repoman

I kind of hope that chefs start bailing on the publishing industry and Amazon and just self-release e-books. Its happening in the music industry and recently Louis CKself-released his latest comedy album for 5 bucks and made a ton of money. I would imagine that a chef could put the book in their site for 9.99 and make more money than they would had they went the traditional route.

There is a new book coming out this fall that looks kind of promising, though not a comprehensive guide. Its called "Primal Cuts: Cooking with America's Best Butchers" by Marissa Guggiana It's kind of a nose-to-tail cooking book which has a handful of charcuterie recipes. I have access to an online preview and it had quite a few charcuterie recipes/techniques.

Festa Italiana, like most Milwaukee festivals, isn't really about food or even music. Its an excuse to drink beer at the Summerfest grounds

Eat Side, hands down. You have 25,000 students, upper middle class residents, young professionals, etc. I could maybe see the Third Ward or Brady Street too. Bayview might be a nice option with cheaper rents but the residents are very fickle. If your spot isn't deemd to be "hip" enough, you will probbaly not do well. A lot of style over substance in that neighborhood. They had a killer BBQ joint that only lasted a couple years. The food and service was aweome but it didn't have vegetarian stuff, was kind of expensive, and wasn't "cool" so it failed.

I remember a few years back OnMilwaukee.com did a story on Milwaukee memories and they mentioned The Natatorium. I believe it started as an indoor swimming facility and then they made it into a restaurant and had a dophin show in the pool but it only lasted a couple of years. I heard that they served wild game too. That is about all I know about that. I can ask my parents if they remember anything more.

I think Ted Allen is great, but he needs to loosen up a bit on this show and that Food Detectives. My only complaint with this show is that each episode has 4 new contestants. I would prefer that the winner of one show would move on to the next and compete against 3 others, similar to Jeopardy.

One of my favorite places to take people is Crazy Water. Very small intimate place with outstanding food and excellent service. Its hard to pigeonhole it into a specific category because the menu takes its cues from all over the world. They do an awesome job with seafood and if you get a chance to try their Blue Cheese Bread Pudding, I would highly recommend it. Another great place is Maxies Southern Comfort in Wauwatosa. Its menu is southern/Creole/Cajun. The food is great and the place is very fun. For a great burger try Sobleman's. Its located in an old corner pub. Order the Sobleman burger, it might just be the best in the City. For Brunch, I love Lake Park Bistro (more fancy) or Harry's in Shorewood (more casual)

Here is my take on the Fish Boil; the food is not the reason to go. Now don't get me wrong, I actually enjoyed the whitefish with a dash of salt and some butter, but its more about having around with other tourists, drinking some good beer, and watching the boil-over. Its like Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco and eating some crab with all of the other tourists. Its not great but it is part of the "experience." The White Gull is kind of the top end of the fish boil restaurants, but Pelltier's provides a good one in a more casual setting, just make sure you sit outside. Inside reminds me too much of the Charcoal Grill (a local chain). You also should check out Al Johnson's (the place with the goats on the grass roof. The Swedish meatballs and the Swedish Pancakes with Lingonberries are both awesome and are as much a part of the Door County experience as the Fish Boil. I love the Mission Grille, though it may be a tad overpriced (what isn't in Door County?). The duck with door county cherry sauce is very good. I will be up there in a couple weeks and I hope to try either the Inn at Kristophers or the Whistling Swan. I am leaning towards the Whistling Swan because of their affiliation with Hinterland Brewery, which I like a lot.

I went into Umami Moto (the other location in Brookfield) thinking it would be overpriced and mediocre. While it might be more expensive than its worth, the entrees were very good. The appetizer was very dull and the service kind of sucked. You can check out my review here: http://eatwisconsin.wordpress.com/2008/06/...oto-brookfield/

Sorry you had a bad experience there. Lake Park Bistro is my favorite nice restaurant in the City and I hate when people have bad experiences at places I like. I don't think that you ordered wrong because at a place like that they should execute everything well. I guess I would steer you towards the Hanger Steak Frittes or the Duo of Duck next time...if you chose to go back. Also, I think if you want to see Adam Seigel shine, Bacchus may be a better option since he isn't restricted by the French theme at Lake Park Bistro. While I love Lake Park Bistro, I hate to say it but even some of the best restaurants in Milwaukee pale in comparison to places I have eaten in San Francisco, Napa, Las Vegas, New York, or Chicago. As good as I think it is, Lake Park Bistro probably wouldn't be able to crack a top 25, probably top 50 best restaurants in New York list. So maybe your expectations were kind of high. If Babbo, Craft, Gramercy Tavern, and Eleven Madison Park were to open in Milwaukee they would be in the top 10 restaurant list instantly because there are so few restaurants of that caliber here. Milwaukee diners are fickle. You won't find much crazy stuff here. How many restaurants around here serve sweetbreads, foie gras, truffles, or roasted marrow bones? Is there anyplace even close to approaching what you see at Babbo or Momofuku? Not that I have found.

I'll chip in as someone who has dined there 5-6 times. I think it is an excellent restaurant. I don't think there is anything that I have had there that I have been disappointed in. The service is among the best in Milwaukee. Some of the best dishes I have had there include: Oeuf Mollet aux Asperges which is a salad of sauteed asparagus with a fried whole soft cooked egg, frisee lettuce, and black truffle vinaigrette. Escargots de Bourgogne en Croûte Escargots in garlic-parsley butter and baked with mushroom and diced tomato under a flaky puff pastry crust. Canard “Deux Façons Duo of duck with the breast pan-seared and the leg slow-cooked “confit” served with sautéed spinach, Provencal potatoes, and red wine sauce. (this is my all time favorite dish here) The steak frites (they use hanger steak) is also a great dish. Their Sunday seated three-course brunch is the best in the Milwaukee area. You can read my full brunch review at my website, EatWisconsin From what I have heard from a few people is that if you really want to see what Adam can do with a little more leeway in the menu, go to Bacchus (where he is also the Executive Chef) where he isn't restrained by the "French Bistro" concept at Lake Park Bistro.

People seem to love this place and I suppose I can see why. It was a fun and unique dining experience. The waiters are fun and personable and very attentive but the food was a mixed bag. The appetizer combo was very good, especially the fried oysters with bacon and the Crabmeat Maison. The turtle soup, which was the first I have ever eaten, was outstanding. The entrees, with the exception of the Filet Béarnaise were pretty weak. I had a sauteed filet of drum with crabmeat and artichokes. The fish was underseasoned and overcooked. Two dining companions who ordered the trout and pompano said the same thing about their fish.

Ok so my Zin recommendation didn't go over well (though I did try to steer you towards the seafood dishes) I do have one more recommendation: Check out Crazy Water http://www.crazywaterrestaurant.com/ Its worth the drive downtown and the food is exceptional...and when you see the size of the "kitchen" that kicks out this great food you will be shocked.

Maybe we can petition them to have Food Network Classic. They can show all of the old shows like Cooking Live, A Cooks Tour, Julia Child, Molto Mario, Two Hot Tamales, etc.

Last night I was a couple of doors down from Mazo's at the Aisan market. I was so close to going there for a quick bite (I haven't been there in about a year) but I just didn't have a taste for a burger. Reading this post I am glad I didn't. Medium well? WTF? Last time I was there my burger was a perfect medium rare.