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.

Gluten Free Options

I love my mother dearly, but I’m being completely honest when I say, sometimes it’s difficult to have dinner with her due to her gluten-free dietary restrictions.  What I’m finding though, is that more and more Milwaukee restaurants are adding more gluten-free options (especially pasta, even pizza and bbq sauce) to their menus, which just makes my mom happy and my life a lot easier!  So, whether you have a dietary restriction yourself, a loved one does, or you just don’t like gluten because you think its bad for you, here are some fantastic hot-spots to hit up!

• Restorante Bartolotta in Wauwatosa
• Centro Cafe in Riverwest
• Transfer Pizzeria in Bayview
• Il Mito in Wauwatosa
• Beans and Barley on the Eastside
• Eddie Martini’s in Wauwatosa
• Water Buffalo in the Third Ward
• Cafe Manna in Brookfield
• Stack’d Bar in the Third Ward
• Cafe Tarragon in Bayview
• Saz’s in Milwaukee
• Roots in Brewer’s Hill

The Raw Bar

Okay, I blogged about mussels, but what about those delicious, aphrodisiac pieces in a half shell that have some people just crazy over oysters!  There are several spots in Milwaukee where the oysters are just outstanding.

Here’s where to get them:

Harbor House, during Happy Hour you can order oysters for 89 cents a pop!

Maxie’s Southern Comfort, during Happy Hour (daily from 4-6pm) fresh shucked oysters are half-off!

St. Paul Fish, get them fresh everyday, but on Thursdays, Blue Point Oysters are 2-for-1.

Barnacle Buds, (currently closed for the season), but Milwaukee’s only outdoor oyster bar sells them $18/dozen.

Mason Street Grill, “Throw ‘Em Back Thursdays” gets you a dozen oysters and a pitcher of beer for $20.

 

 

 

Reiki

As the new year is beginning, many of us are hitting it hard back at work, yet still recovering from all of the holiday hoopla.  If you are in need of some spiritual healing to ease your mind, (as your ki (pronounced chi) is rebalanced) Reiki may be the right therapy for you.  Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing.  The purpose is to help people realize that healing the spirit by consciously deciding to improve oneself is a necessary part of the Reiki healing experience. In order for the Reiki healing energies to have lasting results, the client must accept responsibility for her or his healing and take an active part in it.  If this is of any interest, there are many practitioners throughout the city that are trained in performing this special technique.

• Health and Power Yoga Studio
• Rouge
• Milwaukee Reiki
• Loving Light Healing
• One Healing Heart

Boot Camps…not just for the Armed Forces!

Almost every gym you go to these days are starting to offer boot camps for their members, many times with a fee, but let me tell you, they work you out!  If you have the cash and can commit the time, the pounds will literally melt off.  I tried Milwaukee Adventure Boot Camp a few summers ago after I heard about some of their stunning results (from several clients).  Although I was pushed to my limit every time I stepped in that Glendale gym, I felt fantastic after every workout.  I was supported mentally and every technique was directly instructed (no injuries here)!  I will recommend that program to anyone old or young, in shape or not!

Here are some others to check out:

• Monkey Bar Gymnasium
• BCOR
• BrewCity CrossFit

Click here to see how boot camps stack up to other everyday workouts!

Yoga is for Everyone!

Alright, now that the Rose Bowl is over, the lavish eating and drinking can officially come to an end!  Thus, I am going to dedicate the next couple of days of introducing you to some great work out options that the city has to offer.  Although I’ve been living downtown for over a decade, during the last few years, the health scene has definitely improved tremendously (as much as boutiques!!!)  One of my favorite workouts  happens to be a block away from my home,  in a hot box called Bikram Yoga Milwaukee (which has an earlier post all to itself).  This 90 minute cardio heavy workout is as invigorating as it is cleansing.

Other great studios to check out include:

• Yama Yoga in the Third Ward
• Invivo on the Eastside
• Core Concepts in the Third Ward
• Yoga Ward in Walker’s Point

 

If you feel inclined, click on the 77 Health Benefits of Yoga for a great article!

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???

Mussles in Milwaukee

Quick note to readers:  milwaukeeisnotthatbad.com is back after a short sabbatical due to matrimonial bliss and unplanned Influenza.

Here we go…last night I had an incredible dinner at Roots.  The San Francisco Cioppino has been a staple on their menu for quite sometime now; I just can’t go there without ordering it.  The Cioppino is served in your own personal cast iron skillet, which is piping hot from the stove.  The mussels, shrimp, fish, and scallops that are flown into the restaurant are as fresh as can be, and the saffron, arborio, fennel~tomato broth is just extraordinary!  It’s no wonder that Roots has been recognized as one of America’s top 20 green restaurants in Organic Style Magazine.  The mussels in the dish last night were just exquisite, which got me thinking, wow I’ve had mussels at several hot spots in the city that are top-notch, (which is just one of the many reasons Milwaukee is not that bad, friends).  If you love steamed mussles; the mussles themselves, the sauce, and the bread just for dipping, here are some great spots to try out!

The Rumpus Room:  they come beer steamed with Italian Sausage, Fennel, Shallot, and a Grilled Baguette for $11 (just had them last week for lunch, wow!)

St. Paul Fish:  they are lovely every day of the week, but on Monday’s you can’t go wrong for $5.95.

Bosley on Brady:  they (Prince Edward Mussles) are steamed and served in a broth of lemon, white wine, butter, garlic, diced tomatoes, basil & chili flakes for $11 (only $6 during happy hour).

The Harbor House:  they come with your choice of a white wine butter or marinara for $12.95.

Chez Jacques:  they are called Moules Marinieres on the menu and are served a white wine, garlic and shallot cream sauce (delicious at two price points depending on how hungry you are $7.50/$15).

With hesitation in possibly diluting the taste for a long list, this is it for now.

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

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!