Whole Foods Holiday Fun

Our eastside Whole Foods Market truly has a lot more depth than its expensive and granola-esque trademarks.  In the month of December alone, there are several FREE events that fit a multitude of tastes.

• Tuesday, December 6th:  Healthy Holiday Baking  5:30-6:30p.m. $10 One of the best parts of the Holiday Season is all the baked goods that seem to be everywhere.  Come join us for our Healthy Holiday Baking Class and learn some tips on how to make your baked goods a bit healthier but still delicious.
•  Friday, December 9th:  Did you Know: Fruit Tarts 10-10:30a.m. & 3-3:30p.m. Free How much do you know about 8” Fruit Tarts?  Join Bakery’s Associate Team Leader Kate in our Whole Lifestyle Center to learn how to make this favorite dessert and have it look festive for the holiday.
• Saturday, December 10th:  Holiday Menu Tasting  11-7p.m. Free  Celebrate meals that are worth sharing and stop by our holiday table located in front of our Seafood Department as we’ll be sampling amazing holiday dishes, from the traditional to the inspirational from our Holiday Menu.  We can help make a memorable, wholesome holiday meal that is naturally delicious!
•  Saturday, December 10th:  Gingerbread House Decorating 10:00am -11:00am $19.99 per house (includes frosted gingerbread house and candy)For many, gingerbread houses epitomize family togetherness during the holidays. Continue the tradition with your loved ones at a how-to workshop. They’ll provide the frosted gingerbread house, candy and some help from our bakery pros, you bring the creativity! All ages are welcome; pre-registration is required.
•  Monday, December 12th:  Holiday Vegetarian Cooking Class 5:30-7:00p.m. $25 Enjoy hands on fun in making festive vegetarian appetizers, a quick and easy chili and sweet treat.  Try a tasty twist on traditional to have something for everyone joining your holiday gatherings! Relax and enjoy a glass of wine with some creations while we inspire each other with more delicious ideas!
• Wednesday, December 14th:  Music in the Market 1:00-2:00p.m. Free  Need some holiday spirit? Let us help!  Stop in to Whole Foods Market and enjoy holiday orchestra music provided by Lincoln Center of the Arts.
• Saturday, December 17th:  Holiday Menu Tasting 11:00a.m.-7:00p.m Free Celebrate meals that are worth sharing and stop by our holiday table located in front of our Seafood Department as we’ll be sampling amazing holiday dishes, from the traditional to the inspirational from our Holiday Menu.  We can help make a memorable, wholesome holiday meal that is naturally delicious!
•  Saturday, December 17th:  Music in the Market Noon-2:00p.m. Free  Stop in to Whole Foods Market and enjoy holiday choral music provided by Lincoln Center of the Arts.
• Saturday, December 17th:  Gingerbread House Decorating 10:00am -11:00am $19.99 per house (includes frosted gingerbread house and candy)For many, gingerbread houses epitomize family togetherness during the holidays. Continue the tradition with your loved ones at the how-to workshop. They’ll provide the frosted gingerbread house, candy and some help from our bakery pros, you bring the creativity! All ages are welcome; pre-registration is required.
• Friday, December 23rd:  Did you Know? Top Ten Wines  10-10:30a.m. & 4-4:30p.m. Free  It’s time for Holiday Cheer!  Join Specialty Wine Buyer Jamie in the Whole Lifestyle Center to learn all about our top ten wines that are perfect fit for the holiday season.

Holiday Artisan Market

Held at Discovery World, downtown from 10am until 4pm both Saturday and Sunday, the Artisan Market is FREE for all who want to partake.  With unique, handmade goods, this year’s fair will feature artist demos, live music, festive treats, and complimentary gift wrapping.  What a great venue for a chance at finding a one-of -a-kind gift, while supporting locally!

Holiday Gift Shopping

There are a plethora of great spots around town to pick up a perfect gift for that special someone.  You just need to know where to look.  Start at any of these neighborhood places, and I’m sure you’ll be thrilled with what you find.

The Home Market, Third Ward

Five Hearts Boutique, Third Ward

Blush Beauty Boutique, Third Ward

Uncommon Items, Brady Street

Harleys for Men, Shorewood

The Garden Room, Shorewood

Rohr Jewelers, Downtown

George Watts & Son, Downtown

Boutique Bebe, Eastside

Boswell Book Company, Eastside

 

 

 

Birdie’s Cafe

House turned cafe on 4110 West Martin Drive (just a few minutes from downtown), is home to the cutest, artsiest, place for a bite ever!  Birdie’s serves breakfast all day, with everything from homemade scones to breakfast pizza and morning buns!  The price is certainly right and Birdie’s is a great place to start your morning.  Although lunch is my favorite meal of the day,  Birdie’s Special Wrap (Oven-Roasted Turkey, spinach, roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomato pesto, goat cheese, and avocado slices wrapped in an herbed tortilla) is just to die for.  With a friendly atmosphere and the best desserts around, you can choose while you’re there or call ahead.  Just in case you’re wondering what’s in store, here’s what they have:

• Pies – Homemade fresh fruit pies with a flaky crust. Apple, Strawberry Rhubarb, Peach, Mixed Berry. Choices vary daily. Served by the slice or take the whole pie home.  Slice – $3.50. Whole, 10″ – $9.95 – $13.95
• Cakes – Coconut, Hummingbird or Chocolate Fudge just to name a few! Slice – $3.50. Whole – varies by cake.
• Tortes – Freshly made Raspberry and Espresso tortes. Served by the slice or purchase the entire torte for an impressive gift or part dessert! Slice – $3.50. Whole – varies by torte.
• Cupcakes – Daily creations of classics and new combinations served in perfect individual to-go sizes!

In the words of Rachel Ray, “YUM-O!”

The Wednesday Before Thanksgiving…

is always the biggest going out night of the year!  Here are some local specials you may want to take advantage of:

Unwined Wine Tasting Event at Chic Lounge in the Third Ward.  The event begins at 6pm, and is $20.  You’ll be exposed to 6 diverse wine selections, sampling 4 and enjoying a full glass of your favorite.

Thanksgiving Eve at Whisky Bar on Cathedral Square.  The event begins at 9pm as DJ Steve Marxx gets you moving on the dance floor all night!  Drink specials galore!

Made in Milwaukee Rain Check Event at Turner Hall.  Since the weather wasn’t great the first time around the “Made In Milwaukee Festival,” originally held at Cathedral Square Park is hosting a make-up show on Wednesday beginning at 7pm. This is an ALL LOCAL Milwaukee event featuring over 40 Milwaukee musicians, artists, craftspeople and more for only $10.

Molly’s 3rd Annual Oyster Eating Contest at Molly Cool’s on Old World 3rd Street.  With a minimum of a $1o donation to the Hunger Task Force and a 6:30pm registration, you can eat all the oysters you wish, with Abita beer specials & giveaways all night!

Vino 100 in the Third Ward is hosting a FREE wine tasting from 6-8pm.  Four wines will be served for your tasting pleasure!

2011 Holiday Folk Fair

Tomorrow kicks off the 68th Anniversary Celebration for Holiday Folkfare International.  Held at the State Fair grounds, the festival explores the world of music, food, dance, and arts in over 50 different cultures.  All weekend the “All Nations Theater” will be packed with dancing and music entertainment.  Sendik’s is sponsoring the “World Market” which will be providing an assortment of time-honored recipes that have been passed down through generations.  The market will introduce you to distinct and extraordinary flavors that will certainly awaken your taste buds.  The “International Bazaar” will allow folkfare goers to purchase characteristic treasures from around the world, while the “Coffee House” presents a comforting atmosphere where you can relax with friends and family and listen to music of the world, while enjoying Italian biscotti or a homemade Scottish scone along with a cup of coffee, tea, or espresso drinks.  For a little bit of culture and history this weekend, enlighten yourself to a new experience.  Admission is $12 at the gate and $10 prior to the event.

Beaujolais Nouveau

The Fête du Beaujolais Nouveau celebrates the French release of the new harvest wine, and the worldwide race to be one of the first in the world to taste this year’s harvest.  This celebration is recognized throughout the world in commemoration of the release of the Beaujolais Nouveau wine each fall. The third Thursday of November is reserved for its release and has become an annual ritual for wine connoisseurs.  Here’s how we are celebrating in Milwaukee:

The Alliance Française de Milwaukee presents the 14th Annual Fête du Beaujolais Nouveau on Thursday, November 17, 2011 from 6 to 9 pm at the InterContinental Hotel.  The party features wine tastings, small bites of food, body artists, live art installations and more.  ($35 for members, $45 for non-members)

Chez Jacques will celebrate with a 3 course dinner (including a half bottle of new release) for $45 on Thursday.  Dinner entertainment will be performed by chanteuse Robin Pluer and accordionist Stas Vengleski.

Thief Wine will be hosting their Beaujolais Noveau and NO-veau Tasting at both of their locations (the Milwaukee Public Market & in Shorewood).  The tasting is $10 for 6 tastes at either the 6 or 7:30pm tasting. 

 

Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival

Yes, Christmas decorations are already here and it’s not even Thanksgiving yet.  With that being said, I’m really looking forward to the upcoming holidays…the traditions, the food, and even the family!  This Thursday, November 17th, our city is kicking the holiday season off with the Milwaukee Holiday Lights Festival with the lighting of 500,000 + lights, 360 wreaths, 35 animated sculptures and 17 Moravian stars around the city.  Displays in Cathedral Square, Pere Marquette Park, and Zeidler Union Square will be up and running after the annual tree lighting at Red Arrow Park downtown (5pm).  The evening follows with a festive family fashion show, a holiday variety show featuring live music, dance acts, Mickey Mouse, Santa and fireworks following the lights reveal.  And of course you can stay nice and toasty all evening with free hot cocoa, coffee, and cookies.  After the show, free G4S Jingle Bus rides will be available to tour all the downtown sights.  What a fun Thursday evening!

Night by the River

“Night by the River 2011” is being held this Friday at ManpowerGroup’s Global Headquarters right here in the city.  This annual benefit supports ArtWorks for Milwaukee, a community non-profit that puts the arts to work when it comes to developing our future workforce!  The organization serves Milwaukee high school students who face significant barriers to employability.  ArtWorks hires and pays an hourly wage to teams of teenaged interns for each of its programs, who work with a local, professional Lead Artists to create visual, literary, and mixed media art projects.  Tickets are $50 for admission to the event, which include sampling craft beers, wine, margaritas, and Rehorst cocktails.  You will also be able to enjoy hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants, as well as bid on silent and live auction items (including a change to wine a trip for two, to Vegas).  Local artists’ work will also be on display throughout the evening.  Treat yourself to a great night out for a good cause…ALL event proceeds support ArtWorks 2012 job training programming for underserved Milwaukee teens.

INdustri Cafe

An eclectic mix of new and old brings you to INdustri Cafe in Walkers Point.  Paying homage to all Milwaukee based industries, the cafe on South 2nd, certainly knows how to serve up a great brunch with a delectable, and frankly, HUGE bloody mary.  With a number of interesting brunch dishes including several benedicts (lobster, turkey, wiener-schnitzel, and the INdustri special), crepes, a homemade egg casserole, burgers, and salads, our group was pleased with every dish today.  The bloody mary is definitely meant for sharing…it’s $13 ($5 off, if you order a meal), served with a plate for all of the fixings, and has quite the smoky flavor going on.  Serving brunch all weekend from 11am-4pm, the INdustri is worth the short trip, past the Third Ward!