Three times a year several of the museums and a number of local galleries in and around the Historic Third Ward and East Town open their doors for "Gallery Night" and invite art fans to check out their shows for free.
We focused our attention on the Third Ward, making stops at the Troy Folliard Gallery, the Coalition of Photographic Arts, and the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (very cool stuff here), as well as a couple of others.
I then mumbled something about needing to catch the “wearable art exhibit” and lured Scott down to Lela, a fabulous little boutique that my stylin' pal Kacy introduced me to.
Lela carries local lines as well as items from more well-known designers like Trina Turk, and also offers a treasure trove of thoughtfully-selected vintage finds. While there, I fell in love with the French-inspired creations being modeled by live models as well as a beautiful robin’s egg blue dress that conjured up images of Grace Kelly.
Having worked up quite an appetite traipsing around the Third Ward, we then hopped in the car and headed downtown in search of Cubanitas, a fantastic little spot located at 728 N. Milwaukee Street.
After handing the keys to the valet (This area is one of the few places offering valet service and being a fan of high heels, 
I do so love to valet!) we walked into the warm confines of Cubanitas which was pulsating with the rhythmic sounds of a high octane Latin beat, and packed with people.
Thankfully, the watchful hostess quickly noticed a couple leaving a tiny table near the bar and offered to clear it.
I sat down gratefully and didn’t even need to open the menu to know what I wanted: A Cuban Sandwich made with roasted pork, Virginia ham, Swiss cheese, and a thinly sliced dill pickle pressed between slices of specially made Cuban bread spread with mustard- aioli, as well as a side of Platanitos Maduros, thank you very much. Actually, if I had opened the menu, I would have spent forever deliberating because I absolutely love Cuban food.
And Cubanitas offers a great selection of classics, including picadillo filled empanadas, tamales, Lechon Asado, (roasted pork served with a side of mojo, white rice and your choice of beans), Yuca con Mojo; and Ropa Vieja (the name means “old clothes” but don’t worry, it’s actually a tasty shredded beef dish).
You can also score some amazing desserts like flan or key lime pie, as well as a power packed cup of cafe cubano (espresso expertly blended with sugar). And that - if you ask a caffeine junkie like me - is a tiny work of art in itself.
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