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

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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 ...

I like processed foods

May 6th, 2012

Food processing is just one of those parts of our society that I know about but don’t think about. Really, do I want to know that beaver anal glands (castoreum) is in my vanilla ice cream?

No, all I care about is that because of processed foods, I have more choice and convenience. Think of frozen or canned vegetables. Of course their fresh counterparts taste better, but I don’t have time to go grocery shopping every day, and I also appreciate being able to buy any vegetable year-round instead of in-season only.

The Huffington Post had a story earlier this year titled “Top 10 Reasons to Avoid Processed Foods” but doesn’t make a compelling argument. For example, I’m glad meat is tested for stray wires (#6). And guess what? Processed foods actually can reduce food allergens (#2).

If you’re so against processed foods, just think about what you would eat for breakfast: Cereal? Nope. Toast? Nope. Bacon? Nope. Coffee? Nope. I could go on and on.

So bring on those additives and preservatives! And if I keep damaging my brain cells for learning and memory (#4), then I’ll … um … what were we talking about again?

For more information, check out these articles:

Salvatore’s Tomato Pies

April 28th, 2012

Sun Prairie has another dining hit on its hands with Salvatore’s Tomato Pies. It’s a wonderful contrast of simple and complicated (in a good way): the whole menu is almost entirely pizza and only in one size (16″); however, each type of pizza is a masterpiece.

Take, for example, The Fat Uncle Tony ($18.99). It’s topped with smoky premium bacon, homemade sausage and spicy pepperoni. You can really tell the quality of the meat used is high, and it just may be my new favorite pizza–I mean, pie–in town.

Salvatore’s also has weekend specials, and one particular week I got to try the Thai curry pie ($22.50; it’s now on the regular menu as One Night in Bangkok). I enjoyed the ensemble of flavors, from the chicken to the mushrooms to the red onion and more. Helpful hint: order early, since the specials are likely to sell out quickly.

Next on my to-eat list is the plain Tomato Pie (mozzarella, provolone and basil for $14.79), to which I’ll add some prosciutto ($3). I hope they bring back the Duck Goat Pizza, which was a one-time special I heard about after the fact.

You can dine in, as there are some tables inside, but I’d call ahead for carryout. Salvatore’s is open from 4:30-10 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. According to its website, Salvatore’s hopes to be “open for lunch soon.”

Salvatore's Tomato Pies on Urbanspoon

Weird Al’s food songs

April 22nd, 2012

Even if it was never “cool” to admit that you like “Weird Al” Yankovic, you have to admit that many of his songs, especially as music videos, were funny. Plus, the man is really talented, able to play guitar and accordion and hit high notes like Bono (see “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me” / “Cavity Search”).

This being a food blog, I have to talk about his food songs. Al tried to limit his albums to having just one food song each (even Kurt Cobain of Nirvana was worried “Smells Like Teen Spirit” would be a food song). Eventually, most of those songs were compiled into “The Food Album.”

My favorite food song is “Fat,” a parody of Michael Jackson’s “Bad.” The song won a Grammy award in 1988; I’ve pasted the video below.

A close second for me is “Theme from Rocky XIII” (“Eye of the Tiger”). It’s got memorable lyrics such as “But he’s no bum, he works down the street / He bought the neighborhood deli / Back on his feet, now he’s choppin’ up meat / Come inside, maybe you’ll hear him say …”

Other “Weird Al” food songs I like are “Lasagna” (“La Bamba”), “Eat It” (“Beat It”) and “Taco Grande” (“Rico Suave”). What are your favorites? Don’t be shy.

    Madison Symphony Orchestra Urban Air

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