Salty vs. Sweet

Thank you, Anne, for you kind words yesterday per milwaukeeisnotthatbad.com.  You definitely got me typing again!

I’ve had this idea for a while now…it all started when I was leaving the Iron Horse Hotel after a date night with my husband at Smyth, (which I just have to say, I love the “bar food” at the Iron Horse so much more than their “upscale” selection).  After dinner, my hubby desperately wanted something sweet as we headed to our favorite late-night dessert place in the bar/cocktail area at Bacchus for their Molten Chocolate Hazelnut Cake and a quick glass of Mirabelle champagne.  Don’t get me wrong, it was a fabulous way to end the night, but my salty craving is just as strong, as his sweet…and no, bacon ice-cream does not do it more me either!  I just couldn’t stop thinking about the Iron Horse’s  house-made truffle chips and wondered why I decided to order a $30+ steak instead.  Well here’s my plight for individuals who crave the savory and tried and true places you can find home-made potato chips to satisfy your inner-salty.

• Cafe Lulu
• Saz’s State House Restaurant
• Bigg’s Roadhouse
• Swingin’ Door Exchange
• Miss Katie’s Diner
• Kokopelli’s Pub & Grub
• O’Lydia’s

Hills for Sledding

If and when this first snowfall comes to fruition, you may need to know where and when you can hit the hills, not to ski, but to sled!  I have to say sledding is fun no matter what age you are, (especially when paired with a hot chocolate or a hot toddy!)  There are several sledding hot spots in the area with the option to “bring your own” equipment or rent.

Check out:

Milwaukee County Sledding Hills (16 in all), which even features a toboggan run (and $7 rental) at Whitnall Park’s Winter Sports Area.

Waukesha County Sledding Hills

And don’t forget about sledding down St. Mary’s Hill downtown or snow tubing at Sunburst in Kewaskum!

The Best Italian Beef

When it comes to Italian food, Milwaukee doesn’t have a “Little Italy” portion of the city, but that certainly doesn’t imply that we don’t have our fair share of authentic restaurants and famous Italian, immigrant families.  Today I would like to praise the Italian Beef sandwich, which encompasses a rich history of juicy meat, soppy bread, and either spice and/or  sweetness from a crazy, homemade giardiniera!  As a connoisseur of the sandwich myself, here is where I go to experience such an epic piece of heaven (in several areas of the city).

• Dr. Dawg
• Frankie’s Sammiches
• Martino’s
• Glorioso’s
• Sammy’s Taste of Chicago

Which establishment is your favorite?

 

 

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!

Sunday Ham and Rolls

When I was growing up, my family’s Sunday lunch tradition of hot ham and rolls was always a constant to look forward to.  After I moved downtown 14 years ago, I started finding and rating the BEST places in the city to reminisce about Sundays of past.  Here is my list:

Sendick’s

Canfora Bakery

Glorioso’s (only if  you like your ham super sweet)

Grebe’s

Cranky Al’s

Bunzel’s Old Fashioned Meat Market

Layton Street Fruit Market

Please add to my list if you have a favorite!

 

Indoor Farmer’s Markets

I thought that since winter is right around the corner, waxy fruits and vegetables were in my near future.  Never fear, the indoor farmer’s markets are here!

Milwaukee County Winter Farmer’s Market:  Saturday Mornings Starting November 5th through April 14th from 8am-Noon.
Tommy Thompson Youth Center, Wisconsin State Fair Park (no markets November 26, December 24 and 31).

Oconomowoc Winter Farmers Market:  Every second and fourth Sunday of the month, from Nov. 13 to April 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.  Oconomowoc Landscape Supply and Garden Center in their greenhouse (N68-W37850 County Trunk K).

Crawdaddy’s

Okay I have to be honest, since Maxie’s Southern Comfort came to town in 2007, Crawdaddy’s in West Allis has kind of fell off my radar when it comes to Cajun food.  “Giving credit where credit is due is a very rewarding habit to form.”  Crawdaddy’s was first on the block with seafood driven Cajun Fusion cuisine.  I’ve never had a bad meal there, and I absolutely love the ambiance; drawing on the paper table cloths, jamming to Cajun Zydeco and Blues, and loving the Louisiana artwork.  I think I want to make a return trip again, very soon.  My go to meal has always been the daily special of grilled sea bass, topped with this amazing olive tapenade, but the stuffed eggplant (which is half breaded, deep-fried and filled with shrimp and crawfish and finished with Cajun red gravy and served with house rice and carrots) and the classic Seafood Étouffée have to be close seconds.  Crawdaddy’s hosts Fat Tuesday every Tuesday, with great drink specials all day!  Don’t forget the stuffed bread as an appetizer and you’ll be in good shape!

Soup’s On!

Here’s to the last great “weather week” of summer…

But after it’s over, you may want to know where to pull up a stool to have a warm, hearty, bowl of soup…

Here’s my Top 10 List:

1. Soup Market (in Bayview & at the Milwaukee Public Market)
2. Soups On!  (Downtown)
3. The Soup House (Downtown)
4. The Uncanny Soup Co (Downtown & Cudahy)
5. The Soup Otzie’s (Southside)
6. Cafe Lulu (Bayview)
7. Elsa’s on the Park (Downtown, Nov-March)
8. Coquette Cafe (Third Ward)
9. Benji’s (Shorewood & Fox Point)
10. The City Market (Shorewood, Tosa, & now in Whitefish Bay)

 

Milwaukee Domes Art Festival

The time has come for the Domes’ 2nd annual art festival, running August 19th-21st.  Housed within the world’s only conoidal glass houses, the Domes provides a picturesque backdrop for an art show featuring plein air painters, live music and performances, an art auction (benefiting the Milwaukee Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservancy Domes), and a variety of food and drink.  Restaurants such as Maxie’s Southern Comfort, Blue’s Egg, and Burke’s Lakeside were chosen to feed your soul, while  bands, Spanglish and the Brew City Big Band add to the ambiance.  The Milwaukee Domes Art Festival is an opportunity to find one of a kind pieces that are affordable and memorable.  An $8 ticket includes admission to the festival, admission to the Domes, and parking.  This Art festival is just another example of the art and culture that is unique to Milwaukee.