shaja's Profile
Who has the best fish boil in Door County?
We've really enjoyed the fish boil at the Old Post Office in Ephraim. They have chicken, too, for non-fish eaters.
Waukesha County, WI - Hounds on the move
Thought I'd report back after visiting Albanese's. Wanted to like it, liked the atmosphere in the dining room quite a lot. But, Mr. Shaja's fish was burned, my pasta was skimpy for the money, the tomato sauce had an odd tinned/paste taste, and halfway during the meal we became aware of an unwashed sweaty body/locker room smell that made it unenjoyable to stay.. A solid Meh.
Waukesha County, WI - Hounds on the move
Looks like the list on the back of the door just got longer. :-) Thanks, VintageGrace!
For Lake Geneva and environs: Simple is popular, but I don't understand why. I think it's the decor, which a good friend of mine from Chicago said was very reminiscent of what she would find in The City. I've never had good service there myself so I can't recommend it; too bad because I would like to like it.
The Tuscan (formerly Ryan Braun's, formerly The Cactus Club) is nice. Strangely, we think their food improved after they ended their association with Ryan Braun, which makes no sense because it's the same menu. We were told by the host that Ryan Braun couldn't commit to visiting regularly as per the terms of their arrangement, so that's why he's not associated with it any more. They added a darn fine Chicken Parmesan sandwich the last time we were there.
The Red Geranium and The Grandview at the Geneva Inn are two of the city's most overlooked restaurants, shame because both are very nice places. The Grandview has a brie appetizer with ginger and apricot sauce that is heavenly.
Anything at Grand Geneva. Yum. So what if it's a resort, there are some excellent chefs there.
For not-fine-dining but still darn tasty, Claws for sandwiches and The Lake Geneva Pie Company for pie. They've won several ribbons at the National Pie Championship. Highly recommend the Natural Apple, which is sweetened with apple juice not sugar.
Now I'm going to take you around the lake:
Outside of town off of Hwy. 50, the locals go to Mars for ribs.
Another good Italian place is Cafe Calamari in Williams Bay. Another fine dining place worth the trip is BJ Wentker's in Burlington (about 15 minutes from LG).
For breakfast, make the trip over to Millie's in Delavan.
For a good family diner, go to Sammy's in Walworth (but not the Hot Turkey Sandwich-sorry, Sammy, I love you but you know we've talked about this). Also in Walworth, good pizza and pasta at Pino's (but not the Chicago style) and old-school mom-and-pop soft serve at the Dari Ripple (where a certain Hound worked 30 years ago...and can still make a darn good cone!)
As long as you're in Walworth, pop south 5 minutes to the state line to the Big Foot Inn for Friday night fish fry or Sunday brunch. About 20 minutes from LG.
In Fontana, go to Gordy's for good sandwiches and Chicken Tortilla Soup (creamy and the right amount of spice and cheese). Literally steps from the lake, which makes the whole package for me better than Popeye's.
Down Hwy. 12 from LG and just over the border in Richmond, IL, is Doyle's Irish Pub, which has some surprisingly good food. I've recommended the meatless lasagna before. About 15 minutes from LG.
Last but not least, bring a cooler and head over to Riga Tony's on Hwy. 50 in the Delavan Bay Inlet area. Authentic Italian from The City (two guys came out to retire and opened themselves a little shop to keep busy. Now they are busier than when they were not retired!). You can get great Italian Beef (with "gravy!"). One of the sons bakes desserts. Also, keep going west on Hwy. 11; just off of 11 and 14 is Sorg's for stupendous meats.
Beloit WI - Recs?
In the Wisconsin Supper Club movie, the Liberty Inn was featured. Other possibilities - the Butterfly Club and Cafe Belwah. Not sure about a fish fry place; I'm not a fish person, sorry.
Waukesha County, WI - Hounds on the move
We ventured into downtown Waukesha again and tried Key Westconsin. It's kind of "upscale-meets-Key-West-beach-bar." I have to give the bartender and the hostess (the owners, I think) MAJOR MAJOR props for being so welcoming and friendly. We felt like we were among friends. The menu is heavy on fish, but there are things for non-fish eaters. Mr. Shaja had Lobster Benedict, which were eggs benedict with lobster instead of Canadian Bacon, and he enjoyed it.
PS - drove by Montecito's and saw that the thing I thought was an overhead garage door in the bar IS an overhead garage door....and it was rolled up and open last night. What a cool vibe.
Waukesha County, WI - Hounds on the move
Thanks, exvaxman. A couple of people have recommended Albanese's, so after seeing it in this article I think we'll have to add it to the list hanging on the back of the door (I wasn't kidding ... I actually did that).
Last weekend we went to the Water Street Brewery at Hwy. 83 for the second time. Toss-up as to which location I like better for atmosphere, but this one sure gets loud when it's busy.. Tried their mozzarella sticks wrapped in wontons because it sounded unique, and they were really pretty good.
Waukesha County, WI - Hounds on the move
We ventured into downtown Waukesha for the first time and tried Montecito's. It was quite nice.
It has a very interesting vibe to the atmosphere that manages to be funky and home-y at the same time. Must have been a garage at one time, because the front wall of the bar is a big window-filled garage door. The restaurant floor has tables, sofas for lounging and gaming (pool, etc). all in the same space. We liked that it still felt intimate, and despite all the hard surfaces we had no trouble hearing each other.
We really loved their "Fritto Fior de Latte" appetizer, which was fresh mozzarella that had been sliced into rounds and lightly breaded and sauted, and served with tomato slices and balsamic vinegar. Mr. Shaja had a walleye sandwich, and that piece of fish was bigger than his plate!!
driving from chicago to new orleans---to eat southern ill, northern ms?
If you've never eaten at Lambert's in Sikeston, MO (just off of I-55), then you must. An experience not to be missed. Be sure to go hungry, because you will leave stuffed!
driving from chicago to new orleans---to eat southern ill, northern ms?
What's your route? I don't want to assume I-55, although I'm thinking that's the most likely?
Waukesha County, WI - Hounds on the move
We are looking forward to trying Matteo's after these recommendations; every time we drive by, the parking lot is full.
Can anyone recommend a good Italian place that delivers in Waukesha? Looking for pasta and chicken parmesan. Last night's experiment with Rosati's (yes, a chain, but we wanted to compare the one here with one in Illinois we'd visit occasionally) was strange.
Waukesha County, WI - Hounds on the move
My rule of thumb for any diner is to expect good sandwiches, soups and breakfasts, but dinners are hit or miss, and so I order accordingly. Peachtree pretty much lives up to my model. I love their American fries. Unusually, their chicken dumpling soup is heavy on peppers, but that works for some reason. Mr. Shaja really likes their cream of broccoli soup because there is actual chunks of broccoli in it, not just the usual "hint of broccoli crumbs" you see in cream soup.
Waukesha County, WI - Hounds on the move
Yea, I know where that Good Harvest is (without a map!) I've driven by there! That's around the corner from that German restaurant, isn't it? Gasthaus, I think is the name.
Can't wait to try Ristorante Bartolotta!! And pretty cool about the LG connection - six degrees of Kevin Bacon to be sure! (Sorry, just had to make that a "food" reference.)
Waukesha County, WI - Hounds on the move
Awww, you can't tease me like that! What is the name of this Italian heaven???
What is the oldest family recipe you still use?
My mother still uses my great-great-grandfather's recipe for sugar cookies from the late 1800s. He was a baker in Nebraska. The kicker is, this recipe uses powdered ammonia as the leavening, which was common in the days before baking soda and baking powder. She substitutes liquid ammonia, which makes for one weird looking cooky dough until everything is well incorporated. The cookies tend to turn out hard and good for dunking in milk. I don't make them myself as I prefer the soft and cakey sour cream sugar cookie from my father's side of the family. (Yes, that did indeed start off a recipe battle which I still don't think is over ... maybe just an uneasy truce at Christmastime.)
Waukesha County, WI - Hounds on the move
Wow, thanks much, folks! We're going to print out that list and hang it on the back door. Really intrigued by the Mexican brunch Fowler recommended.
We have been to both Mitchell's Fish Market and the Water Street Brewery; liked both and would return (actually did, in Mitchell's case). We also went to Bravo at the Brookfield Square Mall, and while the service was attentive I wasn't that crazy about their food so I am glad for the Italian recommendation. Does anyone know anything about Matteo's, just off of Hwy. 164 on Sunset in Waukesha?
Waukesha County, WI - Hounds on the move
These Lake Geneva, WI, Hounds are pulling up stakes and moving to Waukesha County. It's very weird to go from being the one in-the-know to the newbie. I'm looking for the insight, recommendations and tips to help us feel like locals again. Everything from good diner, good meat market, good vanilla beans, good place to take the folks, good bakery, good special occasion, good Italian, good pizza, good deli, good Chinese, good Mexican, good specialty cooking shop, good date night place, good anything food!
Willing to travel around the county. Would prefer something besides Milwaukee fine dining recommendations and would prefer something besides chains (but I'll give a shout-out to The Machine Shed off of I-94 for being good comfort food and to the TGIFridays at Miller Park ... okay, technically not in Waukesha County but dang fine atmosphere, french onion soup and ribs).
We've already discovered the Peachtree in New Berlin (family diner); the Butler Inn in Pewaukee for amazing steaks, the Cornerstone in Genesee Depot, and the Chocolate Factory in downtown Pewaukee. Oh, and I've heard that Brennan's on Bluemound is THE place for cheese but haven't been there yet. Also have been impressed by what we''ve seen at the Sendik's on Capitol.
What's next??? Have map and are ready to go enjoy your recommendations for our new home!!!
What's the best way to grocery shop cheaply?
Don't worry about trimming to fit. Put two side-by-side in the pan, then curl the long ends underneath themselves. Then put a third noodle on top of the two to cover the gap where they lay together, and curl the end under again. The sauce weighs the folded-under noodles down quite nicely so everything lays flat. Yum ...hope yours turned out well and you saved leftovers for me :-)
Event Planning in Rockford ?
Just making sure you mean Rockford, Illinois.
I went to a Chamber of Comerce luncheon at Giovanni's on Bell School Road. It was pretty good. I have heard good things about Franchesco's but haven't been yet.
Donuts from tube of biscuit dough - any good?
Way back in the early 1980s, I worked for a mom-and-pop ice cream stand, and we served these. We called them "Widgets." Some nights, we served more widgets than banana splits! And, whenever we ran out of what we bought from the restaurant supply guy, we'd run over to the grocery store and buy up all their refrigerated Pillsbury biscuit tubes. Tasted exactly the same..
We used our finger to poke the hole through the middle to make sure the donut cooks all the way through; the hole will close up when you fry them. Have your sugar or sugar/cinnamon ready to go (we used a Tupperware box with a lid), and when you pull the donuts out of the oil immediately put them into the topping and shake or roll. And, you must eat them fresh and hot. Something about the frying makes them lighter than if you bake them. A little bun of heaven.
Milwaukee Recommendations
This is Mr. Shaja, and I work in New Berlin. A good sports bar in New Berlin is the New Berlin Ale House, near Moorland & Cleveland; everything I've eaten there is awesome, and if you get the chicken strips, the serving is so big you'll want to take some home. A good family diner is the Peachtree near Moorland and National Avenue; very friendly folks and great food. A good seafood place is Mitchell's Fish Market at the Brookfield Square Mall just north of I-94 off of, again, Moorland Rd.; yes, they're a chain, but they are good. I just ate at Bravo, just down the way from Mitchell's, and the salmon was cooked perfectly. I have no pizza recommendation at this time, but restaurants are generally good around here so it's hard to go wrong.
What's the best way to grocery shop cheaply?
Count me as one of those former starving grad students who survived a tight budget. IIn addition to everyone's good advice above, I'd like to add a few things.
Regarding bread, I remember trying to gag down the cheapest house brand plastic-wrapped Wonder bread alternative - ugh that sawdust taste is still in my mouth. So, if your local grocery store has a bakery, find out what time of day they mark down the fresh bread to a reduced "day old" price. At our local store, that's usually in the evening. So what if it was baked 12 hours earlier - still very good fresh bread at usually half price or better.
Regarding spaghetti sauce - I don't like jarred or canned, and I agree that it can get expensive buying the tomatoes etc to make your own. I compromise with canned tomato sauce and add my own spices, green pepper, mushrooms, etc to taste. Much cheaper and less fat too. An 8-oz can of tomato sauce locally costs me less than a dollar, sometimes on sale 2 or 3 cans for a buck.
Regarding cooking vs pre-made - eat enough of that pre-made stuff, and your sodium levels will go through the roof (along with all the other nutritional problems). Check out the ingredient list on a box of scalloped potatoes, for example. I don't like the idea of that in my system.
Lastly, if you feel time is a factor in preventing you from cooking, it is possible to eat very well with some go-to techniques that take 30 minutes. For example, a basic white sauce is easy to learn and can be endlessly changed up to suit whatever ingredients you have on hand. Add chicken and broccoli and serve over rice. Or add whatever cheese you like with pasta and it's macaroni and cheese.
PS - when I'm in the mood for lasagna, I cook nine noodles, make 2-3 cups of sauce, shred 1 lb of cheese (or however much I feel like), and layer it in a bread loaf pan. Four pieces, perfect when you have the taste for lasagna but don't want to drown in a big pan of it. (I don't like freezing and reheating lasagna). For me, it's worth the work. Yum!
Cheese Shops from Chicago to Lake Geneva, WI
Wakefield's is in the former Kirsch's space. Kirsch's closed over the summer in 2011 when the owner retired. Wakefield's opened in late 2011. I haven't heard anything about it yet, so I am interested in checking out your recommendation.
Cheese Shops from Chicago to Lake Geneva, WI
What are you looking for in restaurant recommendations (price range, cuisine, size of party to be accommodated, fine vs. casual, etc.)?
I don't want to dampen your enthusiasm, but this part of the state isn't really known for cheese. That said, you should be able to find something enjoyable at the places exvaxman and I recommended. I hope you enjoy your trip and your visit!
Speaking of cheese, I have to sing the praises of the Grandview Restaurant in the Geneva Inn for the most delicious baked brie appetizer I had there the other night. It was served with ciabatta crostini and a heavenly ginger-apricot sauce. The flavors just came together in the most incredible way. Even Mr. Shaja liked it, and he doesn't like brie!
Cheese Shops from Chicago to Lake Geneva, WI
I've lived in the Lake Geneva area more than 40 years and am the daughter of a dairy farmer, so I'm pretty plugged in to the "dairy scene" here. Good local cheese here is limited. That may seem like a contradiction, but farmers in this area sell their milk for bottling not cheesemaking. Still, in this day and age, you think someone could truck more good stuff in!
Best bet is The Cheese Box on Wells in Lake Geneva. (not downtown; closer to the high school). Building has a quaint old feel; don't let that put you off. Inside are the nicest people with good cheese (best cheese curds around) and they will ship, too. You may think the selection is on the small side, but try it and see what you think.
Roses Fresh Market is in downtown Lake Geneva across from the new Tuscan Grill (former Ryan Brauns/former Cactus Club). Roses Fresh Market is a newer, trendy store and they have some "gourmet" style cheese; also very friendly people, too.
A little further afield in downtown Delavan (about 25 minutes) is the Brick Street Market. They specialize in artisan cheese, including Carr Valley and Hook's.
Depending on what route you are taking, there is always good ol' Mars Cheese Castle just off of I-94 in Kenosha County. If you are going to LG via I-94 to Hwy. 50, you would need to stay on 94 and go north a ways. Mars built a new castle last year near the old location because of the highway reconstruction project, so they are saying they are "Bigger and Better."
Lastly , don't rule out certain grocery stores. The Frank's County Market (aka Piggly Wiggly) in Elkhorn (20 minutes) has some good speciality varieties, perhaps not "chow-y" enough for some people but I was pleansantly surprised. The Sendik's in Brookfield (near Milwaukee, about an hour) has a "cheese cave" (actually a refrigerated room with a sliding door) with some excellent aged cheddar.
Cheese factories/tours - You will not find cheese factories in this area. You need to go further west to the Monroe/Green County area, which is a good two hours.
MKE - lunch/quick dinner around Children's hospital
Don't worry about having to bring in food. Children's takes good care of the parents of their patients, too. When my niece was hospitalized there for three weeks, my sister was able to get parent meals from the same room service program that brought my niece's trays. There also are on-site dining facilities that will give you a discount with your parent ID badge. http://www.chw.org/display/router.asp?DocID=36951#36951_4
Supper Club recommendations in Madison WI?
I'm also glad you stopped in to the board and for the clarification on why you included OF. I didn't pick up on that tradition/future theme when I saw your movie, and knowing it now gives me a new appreciation for the contrast between the two Madison sites. Thanks!
Supper Club recommendations in Madison WI?
AMEN!!!
So glad you called out the inclusion of The Old Fashioned in the documentary. I didn't get why the director picked it either.
Supper Club recommendations in Madison WI?
There was a very good documentary on PBS last year called "Wisconsin Supper Clubs" that I think you'd enjoy. I found the director's website at http://www.supperclubmovie.com/index.html; keep an eye on the PBS schedule for when they'll air it again. He filmed at places all over the state trying to answer your very questions. In Madison, he filmed at The Old Fashioned and Tornado. Locally, he also filmed at a place called the Liberty Inn in Beloit (check out his special guest and supper club fan - Bun E. Carlos of Cheap Trick!)
To me, supper clubs have always been the old-school experience - heavy on meat and potatoes (and a good Friday fish fry), never-ending relish trays, full variety cracker basket with cheese spread, hot rolls right out of the oven, soup AND salad courses, classic cocktails (including a kiddie cocktail to make the small fry feel grown-up), leisurely dining surrounded by friends and neighbors,. Good and comfortable.
My favorite - and I've been going to it since I was a little kid - is out of your preferred range, but I'm giving it a shout-out anyway if anyone feels like a drive. The Big Foot Inn, literally a few feet over the Wisconsin-Illinois border about 20 minutes southwest of Lake Geneva.
