After just over a year in its home at 2315 N. Murray Ave. on Milwaukee’s east side, Italian restaurant L’Incontro has closed its doors.
The restaurant made the announcement on social media, stating that the decision came after its last dinner service on July 7.
“This has been a difficult year for many of us and, unfortunately, small businesses are also feeling the squeeze. As first-time business owners, it has just sadly become unsustainable,” the social media post read. “To our staff, our friends, and our guests, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. It has been an absolute pleasure to serve the Eastside community.”
Paul Piotrowski, general manager of neighboring business Izzy Hops Swig & Nosh, and chef Juneil Cabreza opened L’Incontro in April 2024 with a menu that blended traditional Italian dishes with global influences from Asia, Spain and beyond. It was known for its house-made pastas, artful pizzas and appetizers like its popular kimchi arancini.
They opened the restaurant six months after its predecessor in the space, Italian restaurant Tavolino, abruptly closed, citing financial troubles that arose after the restaurant was damaged from a fire in June 2024.
It’s another recent blow to the restaurant community around North Avenue on Milwaukee’s east side. In May, neighboring food hall Crossroads Collective, on the corner of Farwell Avenue and Ivanhoe Place, closed its doors after seven years of business.
“We love this beautiful location and the amazing community surrounding us,” L’Incontro said in its social media post. “We’re looking forward to the next business that will carry on the rich tradition of this space in the neighborhood.”
In March, L’Incontro began hosting weekly dinners featuring Cabreza’s Filipino pop-up concept, The Bad English. The Bad English will continue after L’Incontro’s closure, with Filipino brunch served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Sunday at Love Cafe, 3801 N. Oakland Ave., Shorewood.
Love Cafe also will host Cabreza’s upcoming Kamayan Feast dinner on July 23. At the Kamayan event, traditional Filipino dishes are served on communal tables covered with banana leaves, for a family-style meal without the need for plates or utensils. Tickets are available at lovecafemilwaukee.com.