If you’ve ever been to Italy, you know the stereo-typical image of the people talking exuberantly with their hands is, well, based in truth. At SALA, our chef’s hands speak the language of the love of food. Our great-grandmother, whose portrait hangs on the dining room wall, notably said, “There are only two things in life: food and respect.” She lived to one hundred and two, cooking every day of her adult life, starting by standing on a stool beside her mother until her great-great-grandchildren were learning on a stool beside her.
In the tradition of her legacy, which rooted back to the old world, Anthony and sister Teresa opened this small neighborhood restaurant with the help of family and friends in 2001. The commitment to providing outstanding, fresh food through an independently owned, family oriented, local business lives on at SALA. With a focus on fresh, and local Chef Anthony harvests basil, oregano, rosemary and thyme from our greenhouse right here on Hampshire Street. We focus on locally sourced ingredients in our dishes including those from our family garden and local markets as the season allows which keeps the dishes we serve vibrant and full of flavor.
Whether you’re a local looking for a place to eat once a week or for a special evening out or you’re in town for a few days looking to experience a true Milwaukee gem, you’re sure to enjoy our innovative culinary delight. Rooted in the Sicilian traditions our Chefs have grown up with, we are here to share them with you, adding a little of that love to each dish. We invite you to come to our house for dinner tonight.
About Some of Our Menu Items
Pizza
Our traditional pizza recipe features a golden brown, thin crust – hand tossed for you just moments after you order. Enjoy Anthony’s own pizza sauce, olive oil, or freshly made Alfredo layered beneath a generous portion of fine mozzarella.Then choose from one of our favorite combination of flavors or create your own. We offer an array of topping ranging from typical American to regional Italian specialties not often available, except on the street corner in Italy or in locally owned dining rooms like ours.
Fresh Fish Specials
Preparing a piece of fresh fish for the plate is a delicate process, requiring the expert hand of an experienced chef who speaks the language of underwater delights. Every day, we offer a fish special, cooked to perfection and accented with handmade sauces seasoned with fresh herbs.
Tiramisu
Our triamisu, made with pure Italian love, offers the sweet kiss of marscapone cheese, the warm embrace of rich whipped cream, and the tender touch of hand made ladyfingers soaked in espresso. A discerning palette will notice a hint of Amaretto, Bailey’s, and Kahlua. Perhaps you’ve never met a piece of tiramisu you didn’t adore, but once you’ve tried ours, no other lover will do.
Eggplant Appetizer
If you had time, you could make eggplant at home, but almost no one does, so we prepare it for you with exceptional patience. When you crave earth’s most beautiful, purple fruit, so delicious the Roman gods must have fought over the fields where they grew, come to Sala. We pan fry thin slices in our secret breading and then wrap them around a filling of Ricotta cheese, Italian breadcrumbs and marinara. The delight of this dish is fact, not myth, but your enjoyment will be a story worth telling.