Honest and fun food reviews from a Madison native.
12/25/2010
12/23/2010
A night out in three acts
The hubby and me celebrated a very special occasion last night and found two favorite bar experiences in Madison. In fact, the before- and after-dinner experiences far exceeded a disappointing dinner at the Tornado Steakhouse.
Act I: Merchant
There's a new movement, it's called the Slow Cocktail Movement. Usually I'd be irritated to no end to wait about 10 minutes for 2 drinks, but it was so worth it. We enjoyed expertly measured throwback cocktails, an excellent bourbon list in an upscale bar with an unfortunate view of a parking ramp. The staff was friendly and the Loretto Flower and Old Fashioned cocktails (at $9 bucks a pop) were outstanding. We should have stayed for dinner, but the thought of crab legs and pan-fried walleye beckoned us to the Tornado.
Act II: Tornado Steakhouse
We started off right with great drinks in a big booth served by a wonderful bartender. We were seated without a wait and the garnish, salad and bread were great as usual. Main courses arrived and while my husband enjoyed delicious walleye, I had cold $46 crab legs. I sent them back and they returned slightly warmer, but overcooked and with a piece so inedible I spit it out in my napkin, tres romantique! Food has been hit-or-miss here for us, but I think this may have been a relationship-ender.
Act III: L'Etoile
While you may not be able to get a space at the bar on a weekend, Wednesday night was the perfect time to check out the new space and enjoy dessert and after-dinner drinks. The vibe is definitely a bit more structured than we're used to (you have to check in with the maitre d' to sit at the bar!) and we felt like we were getting away with something by being there. Our bartender (and GM) was friendly and professional. I enjoyed a tart reduced cider cocktail and hubby had french press coffee. The Maker's Mark bourbon bread pudding with cherry ice cream was out-of-this-world good. It was the perfect way to end the evening.
Act I: Merchant
There's a new movement, it's called the Slow Cocktail Movement. Usually I'd be irritated to no end to wait about 10 minutes for 2 drinks, but it was so worth it. We enjoyed expertly measured throwback cocktails, an excellent bourbon list in an upscale bar with an unfortunate view of a parking ramp. The staff was friendly and the Loretto Flower and Old Fashioned cocktails (at $9 bucks a pop) were outstanding. We should have stayed for dinner, but the thought of crab legs and pan-fried walleye beckoned us to the Tornado.
Act II: Tornado Steakhouse
We started off right with great drinks in a big booth served by a wonderful bartender. We were seated without a wait and the garnish, salad and bread were great as usual. Main courses arrived and while my husband enjoyed delicious walleye, I had cold $46 crab legs. I sent them back and they returned slightly warmer, but overcooked and with a piece so inedible I spit it out in my napkin, tres romantique! Food has been hit-or-miss here for us, but I think this may have been a relationship-ender.
Act III: L'Etoile
While you may not be able to get a space at the bar on a weekend, Wednesday night was the perfect time to check out the new space and enjoy dessert and after-dinner drinks. The vibe is definitely a bit more structured than we're used to (you have to check in with the maitre d' to sit at the bar!) and we felt like we were getting away with something by being there. Our bartender (and GM) was friendly and professional. I enjoyed a tart reduced cider cocktail and hubby had french press coffee. The Maker's Mark bourbon bread pudding with cherry ice cream was out-of-this-world good. It was the perfect way to end the evening.
12/19/2010
Don't drink the water?
Well, I hope this isn't the case, I was hoping to quit one of my few un-eco-friendly vices--bottled water.
12/14/2010
The last great value in grocery shopping
Stopped by Asian Midway today on Park Street and picked up the following for about $17, try doing that at Woodman's. I love this place. Only drawback? Cash only.
3 packages of tofu, including rad yellow firm tofu for grillin'
Daikon-esque radish
Ginger beer
Black beans
Garbanzo beans
Middle Eastern yogurt
Bananas
2 packages of paratha bread
3 packages of tofu, including rad yellow firm tofu for grillin'
Daikon-esque radish
Ginger beer
Black beans
Garbanzo beans
Middle Eastern yogurt
Bananas
2 packages of paratha bread
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