Dinner (Samples) and a Movie: Taste of Brookfield Debuts at Cinema

Dining out dollars a little stretched? Don't want to spend money on a restaurant or entree that's not tried and true?

Taste of Brookfield & Beyond offers a unique chance to try something new without hurting the wallet.

Nine local restaurants will be offering samples of their menus and Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurants will offer a wine tasting. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday in the lobby of the Marcus Majestic Cinema, 770 N. Springdale Rd., Town of Brookfield. (See the menu items below)

Movie admission is not required. The event is being held separately from Marcus' movie operations. (Although restaurant tastings before a movie might be a nice change from popcorn and coke.)

The Greater Brookfield Chamber of Commerce first toyed with the idea of a Taste of Brookfield in 2008 but made a renewed push for its this year when restauranteurs showed interest, such as Tony Iannice of Carrabba's Italian Grill.

"Our expectation is that this will be the beginning of an annual festival for years to come," said Carol White, president of the chamber. "It really is to promote the restaurants in the area and showcase some of their items."

White said she was looking forward to autumn-themed samples, such as pumpkin pancakes and maple pulled pork sandwiches from First Watch, located south of Metro Market.

Another favorite: Stir Crazy's Asian slaw ($2 at this weekend's event).

Samples cost $1 to $5 (one item is $7: Teriyaki marinated sirloin from The Melting Pot). Purchases will be via tickets which cost $1 each. Proceeds will benefit the chamber; all participating restaurants are donating the food.

Taste of Brookfield Menu

Baker's Square

• Chicken Pot Pie................3 tickets
• Tomato Basil Soup...........4 tickets
• Pumpkin Pie......................3 tickets
• Pecan Pie..........................3 tickets

Boston Market

• Corn bread...............................1 ticket
• Side of Mac and Cheese .......3 tickets
• Side of Mashed Potatoes.......3 tickets
• 1/4 White meat - Chicken........4 tickets
• 1/4 Dark meat - Chicken..........3 tickets
• 1/2 Turkey Sandwich................5 tickets

Carrabba's Italian Grill

• Wood Grilled Chicken Marsala.........................................5 tickets
• Penne Pasta w/ Picchi Paccu Sauce (Vegetarian)........4 tickets
• Homemade Sausage & Lentil Zuppe (Soup)..................4 tickets
• Lobster Ravioli in a Vermouth Cream Sauce..................5 tickets

First Watch

• Pumpkin Pancakes...........................2 tickets
• Fruity Chicken....................................3 tickets
• Siesta Key Cocktail..........................4 tickets
• Maple Pulled Pork Sandwich...........5 tickets

Marcus Majestic Big Screen Bistro

• Zaffiro's Pizza - "Thincredible".......................................4 tickets
• Apple, Blue cheese, & candied walnut salad...............3 tickets
• Wisconsin Burger............................................................5 tickets
• Zaffiro's Gold Standard..................................................4 tickets

Melting Pot

• Milk chocolate fondue with fruit dippers..........................4 tickets
• Milk chocolate fondue with treats dippers.......................4 tickets
• Garlic herb chicken............................................................4 tickets
• Teriyaki marinated sirloin.................................................7 tickets
• Old Bay shrimp..................................................................5 tickets

Noodles & Company

• Peppery Pork sandwich..............4 tickets
• Barbeque Pork mac....................5 tickets
• Pesto Cavatappi..........................4 tickets
• Japanese Pan Noodles...............4 tickets

Olive Garden

• Dolcini ...........................3 tickets
  • Chocolate mousse
  • Strawberry and white chocolate
• Lasagna..........................5 tickets
• Fettuccine alfredo..........5 tickets
• Chicken alfredo..............5 tickets
• Bruschetta.......................3 tickets

Stir Crazy

• Chicken Satay....................5 tickets
• Asian Slaw..........................3 tickets
• Chicken Potstickers..........4 tickets

Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurants Wine Tasting

• Cooper's Hawk White.............1 ticket
• Cabernet Zinfandel..................1 ticket
• Almond Sparkling....................1 ticket
• Rhubarb....................................1 ticket