Archive for July, 2011

Celebrity endorsements

Sunday, July 31st, 2011

I just read that original “Karate Kid” star Ralph Macchio is now promoting Dove ice cream. I’m not sure Dove’s rationale for choosing Ralph, other than his services probably come pretty cheaply.

Still, it made me think of other celebrities and their food/beverage endorsements. Some thoughts:

I still love Bob Uecker as the spokesperson for Miller Lite. He’s perfect because of his personality (self-depricating, humorous) and his job as the radio voice of the Brewers.

Meanwhile, Lance Armstrong is so f*cking awkward as the face of Michelob Ultra. Is he bicycling and drinking at the same time? Who knows with these poorly done ads.

Pepsi has had tons of celebrities endorse its product–so many, in fact, that it has its own Wikipedia entry. As as kid, I remember spots with Ray Charles (“You got the right one, baby”), Cindy Crawford (Pepsi stuff) and Michael J. Fox (“Next Generation”). So I’m a little surprised that Pepsi didn’t have any celebs endorse Crystal Pepsi, which I think should be brought back.

What celebrity endorsements do you like? Which do you think failed?

Madison’s venues in movies

Sunday, July 24th, 2011

I was rewatching the Rodney Dangerfield classic “Back to School” the other day. For those unfamiliar with the movie, Rodney’s character attends the fictional Great Lakes University, which is really UW-Madison. Here’s a look at that movie and two others for the real and fake Madison venues:

Movie: “Back to School”
Summary: Despite being a successful business person, Rodney Dangerfield goes to college to get his degree.
Real Madison venues include: Bascom Hill, Memorial Union, Lake Shore area
Fake Madison venues include: The outdoor natatorium, the bar where Rodney sings “Twist and Shout”
Fake places could be … : That natatorium could never exist in a climate with winter weather! The bar could be the first floor of State Street Brats if it had a stage for live music.

Movie: “The Prince and Me”
Summary: The Prince of Denmark attends UW to meet women.
Real Madison venues: None
Fake Madison venues include: The one worth noting is the movie’s version of the Memorial Union’s Der Rathskeller, or “The Rat” for short. Here, Paige introduces Eddie to Leinenkugels beer and the football team yells “Minnesota sucks! Wisconsin rules!” This Rathskeller is huge and seems to be the place to hang out. It’s also very dark.
Fake place could be … : Perhaps if you combined the real Der Rathskeller with the Kollege Klub and the now-closed Crave (for the lighting), you could get this movie version.  

Movie: “The Last Kiss”
Summary: Zach Braff’s character falls for a UW-Madison student (Rachel Bilson)
Real Madison venues include: State Capitol, Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Memorial Union, Bascom Hall
Fake Madison venues include: The bar where Izzy works, the outdoor cafe where Jacinda Barrett and Blithe Danner eat, Rachel Bilson’s dorm 
Fake places could be … : The bar could be Brocach. If the Agora in Fitchburg had a restaurant, it could pass as that outdoor cafe. Meanwhile, the dorm could be a bigger, older Tripp Hall.

Agree? Disagree? What are your thoughts?

Red Sushi Grill

Sunday, July 17th, 2011

I really like the sushi at Red Sushi Grill, but will the newly opened restaurant survive its location? For example, the food and atmosphere were great at Kushi Bar Muramoto, but it didn’t have an identity. The Haze, meanwhile, had some delicious items (e.g. the bahn mi), but lack of marketing and signage aided in its demise.

The setup in Red Sushi Grill is similar to those two previous incarnations–dark lighting, small tables, long bar/counter. Co-owner Jack Yip was making the sushi when I ate there, while the other owner, Tatsiana, greeted guests as they came in.

From the Signature Rolls menu I tried the Red roll (spicy tuna; $12.95) and the Peking roll (duck; $10.95). Both were incredibly flavorful, and I would get them again if it weren’t for the fact that I want to try the other rolls. When Tatsiana, who’s super friendly, came over to see how the food was, I couldn’t bear to tell her that the spicy tuna wasn’t at all spicy; I was otherwise honest in my praise.

Besides the rolls, I ordered the shumai ($6),  a kobe beef sashimi piece (the special of the day) and the Tamago (egg omelet; $1.75), which was one of several single sushi/sashimi pieces you can order. The kobe beef was good, though its counterpart at Sushi Muramoto is better. The Tamago was plain; I’m glad I tried it, but I wouldn’t order it again.

Red Sushi Grill doesn’t have much of a menu outside sushi, unsurprisingly, but I did try the salmon, which was light and perfectly done. The side vegetables were unexpectedly tasty as well. Other entrees include the mahi mahi, filet mignon and black cod.

I’m looking forward to many return visits. Here’s hoping that I get the chance.

See more photos at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/eatdrinkmadison/sets/72157627216507808/

Fun at a fake beach

Sunday, July 10th, 2011

I scored some free tickets to the waterpark portion of Mt. Olympus in Wisconsin Dells the other day. While the waterslides were fun, what will keep me coming back are the Poseidon’s Rage wave pool and the artificial beach.

The former generates a nine-foot tall wave  every 90 seconds. It’s actually sort of scary seeing a huge wave speed toward you and eventually knock you over. The braver souls hang out near the rope (the deepest area you’re allowed to go) where the wave is biggest.

Next to Poseidon’s Rage is a beach. Since the sand is brought in, it’s not full of rocks that you normally find at Wisconsin beaches. You can relax on one of the many recliners (no umbrellas, unfortunately), play some volleyball ($10 returnable deposit for the ball) or my favorite part: hang out at the bar.

The bar has swings instead of barstools. It’s fun to rock back and forth a bit as you sip your beverage, though the wood plank that serves as a seat is not comfortable enough for long durations.

I felt really relaxed at the beach. Even with the wave pool below and the main road behind me, I felt like I was in Florida or somewhere tropical. I’m looking forward to a return visit!

Restaurant news round-up

Sunday, July 3rd, 2011

Downtown Italian restaurant Nostrano is adding lunch service, beginning Wednesday. The menu will feature items that incorporate ingredients from Co-owner and Chef Tim Dahl’s personal garden.

“I’m really excited to start executing a menu with all of the diverse flavors the warmer months have to offer,” Dahl said. “It doesn’t really get more local than this.”

Lunch will take place during the week from 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Reservations will be accepted.

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Continuing on the success of its monthly Iron Chef competitions, downtown American restaurant 8 Seasons Grille is now offering a private version, called Your Personal Iron Chef. For $50 ($75 with wine pairings) per person, Executive Chef Nick Baertschy will take a secret ingredient and make a multi-course meal for your group of up to eight.

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In less than 24 hours since the fire at 24 N. Webster St., multiple fundraisers were created for the residents (and Underground Kitchen) that were displaced. Events include a benefit concert July 29 at the High Noon. For a complete listing, click here.

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It’s interesting how several restaurants on the block surrounded by E. Main Street, Webster Street, E. Doty Street and King Street closed around the same time, and now they are re-opening around the same time. Francisco’s Mexican Cantina replaced La Mestiza, the Tipsy Cow replaced King & Mane, Red Sushi Grill replaced The Haze and The Rigby will replace the Casbah.

    Madison Startups Best burger contest Schematical
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