For some reason I feel like this week I have some sort of responsibility to post about the Imus scandal and encourage some intelligent conversation about whether or not people feel his firing was justified, and what relevance it has for our society and culture as a whole, or whether or not we should even waste so much time talking about him when we there are so many more important and more pressing issues happening in and around Iraq right now (I've decided the answer to that question is no so now that I've at least acknowledged it, and put in my two cents, I'm deciding to post on something lighter and completely non-controversial so here it goes):
Perhaps it's a bit obvious, but I am someone who LOVES to eat. I love to cook, but more than that I love to go out to eat. In July, I'm moving to Madison for law school and I can already feel a little separation anxiety from Milwaukee. I still have a couple months here, but I feel like I haven't done all the things I wanted to do in Milwaukee and more importantly, I feel like I haven't eaten at all the restaurants I wanted to eat at. I have a small list of restaurants to try before I leave including the new Bayou restaurant on Humboldt, Melting Pot in Brookfield, and Vucciria on Brady Street (before it closed). Theoretically, I have plenty of opportunities to try any of places on my list, but whenever it comes time to decide where to go out to eat, I always find myself at the Cheesecake Factory and I've been told it's time to expand my horizons.
So for graduation, I have several family members coming to town and I have to find somewhere for all of us to eat. A few of them are from Chicago, and have access to a ton of restaurants so I'm trying to figure out somewhere unique to Milwaukee for all of us to go. Basically, I'm trying to avoid big chain restaurants (like Cheesecake). So anyway (I think this post is long enough now), I was wondering what are your favorite Milwaukee restaurants and where, if anywhere, are you all planning to go for graduation?
Also, since I put my two cents in about Imus, feel free to leave yours as well if you feel the need.
Hope you all had a good weekend, see you Thursday!
18 comments:
I forgot a title! :o(
This may be a little obvious, but the Safe House is a totally Milwaukee-unique place. That's the spy-themed restaurant where the entrance is hidden and if you don't know the password to get in, they make you do some embarassing stunt. The food itself isn't anything too amazing, but the overall experience is fun if you hit it at the right hours.
I don't know, a grad dinner is something kind of fancy, and while I have my favorite places to eat around town that I associate with Milwaukee (Benji's, Pizza Shuttle, Oakland Gyros, Glorioso's) none of them are terribly appropriate for a final night out.
Also, yes, it is terribly convenient that the whole Imus thing came up just as the Anna Nicole scandal was getting resolved. It's almost as though the government paid him to distract us... With a big enough under-the-table payment, it'd almost be worth the whole career suicide thing. It's like how the government pays some farmers not to grow things certain years.
I have heard rave reviews about the Milwaukee ChopHouse located on
633 North 5th Street. Some of my parent's friends from my hometown in Marinette drive three hours every year just to go to the Milwaukee ChopHouse. That is in fact where I am going with my parents and all my relatives after the graduation ceremony. Check out the website: http://www.milwaukeechophouse.com.
Mamma DiMarinnis in Bay View! Total dump that has awsome italian food, which is the true experience of a real italian restaruant, noth those touristy things you usually see that are nothing more than half-assed Olive Gardens.
If not that, Palomino's Also in Baqy View. All I can say about that place is this: EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING is deep, deep fried!!!! Good Stuff!!!
From what I know about what Imus said, I think his firing is completely justified. Respecting others' opinions is one thing, but we have to stick up for each other and refuse to tolerate discrimination of any kind. After all, close scrutiny reveals how similar everyone really is. Those in positions of authority must be accountable to their community.
Also, Nessun Dorma is a great little italian restaurant hidden in riverwest...I believe it's on Weil, just south of Locust st. (Don't tell Imus)
It’s actually quite hard for me to give you any advice because I am the total opposite of you. I actually find eating a waste of time, and since I’ve been on an ongoing diet since 8th grade (for the most part) I don’t exactly go out to eat much. I spend most of my time eating salads, chicken, and vegetables at home. I’m also so busy with school and work, that most of my diet involves granola bars, apples, or anything else I can throw in my backpack that won’t spoil so I can eat it between classes.
So….I’m not exactly sure what to tell you. I am a hopeless fan of Olive Garden though. I know it’s one of those chains you want to stay away from, but they have the most absolutely amazing breadsticks and Italian food. I just can’t get enough. I usually go to the one in Brookfield.
Otherwise I really like Louise’s on Jefferson, downtown by Cathedral Square Park. They have nice outdoor seating if the graduation day sun proves to overpower the spring snow. They also have indoor seating as well and the most amazing oil that comes with the pre-dinner bread, if that’s your thing (it’s DEFINITELY mine).
I didn’t really have too much advice to give, but I hope this helps! I know I’ll be looking back at this post later in the week to get help from everyone else for MY family on graduation day.
Oh, and Matt...why do you have a tree as your pictures? Just a little odd, that's all. Just wondering.
I haven't been to expanded in my horizons on where to eat either, but there are two places that come to mind as favorites.
First is Harry's Bar and Grill. It's kind of pricey, but its tasty and quaint. I haven't been there in a while, but I know I have a favorite dish there and I can't for the life of me remember what it is.
Secondly, is Albanese's Italian Restaurant in Waukesha by the Target and Home Depot. I only go on Tuesdays and there is a reason for that. On Tuesdays they run a special where all of the prices are from when the restaurant first opened. So I can get a pizza, garlic bread and soda for two for under $10. Once again I haven't been there in a while so I don't know if they still do that, but the cheese garlic bread was to die for and when its cheap, for some reason things taste better.
pieces of eight right on the lake would be good... real fancy with a nice view. or what about a hot dog stand that is infront of the art institute... yummy and all the mustard you can handle.. hahaha
I LOVE LOVE LOVE to eat too! If anybody hadn't noticed I ate four of the three inch subs i brought into class the other day and for all of who are not good at math that is 12 inches of sub that I scarfed down just as a snack SO I know what its like to be in love with food! As a matter of fact, I was in Chicago for the weekend and spent over $400 on food so I can definately relate! As far as fav restaurants around Milwaukee I'd have to say Rock Bottom (its a chain, I know, I know), Yanni's on Mason (I think) its a steak/seafood place; pretty nice however it can be north of about $50/plate, Coast, Pieces of Eight, Bravo (another chain but they have awesome pasta) and as you can tell I could go on and on but I won't bore you with my obsession with food!!
I really like the new Ethiopian place on Farwell (Ethiopian Cottage). It's not as good as some of the Ethiopian places in DC (there is a large Ethiopian/Etririan community there), but it's good enough to saiisfy my cravings. The Doro Wat is especially good.
I like the Ethiopian Cottage as well. A few other good places are Casablanca, Trocadero, Izumis, Nana Kusa and Roots. My family and a few close friends are going to the Melting Pot for my graduation. When my sisters graduated, we all went to Pieces of Eight.
All great places, Lindsey. Roots is one of my favorite restaurants in the city, not only because of the food but also because of the location and views.
Last weekend, I ate at Bayou, the restaurant on Humboldt right before Water St. It was exquisite! Surprisingly, too. I am actually going out to eat with some family members after graduation and I was going to take them there but my family won't want to go becaues it is called "Bayou" They'll associate that with spicy and cajun, which they hate. Although most dishes are a tad spicy it was absolutely delicious. I got the penne pasta.
As far as Imus is concerned, I do not think he should have gotten fired. I think people forget about the first amendment and the freedom of speech. He is allowed to say whatever he wants, and since he didn't break any FCC regulations, he should not have been fired. While his comments were insensitive and sexist, I do not see the racial aspect of the comment. From my experience "nappy" is an adjective and has no racial implications behind it. And if it does, then how can a band like "nappy roots" get away with it but Imus can't?
I'm gonna skip the controversy and go straight to the FOOD! DiMarinnis is AMAZING pizza, and my family already goes there for EVERY ocasion! I also love going to new resaurant and am always trying to fine my favorites, I can never choose. But the tops on the list have to be Commet Cafe, (I mean Beer-mergnecy and Free Bacon!), Cafe Lulu, The Ale House, The Social, and Bennihanas (Also a chain, but it's a blast!)I've finding a new favorite every week!
There is this fantastic McDonalds on North Ave. Exquisite!
I'm not sure where my family is going after the graduation ceremony yet, but these are all great ideas! Whenever my family visits, we usually go to Oakland Trattoria. They have really really good barbecue chicken pizza. Also, there's really good bread served with some kind of olive oil and spices before you get your food. It's so good. It's not that expensive either... so it may not be number one choice to celebrate graduation. But it's one of my favorite restaurants around here.
Everyone said such good things I don't how to compare!! I think I have to say that I love The Pasta Tree on Farwell. All homemade pastas, huge portions, very romantic, and quant. They only have about 10-12 tables , and they are all victorian style couches. I love the vintage aspect.
Another great place is Mia Familgia's out on Forest Home ave.(close to Hales Corners). I've also loved Oakland Trattoria, their pizzas and bread are awesome!
For happy hours, I love to check out Elliots Bistro and Coast. Good drinks and cheap and/or free appetizers, cant be beat!
There is a "somewhat" new Brazilian restuaunt down on Water St called Sabor. It's gotten great reviews, but i've never expirienced...due to it being $40 a person for dinner. They have a buffet section as well as people walking around and carving meat right onto your plate. All you can eat, so probably worth the price!
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