Archive for the ‘Holidays and Events’ Category

Food news and events July 3, 2011

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.

An ideal Father’s Day

Sunday, June 12th, 2011

The number of restaurants that advertise Mother’s Day specials compared to Father’s Day specials has to be 25 to 1. What, are dads supposed to spend the day watching sports on TV and then grilling out in the backyard? That’s not really different from any other Sunday.

So dads, how are you going to celebrate Father’s Day on Sunday, June 19? Here’s an itinerary that I would like:

MORNING

Eat breakfast at a diner, such as Hubbard Avenue Diner or Mickie’s Dairy Bar. Although I prefer to play golf in the afternoon (so that I can have a drink or six), I’d play a round after breakfast at The Oaks or Foxboro.

AFTERNOON

Have lunch somewhere quick and casual, maybe Coopers Tavern or Great Dane Fitchburg. Spend the rest of the afternoon cruising on a boat on Lake Mendota, with a stop for (more) beverages at The Pier at the Edgewater Hotel. If you don’t have access to a boat, Betty Lou Cruises has special cruises on Father’s Day.

EVENING

We have to get some meat at dinner! How about Samba or The Del-Bar? I’d then cap the night with some scotch and cigars at Maduro.

For other dining suggestions, try the “Father’s Day” check box on the EAT page. Happy Father’s Day!

Memorial Day dining and events ideas

Sunday, May 22nd, 2011

I love Memorial Day because to me, it signals the start of summer here in the Midwest. If you plan on heading out of town, here are some events, restaurants and bars within a two-hour drive that I suggest checking out:

Lake Geneva area

  • I’ve enjoyed the all-you-can-eat fish fry at Popeye’s On Lake Geneva. Champs Sports Bar and Grill and Hogs & Kisses are some fun places to grab a drink or watch the game. I would like to try Ryan Braun’s Tavern & Grill (formerly the Cactus Club) some day.
  • On the other side of the lake is Fontana, which features the Abbey Resort. If you’re looking for a spa, the on-site Avani Spa is definitely the place to go (you may not want to leave!).
  • Not too far from Lake Geneva is Burlington, home of the annual ChocolateFest (Friday-Monday), complete with live music, chocolate and wine pairings and a chocolate eating contest. It’s a fun event, but I really mean this: there needs to be more chocolate! For example, most of the food vendors don’t sell chocolate.

Galena, Ill.

Kohler/Elkhart Lake

  • The Midwest’s only AAA Five-Diamond Resort, the American Club, will host many of the events for the Kohler Festival of Beer this weekend. I wonder if patrons are supposed to wear suits and dresses when they drink the beer?
  • Speaking of the American Club, the Horse & Plow is a pub and grill in the same complex that’s open to the public. Sorta has a Boston feel to it. For places to eat in Elkhart Lake, watch this informative video from the visitor’s bureau.

Please leave a comment below if you have some fun places or events worth checking out. Have a great weekend!

    Madison Symphony Orchestra Urban Air

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