Attn all Foodies:

A February 2nd event that is being held at Milwaukee’s, Iron Horse Hotel, will certainly give our mid-winter blues a boost (well, at least our taste buds)!  Wisconsin Foodie’s own Kyle Cherek is hosting the Thursday night event, entitled Sound Bites, which will be centered around pairings of food and music, benefiting 88Nine Radio Milwaukee.  Top Milwaukee chefs from Pastiche Bistro and Wine Bar, Hinterland, La Meranda, Umami Moto, Firefly Urban Bar and Grill, Bartolotta Resturant Group, Ryan Braun’s Graffito and Trocadero are collaborating with 88Nine DJs to develop the perfect playlist to accentuate the evening’s dishes.  For a ticket price of $125 you will be able to enjoy eight chef-hosted tasting stations, passed champagne, sample wine, spirits and craft beer selections from Milwaukee Brewing Company, Great Lakes Distilary, and Wollersheim Winery, as well as a chance to win fantastic music collectibles in the Rock ‘n Raffle.  Tickets to Sound Bites may be purchased on the 88Nine Radio Milwaukee website.  This is one Milwaukee event that should not be missed!

Tuesday Night Music

Once you get through a Monday, some of us need a pick-me-up now and again.  Since the weather is bordering “real” WI winter temperatures, I am not exactly inclined in hopping all over the city.  Several, very cool, Milwaukee hot-spots offer great music series’ on Tuesday nights, which may give you the hop, skip, and/or jump you need to get through the rest of the week!

Check out my top 3 picks:

Tonic Tavern for Jazz at 8pm

Brocach for an Irish Music Session at 8pm

Charro for Soul, Flamenco, Rock at 6pm

 

NYE

With a slew of options for what some belive is the most magical night of the year, (have you seen the movie yet), here are a few thoughts on where to spend the last night of 2011.  Click on each link for a full NYE website.

Iron Horse Hotel

106seeboth/Screaming Tuna

Mason Street Grill

Maxie’s Southern Comfort

Don’t forget about Miller Light Free Rides which begin at 8pm on Saturday.  Most importantly, what is your resolution???

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.

The Hotel Bar

In most big cities, hotel bars always seem to be attracting not just out-of-towners, but some of the hippest crowds around.  Plus, there’s always someone super interesting to talk to.  When I’m in Chicago, I love, love “The Bar” at The Peninsula Hotel, its dark and comfortable, and everyone is always dressed to the nines.  At home there are a ton of great hot-spots that happened to be on the bottom (at the top for one) floor of our local hotels and are always hopping.

In order of greatness:

1. Branded at the Iron Horse Hotel
2. Blu at the Pfister
3. Zen on Seven at Hotel Metro
4. Clear Bar & Lounge at the InterContinental
5. Mason Street Grill Bar & Lounge at the Pfister
6. Metro Lounge at Hotel Metro
7. W xyz Bar at Aloft
8. Miller Time Pub at the Hilton

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!

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.

Music Under Glass

The beautiful Milwaukee Domes is home to 5 months of Thursday night music from 6:30 until 9:30pm.  Just think of it as an indoor “Jazz in the Park” with food and beverages for purchase and a chance to lounge around in the lushest of settings.  With an incredible light show during the break time of the band, the Domes is a toasty, trendy “green” place to rediscover during the frigid, fall and winter months.  Bad Medicine (a Bon Jovi tribute band) is playing this Thursday, followed by a wide variety of music genres, moving forward.  Enjoy the tunes!

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.