Madison, Wisconsin Food Recommendations!
Hello Chowers! I’m off to research my next foodie travel destination—Madison, Wisconsin! Where should I eat while I’m there for three days? Where’s the best fish fry?
A celebratory lunch at Milwaukee’s Ouzo Cafe.
Trocadero: Best Brunch in Milwaukee
Trocadero could not have been a better choice for the morning after. Not only did they have several inventive bloody marys, but a mojito menu, too! And the place is huge, so no need to throw ‘bows or wait in line for hours. Hmmm, now isn’t that nice? Check out the entire menu, it’s insane! I didn’t realize until later that it’s a sister restaurant to my other Milwaukee fave, Cafe Benelux.
Banana Coconut Pancakes (caramelized bananas and shredded coconut), Breakfast Tacos (scrambled eggs, chorizo, rosemary potatoes, white cheddar cheese, warm flour tortillas, and pico de gallo), Almost French Toast (baked butterscotch bread pudding, caramel sauce, sea salt, candied walnuts, and blackberries), Cafe Trocadero (coffee, steamed milk, chocolate, and cinnamon)
Check out my favorite brunches in New York, Chicago, and DC.
My Sister’s Wedding
Well it’s safe to say we didn’t go hungry at my sister’s wedding reception on Saturday, held at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts in Milwaukee. Because of my co-MOH duties I didn’t have time to snap the cocktail hors d’oeuvres or the late nite buffet, but it wasn’t beneath me to take a few pic at the head table during our seated meal. Sazama’s did an awesome job catering the event; it was one of the best wedding meals I’ve ever had. We feasted on Belgian Endive Salad (gorgonzola cheese, chopped bacon, candied pecans, granny smith apples, minted cucumber vinaigrette), Chicken Oscar (pan seared breast of chicken with snow crab, asparagus, and hollandaise; served with pesto mashed potatoes), and to play off the fall season, Apple Crisp Squares with ice cream and caramel. The small cake from Simma’s Bakery was cheesecake with a chocolate cake base and a layer of raspberry filling, covered in chocolate ganache. Little known fact: this was not the cake my sister ordered! But it didn’t phase her at all and I’m sure it tasted just as great as the correct cake (carrot) would have. Hopefully the couple who got her cake felt the same way!
I’m so sad the event of the year is over! It was perfect, from the traditional Moker bridal auction to the rocking live band. And of course, like any good meal, the food elevated the entire experience. Congrats to Katie and Jon!
Click through to see her bachelorette and bridal shower meals.
Cake photo by mom; couple photo by Jan Corey
Cheers to the long weekend
Lemon mimosa, Cafe Benelux
Cafe Benelux; Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Last summer I fell in love with Milwaukee, conveniently weeks before my sister moved out of it. The city still has an industrial feel, but there’s such a renaissance going on there, especially with the food. While driving through last month, my friend Big Molls suggested we meet up at the new Cafe Benelux in the historic Third Ward neighborhood. Best call of her life.
I am straight up obsessed with this place because of:
- The most eclectic egg salad sandwich ever (red grapes, bleu cheese, capers, and pine nuts on toasted naan)
- An entire beer book that changes monthly
- The Bloody Mary with pickle, olives, asparagus, and a CHEESE CURD (this is Wisconsin, yo)
- The beautiful lemon mimosa with a rock sugar-crusted rim
- An ice cold Dark and Stormy served in a mug (all of these cocktails are less than $8, mind you)
- The modern, so-huge-it’s-difficult-to-fill-completely roof deck overlooking the Public Market
- The beautiful, European-inspired interior and marketplace
Amazing food at super reasonable prices—and $7 SPECIALTY COCKTAILS!! If it wasn’t noon, I would have stuck around to try them all (I know, I know, that hasn’t stopped me before…and wasn’t my real reason). But it’s a great excuse to return—hopefully while I’m back in Milwaukee in 22 days!
Farmers’ Market on Broadway, Green Bay, Wisconsin
On Wednesday nites, downtown Green Bay hosts a cute little farmers’ market. The market works to showcase local farmers, and also to revitalize the downtown district, which is currently going through a nice renaissance.
With so many farmers in the area, Broadway was packed with produce—I’ve never seen so much asparagus and strawberries! But the real winner for me was O So Good Kettle Corn. Every kernel was popped to maximum fluffiness and was perfectly sweet-and-salty seasoned. Hands down the best popcorn I’ve ever tasted.
I’m so proud that my hometown has the second largest farmers’ market in all of Wisconsin!
Pulled pork sandwich with barbecue red wine vinaigrette, pickled onions, and mustard slaw.
The Cookery, Fish Creek, Door County, Wisconsin.
Lautenbach’s Orchard Country Winery and Market, Door County, Wisconsin
Yesterday, my mom and I drove to Door County (the Hamptons of Wisconsin), where tiny towns chockfull of cafes and boutiques stretch for 70 miles along Lake Michigan. We were lucky to grow up just an hour away, and spent summer days there camping or beaching. On this day trip, our first stop was the Lautenbach Orchard and Winery, with 100 acres of grapes, apples, and cherries. We took the $3 vineyard tour, which included six tastings and a commemorative wine glass. Can’t beat that!
The estate has been in the family for four generations, and each fifth generation grandchild has a wine named for him or her. How cool is that? The Lauren Elizabeth was my favorite—crisp and a little tart.
Click through for more photos
“Little Wisconsin” Comes to New York
Who knew the man behind West Village hot spots The Little Owl, Joseph Leonard, and Jeffrey’s Grocery is a Wisconsinite?
Now that the Pack’s in the Super Bowl, here begins the media’s obsession with all things Badger State…
