It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad town

Madison, Wisconsin. I always knew of this town as a big party town, because of the University of Wisconsin, Madison. When I was in high school, it was known as a really good school, a hard one to get in to if you are from Minnesota, and full of PARTY. I have been here a good handful of times, mostly passing through to Chicago. With this gig I now stay here a couple times a year, so the time has come to start exploring the food scene.

It all starts in Minneapolis

I have a thing about doing events. I have to have my hair blown out so I can hide the tattoos behind my ears (this is a me thing, not a work thing) so I was in Minneapolis at 8am to get that done. Beforehand I stopped at  Patisserie 46 to grab a danish (yum) a soy miel (changing it up!), and some pastries for my shoe-girl in crime Chelsea. Man, that lemon blueberry danish I stuffed in my face did not make me sad. Got my hairs all did and then I was off to Wisconsin.

 I had a lunch date with Chelsea, whenever I got to her. Chels lives in Janesville, WI which is about 30 minutes south of Madison. I got to meet her crazy adorable dogs (3 pugs!)  and she lead me to a Janesville favorite.

The Italian House is in an old Hardee's on a busy intersection by the high school. Chels told me that it was in a smaller location, but they expanded some years ago. They have a drive through as well as sit down. It is very much an American-Italian place: sandwiches (called Gondola's) and basic pasta dishes. We both got mostaccioli with meatballs. Cuz why not? It is a dreary day in Wisconsin, a girl needs some comfort food. This came with salad and garlic bread.

Salad: from a bag with a big ol' handful of cheese on it. Why cheese? Because Wisconsin. Italian dressing, totally respectable.

Mostaccioli: Now let me first say my idea of mostaccioli is probably incorrect: but it is all from Cosetta's. I have been eating it since high school, and it has a real hold on what I think of as mostaccioli. Is it right? I have no idea. But I love it. The mostaccioli at Italian House was good! From scratch meatballs, a nice thick red gravy, and al dente penne pasta. I wouldn't call it life changing by any means, but filling and lovely.

In summation: Janesville is FULL of chains. Go to The Italian House for some hometown cooking. 

Rollin' up on Mad-town

So stupidly lunch was pretty late in the day (my fault, I didn't get to Janesville until about 1:30pm). So by the time I got to Madison and all checked in to my hotel, I was still feeling really full and a little out of sorts (Side note: everyone in my life that I see on the regular is sick. Husband Ben Crew has tonsillitis, my in-town colleague had the flu as did/do both of her little ones. YIKES!). Needless to say I didn't feel like driving around looking for something to eat. Thank Godzilla for Grub Hub. I just wanted some soup and something small. FOUND IT!

I got delivery from Flaming Wok: Chinese-American type that we all know from childhood. Hot and Sour soup, dumplings and some chicken fried rice. The fried rice had zero flavor, so that is sad. However, the soup and dumplings were EXACTLY what I wanted. Hot and sour soup, not hot hot but had nice spice and was warming and healing. Chock full of tofu and mushrooms, which I love. The dumplings had that too thick outside but the filling was nicely spiced and very familiar. YAY for eating in the hotel in my jammies. It is one of life's great pleasures.


In summation: you don't want to leave your hotel and want to eat something salty and that you know is bad for you while watching Law & Order SVU? Flaming Wok gets it done.

I swear I will do better, Madison. This is not the last you will see of me. Maybe tomorrow we can make something happen that isn't pizza (my guess it's gonna be pizza. ugh.).

PLAYLIST

-Heems: Eat Pray Thug
-Stevie Wonder: Songs in the Key of Life (OMG. SEEING HIM ON SUNDAY. CANNOT. WAIT.)
-The King Khan & BBQ Show: Bad News Boys
-The Smartest Man in the World Podcast

Hon? Prowler Needs a Jump: 24 hours in Fargo

If you are from the Upper-Midwest and have traveled anywhere, when asked where you are from you will 9 times out of 10 get a Fargo quote thrown at you in a poorly done Minnesota accent. It's usually just a YAAAA SUUUURE YOOOOU BEEETCHA, however it will be done (side bar: when I first went to New Zealand my flat mates all watched Fargo before I got there to prepare. Bad Minnesota accents done by 20-somethings with thick New Zealand accents? Now that is something to behold).
Strangely enough, even though I am born and bred Twin Cities, I had never been to Fargo until I started with this job. I had never been to the Dakota's at all, which is kind of strange. I know a lot of folks from Fargo, but had never had reason to go there. Well, now I go there at least twice a year, so I am making up for lost time.

Now one of the cool things about going to Fargo is that I do have some great people up there: yay for tour guides! This round was even more so, as my previous boss, Steph, who is from Fargo was also going to be in town. It was her mission to show me that Fargo (in her words) "isn't super lame".

I was to meet up with my girl Wendi at about 6, she is a new mom so she was more like 6:30. No matter, I can always belly up to the bar and get myself a cocktail. She suggested we try a new place: Wurst Bier Hall. I am all up for new: so I got there and ordered a drink. WELL: tried. Sadly, just beer at this joint (guess I should have guessed with the name). I am so not a beer drinker, but I am up for new stuff so I perused the extensive beer menu. If I am going to have a beer, it's gonna generally be a dark one. There were a multitude of choices, I went with the Minnesota brewer Brau Brothers Moo Joos. It's a creamy Oatmeal/Milk stout. It was lovely: I could only have the one for sure, though. Beer is just so heavy to me! Give me whiskey or give me death! (okay not really, but you know, for drama sake.)

Wendi arrived and we grabbed a table. The menu at Wurst Bier Hall is full of local and Midwestern made sausages, some burgers and German specialities for entrees. Wendi had heard that the house made pretzels were delicious: so we started there. We each ordered a sausage as well: I went Chicago made Polish with kraut and she went with a locally made Philly cheesesteak sausage. We also each got a side of Spaetzle Mac and Cheese, cuz  SPAETZLE MAC AND CHEESE. The pretzels indeed were great, warm and fresh with a side of cheesy dipping sauce. I am never mad at that. The sausages were also good: but MAN. They are served in giant French roll, like half a baguette. That is a lot of bread for a smaller sausage. I would say if I were gonna do that again, I would go no bread. The Mac was good: but I am pretty convinced it was made with Velveeta. I am a good Midwestern girl, so Velveeta Mac and Cheese has a very big soft spot in my heart, but at a restaurant? Not so much. 

In summation: If you are a beer drinker, this is your place. Large beer selection, good bar food and a pretty fun atmosphere. 

But don't think the night ends here! No, dear reader, off to the next place we go. 

I have always been told about a couple of things in Fargo. One is the Aquarium, where the rock shows happen. The other is the Hodo. The Hotel Donaldson, or the Hodo, has been around since 1894, and has gone through many lives. Fancy, flop house, now artist designed, The Hodo is a staple in Fargo downtown. Wendi and I met Steph and her brother Derek there for a few cocktails in their bar/restaurant. They are know for their martini's and craft cocktails, which was an extensive list. I was feeling like my usual (Jameson, Soda Water, Lime: incase anyone wants to buy me a drink), but Wendi had a Caramel Apple-tini and Steph went with a Bazilikom: a cocktail of Prairie cucumber vodka, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup and basil. This is something I for sure would get in the summer: I love a cucumber vodka when it is hot! So refreshing and lovely. We had a couple of cocktails here and talked in depth about 90's bands (we are all excited about Babes in Toyland playing again!!). There was one more place we had to hit, and I was also getting a little hungry again so the next joint was perfect. 

In Summation: The Hodo is awesome. I look forward to getting back there in the summer to hit the rooftop bar. 

Across the street from the Hodo is a place called Vinyl Taco. Now, Derek told us that when it first opened it had a Now Playing and Coming up shelf so you could always know what the next record they were going to spin was. They have abandoned this a bit, they are still playing records but it's more like classic rock greatest hits records. Kind of a bummer, but away we went. 

They have an extensive menu of tacos and other Mexican/American fare, and a huge cocktail list. I love love love it when a place has moonshine. I know, it sounds crazy, but I became enamored with it when I was in New Orleans 6 years ago (hint: a huge amount of New Orleans post to come: I will be there in a couple of weeks!) and so when I see it on a menu I am apt to get it. Here was no exception. I got the peaches & cream cocktail: made with Ol' Smokey Peach Moonshine, simple syrup, vanilla and cinnamon. YUM. APPROVED.

We all got some foods: I got the chicken chicharrones, the pork belly taco and the chicken tinga taco. All delicious, the chicharrones were my fave of the three. Salty and crispy with a couple of dipping sauces, a lovely "I am drinking" snack. The pork belly was a little tough and strangely smokey, but good. The chicken had some good heat to it, even by Midwestern standards. 

In summation: a really cool joint! I feel like it should be open at bar close though, it is the perfect going home from the bar food. 

You Eat Breakfast Yet, Margie? 

I had to work the next morning with Wendi, and I don't like to go to a store empty handed. What better after a night of drinking then donuts? Nothing I say! I had noticed a place when we were out the night before that looked cute, so I decided to hit it in the AM to bring the gang some treats.

And I am so glad I did! Sandy's Donuts  in downtown Fargo is just adorable. They have tons of wacky flavors, but I went with the standards. A good soy vanilla latte as well (a must have for me, as we know). I forgot to bring my phone in for photos (I know, total blogger fail) but the box is pretty cute too!

In summation: YES AND YES. 

PHEW! That was a long one! This week: back to Milwaukee and Madison. I have a sausage party date, let's see how that goes...

OH! I also decided to tell y'all what I am listening to in the car when I am on the road. I have discovered that I don't do music well on long drives by myself: I need someone to talk at me. So: here is what I listened to on this trip:

Denzel Washington is the Greatest Actor of All Time Period podcast

Doug Loves Movies Podcast

The Smartest Man in the World podcast

Never Not Funny podcast

Coffee, how I love thee

Dear Coffee,

I have tried, oh how I have tried, to give you up. But I just can't quit you. Especially when I am driving the length of Wisconsin. So it's great that you have some amazing purveyors in the land of beer and cheese.

In fact, some of my favorite coffee is roasted in Milwaukee. Colectivo Coffee Roasters has many things going for it: fresh roasted, perfectly balanced. The aesthetic is brilliant: cute but not precious. All of their cafes have extensive menus of bakery, breakfast and lunch items in addition to a strong coffee program. They have a bake house and 11 cafes, a baker house & roastery in Milwaukee, two cafes in Madison and one in Grafton.

So I am a little gaga over this place. Maybe it is the years I have spent sitting in coffee shops and cafes writing papers, playing cards, swirling slow pokes in to thick black coffee. But if I have time in Milwaukee to sit in a Colectivo, it makes me really happy.


I had about an hour to kill before an appointment yesterday so I was able to have a little breakfast and coffee while making some calls. I was at the Bayshore location, not necessarily my favorite (I tend to favor the Bayview location as this is where the bakehouse is. I know I know, once a bakery girl always a bakery girl) but it right next to where I needed to be. Soy vanilla latte and baked oatmeal with yogurt. It was 3 degrees with a whipping wind outside, so this was a pretty ideal.

(Yes, I do have a travel coffee mug from Colectivo. I just love their design!)

In summation: I love this coffee, it's cafes and always not pretentious service. One place in Minneapolis carries it: last time I checked: Victory 44 has Colectivo coffee and espresso. Do yourself a favor when in Milwaukee!

Algonquin For The Good Land

Anyone who knows me has heard me rave about Milwaukee in the past year. I have fallen in love with this city. Fantastic bars, an up and coming restaurant scene, beautiful old architecture. I am glad I have to come here about every 6 weeks or so, I am really getting to know more of the nooks and crannies of this town.

It is helpful that I have a guide: my buddies Jason & Tracy live here (Plug! Check out their etsy shop: I Love Vintage Stuff). Jason has given me lots of great suggestions of places to hit, and he never steers me wrong. In doing this project, I will have broaden my horizons a little, since I have become addicted to a few places. This post will have some of my favorite highlights: and next time I am in Milwaukee I'll start going to the new.


I got in town about 4pm today, and I already knew where I was headed for dinner. Jason told me about a ramen shop called Tochi Ramen in the Shorewood neighborhood. I first went here about a year ago, and I cannot stop going. Everything I have tried here has been delicious. Tonight was no exception.

I arrived about 5pm: which I was excited about as there is a home store above Tochi called ModGen that I haven't had a chance to check out, as they are always closed by the time I get to the ramen. Man, I could spend way too much money at this place. Kitchen, gardening, cards, candles, bar supplies, locally made jams and pickles. All too cute. I got out with a lemongrass candle and went downstairs for noodles.

I started with their edamame, which has a sauce of sesame chili oil, veggie stock, yuzu and smoked salt. Yes please. Just what I wanted. I have had their steam buns in the past: the pork belly and smoked tofu and they are both lovely.

I got the ramen I always get: the Tochi Ramen. It is a pork belly ramen with a miso-pork broth, welsh onion, noodles and a miso deviled egg. Deviled egg! I love it. I know I should try another kind when I am there, but I am hooked on this one.

In summation: Tochi is Bomb. Get to it!

Milwaukee is for Lovers (of cocktails)

One of the things I have found amazing about Milwaukee are the bars. There are BARS, not restaurants with bars, or bars with food. Just bars. Really cool, old school, friendly bars. One of my favorites is Bryant's Cocktail Lounge. It has been around since 1938, and looks like it hasn't been updated since 1973. Old school Hi-Fi, dark and inviting, in an old house on a corner. This is what I am talking about. Even better: no menu. Over 450 cocktails, but no menu. This I love. You have to talk to your bartender, who is always awesome. Start chatting about the things you like, flavors and liquors. Then a beautiful cocktail will come to you. I adore this. I feel like this is what a bar should be. Cozy, inviting, perfect.

Uff-Dah!

When one is on the road, one watches the weather like a hawk. Midwesterners already have a predilection to watch the weather, so I have now become a crazy person checking the weather channel app on my phone every hour. I looked before I went to bed in Green Bay, checking on the crazy snow storm that was to hit Wisconsin in the wee hours of the morning.

I awoke to, well, not much snow. Hurrah! It was indeed snowing, but the crazy storm of March had been downgraded to 1-3" of snow. I can handle that. So up and away I went towards Door County. I stopped for coffee at a bakery that looked adorable, took one sip when I got in my car, and promptly ditched it. Espresso WAY over pulled, super bitter. Humph. Green Bay, you are not winning thus far. Will have to get coffee later on this journey.

I arrived at my destination early, on purpose. The store I was to visit is not only a Swedish themed boutique, but also a restaurant. PERFECT. Swedish breakfast here I come!

Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant and Butik is in the village of Sister Bay, Wisconsin. Yes, you read that right, village. 3 square miles of village on Lake Michigan. I am sure when it's not snowing and it is summer and sunny this place is crazy adorable. It was pretty darn cute covered in snow.

I went in to the large dining room, got myself a table and was greeted by a woman in traditional Swedish garb. Keepin' it real, Al Johnsons! I checked over the menu: hoping for some old school Swedish breakfast. Lo and Behold! Swedish pancakes with lingonberries and a side of Swedish meatballs. Sign me up!

Everything was delicious. The Swedish meatballs reminded me of the kind my mom used to make. It made me super happy. And made up for the terrible coffee of 2 hours earlier. Fast, friendly service and from scratch food. Couldn't ask for anything more.


In summation: When in Door County check this place out! The boutique has some great stuff in it, and they had lots of Scandinavian candy, a favorite of mine.


Not Really Post Script:

On my way in to Sisters Bay I saw out of the corner of my eye a tiny coffee shop called Bearded Heart Coffee. What the What? I am in Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin. This place looked amazing. I made a mental note to stop on my way back out of town.

Stop I did: and I am SO GLAD. They are serving Dogwood Coffee (shout out to Minneapolis), have locally brewed Kombucha from Tapuat, fresh bakery items, vegan options, and all around coolness. I was never so happy to drink a Dogwood Latte, it made my day so so so much better.  This is a photo of Mo, who made me a fantastic latte, gave me a recommendation to get the 3 root kombucha (which I LOVED), and was all around awesome.  If you find yourself in Door County: go here every day. I mean, EVERY DAY. I wish that it was closer to me at all times!

The land of the Packer Backers

Things I know nothing about:

1. Sportsball
2. The love of Sportsball


You know who does love Sportsball? Green Bay, Wisconsin. Home of the Green Bay Packers, this town is football all the way. I have never been here before, so I was excited to check it out! I arrived in town kinda late: 7pm. Since it is still winter, 7 is dark dark dark. I have been looking forward to getting to the Downtown area and finding something delicious.

Now, if you don't know, Monday is traditionally a day that restaurants are closed. I found this the case at a few places a drove by that looked promising. BLARGH! I was not detoured though, I knew I could find something that was not another Applebee's.

I did! On the corner of Crook and Washington: Fox Harbor Pub & Grill shone like a beacon. I could go for a burger and a cocktail after a long day of driving and talking. Walked in to a large bar, full of people in Badger, Packer & Brewers gear (I told you: SO MUCH SPORTBALL). I bellied up to the bar and ordered myself a drink.

Plus #1: pint glass of whisky. Love it, Wisconsin. I perused the menu, very much bar fare: Wings, Nachos, Fried Cheese Curds. They had a big menu of wraps, sandwiches, salads and burgers as well. I thought, burger and salad to go with my whisky was the way to go. I opted for the "Hot Harbor Special": a big ol' burger with a spicy feta blend, fried jalapeños, bacon and lettuce. With a side salad, that sounded good to me.

Side Salad: not surprisingly, bag of salad. Totally fine, nothing exciting or terrible. Just bag of salad.

Burger: WHOA. This was a doozy. Great amount of spice, not so spicy that it can't be eaten, the cheesy blend gave it a messy goodness I love in a burger. The jalapeños weren't very flavorful, probably could have done without them. But all in all, a good burger on a cold Monday night.

I have a feeling this place is PACKED (no pun intended) when there is a sporting event going on. It is about 3 miles from Lambeau Field, so I am sure it is a destination for people going to the games.

In summation: Good bar food! And big drinks.