I’m looking forward to being a “celebrity” judge for the inaugural MadTown Shakedown, a bartending competition taking place at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24 at HotelRED.
The event is open to the public. Tickets are $10, which includes tasting and judging, and can be purchased at HotelRED. All proceeds go directly to REAP Food Group.
According to a release, the competition will have a format similar to the show “Chopped” in which contestants do not know the ingredients until just before they’re on the clock. The other judges and I will rank the drinks on appearance, aroma, flavor, balance and originality, and ticket-holders will vote for their favorite as well.
The brainchild for MadTown Shakedown came from Bar Consultant and Mixologist Dy Godsey, who approached HotelRED Executive Chef John Bauer about organizing the event together.
“I like to put on cocktail competitions and wanted to do one with an element of surprise for the bartenders, and to do all this for the benefit of a local partner,” Godsey said. “I approached Chef John Bauer about this idea, and he understood it immediately. We started working together to make the MadTown Shakedown happen.”
A reception from 5-7 p.m. precedes the event and includes live music by Patrick Ferguson. Contestants so far hail from Forequarter, Merchant and Nostrano.
There are so many interesting things about Food Fight’s 
The Fried Chicken and Donuts ($5.95) among the appetizers also was a mixed bag. The fresh and perfectly sweet dough balls clashed with the way-overcooked chicken. Speaking of doughnuts, you’ll find a varied selection each day. I had a strawberry glazed ($1.50, half-off after 8:30 p.m.) that could have been more strawberry in flavor.
Kim’s Noodle in Monona was reborn as 
I’m a big fan of pho, and I did enjoy the one served with brisket and flank ($8.75 regular size, $11.75 large), despite several things. First, the brisket was missing. Second, the accompaniments were essentially just a pile of onions and scallions–no basil, bean sprouts, lime or jalapeno. Still, the broth (strong in chicken flavor) and the flank (tender) saved the dish.
The menu continues on, and thus does this review. The pork brochettes sandwich ($5.25) is a tasty variation of a banh mi, with chopped pork instead of sliced pork and no jalapenos. I would definitely order this again.
