Street Scene: Milwaukee

When wine connoisseur Ben Christiansen moved to the historic Third Ward neighborhood in 2001, he was immediately enamored of the funky, vibrant atmosphere. Five years later, he decided to open Waterford Wine Company, a wine shop that also hosts classes and tastings, on nearby Brady Street. Now, with years of experience exploring the locally owned shops, animated nightspots and world-class eateries in this waterfront district, he recommends a few of his favorites:

1 CEMPAZUCHI COMIDA BRAVA
1205 E BRADY ST
"Cempazuchi serves Oaxacan cuisine, which is hugely popular right now. It's Mexican food, not Tex-Mex; it's delicious but without all the cheesy gooeyness." www.cempazuchi.com

2 AALA REED
1320 E. BRADY ST
"I always go here if I need to buy something snazzy to wear to work. Laura [Lutter] and Sharon [Reed], the owners, are really nice, and they stock the place with the kind of clothes that you put on and immediately feel 10 pounds lighter. I actually just bought a pair of pants from here." www.aalareed.com

3 MISS GROOVE ACCESSORIES AND APPAREL
1225 E BRADY ST
"This store is wonderful for someone who's hard to shop for. The staff makes great suggestions." www.missgroove.com

4 GLORIOSO BROS SPECIALTY FOODS
1020 E BRADY ST
"There's a very strong Italian presence in this neighborhood. As a result, there are a number of really good Italian groceries. I go here a lot for prosciutto, and many people love their sauces." 414-272-1311

5 BOSLEY ON BRADY
815 E BRADY ST
"The food here is so delicious, my staff and I order every appetizer on the menu when we go. But if I had to choose just one dish, I'd go with the Florida Gulf grouper with mango-lime salsa-it makes you feel like you're in the Keys." www.bosleyonbrady.com