Hello all, and welcome back.
This week's report is going to be very short and sweet. Why? Because my dates for the fish fry had a little too much fun while I went on my bike ride after work. We were going to meet at the Water Street Brewery to try their fish, but instead we ordered pizza and sat by a fire in their neighbor's yard. I picked up a 12 pack and decided to join the fun! Unfortunately there was no possible way I was going to catch up, but it was still a lot of fun.
So, my suggestion is if you ever order Peppino's pizza, get the grilled chicken, cheese and alfredo pizza. It was nothing short of delicious and while I've been trying to stay healthy, I figured after 20-some miles, I earned it.
The crust was perfect, I'm not sure if the butter was in the sauce or mixed in the baking of the crust, but nonetheless, it was awesome. I think everything is better with bacon and butter, this time was no different. Speaking of bacon, I bet that would be a great addition to this pizza! :-)
So, I'm heading to MJ Stevens today to meet friends for dinner, they have Wednesday fish fry, so you never know, maybe I'll set you up with a useful blog this week afterall.
I do know I'll be heading to the Falls on Friday to dine at The Schwab, so stay tuned!
In the meantime enjoy the rest of your week and HUGS to all!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
I'm baaaaackkkkk
So, have you missed me?
Well, you're in luck, I'm back, so is the blog and hopefully you'll enjoy following my adventures as I try and seek out the greatest fish fry available. This fall/winter I'm hoping to have a bigger and better variety of restaurants for you to choose from in greater Southeast Wisconsin. It's only fair to all of us that I spread my wings and see what this great state has to offer in the realm of Fish Fry.
During the summer I took a break, blogged about some other restaurants, but in my heart I was missing out on the traditional Friday Wisconsin Fare. I don't think I could possibly abandon a blog that seems to have touched a few people outside my immediate circle of friends. I've received a few e-mails from strangers asking my opinion on where to go and my blog reviewing the Cornerstone Pub and Grill happens to be ON their website. How cool is that? I think it is, and really, that's all that matters!
Let's review shall we?
This past weekend I had the opportunity to hang out with my great friend, and former bandmate Scott, (who happens to live in Tennessee). After countless times of trying to get together, we finally were able to make plans and stick to them. I met up with him, his friends Rachelle, Mike and their son Michael. We headed to (of all places) the local bowling center, Prairie Lanes, 430 Clarmar Drive, Sun Prairie, WI, (608) 837-2586, www.prairielanes.com.
Imagine my skepticism when I heard we were headed the bowl, while I've had some of the best fish frys at bowling centers (Ledgeview Lanes, Fond du Lac, WI) I've also had some really crappy food in those establishments.
I left Prairie Lanes anything but disappointed, bottom line, the fish fry was pretty good and the company was extraordinaire. The bowl features an all-you-can eat fish fry for $9.95, with that you get all the deep fried cod your heart desires, along with an unlimited amount of trips to a soup and salad bar. Mike ordered this, while Scott, Rachelle and I decided to go a little lighter. We had the baked cod ($10.95) which also included the S/S bar. Yes, Cabby, I ate baked cod and I will continue to try and mix in healthier dinners into this fish fry blog, after all I am training for a sprint tri, but I will always give a taste to the fried crap, I owe it to you! :-)
The soup and salad bar is average, while it's a nice option in a meal, it was certainly limited in its presentation and amenities, you had your typical iceberg lettuce, traditional salad dressings and limited options for toppings. They featured three soup flavors, I opted for a 1/2 cup of the california vegetable medly, it was good, hot and left me thinking they could have done a little better, I had a bit of the creamy cole slaw, which also was, well, average.
However, the tune changed when the main entrees arrived. My baked cod was very light, flaky and well-prepared, the seasonings were lacking a bit, but that's nothing a little drawn butter can't take care of, and I did just that! I believe Scott and Rachelle echoed my sentiments as between the three of us, I think we may nearly finished our plates. My meal was accompanied by a fair sized portion of butter-infested red potatoes and a sour dough roll.
I was offered a tasting portion of Mike's fried cod, and much to my delight it was battered perfectly (beer batter) a nice light crust on the outside and scrumptiously cooked fish on the inside, it was a nice entree and for $9.95 and all you can eat, it's a huge bargain. Mike did try the potato pancakes (as they were described on the menu) but they reminded me of the Burger King hash browns you get for breakfast, they're better off consumed while either really drunk, or really hungover, not at dinner.
Last, I will have to admit, as much as I liked our server, she was a little slow, however, it was closer to the end of the night when we sat down, so who only knows where her tables were scattered throughout that place. I didn't go hungry, OR thirsty, so I'm not going to complain much on this front.
All in all I would rate Prairie Lanes a 7 out of 10, parts of this meal were excellent while a few others fell short of my expectations as a diner. I'd totally recommend this place to anyone in the Sun Prairie/Madison area and I'd go back there again, especially if it was the same table of five! It was so great meeting Rachelle & Mike, and words cannot express how wonderful it was to catch up with my dear friend Scott.
Oh yeah, Rachelle is from Rachelle and the Red Hot Rattlers, I was able to check out the gang on Saturday at their show in Sun Praire the next evening. If you like country music (or even if you don't) and you like to be entertained by fabulous musicians and amazing vocals, I highly suggest you check them out, either on facebook or their website www.redhotrattlers.com. I was impressed, and it was even better to see two people I used to jam with on stage. I miss you guys (Dave & Scott) and I'm so glad you found a new "home."
I hope you all enjoyed this entry into the 2010-11 "fish fry season" -- I can't wait to rattle off another one of these...
In the meantime, don't forget to hug the ones you love!
Peace.
Well, you're in luck, I'm back, so is the blog and hopefully you'll enjoy following my adventures as I try and seek out the greatest fish fry available. This fall/winter I'm hoping to have a bigger and better variety of restaurants for you to choose from in greater Southeast Wisconsin. It's only fair to all of us that I spread my wings and see what this great state has to offer in the realm of Fish Fry.
During the summer I took a break, blogged about some other restaurants, but in my heart I was missing out on the traditional Friday Wisconsin Fare. I don't think I could possibly abandon a blog that seems to have touched a few people outside my immediate circle of friends. I've received a few e-mails from strangers asking my opinion on where to go and my blog reviewing the Cornerstone Pub and Grill happens to be ON their website. How cool is that? I think it is, and really, that's all that matters!
Let's review shall we?
This past weekend I had the opportunity to hang out with my great friend, and former bandmate Scott, (who happens to live in Tennessee). After countless times of trying to get together, we finally were able to make plans and stick to them. I met up with him, his friends Rachelle, Mike and their son Michael. We headed to (of all places) the local bowling center, Prairie Lanes, 430 Clarmar Drive, Sun Prairie, WI, (608) 837-2586, www.prairielanes.com.
Imagine my skepticism when I heard we were headed the bowl, while I've had some of the best fish frys at bowling centers (Ledgeview Lanes, Fond du Lac, WI) I've also had some really crappy food in those establishments.
I left Prairie Lanes anything but disappointed, bottom line, the fish fry was pretty good and the company was extraordinaire. The bowl features an all-you-can eat fish fry for $9.95, with that you get all the deep fried cod your heart desires, along with an unlimited amount of trips to a soup and salad bar. Mike ordered this, while Scott, Rachelle and I decided to go a little lighter. We had the baked cod ($10.95) which also included the S/S bar. Yes, Cabby, I ate baked cod and I will continue to try and mix in healthier dinners into this fish fry blog, after all I am training for a sprint tri, but I will always give a taste to the fried crap, I owe it to you! :-)
The soup and salad bar is average, while it's a nice option in a meal, it was certainly limited in its presentation and amenities, you had your typical iceberg lettuce, traditional salad dressings and limited options for toppings. They featured three soup flavors, I opted for a 1/2 cup of the california vegetable medly, it was good, hot and left me thinking they could have done a little better, I had a bit of the creamy cole slaw, which also was, well, average.
However, the tune changed when the main entrees arrived. My baked cod was very light, flaky and well-prepared, the seasonings were lacking a bit, but that's nothing a little drawn butter can't take care of, and I did just that! I believe Scott and Rachelle echoed my sentiments as between the three of us, I think we may nearly finished our plates. My meal was accompanied by a fair sized portion of butter-infested red potatoes and a sour dough roll.
I was offered a tasting portion of Mike's fried cod, and much to my delight it was battered perfectly (beer batter) a nice light crust on the outside and scrumptiously cooked fish on the inside, it was a nice entree and for $9.95 and all you can eat, it's a huge bargain. Mike did try the potato pancakes (as they were described on the menu) but they reminded me of the Burger King hash browns you get for breakfast, they're better off consumed while either really drunk, or really hungover, not at dinner.
Last, I will have to admit, as much as I liked our server, she was a little slow, however, it was closer to the end of the night when we sat down, so who only knows where her tables were scattered throughout that place. I didn't go hungry, OR thirsty, so I'm not going to complain much on this front.
All in all I would rate Prairie Lanes a 7 out of 10, parts of this meal were excellent while a few others fell short of my expectations as a diner. I'd totally recommend this place to anyone in the Sun Prairie/Madison area and I'd go back there again, especially if it was the same table of five! It was so great meeting Rachelle & Mike, and words cannot express how wonderful it was to catch up with my dear friend Scott.
Oh yeah, Rachelle is from Rachelle and the Red Hot Rattlers, I was able to check out the gang on Saturday at their show in Sun Praire the next evening. If you like country music (or even if you don't) and you like to be entertained by fabulous musicians and amazing vocals, I highly suggest you check them out, either on facebook or their website www.redhotrattlers.com. I was impressed, and it was even better to see two people I used to jam with on stage. I miss you guys (Dave & Scott) and I'm so glad you found a new "home."
I hope you all enjoyed this entry into the 2010-11 "fish fry season" -- I can't wait to rattle off another one of these...
In the meantime, don't forget to hug the ones you love!
Peace.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Summer 2010 -- What a SHORT strange trip it's been
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!
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!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Waterfront, Pewaukee, WI
So, lent is finally over. I can eat meat on Friday's...Whew!!!!
For this final fish fry of the season, I have to admit, I was excited to visit the Five O'Clock Club in Pewaukee. I have never participated in their Friday cuisine, but have heard great things about it -- and I've eaten there before and their menu is fantastic. The owner also generously sponsors our bowling team, so it was only fitting the last fry would be there. However, there was one small problem. The wait was over 2 hours and this was at 8pm. The hostess was frazzled, fried, confused, sweaty and above all a little rude when she told us about this unfortunate predicament. I realize it was Good Friday, but at 8pm, I was hoping we'd be shown a table before 9. Not the case, so...because our bellies could not handle the 2 hour wait (and I'm sure our livers would have been a little bruised too), we decided to saunter down the road to the Waterfront, which is located just off Hwy SS on beautiful Pewaukee lake.
Ann and I had been to Waterfront before for fish, it was well before the blog started, but it was one of our first outings since I had moved to Lake Country.
The most refreshing thing about walking into the Waterfront last Friday was the beautiful sight of open tables -- after leaving the Five O we had wondered if every place was going to be a madhouse, and to our delight that was not the case.
The friendly waitress immediately greeted Alyssa and I as we sat down and asked what we would like to drink, as we waited for Ann and Dave to arrive. As we sipped on our beers and looked over the menu, it was clear that the choices were few and mostly deep fried. The bright spot is they did offer baked cod, but the other sides were either deep friend or nothing.
Once the Grevenkamps arrived, we swiftly put our orders in. Hungry cannot even begin to describe the feeling -- it was close to 8:45pm and after a workout and a stint at a busy restaurant, the food could not have been put in front of me soon enough. Thankfully, we did not wait long.
I opted to go with the baked cod, I realize I should have ended this lenten season with a traditional fried cod choice, but since joining weight watchers, I thought I would try and cut a few corners with my points and the baked option helped me do that. I did top this order off with some haystack onion rings, which were delicious and worth every point I had available! The baked cod however, was a different story.
The cod itself was overcooked and under seasoned. I will never understand why people offer to bake fish, if they are not prepared to do anything but throw a little paprika over the top and pop it in the microwave. I'm not sure if this was the method of operation at the Waterfront, but that's what it tasted like. Their "normal" baked cod is apparently doused in butter and then plated, but they said they could make me a tasty version without having it be sitting in the dairy product all night. A part of me wishes I would have opted for the butter-laiden fish. The dinners were served with some average store-bought rye bread and a cream-based average cole slaw, as a result this fish fry will get an average rating of 5 out of 10 stars.
I'm afraid this last fish blog does not have the climactic ending I had hoped for...but at least I can steer you in a few directions if you are thinking of summer fish fry dining. We will definitely be back after labor day to review more and more fish frys -- and even a few times this summer we will blog about the timeless Wisconsin tradition, but we need a tiny little break.
In the meantime, please don't stop checking out this site. We are still going to blog, but we have been inspired to switch gears. You see, the Waterfront has prompted me to find suitable healthy options at restaurants. As much as my baked cod was better for me, it tasted like cardboard with salt -- and I want to find restaurants which offer healthy goodies, but still taste good at the same time. We should never have to sacrifice taste or quality when trying to be conscious of what we put in our mouths/bellies. So stay tuned as we gear up for our summer restaurant search.
I will keep the blog under the same name, but we will be adding a sweet little twist that I hope you all enjoy.
Have a beautiful week and as always, never forget to give those you love a hug and to let them know how important they are in your lives. Without good health, friends and family there is truly nothing.
For this final fish fry of the season, I have to admit, I was excited to visit the Five O'Clock Club in Pewaukee. I have never participated in their Friday cuisine, but have heard great things about it -- and I've eaten there before and their menu is fantastic. The owner also generously sponsors our bowling team, so it was only fitting the last fry would be there. However, there was one small problem. The wait was over 2 hours and this was at 8pm. The hostess was frazzled, fried, confused, sweaty and above all a little rude when she told us about this unfortunate predicament. I realize it was Good Friday, but at 8pm, I was hoping we'd be shown a table before 9. Not the case, so...because our bellies could not handle the 2 hour wait (and I'm sure our livers would have been a little bruised too), we decided to saunter down the road to the Waterfront, which is located just off Hwy SS on beautiful Pewaukee lake.
Ann and I had been to Waterfront before for fish, it was well before the blog started, but it was one of our first outings since I had moved to Lake Country.
The most refreshing thing about walking into the Waterfront last Friday was the beautiful sight of open tables -- after leaving the Five O we had wondered if every place was going to be a madhouse, and to our delight that was not the case.
The friendly waitress immediately greeted Alyssa and I as we sat down and asked what we would like to drink, as we waited for Ann and Dave to arrive. As we sipped on our beers and looked over the menu, it was clear that the choices were few and mostly deep fried. The bright spot is they did offer baked cod, but the other sides were either deep friend or nothing.
Once the Grevenkamps arrived, we swiftly put our orders in. Hungry cannot even begin to describe the feeling -- it was close to 8:45pm and after a workout and a stint at a busy restaurant, the food could not have been put in front of me soon enough. Thankfully, we did not wait long.
I opted to go with the baked cod, I realize I should have ended this lenten season with a traditional fried cod choice, but since joining weight watchers, I thought I would try and cut a few corners with my points and the baked option helped me do that. I did top this order off with some haystack onion rings, which were delicious and worth every point I had available! The baked cod however, was a different story.
The cod itself was overcooked and under seasoned. I will never understand why people offer to bake fish, if they are not prepared to do anything but throw a little paprika over the top and pop it in the microwave. I'm not sure if this was the method of operation at the Waterfront, but that's what it tasted like. Their "normal" baked cod is apparently doused in butter and then plated, but they said they could make me a tasty version without having it be sitting in the dairy product all night. A part of me wishes I would have opted for the butter-laiden fish. The dinners were served with some average store-bought rye bread and a cream-based average cole slaw, as a result this fish fry will get an average rating of 5 out of 10 stars.
I'm afraid this last fish blog does not have the climactic ending I had hoped for...but at least I can steer you in a few directions if you are thinking of summer fish fry dining. We will definitely be back after labor day to review more and more fish frys -- and even a few times this summer we will blog about the timeless Wisconsin tradition, but we need a tiny little break.
In the meantime, please don't stop checking out this site. We are still going to blog, but we have been inspired to switch gears. You see, the Waterfront has prompted me to find suitable healthy options at restaurants. As much as my baked cod was better for me, it tasted like cardboard with salt -- and I want to find restaurants which offer healthy goodies, but still taste good at the same time. We should never have to sacrifice taste or quality when trying to be conscious of what we put in our mouths/bellies. So stay tuned as we gear up for our summer restaurant search.
I will keep the blog under the same name, but we will be adding a sweet little twist that I hope you all enjoy.
Have a beautiful week and as always, never forget to give those you love a hug and to let them know how important they are in your lives. Without good health, friends and family there is truly nothing.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Rookies Sports Bar and Pub, Okauchee, WI
Happy Wednesday everyone!
I'm sorry the blog is a little late, but Ann and I had a very eventful weekend and didn't get to the details of our fish fry experience. We had thrown a surprise 40th birthday party for her brother Tom on Saturday and spent Sunday recovering. It a lot of hard work and effort to keep the surprise, but it was all worth it to see the look on his face when he walked into the door. Happy Birthday Loppy, and many, many more to you! I think I might have celebrated a bit too much, but oh well...there's always room for that right?
This Friday, Ann and I ventured to a fish fry luncheon, as we both had the "day off" of work and wanted to check out Rookies as it was the venue for the surprise party. We looked at their menu and decided we could kill "two birds" by checking out how we were going to set everything up and relax to an afternoon fish dinner. All while watching the Badgers play Wofford in the crazy 2010 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.
Rookies is every bit a "bar" -- so if you're looking for a fine dining experience in the evening, I suggest you travel elsewhere. However, if you're in the mood to sit at the bar, I highly suggest you go to Okauchee and check this menu out.
I dined on the "traditional" menu item of deep fried Haddock, with potato pancakes, garnished with a side of cole slaw and rye bread ($6.95, YES, $6.95 and it was all-you-can-eat). Not only did we get an upgrade of fish in the haddock, but for all of you people that love "extras" -- you could eat until your belly was unreasonably full! I have never heard of such a price for a fish fry, but then again, you're not getting any ambiance, but I didn't care.
The haddock was exquisite (yes, I used that word to describe bar food) -- it could not have been cooked any better and the light beer batter was the perfect compliment to the fish. The flavoring in the batter was delightful and just the right amount of crunch before diving into the flaky, moist haddock. I ordered the potato pancakes, which were superb. I could not have been more surprised at how good this food was, because you wouldn't expect it by walking in the door. That's the great thing about Wisconsin, even your local tavern can have the best comfort food around.
Our meal was complimented by a wonderful cup of homemade clam chowder that was thick, rich and full of potatoes and hearty pieces of clam. I loved the soup and could have made a meal out of it.
The service was "ok" -- but the bar was basically empty, however, nothing is more annoying than watching the help talk on the cell phone or text. I realize she wasn't too busy, but there are always things that can be done. I will have to say, though, that as much as she wasn't around, she seemed to show up when the beer glass was empty, so I guess there's something to be said for that.
All in all, the fish fry at Rookie's was great and I would suggest you taking a trip out there for a little food before you hit their dance floor (and they even have a stripper pole...).
I will give Rookie's an 8 out of 10. If it was based on just the fish itself, I would be inclined to give out the perfect score. It was an amazing meal.
So, if you're in the lake country area, I highly suggest visiting Rookies, especially if you are in the area for lunch.
In the meantime, enjoy the rest of your week...I'm heading to spend time with my sister and her children, which is always entertaining. I'm looking forward to the little bit of time away and have quality "sister" time.
I will try to squeeze in a fish fry too, as I know how much you all enjoy the blog.
Don't forget to put a huge smile on your face and hug someone you love! :-)
I'm sorry the blog is a little late, but Ann and I had a very eventful weekend and didn't get to the details of our fish fry experience. We had thrown a surprise 40th birthday party for her brother Tom on Saturday and spent Sunday recovering. It a lot of hard work and effort to keep the surprise, but it was all worth it to see the look on his face when he walked into the door. Happy Birthday Loppy, and many, many more to you! I think I might have celebrated a bit too much, but oh well...there's always room for that right?
This Friday, Ann and I ventured to a fish fry luncheon, as we both had the "day off" of work and wanted to check out Rookies as it was the venue for the surprise party. We looked at their menu and decided we could kill "two birds" by checking out how we were going to set everything up and relax to an afternoon fish dinner. All while watching the Badgers play Wofford in the crazy 2010 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.
Rookies is every bit a "bar" -- so if you're looking for a fine dining experience in the evening, I suggest you travel elsewhere. However, if you're in the mood to sit at the bar, I highly suggest you go to Okauchee and check this menu out.
I dined on the "traditional" menu item of deep fried Haddock, with potato pancakes, garnished with a side of cole slaw and rye bread ($6.95, YES, $6.95 and it was all-you-can-eat). Not only did we get an upgrade of fish in the haddock, but for all of you people that love "extras" -- you could eat until your belly was unreasonably full! I have never heard of such a price for a fish fry, but then again, you're not getting any ambiance, but I didn't care.
The haddock was exquisite (yes, I used that word to describe bar food) -- it could not have been cooked any better and the light beer batter was the perfect compliment to the fish. The flavoring in the batter was delightful and just the right amount of crunch before diving into the flaky, moist haddock. I ordered the potato pancakes, which were superb. I could not have been more surprised at how good this food was, because you wouldn't expect it by walking in the door. That's the great thing about Wisconsin, even your local tavern can have the best comfort food around.
Our meal was complimented by a wonderful cup of homemade clam chowder that was thick, rich and full of potatoes and hearty pieces of clam. I loved the soup and could have made a meal out of it.
The service was "ok" -- but the bar was basically empty, however, nothing is more annoying than watching the help talk on the cell phone or text. I realize she wasn't too busy, but there are always things that can be done. I will have to say, though, that as much as she wasn't around, she seemed to show up when the beer glass was empty, so I guess there's something to be said for that.
All in all, the fish fry at Rookie's was great and I would suggest you taking a trip out there for a little food before you hit their dance floor (and they even have a stripper pole...).
I will give Rookie's an 8 out of 10. If it was based on just the fish itself, I would be inclined to give out the perfect score. It was an amazing meal.
So, if you're in the lake country area, I highly suggest visiting Rookies, especially if you are in the area for lunch.
In the meantime, enjoy the rest of your week...I'm heading to spend time with my sister and her children, which is always entertaining. I'm looking forward to the little bit of time away and have quality "sister" time.
I will try to squeeze in a fish fry too, as I know how much you all enjoy the blog.
Don't forget to put a huge smile on your face and hug someone you love! :-)
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Kurt's Steakhouse, Delfield, WI
You know, there is something to be said about having a routine. Personally I like structure and planning, so when those types of things are not happening in my life, I get a little anxious. The last couple of weeks I was taken out of my routine and wasn't able to "plan" as I usually do, which left me a little uneasy, but thankfully I made it through the bumps in the road and am back for yet another fish fry blog!
I never thought that I'd be happy to be in a "routine" but it's where I'm happiest. At work, at the gym, at yoga and of course at the latest and greatest restaurant in Lake Country trying to find the very best fish fry!
I will keep you posted about next week's outing, because depending on selection Sunday and when my beloved Wisconsin Badgers take the court for March Madness will dictate what my Friday night dining plans will be. Who knows, I may just take out Culver's and watch the game somewhere.
I will make sure it becomes a very important part of my routine!
This week Ann was again out of town, so my friend Kendra Ferguson and I decided to go to Kurt's Steakhouse 22 West Main Street, Delafield, Wis. I have heard a lot of great things about this restaurant, mostly about their famous steaks, but this was a Friday, it's Lent I'm Catholic and we need a blog!
I am going to copy Kendra's sentiments about this week's outing and I will chime in.
Next she brought us a creamy coleslaw which was a little too much in my opinion. Too much cream, mayo, and a bit heavy, however, shortly after the slaw disappointment I was greeted by an entree I will not forget for a while. What a highlight of the evening!
I never thought that I'd be happy to be in a "routine" but it's where I'm happiest. At work, at the gym, at yoga and of course at the latest and greatest restaurant in Lake Country trying to find the very best fish fry!
I will keep you posted about next week's outing, because depending on selection Sunday and when my beloved Wisconsin Badgers take the court for March Madness will dictate what my Friday night dining plans will be. Who knows, I may just take out Culver's and watch the game somewhere.
I will make sure it becomes a very important part of my routine!
This week Ann was again out of town, so my friend Kendra Ferguson and I decided to go to Kurt's Steakhouse 22 West Main Street, Delafield, Wis. I have heard a lot of great things about this restaurant, mostly about their famous steaks, but this was a Friday, it's Lent I'm Catholic and we need a blog!
I am going to copy Kendra's sentiments about this week's outing and I will chime in.
KF: I can’t believe it has been more than a month since I’d been able to join in on Beth and Ann’s weekly fish fry outings. That’s completely unacceptable! Needless to say, I was excited to be able to join Beth (Ann was missed!) at Kurt’s Steakhouse in Delafield for dinner. I’ve been to Kurt’s Steakhouse many times, but always for steak, never for fish. The restaurant has a very traditional steakhouse look and feel, with lots of regular patrons who obviously spend enough evenings there to be on a first name basis with the bartenders and wait staff. I arrived a few minutes before Beth, so made my way over to the bar, which was filled with people waiting for a table. The bartenders were very friendly and efficient, which is a great combination in a packed bar. When Beth arrived she put our name in for a table (which I forgot to do because I was very thirst and the bar was calling my name), and was notified that the wait time would be approximately 30 minutes, which is pretty standard at this establishment. Beth and I nibbled on amazing potato chips at the bar while we waited. Okay, I think we actually ate most of the bowl of potato chips because they were so good and we were hungry!
After about 25-30 minutes our table was ready, and we were seated for dinner. My only minor complaint about Kurt’s would be the size of the table we were given – XS (extra small)! I think Beth and I were both surprised by the lack of table space, but it really turned out to be a non-issue. Our waitress took our drink order immediately, and then walked us through the many specials available on Friday evening. We quickly received bread and coleslaw, which I found to be well above average, and then ordered our dinner. I have to admit that I really wanted to order the petite filet, which is always amazing, but knew I had to fulfill my duty and ordered the baked cod ($14.95). It turns out I’m really glad I did! The fish, which was served in very short order, was baked to perfection, crispy on the outside and light and flaky on the inside, and the seasoning tasted amazing! I used almost zero tartar sauce, which for me is an indication that I’m really enjoying my dinner. In addition to the fish, I selected the parmesan au gratin potatoes as a side, and they were creamy and delicious. Overall, Friday night at Kurt’s Steakhouse had everything I was looking for in a fabulous fish fry experience – amazing conversation, great service, and outstanding food, so I give Kurt’s a 9.5 out of 10!
After about 25-30 minutes our table was ready, and we were seated for dinner. My only minor complaint about Kurt’s would be the size of the table we were given – XS (extra small)! I think Beth and I were both surprised by the lack of table space, but it really turned out to be a non-issue. Our waitress took our drink order immediately, and then walked us through the many specials available on Friday evening. We quickly received bread and coleslaw, which I found to be well above average, and then ordered our dinner. I have to admit that I really wanted to order the petite filet, which is always amazing, but knew I had to fulfill my duty and ordered the baked cod ($14.95). It turns out I’m really glad I did! The fish, which was served in very short order, was baked to perfection, crispy on the outside and light and flaky on the inside, and the seasoning tasted amazing! I used almost zero tartar sauce, which for me is an indication that I’m really enjoying my dinner. In addition to the fish, I selected the parmesan au gratin potatoes as a side, and they were creamy and delicious. Overall, Friday night at Kurt’s Steakhouse had everything I was looking for in a fabulous fish fry experience – amazing conversation, great service, and outstanding food, so I give Kurt’s a 9.5 out of 10!
Like Kendra stated, the waitress was prompt in giving us our service, took our drink order and allowed us time to peruse the menu and ponder the specials she rattled off. I decided to go for the Italian breaded deep fried cod ($.9.95) which is their traditional "Fish Fry" for each and ever Friday night. The bread which came to the table shortly after our orders was warm, sourdough rolls and as much as my trainer might cringe when she reads this I have to say, the butter melted on the bread and then proceeded to melt in my mouth. It was amazing. I don't think there is a more comforting feeling than warm bread/melting butter and the same feeling on your palette.
Next she brought us a creamy coleslaw which was a little too much in my opinion. Too much cream, mayo, and a bit heavy, however, shortly after the slaw disappointment I was greeted by an entree I will not forget for a while. What a highlight of the evening!
My fried cod was perfect. There is no other way to describe how good this dish was. Two weeks ago I know I ranted and raved about our dinners at "On the Rocks" -- but this fish was one step above in overall presentation, flavor and, of course, perfection. The breading on the fish was a light italian bread crumb with simple spices and had a nice subtle crunch to it. Once you were past the breading (which wasn't overwhelming) you got to a white, flaky, flawless piece of cod. This was true comfort food on a Friday night. The feeling I got while eating the bread was exactly the same as eating this fish fry. Once I got past the crunch of the breading, the fish literally melted in my mouth like a warm piece of butter. No extra seasoning necessary, and of course, no tartar!
The potato pancake was very average, but I really didn't care after digging my fork into the fish. But for that reason, I will have to stay true to my ratings and give Kurt's Steakhouse a 9 out of 10. That last point could be reached with a little extra effort on cole slaw and the potato pancake. Our service was fantastic and I will definitely be back at Kurt's for a dinner soon.
I guess I got a little reward for getting back into my routine and I couldn't be happier.
In the meantime I'd like to wish all my friends (even the non-Irish) a Happy St. Patrick's Day. Even though I have NO Irish background in my family, I like to say I'm preparing for Oktoberfest.
Have a wonderful week, Go Badgers and as always, give someone you love a hug this week...and let them know how much they mean to you, life is too short not to!
Monday, March 1, 2010
On the Rocks, Merton, WI
Ok, so I had this wonderful blog written and as I was copying and pasting some general information into this hot little page, everything got deleted. I have not been able to get it back, so I'm starting from scratch, which is just a little irritating today. I will do my best to improve upon the perfection I wrote earlier! LOL.
First, mad props to Team USA and the athletes that made this Winter Olympics so much fun to watch and follow. The gold-medal hockey match between the USA and Canada did not disappoint, although I would have preferred a different outcome. It amazes me how the Olympics seem to become more and more of a spectacle, but I love it. Vancouver did a great job, although the closing ceremonies were a little weird.
Enough of that, let's talk fish!
Enough of that, let's talk fish!
I did want to say very quickly that after being sick last week and with Ann being in Costa Rica, the blog was a little bit different, I want to give Dionne and Andy Groth a huge thank you for filling in last week, as it is really important to keep this going. Also, to all of you who comment, thank you, it's awesome to know that my little opinion is getting some attention. I hope you continue to enjoy the blog and visit the restaurants we love!
This past Friday we ventured to Merton (just outside Hartland) to On the Rocks Pub and Grill. I've been to this place once before, but just for drinks, so I was excited to check out their dining room and have heard great things about their food. I am going to stop rambling for a moment to give you Ann's addition to this blog and I will follow up!
I was glad to be back to Fish Fry Friday…I must admit I was feeling a little empty not having enjoyed the company of my friends and fish fries for TWO WEEKS. After deciding to spend our Friday workout night at Yoga we went to Merton for our fish fry. I realized as we pulled into town that in the 28 years I have lived in Hartland I can’t remember ever eating dinner in Merton!?!?!? Well, I hope that all places in Merton serve up as good of a meal as the one we had on Friday! We each started with a bowl of clam chowder which was delicious...I am sucker for chowder ☺ The fish fry we ordered was the Potato Crusted Chive and Cheddar Cod. I opted for the potato pancakes because I love potato pancakes, especially good ones! When our food came not only did it look delicious but it tasted fantastic too!!!! It really was so good that it did not take long for it to be off our plates and in our bellies. The potato crusted chive and cheddar part of the fish was simply brilliant. It added a flavor to the fish that was unexpected…We really enjoyed our fish fry and I think I speak for all we I say we will visit this fish fry again!!! 9.5/10
I have to agree with Ann's sentiments about the Fry at On the Rocks. The front door gave way to a pretty crowded bar and we were a little apprehensive to stay barring the amount of people, however, as we ventured back the dining room was free and clear (one of the advantages of going out to eat late). We were immediately greeted by a smiling face offering to take our drink order. Upon receiving our cocktails, we immediately ordered.
I know I have taken a little bit of flack for not ordering the "traditional" fish fry, but this Potato Crusted Cheddar and Chive Cod ($12.95) looked way too good to pass up. Any time there is a unique flavor combination in breading, I want to try it and I'm sorry if that is troublesome to a few readers, but boy, am I glad tried this entree. Side note: On the Rocks also offered Fried/Baked Cod ($9.95) and Fried/Baked Perch ($11/95).
We started the meal with some average clam chowder, my guess it was a food service brand, and while it was served hot, was lacking a bit in flavor. Shortly after finishing our cups of soup, the entrees arrived. And like Ann had said prior, this dish was amazing. I decided to get the baked potato with my meal, and like most frys, this dish was complimented by a piece of rye bread and coleslaw. The sides, again were average, but this is the last time I'll use that word to describe our dinner.
The crust on this fish was a superbly blended mixture of potato, cheddar and chive. Although the breading was a little heavy, it wasn't too much, probably because the flavor was unique. After breaking through the crust with my fork I was greeted with a perfectly cooked piece of cod, which is difficult to master when your breading is a little thick. The combination was amazing and I certainly would recommend On the Rocks for your Friday dining excursion.
I will give the meal an 8 out of 10 (just because of the lackluster sides and soup).
Next week Ann and I will be out of town, and the blog will continue after our March 12 fry! I'm heading to a family weekend, so you might get a peep out of me after I go to dinner with my parents at Blanck's. I cannot wait for some yummy haddock again!
Until the next blog, I hope you all have a great week. Eat well and hug someone you love!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)