First of all I'd like to apologize for being neglectful of this blog, but if you're anything like me, during the summertime, all bets are off. Structure does not exist, it is simply dictated by the ways of the sun and the mood of mother nature.
Fortunately, this year, both the sun and Mother Nature have been relatively cooperative to all the fun summer has to offer (so, minus the flooding, but all together, it's been pretty good), so I have been busy going on weekly bike rides, walking, working out, yoga and of course Pink Houses and the random visits each weekend to a summer festival, fair or picnic.
Being in a band is hard work people, no matter how little or often you travel. I have been fortunate enough to be in a band with other "professionals" who have careers outside the band, so we gig once a weekend (sometimes more) and have a weekend off each month. It caters well to my lifestyle, but lately I feel it's been putting a little more of a crimp into it, so once this summer is over, I'll take some time to decide what I really want to do with my free summers in the future.
Onto the food: Ok, I'm going to lump a few restaurants into this little blog and it's going to be like a game of pinball, ALL OVER THE PLACE. Unfortunately there are no fish frys to mention. I've been staying away, and after a 15 pound drop in weight, am rethinking my blog topics for the future
First of all, stop everything you're doing and get to the Horny Goat Hideaway (2011 S. 1st St., Milwaukee). I had a stone fire pizza, which was entirely too much to eat at one sitting (unless you split it up) and it was absolutely delicious. The appetizer of chips/guac and nachos was average, but you're not there for the appetizers! The beer selection is amazing (my sister would love it) and I even snuck in a mojito during this short trip.
Second, I will always have a spot in my heart for Cubanitas in downtown Milwaukee. This has been the meeting spot for me on a few occasions and I simply do not get sick of it, nothing is better than getting your girlfriends together, ordering a mojito (which are TO DIE FOR here) and dipping your plantains in some homemade guacamole. The world's problems can be solved this way, I'm sure of it. I'm sure my friends Deanna, Julie, Heidi and Theresa would agree!
Ok, if you're still reading this, I urge you to stay away from the Rum Bar in Pewaukee. This is the old Pier 347, located right on Pewaukee lake. I was excited to bring my friends from Fond du Lac to this place and unfortunately it did not live up to the expectation. The menu was slightly over priced (moreso than usual for Lake Country), the service was awful, my crabcake was swimming in grease and the mojito sucked. Bottom line, when you leave scenery like that to go to Hartland, you know it's bad. We managed to make the evening a success, but it wasn't because we started at the Rum Bar, even with an 18 hole buzz, this food was bad. Sorry...
Who doesn't like Palmers Steakhouse? It's the cornerstone of Hartland and I love it. It reminds me of Blanck's and maybe that's why I enjoy going there. Again, I have to get used to Lake Country prices, because a steak there and an equally as good steak at Blanck's compare very differently when you're paying the bill. The service is excellent and food is always good. I just wish the prices weren't as steep, but fortunately for me, I take people there that are usually buying! Thanks Dad!
To Seesters on Pewaukee Lake, thank you for having such great Mexican food...but I'd really like it if you were like most Mexican places and gave me free chips and salsa. It's highway robbery you don't offer that...seriously. It's the reason I find myself going to Jose's Blue Sombrero instead. By the way, the best homemade guacamole is served at Jose's -- HAND'S DOWN, however, the margarita is painfully average along with the menu, you really are just going there for chips/guac! However, if you ever make it out to Hartland, Senor Tomas is great, the menu is unique (salsa isn't the greatest), and it's a great change of pace for different Mexican entrees, plus the margaritas are fantastic.
Pacific Bistro in Delafield is all right, it's not great, it's not terrible. After a horrible Sex and the City 2 movie, my friend Amy and I retreated to the newer establishment and well, that might not have been as disappointing as the movie, but it was close. However, I do recommend Asiana in Pewaukee (Capitol Drive), that place is such a treat and features different asian cuisines. I had some Pad Thai noodles, but was also able to get some sushi as well, the spicy tuna was excellent.
So, there you have it in a nutshell, my last four months or so of dining. It's been very latin, but I think that's a great way to go when the weather is warm. Nothing soothes the pallete better than a nice cold fruity rum or tequila drink and simple flavors. I personally love Latin cuisine and have discovered different pockets of it this summer. Who knows what I'll discover in the next few months, but until then, enjoy the rest of your summer, they seem to get shorter and shorter, but I appreciate the season more and more.
Check out pinkhouses.net to see if you can't make a show or two in the next month and stay tuned as we iron out where this blog is headed in the fall.
Don't forget to hug someone you love!
