Smoke Shack

Well, Happy Fat Tuesday everyone!  I wish I could indulge this evening with you at Turner Hall for their second annual Mardi Gras Bash, but I had quite the fat Monday (to say the least).  We checked out the Smoke Shack for some bbq last night in Milwaukee’s Third Ward neighborhood. Due to the 2.5 hour wait on the weekend we figured a Monday night would give us a chance to get at some of that scrumptious bbq in a reasonable amount of time!  My husband and I consider ourselves to be quite the bbq connoisseurs, as we’ve even pursued a “bbq road trip” down to St. Louis, Memphis, and Nashville a few years back.  Even though the Smoke Shack has a nicer interior than most of the places we patroned while we were down south, we were still impressed with the service, the sauces, and the tender meat selection the Smoke Shack laid out for us.  The Smoke Shack ‘s motto is, “Quality meats, dry rubbed, slow smoked and sauced by you.”  So naturally we ordered the four-meat combo, which is a delicious sampling of House made Sausage, Pulled Pork, Pulled Chicken and Sliced Brisket, (as they were out of their ribs).  Served with corn bread and mac and cheese, this meal was a pleasant memory of southern hospitality.  I still can’t get over the sauces!!!   The decision is totally up to you, whether you are a Kansas City, sweet and smokey, a Texas Bbq, tomato based with a little kick at the end, a House Bbq, not too much of one thing and just enough of the others, or a Carolina Gold, mustard based with a vinegar bite, each will bring out the ultimate flavor of the meat (or the mac and cheese)…really whatever you are inclined to spread it on!  This dark, kitschy locale is a must visit, even with a menu at the pricier end for bbq.  You can even find out what your “blues name” is!

See y’all later.

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!

Foundation Tiki Bar

Tonight is one of those nights where visions of tiki bars (on the beach) are running through my head.  Low and behold, Milwaukee’s only Polynesian themed bar is only blocks away in the Riverwest neighborhood.  Known for its killer Mai-Thai (which certainly gives Bangkok House a run for their money), Foundation serves up a mean Hawaiian version of this popular cocktail.  But that’s not all friends, the Foundation has an ambiance and drink list along the lines of Byant’s and At Random (my two favorite winter date spots), with a lot of rum.  Just think Polynesian in Wisconsin, and you have it!  Don’t miss, the Singapore Sling, nor the Little Grass Shack, and that’s the end of my advice…the rest is for you to experience yourselves.

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???

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

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!

Calderone Club

Now that Marquette University Basketball is back on, the Calderone Club right downtown (Old World 3rd Street) will be hopping every game night!  I made the mistake of trying to order and pick up a pizza on a game night, whew…I barely got up to the bar to pick up my pizza.  This should tell you that the food is grand, the service is fast, and the ambiance is booming in this downtown, Italian hot spot.  Serving specifically, Sicilian style food, the Calderone Club hands down, serves the BEST french fried eggplant in the city.  The pizza is excellent, as are the huge salads and pasta du jour.  The bartender pours a mean drink and always has a joke or two up his sleeve.  Whether you’re just in for take-out or are up to brave a college night game, you’re definitely in the right spot if a good marinara is your thing!

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. 

 

Harry’s Bar and Grill

Owned by the same lovely people who make The Knick and North Shore Bistro both solid hot spots, Harry’s in Shorewood has recently remodeled its interior and is better than ever!  If you have never been, Harry’s is a great neighborhood restaurant with a fairly sophisticated menu, when it comes to appetizers, salads, and sandwiches.  I just love their chicken pita sandwich and the fish tacos.  The ahi tuna blt and the chinese chicken salad are favorites as well.  Harry’s puts together a supurb Friday Fish Fry (that is reasonable at $12), a great bar, and super Sunday brunch.  Tomorrow the Milwaukee’s own 5 Card Studs will be wooing patrons with a live performance.  Check out Harry’s any day of the week!

The Jazz Estate

I haven’t been to the Jazz Estate in over 10 years, but I can definitely say the times I have spent there, are memorable, to say the least.  If you are a live music person at all, I highly recommend you give the “Estate” a try.  Located on Murray (seriously head over, after you have a pizza at Palermo Villa), the Jazz Estate hosts live music 5 nights a week and the bar old school!  Decorated and furnished as a 50’s throwback style jazz club, the Estate has been playing music since the 70’s, but looks even older than that.  I’ve been a huge fan of Evan Christian lately, who just happens to play there on Wednesdays, and if I can remember correctly back to my college days, The Erotic Adventures of the Static Chicken was quite the funky experience!  The Jazz Estate is chill, serves strong drinks, and is cozy in the winter.  If you like to get your groove on, head over to Murray, I promise the experience in itself is well worth it!