Reviews- Restaurants, foodie shops, bars, etc.

[Divemaster]

If this topic is of interest, I propose we post positive reviews. Meaning, let's tell of places we would recommend our fellow members visit for food and drink. I bet most of us know of at least a few places worthy of mention. I'll try to get the ball rolling in the next post.

[Divemaster]

No visit to Wisconsin is complete without sampling the state’s famous cheeses. When you’re in Madison, the capital of the cheese capital, the best place to do just that is Fromagination. Located on Capitol Square facing the huge state capitol building, Fromagination is perfectly situated to make its presence felt. A natural gathering place, the square is also home to the Dane County Farmers’ Market, the largest producers’ only farmers’ market in the United States, bringing in thousands of visitors.
The 1200 square foot shop features about 90 percent Wisconsin cheeses and about 10 percent imported. And every cheese is available to sample. And boy did we sample. The melt in your mouth Ewe Calf to be Kidding Blue is the best blue cheese we’ve ever eaten. It’s a mixed milk cheese, made from cow, sheep and goat milk and produced by Hook’s Cheese Company in Mineral Point, Wisconsin. It placed second in its category in this year’s World Cheese Championship, but it’s first in my book. At Fromagination, all cheese is cut to order and we walked out with a generous slab of this one, plus smaller portions of a couple others.
Owner Ken Monteleone also offers a wine and specialty bottled beer selection that, thanks to Madison’s relaxed liquor laws, lets shops like this serve in the store. Customers can often be seen shopping with a glass in hand, lending a relaxed feel to the store. Every beer I saw on the shelves was brewed in Wisconsin. And don’t forget the sandwiches. Their signature sandwich is smoked turkey with Nueske’s bacon (you guessed it, Wisconsin made) and the shop’s private label cranberry relish made by Quince and Apple.
Many visitors come to Madison to see the largest state capitol building in the country. But after just one visit, there’s no doubt that Fromagination is a destination of its own.
Fromagination
12 South Carroll
Madison, Wisconsin 53703
Ph: 608.255. 2430
www.fromagination.com

[Gypsy]

Good idea!

There are a ridiculous amount of excellent restaurants in Chicago, something for everyone. Many folks ask me for recommendations for a good Italian place. Considering my maternal grandmother and grandfather come from Sicily I rarely eat Italian food out, but one of the best is Rosebud's. There are now several locations...but THE location to hit is the original located in the "old neighborhood" (Little Italy) on Taylor St. My dad grew up the neighborhood...thus the "old neighborhood" reference. The food is excellent, almost as good as Grandma's!

At the end of the block where my dad grew up is one of the best stores around, Fontano's on Polk St and Carpenter. My dad and Red (the owner) were best friends, so we went there a lot! It is an "Italian store" in the front and a deli in the back. It is THE place to go for an Italian sammich that will make you want to slap your momma. I can remember as a little girl walking in to the store and it just smelled like home. The aromas surrounded you, you could almost taste the cheeses and salami, the "gravy" cooking in the back room...ahhhh the memories! There are several suburban locations which are rather generic but the original in the "old neighborhood" is the best.

Right across the street is the best Italian Ice in the city!

Just for fun, one other thing I remember is the "chi-chi" man, an old Italian man that would come down the street every day with his cart filled with various hot nuts, pistachios, cashews etc. We'd start yelling "chi-chi" and run down the stairs of my grandma's house for our favorite treat!

[cbtengr]

Wisconsin is not only known for it's dairy products it is also known for it's Friday Night Fish Fry's and it's Supper Clubs. About 35 miles Northwest of Madison, WI. is the Casino Supper Club. Like a lot of Wisconsin Supper Clubs this one sits out in the middle of nowhere. The Casino is located just West of Fall River, WI. They have a great fish fry and also are known for their Brandy Old Fashions which is a Wisconsin staple sort of like beer, perhaps not quite as popular but close. There is even a guide book available regarding the Supper Clubs.

casino-1.jpg Wisconsin Suppewr Clubs.jpg

[Box]

...so has anyone tried the "All-American Burger" at the SmokeBomb Grille yet?

[MR2]

Originally Posted by Billy L-bach

...so has anyone tried the "All-American Burger" at the SmokeBomb Grille yet?

Probably made with organically grown transvestite beef (known to cause cancer by the State of California).