to Drive More Than $15 Billion in Sales Growth by 2030
Accelerations in digital experience, newness and value, speed and reliability will amplify the everyday discovery and delight that differentiates the brand MINNEAPOLIS, March 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- At its financial community meeting today, Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) outlined how ongoing investments will aim to accelerate its strategy and drive billions of dollars of profitable sales growth across its multi-channel business by 2030. The plans include: Bringing consumers an on-trend and affordable assortment packed with style, newness and value Reinforcing Target as the destination for discovery by further blending its one-of-a-kind physical, digital and social commerce shopping experiences Increasing ease, reliability and speed by investing in supply chain and fulfillment capabilities, and rewarding guests for choosing Target through Target Circle benefits "Shoppers continue to seek differentiated options and distinctive shopping experiences without sacrificing value, and Target has the scale, strategy and capabilities to support all the ways consumers shop and engage with brands," said Brian Cornell, chair and chief executive officer, Target. "With gains in consumer traffic, continuing improvements in speed and reliability, and accelerating growth across digital capabilities, we are doubling down on initiatives that scale these capabilities and drive meaningful top-line and bottom-line growth. Our strategy is all about creating today's Tarzhay, offering everyday discovery and delight for millions of families and ensuring Target is a consumer favorite for years to come." Delighting guests with on-trend newness and exceptional valueTarget will offer even more newness, quality and relevance across its unique product assortment. Investments will aim to build further momentum in the retailer's core discretionary categories and accelerate growth in frequency categories. Plans include: Reimagining key categories – Beginning in 2025, a multi-year initiative will build momentum in product categories with growth potential. For example, a reinvention in gaming, sports and toys will offer new and expanded assortments and an enhanced in-store experience that will strengthen Target's position as a gaming destination with video game releases and expand its youth sports offerings. The retailer is also refreshing its home assortment by adding even more trend-forward newness to brands like Hearth & Hand with Magnolia and Threshold designed with Studio McGee. Owned brand innovation – To spur further growth in frequency categories, Target will launch a new series of Good & Gather Collabs with celebrated chefs, kicking off March 9 with James Beard Award-winner Chef Ann Kim. More owned brand newness — including up&up and other essentials-brand expansions, 600 new food and beverage items across Good & Gather and Favorite Day and a refresh in Boots & Barkley pet supplies — will bring consumers a wider range of affordable options. New partnerships – Target will offer more of its beloved brand partnerships across the assortment, including recently announced collections with Champion and Disney, as well as shop-in-shops with Warby Parker. Speed and flexibility in apparel – Enhancements in apparel will reduce the time it takes to design, source and get product on shelves — strategically managing raw materials, production capacity and lead times to quickly add new styles and silhouettes to collections such as its rapidly growing All in Motion activewear line. Newness in beauty – Target's ongoing evolution in the beauty category continued in February with the introduction of more than 45 new beauty brands and 2,000 new items, with 90% priced under $20, and more newness to come in the year ahead. Designing for discovery, however consumers shop Target continues to invest significantly to enhance the digital experience and redefine omnichannel shopping by further blending its one-of-a-kind social, digital and in-store experiences. Plans for 2025 and beyond include: Elevating shopping with technology – The retailer will innovate with search, social and data-driven personalization. That includes enhancing solutions powered by artificial intelligence (AI) that offer more relevant product recommendations, optimize search results and integrate with social media trends. Inspiring discovery across digital platforms – In service of growing its interconnected digital ecosystem, Target plans to dramatically expand the size of its Target Plus marketplace. It aims to grow those third-party digital sales from approximately $1 billion in 2024 to more than $5 billion in 2030, adding hundreds of new brands like Peloton, Daily Harvest and Honest Baby Clothing to attract guests and expand offerings. It also plans to double the size of its in-house media company Roundel by 2030, which drove more than $2 billion in value last year. To continue its profitable growth, the retailer plans to create even more personalized connections, grow its base of vendor partners with hundreds more each year, and further integrate within Target Plus and the Target Circle loyalty program. Delivering ease, reliability and rewardsThe retailer will also invest across its stores and supply chain network to reach more consumers and get products to them faster — whenever, wherever and however they choose to shop — while rewarding guests for choosing Target. Plans include: New stores and remodels – Through its ongoing effort to add more than 300 stores over 10 years, Target plans to open around 20 new stores, the majority large formats, and invest to remodel many more across the country in 2025. Physical stores offer the space and flexibility to incorporate the best of Target's shopping experience while powering more efficient fulfillment operations and fueling digital growth as part of the company's stores-as-hubs model. Supply chain evolution – Updates and expansions across the company's supply chain network will move inventory with more speed, accuracy and efficiency. That includes modernizing the company's core inventory management system with AI-powered technology solutions that will improve reliability and reduce out-of-stocks. The company is also implementing several new package delivery solutions, leveraging existing stores and supply chain assets and its Shipt capability, to further improve delivery speed to consumers. New Target Circle benefits – More than 13 million members joined the Target Circle loyalty program in 2024. Following its successful relaunch in April, Target aims to triple its Target Circle 360 membership base over the next three years through new perks, benefits and other enhancements. That includes a new partnership with Marriott Bonvoy to make traveling even easier and more rewarding for Target Circle 360 members. Enhancing same-day services – Target's signature same-day services were its fastest-growing mode of shopping in 2024, driven by meaningful growth from Same-Day Delivery powered by Target Circle 360. The retailer aims to accelerate these services' growth in 2025 and beyond by improving awareness and ease of same-day delivery throughout the shopping journey and adding new enhancements to make the Drive Up and Returns experiences even more convenient. To stay updated on Target's strategy and initiatives, visit MiscellaneousStatements in this release regarding the company's future financial performance, planned investments in its business, and strategy for growth are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause the company's results to differ materially. The most important risks and uncertainties are described in Item 1A of the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2024. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement. About TargetMinneapolis-based Target Corporation (NYSE: TGT) serves guests at nearly 2,000 stores and at with the purpose of helping all families discover the joy of everyday life. Since 1946, Target has given 5% of its profit to communities, which today equals millions of dollars a week. Additional company information can be found by visiting the corporate website and press center. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Target Corporation Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
7 Milwaukee restaurants we wish made USA TODAY's Restaurants of the Year list
USA TODAY has released its Restaurants of the Year 2025 list, featuring 44 standout restaurants across the country. This year, the list includes Three Brothers, a nearly 70-year-old Serbian darling in Milwaukee known for its cozy dining room and homestyle, Old-World fare. To create the list, USA TODAY Network food journalists from across the country pooled their expertise to select the restaurants, which includes the places they know, love and recommend. Three Brothers has been a longtime favorite of mine, but it's far from the only area restaurant that deserves national attention. It landed on my first-ever Top 25 Restaurants list last fall, as did many of the restaurants I mention below. I've included them here for their distinct personalities, the shape they've directly contributed to the restaurant landscape and their representation of where our dining scene has been and where it's going. How many have you been to? Check out USA TODAY's 2025 Restaurants of the Year. 459 E. Pleasant St.; Contemporary farm-to-table stunner Birch is no stranger to appearing on national lists. Last Year, the restaurant was the only Wisconsin representative on the New York Times' list of best restaurants in America — pretty impressive in just its second year in business. We love Birch for its celebration of local ingredients in an artful presentation that feels elegant yet approachable. What's best about Birch, though, is the way you can tailor your dining experience to your mood: sit at the chef's counter for an intimate evening with a multicourse tasting menu, grab a seat in the dining room for a celebration meal, or belly up to the bar for a more relaxed affair — and the only spot in the house where you can chow down on the restaurant's excellent burger. If that's not enough, Birch was a favorite restaurant of the 'Top Chef' judges when they shot Season 21 here last summer — a shining endorsement if ever the was one! Book your reservation now on OpenTable 6030 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa; I'm a sucker for a great plate of pasta, so there's no sweeter spot than sitting at the pasta bar at this Wauwatosa charmer, where, if you're lucky, you can catch the noodles being made right in front of you. And while the scratch-made pastas are typically what draw me in, small plates like a beautiful peach-tuna crudo, grilled onions and shishito peppers in walnut pesto, and lamb carpaccio with basil crema and Michigan blueberries are surprise delights on the rotating menu. And that bouncy focaccia bread? Perhaps the best you'll find in the city. 815 E. Brady St.; While its name may sound regal, The Diplomat is rooted in Midwest sensibilities that celebrate the comforts that make this part of the country so special. Not that the fare isn't elevated — the menu at The Diplomat, helmed by James Beard Award-winner Dane Baldwin, may include roasted trout, house-made pretzels, knife-and-fork chicken, peanut butter pie and a banger of the burger, but these humble dishes sing with expert preparation and care behind every ingredient in each dish. The cozy dining room welcomes all, like an open invitation to dinner at a friend's house. How did we do it? Inside look at how USA TODAY chose its Restaurants of the Year for 2025 2165 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.; How often do you get to dine on food from a 'Top Chef' finalist? Well, if you're in Milwaukee, you can do so at EsterEv, the fine-dining restaurant from 'Top Chef' favorite Dan Jacobs, who owns the restaurant with chef Dan Van Rite. In fact, Jacobs just may show up at your table at the beginning of the meal to present his bread and broth course — so fun! It's at EsterEv where you see why the cheftestant went so far on the show. The rotating four-course menu blends flavors from Japan, Italy, the Middle East, America and more with gorgeous presentation and spectacular service. The friendly, quirky dining room at its new home in Bay View reflects the playful nature of its owners, who prove there's plenty of room for fun in fine dining. Book your reservation now on OpenTable 777 N. Van Buren St.; Step into the dining room at this downtown French-Italian restaurant and you might think you're in Manhattan. The space is a beauty — slick, modern and buzzing with energy — and, thankfully, the food matches its elegance. House-made pastas, wood-roasted duck and a beautiful Dover sole — fileted tableside with flair — are more stripped-down than showing, letting the skilled preparation shine above any extra pomp. No wonder it was a finalist for the national Best New Restaurant James Beard Award in 2023. See last year's list: Check out USA TODAY's 2024 Restaurants of the Year. 1547 N. Jackson St.; While Sanford is just a bit younger than 68-year-old Three Brothers, it is one of the most established restaurants in the city, celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. What's even more impressive is how the restaurant, a catalyst for Milwaukee's fine dining scene, is as excellent and inventive today as it was back in '89. The seven-course tasting menu is an inimitable experience, with expert wine pairings that make the crafty modern-American fare sparkle. Unpretentious but refined with elegant service, Sanford's still got it and then some. 2659 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.; Casual Bay View bar/restaurant The Vanguard might seem like an outlier on this list compared to its more upscale counterparts but, after 10 years, the gourmet sausage emporium with a loose professional wrestling theme is still one of the coolest spots in town. It's only fitting that a Milwaukee restaurant would be touted for its sausages, but Vanguard goes beyond the simple brat (though they're divine here, too). Tubed meats come in the form of duck with bacon and sundried tomato, pork stuffed with lemongrass and ginger, and roasted green chiles with bison and bacon. Add terrifically goofy videos playing on the TV screens, killer punk jams through the speakers, and one of the more impressive bourbon selections you'll find anywhere and you've got one of the best hangs in the city that just also has some of the best food. We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn't influence our coverage. See the entire list of USA TODAY Restaurants of the Year 2025 here: This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 7 Milwaukee restaurants we wish made USA TODAY Restaurants of the Year
