Dish on Dining by Ann Christenson

Coquette Transitions by Ann Christenson= | Thursday 3/4/2010
Two jubilant guys will be seeing a lot of the walls inside the Third Ward’s Coquette Cafe. Nick Burki and Chris Hatleli officially = took over the 11-year-old French restaurant on March 1. Former owners – it’s weird to write that – Sandy and Angie D’Amato have worked on and off with the two chefs for years. Burki and Hatleli were Coquette’s opening chefs. They also shared the small behind-the-bar w= ork station at The Social, in its first incarnation on Second Street. While they haven’t always worked together – f= or instance, Hatleli at one point was the chef at another name from the past, = Sol Fire – they most recently shared chef duties at the Milwaukee Art Museum’s Cafe Calatrava. Burki’s told me they want to ke= ep Coquette running like a smooth engine. The existing staff is there, and the menu is not changing. The D’Amatos, who are focusing on their 21-year= -old Sanford Restaurant, are staying on as consultants to Coquette (316 N. Milwaukee St., 414-291-2655).

Coquette Cafe’s New Transition

Sandy and Angie D’ Amatos plans for the Third Ward restaurant.

by Ann Christenson= | Thursday 1/28/2010

Major News, But It’s All Good
Restaurateurs Sandy and Angie D’Amato have news to share. The couple,= who opened fluently French Coquette Cafe 11 years ago in the Third Ward = (316 N. Milwaukee St.), are selling the restaurant. But before you panic, this is not the end of a wonderful French restaurant. It’s a transition the D’Amatos feel comfortable making after many months of consideration a= nd planning. The new owners – as of this March – are chefs Nick Bu= rki and Chris Hatleli, who, between them, have worked with the D’Amatos f= or 15 years. Giving up Coquette enables the D’Amatos to concentrate on <= b>Sanford (1547 N. Jackson St.), the restaurant they opened in 1989. The couple will = also stay on as consultants for the new owners of Coquette. Most recently, Burki (36) and Hatleli (38) have been running the dining operations for the Milwa= ukee Art Museum, which include the on-site restaurant Café Calatrava.<= /b> The duo met at Sanford years ago, establishing a strong working relationshi= p. Later, they were part of the opening team for Coquette Cafe. After that sti= nt, Hatleli and Burki were the opening chefs at the original, Second Street location of The Social. Burki also worked at the West Bend Country Club and the East Side bar Yield. Hatleli’s later jobs included <= b>Sol Fire and the now-closed First Street location of The Social.

Another important note is the new owners will keep the Coquette concept = and staff. Burki says they may add brunch and Sunday dinner down the line. But right now, they’re excited to have this opportunity. “I canR= 17;t even put into works how touched we are. It’s a dream come true,” Burki says.