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There’s an exciting new restaurant coming to the former Buttermint space at 4195 N. Oakland Ave. in Shorewood. Lebnani House is slated to open in late spring or early summer of 2026, bringing its distinctive menu of both modern and traditional Levantine dishes served in an elegantly appointed atmosphere.
“Nasef [Fatteh] has been actively looking for a second location and Shorewood came up during the search,” says Sofian Shilleh, the operating partner for Lebnani House in Shorewood. “This restaurant space really fit his vision. Once he found it, he reached out to me to get my opinion and discuss our partnership.”
Shilleh brings 20 years of hospitality experience to the proverbial table, including ownership of the local La Frutta fresh fruit and smoothie restaurants. He says the menu in Shorewood, created by the head chef of Lebnani House, will offer the same dishes as the South Side location: salads, hot and cold mezza, fukhara, mashawi (grilled meats) and main dishes from Lebanon, Armenia, Syria and Jordan.
The footprint of the restaurant will remain largely the same, with a large open dining room and a semi-private dining area on the north side of the space. The décor, however, will be distinctive from the South Side location, with an elegant modern aesthetic that employs neutral colors and geometric shapes to create a beautiful, comfortable dining environment.
“I want guests to come and not only experience the delicious food that we serve – but feel the energy in the atmosphere and the warmth and comfort of the hospitality we offer,” says Shilleh. “I want to give them the comfort of home.”
As they move toward their 2026 opening, Shilleh says the team is excited to become part of the Shorewood community, offering a gathering place where guests can celebrate both everyday meals and meaningful moments. “We can’t wait to welcome everyone,” he notes.
Read more about Lebnani House here.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
