Dine and Dash

Last night we looked at several restaurants in the downtown area for a corporate dine-around night in 2008. We started with the old world German restaurant, Karl Ratszch's, with it's unique atmosphere (they have been in business since 1904!) - had a German bier and went on our way across the street to Zarletti just for a quick look. I like Zarletti - very good Italian food with a clean, upscale atmosphere - big windows yet cozy. Next we went to Yanni's - I just wrote about Yanni's as I had taken the ladies on tour to lunch there on Tuesday this week. As usual, they were incredibly cordial and provided a sampler tray of oysters rockefeller, bbq ribs with truffle mashed potatoes, crab stuffed shrimp and Steak Diane - everything was really tasty and I look forward to going back for dinner. Then we moved on to Coquette Cafe just for a look. They were pretty busy and a quick look was all that was needed. This is one of my favorite restaurants in the Mil. Next we visited Coast and had a few entrees to taste. The salmon was a hands-down favorite - we also tasted stuffed Chicken and Tenderloin. Mmmm..on all. The popovers, which I normally devour, were a bit overcooked. Bummer. To end the evening, we had an outrageous display of chocolate desserts provided by Bacchus. Unbelievable - every one was absolutely dee-lish! Our guests were pleasantly surprised and impressed with each of the restaurants and of course, "who knew Milwaukee could be so cool?"

Busy Weekend

It's Monday again and I am back at it. It's a beautiful day in the 60's with nice blue skies and puffy white clouds - not your typical November. Had a pretty busy and fun weekend. Friday afternoon I had a meeting at The Wicked Hop and Mike met me after he got off of work, so we moved into the Jackalope Lounj, had a few beers and a bite to eat while watching the Yi vs. Yao matchup (Milwaukee Bucks vs Houston Rockets). The Wicked Hop is a fun place and the metal work throughout the bar and lounj is really amazing. From here we went home and then on to our neighborhood TGIF party. We get together once a month on a Friday at a different person's house for drinks, snacks and good conversation. This is a great way to meet your neighbors and catch up with all that is happening in the neighborhood.

On Saturday, we were awoken with the news of Mosley's arrival. Our little nephew was born at 6:39am. The labor was long, so we held off to the afternoon to give mom and dad some time to rest. In the meantime, I watched the Badgers beat Michigan! Gotta love anytime we beat the bad boys from Ann Arbor as they dominated Wisconsin for so many years. We then went to Columbia/St Mary's Hospital to visit our new little buddy and his parents. Cute kid! And I don't normally think babies are all that attractive when they are newborns - he's an exception. Had to celebrate just a bit at Hooligan's and then walked around Whole Foods for a bit - that place is actually mindblowing for a grocery store. The selection of prepared foods, the meat and seafood case, wines, beer, etc. is fabulous. I think everytime I am in there I walk out empty handed just because I am not sure what it is that I want.

Sunday was a day of work for me. I toured some people from Bermuda and Canada attending a convention here in Milwaukee. It was kind of a gray day, but the temperature was nice. I think they enjoyed it - I know they really had a nice brunch at Coast and liked the tour of The Pabst Mansion. I also showed a couple of girls from Holland a couple of the neighborhoods in Milwaukee for shopping, dining and cocktails. Today would have been a nicer day to see the city as the weather is so nice, but we can't win them all. Tomorrow I have another group from the convention, so I hoping this sunshine stays with us.

And best of all, the Packers beat the Vikings!!