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Home > BizTimes Daily > Archives > February 15, 2007
New restaurants open along National Avenue
Published February 15, 2007 - BizTimes Daily
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Two new businesses featuring international cuisine are celebrating grand openings along National Avenue in Milwaukee this week.
A grand opening celebration will take place Friday at 11 a.m. for Mekato's Colombian Bakery & Cafe, 3500 W. National Ave. Mekato's is located in the Silver City Main Street Milwaukee District along what is becoming known as "Inter'National Avenue."
The bakery occupies a building that was renovated, with the assistance of both the City of Milwaukee and Milwaukee County. Mekato's is owned by the Bohorquez family, originally from Colombia and most recently the owners of a similar bakery in Chicago. John Sr. and Martha Bryan Bohorquez are from Colombia. They plan to expand to selling wholesale in local supermarkets this year.
Meanwhile, La Merenda, Milwaukee's first international tapas restaurant, opened today at 125 E. National Ave. in the Walker's Point neighborhood.
Tapas are small savory snacks that are often served as an appetizer along with alcoholic drinks, originally in Spain. La Merenda will feature a unique and original menu focusing on international cuisine for lunch and dinner.
Executive chef Peter Sandroni and his wife, Sonia Sandroni, La Merenda's business manager, moved back to Milwaukee from Atlanta to start the business. They are teaming up with chef Nick Cataldo and his wife, Melissa Cataldo, who is the service manager.
"We are thrilled to be opening a unique restaurant in the Walker's Point neighborhood. Our menu of international cuisine is like no other restaurant in Milwaukee and we look forward to entertaining people with our tapas selection," Peter Sandroni said.
In Italian, La Merenda means "early snack," and it refers to an Italian custom of early evening socializing and gathering to share food and drink among friends and family.
