BETHESDA, Md. (June 28, 2022) – Global restaurateur HMSHost and Perlick opened The Garden District Kitchen & Bar on Concourse D in Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the busy summer travel season in full swing and passenger traffic nearing 2019 levels, the menu is being expanded to highlight the best of Wisconsin for airport passengers. The restaurant is operated by HMSHost in partnership with Airport Concessions Disadvantaged Business Enterprise joint venture partners, Limitless Brands and Newburns Management Group.
“HMSHost and Perlick provide family-sustaining jobs to hundreds of people in Milwaukee, and the investments they continue to make in our hometown Airport is great news for the traveling public,” Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said. “Visitors fly to Milwaukee to see family or friends and attend conventions, sports events or festivals. The new menu at the Garden District Kitchen and Bar will give them a taste of what Milwaukee has to offer.”
“MKE is Milwaukee’s hometown Airport, and the Garden District Kitchen & Bar is part of the Airport’s effort to showcase Milwaukee neighborhoods,” Airport Director Brian Dranzik said. “The Airport is in the Garden District, so it makes sense to name this restaurant after the neighborhood the Airport is in.”
“Representing local business and food culture is a meaningful and authentic way to connect with the traveling public,” said HMSHost Vice President of Business Development Stephen Douglas. “HMSHost is humbled to work alongside Perlick and build an elevated local dining experience at MKE. We’d like to thank Mitchell International, Perlick and our ACDBE partners for bringing this exemplary restaurant concept to life.”
“We are thrilled to be a part of The Garden District Kitchen & Bar,” said Theodore “TJ” Perlick Molinari, Vice President, Commercial Sales, Perlick. “For more than 100 years, Perlick has been manufacturing commercial bar and beverage equipment and premium residential refrigeration in the heart of Milwaukee. We are proud to showcase our strong history in the Brew City to travelers from around the world.”
The Garden District Kitchen & Bar presented the opportunity for Perlick to join forces with travel dining leader HMSHost to create the airport’s ultimate local food and beverage experience. The restaurant showcases the latest from Perlick Milwaukee-made equipment: the bar is specially outfitted with two custom made brewers pipe draft beer towers, an 86-bottle wine temperature controlled display column, two specialty dispensing units that can be used for draft wine or craft cocktails on draft, and four temperature controlled wine drawers for wine by the glass service. The draft beer towers feature eight taps with six dedicated to pouring Wisconsin-brewed beers. There is a diverse array of local craft beers from Spotted Cow by New Glarus and Heavenly Haze by Third Space Brewing to a classic Miller Lite or Leinenkugel.
The menu highlights a taste of the region with an emphasis on Wisconsin products and iconic foods. Diners can feast on Usingers corned beef and brats and dig into a lineup of tasty items for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The new menu offers an appetizer of Jalapeño Cheese Curds served alongside a sriracha ranch and a Milwaukee Fish Fry featuring a lightly breaded cod served with seasoned fries, apple fennel slaw, house tartar sauce, and marble rye. From appetizers, salad, burgers, and entrees, the flavor of Wisconsin is conveyed in every dish.
The Garden District Kitchen & Bar is located on Concourse D near gate D51.
