Critiques, cravings and conundrums from the Madison food and dining scene
Small Dishes |
08/28/10Taste of Madison 2010
More information on bands, restaurants, etc. can be found at http://www.tasteofmadison.com
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08/22/10Dueling Ribs
I was invited by Shinji Muramoto to a rib tasting at his downtown restaurant, The Haze. His purpose was not to secure bragging rights for his own product, but to better understand what people look for in a good rack of ribs. His hope is that the tasters’ comments will help The Haze refine the art of barbecue. And, I personally know, it is an art that requires much trial and error before one achieves success. In Wisconsin, the word “barbecue” covers a multitude of sins. ... Posted at 01:50 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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08/22/10Curds
This is not a dissertation about my family tree, though I think it would be a reasonable assumption that I had distant ancestors who were cheese makers. Curds are produced when milk is curdled with rennet, the first step in cheese making. After being separated from the liquid portion— whey—curds are then used to make cheese. How they are handled and salted determines the type and shape of cheese they ultimately become. Cottage cheese is nothing more than curds and whey. ... Posted at 01:50 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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07/25/10Weekend in Madison
Out of town guests? New to the city? Routine in a rut? Or, just need a reminder why this place is truly special, even more so during the summer and fall. Here’s my itinerary for the perfect stay-at-home weekend.
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07/16/10The Best of Restaurant Week
It’s now a much anticipated event observed twice a year: Restaurant Week. It’s also a genuine bargain and opportunity to sample food at some of the city’s most popular eateries. Participants offer three-course dinner menus for $25; some offer... Posted at 06:01 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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07/11/10My Two Cents
Lists have been around seemingly forever. I’m not talking about the mundane to-do or to-buy lists we make out everyday; I’m referring to the popularity lists—like Billboard’s Top 100 Songs and the Fortune 500. As the internet has become the primary source of news for many, rating anything and everything has exploded. I have to admit, like so many other people, I’m addicted to these compellations. In the past 24 hours, I’ve checked out the Posted at 12:41 PM | Permalink | Comments: 1 |
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06/29/10What to Make for the Fourth of July?
Obviously, not steak and kidney pie (not that I would ever make that)—it has to be something All American. The first menu that comes to mind is a New England clambake—so many of the founding fathers hailed from Massachusetts. And, it would be nice to have lobster rolls from the leftovers (not that there would be any leftovers). Unfortunately the main ingredients—lobsters and clams— are hard to come by around here and I’m not sure I’m up for digging a pit in my backyard anyway. Benjamin Franklin was from Philadelphia, but cheesesteak certainly isn’t very festive. Washington and Jefferson were from Virginia and that conjures up ham which likewise... Posted at 12:05 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
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06/27/10Local Loco
I’m crazy about local food products. Obviously, their purchase benefits our local economy and reduces our carbon footprint. Organizations like the international Slow Food and Madison’s own REAP Food Group support and promote this concept. But, for me the bottom line is, locally produced food products more often than not taste better. That was not always the case. When I was growing up, I would groan when my mother bought ice cream from the local... Posted at 12:49 PM | Permalink | Comments: 1 |
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06/13/10Suddenly This Summer
L’Etoile will move from its venerable upstairs digs to space on the ground floor of the remodeled USBank building. Attached will be Tory Miller’s new gastropub, Graze.
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05/30/10Rights of Summer
It is fitting that summer begin and ends with a holiday. In Wisconsin, it’s the season where the weather is as close to perfect as it ever gets. It’s a time to take a trip “Up North” to the lake or just go on vacation from the humdrum. The unofficial kick off is Memorial Day, and appropriately in Madison, the occasion for the World’s Largest Bratfest. Though, I think the argument can be made that summer in Wisconsin is really the World’s Largest Bratfest. Without question, for many it’s the food of choice at backyard cookouts, street fairs and celebratory get-togethers. Posted at 01:02 PM | Permalink | Comments: 0 |
I found my interest in writing by accident. My training and first job was as a graphic designer. Unemployed, the only employment I could find in advertising at that time was as a copywriter. Somehow, I convinced Richard Newman & Associates to hire me. Later I learned they were desperate. Madison has been my home off and on since 1957 (nonstop for the past 31 years). I write about food, which I love.
