L’INCONTRO HOMEMADE ITALIAN - 2315 N. Murray Ave | Milwaukee, WI

Uptown Eaton
4 days ago
3 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

Modern restaurant dining area with wooden tables, black chairs, and "L'INCONTRO" on the wall. — WELCOME TO L'INCONTRO

Milwaukee’s East Side has long been home to a proud tradition of Italian restaurants. Some have come and gone; others have stood the test of time. Among the newer spots that recently caught our eye was L’incontro, a fresh addition serving up classic flavors with a few interesting twists.

A plate of spiral pasta in a creamy tomato sauce, topped with finely chopped herbs. — CRAB VODKA PASTA

FOOD

While L’incontro focuses on Italian specialties, it also hosts a Filipino pop-up menu a few times a week. That concept—called Bad English—comes from Chef Juneil-Paulo Cabreza’s vision to blend his cultural roots into the restaurant’s offerings. We were torn between both menus, so we decided to try a little of each to compare.

Rice course: First up: Kimchi Arancini vs. Java Rice. The arancini came stacked high with a perfectly crisp outer layer and were packed with a cheesy, garlicky warmth thanks to the roasted garlic aioli inside. Comfort food done right. The Java Rice sounded exciting with garlic and turmeric in the description, and while it had a beautiful color and solid texture, it didn’t deliver much flavor. That said, we found it worked better when paired with our next dish.

Noodle course: We chose the summer-featured Crab Vodka Pasta and the Filipino Pancit Canton stir-fry for our mains. Both dishes were visually impressive and had a nice sizzle when brought to the table.

The Crab Vodka Pasta featured handmade noodles and an abundance of fresh, lump crab meat. The sauce was creamy, tomato-heavy, and nicely balanced with a sprinkle of chives. We asked for parmesan to add a little salt, and it brought everything together.

The Pancit Canton, on the other hand, offered a fun medley of proteins—chicken, shrimp, and pork—tossed with light wheat noodles. There was a complex flavor profile going on: citrus, soy, a bit of heat, and a few seasonings we couldn’t quite identify but enjoyed. We even mixed in some of the Java Rice, and suddenly the rice had more personality—it added an extra layer to the stir-fry that worked well.

Both noodle dishes had completely different flavor stories, and comparing them made for great table talk. Portion sizes were generous—we left full and had leftovers for the next day.

Drinks: One of us went with a go-to mojito, and this one stood out in the best way. It had a strong mint presence and wasn’t overpowered by lime like others we’ve tried recently. The other cocktail was the Marriage of Figaro—a summery drink with a subtle fizz, a balanced profile, and a gorgeous ruby hue. Refreshing and easy to sip.

SERVICE

Two cocktails sit on a wooden table inside a restaurant with a view of the outdoor patio. The left drink is a tall mojito-style cocktail with mint and crushed ice, while the right drink is an orange-tinted spritz served in a wine glass. String lights and colorful patio umbrellas decorate the background, with a historic brick building across the street. — MARRIAGE OF FIGARO + A SPLASH OF MOJITO

Our server was incredibly accommodating throughout our visit. She took the time to explain both the L’incontro concept (and the correct pronunciation!) and the Bad English pop-up, since we had a few questions, like whether we could order from both menus. She walked us through everything with ease and made sure we were well taken care of the entire time. There was a bit of space between some of the courses, but honestly, it gave us time to relax and enjoy the evening without feeling rushed.

MEMORABILITY

The space itself made a lasting impression. We appreciated the unique use of textures, colors, and patterns throughout—murals and artwork that were both humorous and meaningful, paired with warm exposed brick, made the environment feel cozy and inviting.

There was a buzz in the atmosphere that we picked up on right away. With the warmer months approaching, the retractable windows let in a refreshing breeze, and the patio seems like it’ll be a prime dinner spot all summer long.

The Bad English pop-up sets L’incontro apart from other Italian restaurants. It’s exciting to see a chef with the freedom to explore multiple culinary styles instead of just one. That flexibility allows diners to step out of their comfort zones and try something new, and our taste buds were more than happy to go along for the ride.

L’incontro is open six days a week for dinner, and if you’re already on the East Side for one of the area’s many events, it’s a great way to start your evening. Next time, we hope to try the homemade pizza, dive into more pasta, explore more of the Bad English menu—and maybe even save room for dessert.