Post Turkey Day Tuesday

I'm getting ready to make the shopping trip for the T-day meal. It's a foggy, gray day however this morning was really nice. Bailey and I walked to Alterra Tosa for a cup of Turkey Trot. That coffee is so strong that it makes my heart beat outside of my chest! I should know better not to drink it, but I can't help myself. The new Alterra Tosa makes me laugh - it is a great coffee cafe, but so much different than there other locations because people in Tosa have kids! And they bring them in...and they make noise. There is already a ban on strollers - they have to park outside. It's really sweet until the screaming begins. Oh well, life in the suburbs...

Yesterday was my Mother in Law's birthday. She's in town to visit the new grandbaby as well as celebrate Thanksgiving with the family. I took her to Brew City Tea yesterday afternoon. Very nice little place in the Third Ward. She had a Blue Mango Tea and Caramel Apple Cheesecake and I opted for a Nine Blend, Black Dragon Tea and a Cucumber/Tomato Sandwich. Everything was really good and it was a nice relaxing place to enjoy a cup of tea and some conversation. Much different atmosphere than our dinner choice - we took her to Buca's for some good family style Italian food. I love the chopped Di Beppo 1893 salad and the Chicken Marsala. A little disappointed in the Tiramisu this time, (ladyfinger layer seemed more like a dry pancake) but I am sure they will rebound... Nice touch on the birthday celebration with the candelabra at the table. Buca's is always a fun place.

After dinner, Mike and I stopped for a couple of beers at Karma Bar & Grill - very cool place. This was once the location of Milwaukee's oldest restaurant, John Ernst. I was so angry when they sold the restaurant and the new developers turned it into three restaurants, of which two are chain somewhat fast food - I think there is a Chipotle and a Panera. Unbelieveable that they would ruin the architectural integrity and all the history of the once very popular German restaurant. It could have been an awesome "oompah" beer hall that I believe would have been really popular. So anyhow Karma takes the place of the original main room of the restaurant. They managed to save the fireplace and the wood beams and have incorporated them into a new funky design. Karma is nice - very comfortable, great bar, lots of TVs and the lounge in the lower level is awesome. I can't wait to have a reason to use that lounge for a private party of some sort.

So now I am off to shop....the bird is already thawing in the fridge.