Fratelli's

Fratelli’s Trattoria

Fratelli's Trattoria is a cozy Italian restaurant and bar in Monona that feels like it's been around for decades, even though it opened a few years ago (in the former Angelo's space) ...
Great Taste of the Midwest

The Weekend Ahead Aug. 7-9, 2026

Here's a curated list of the major Madison, WI events happening this weekend ...
GM Banh Mi

GM Banh Mi

On a busy stretch of W. Johnson Street sits GM Banh Mi, which opened last fall. It can be tough to find parking nearby, but the bread is worth the effort ...
The Great Gatsby

The Weekend Ahead July 31-Aug. 2, 2026

Here's a curated list of the major Madison, WI events happening this weekend ...

Memorial Day Events

May 19th, 2013

I find it amusing when I ask people if they have any plans for Memorial Day weekend, and they reply that they’ll be going to Bratfest. In other words, they have zero plans, but they don’t feel like they’re completely wasting their weekend if they at least go to Bratfest.

Granted, it’s a great event, with the live music, carnival, Friday morning drive-thru and run/walk, but there’s so much more happening in the area, especially if you prefer day trips.

For example, the annual ChocolateFest in Burlington runs Friday-Monday. You can take part in the chocolate eating contest, visit the petting zoo and check out the Nascar exhibit.

While we’re still on the subject of festivals, the New Glarus Music Fest runs Saturday-Monday. Bands include Little Vito and the Torpedoes and The Jimmys.

The Mad City Ski Team starts its season on Sunday. Will it win yet another national championship this year?

On Monday, Monona will have its 58th annual Memorial Day parade, starting at 10 a.m. on Monona Drive. And while you’re in town, Monona’s community pool will be open for the season.

Finally, if you’re looking for overnight trips, here’s my previous post on where to stay and dine.

Planning your Preakness party

May 12th, 2013

Photo from www.preakness.com

Regarding cocktails, I think most people associate the Kentucky Derby with mint juleps. But what about the Preakness, the second leg of  the Triple Crown?

If you answered the Black-Eyed Susan, pat yourself on the back. (The Preakness also is known as “The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans,” because the winning horse is draped with a blanket of daisies meant to look like Black-Eyed Susans–hence the drink.)

So many people throw Kentucky Derby-viewing parties, but no one throws one for the Preakness, which takes place this Saturday. With that in mind, here are some recommendations on what to serve:

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New items at KFC, Pizza Hut

May 5th, 2013

DSC00389KFC is reportedly spending $50 million to market its new original recipe boneless chicken (a 10-piece mixed bucket is $14.99). I admit, I do like the commercials that show people thinking that they’ve accidentally eaten the bones.

The boneless chicken comes in both white and dark meat. After eating a piece of each kind, I concluded that the chicken is good but not great. Despite the so-called original recipe flavoring, it’s much different than eating a regular piece of original recipe chicken. The skin is too thin and you really lose that fried-chicken goodness.

Put another way, if I wanted to eat chicken tenders–which is pretty much what the boneless are like–then I’d order chicken tenders. It doesn’t help that KFC asks you what kind of dipping sauce you want for your boneless chicken.

***

2013-04-20 17.09.37Pizza Hut loves experimenting with crusts. First we saw the Stuffed Crust Pizza, then the Cheesy Bites Pizza, then the Double Deep Pizza (remember the rolled-over crust?) and now the Crazy Cheesy Crust Pizza ($12.99 for a single topping). It’s like the Cheesy Bites version in that you’re supposed to pull off the crust to eat separately, but the cheese is not rolled up in the dough this time.

Out of the aforementioned kinds, this was my favorite. The circular crusts hold a cheese-blend made up of provolone, asiago, mozzarella, fontina and mild white cheddar. It’s got so much flavor that I wish the rest of the pizza had the same blend. I would probably order this again.

The new pizza was launched in early April and will stick around for up to three months.

    Madison Symphony Orchestra Urban Air

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