November 19, 2011
Oh, Hello
I know I haven't posted in forever. This semester is kicking my butt. Promise to post soon!!! Have a great Turkey Day everyone!! Go PACK!
August 24, 2011
A Sconnie Eats San Diego Style
This summer my husband and I took our first major vacation together to San Diego and we had a blast. We spent a lot of time relaxing on the beach and we also checked out the Zoo, Old Town, and the downtown Gas Lamp District.
The hotel we stayed at was in the Mission Bay Area and it was right on the Marina. We were right on the ocean and just about a mile from Mission Beach. The scenery, weather, and sunsets were all beautiful and we could not have asked for a better time.
Now, I may have mentioned before that I have added fish back into my previously vegetarian diet. So, now I guess I’m more of a pescatarian, but I only eat fish every so often. While we were in San Diego, I was so excited for some seafood. In Wisconsin there really isn’t much a fresh fish scene, and when I am in coastal areas I just love the abundance of fresh seafood.
So, there are two places we ate at that we enjoyed. The first was actually a restaurant in our hotel called Firefly. They have some great outdoor seating with a good view of the bay. It was a little chilly though and the outdoor heater where we were sitting was broken. Luckily another table left shortly after we arrived and we moved to their spot and started to warm up. The service was a little slow. We needed refills on our drinks halfway through our meal and didn’t get them until we were done eating. That said, the food was still great.
For an appetizer we had their Bruschetta. It was delicious. There were six pieces with three different toppings: Goat cheese, Mozzarella, and Carmelized Fennel. It was really fun trying the three different kinds and it worked out perfectly that we each got one of each kind. I definitely recommend this appetizer for those that go here. It really impressed me.
For our entrees, I had the Seasonal Catch which was a rockfish. It came with Israeli cous cous and seasonal veggies. The fish was cooked perfectly and seasoned well. I have had an unpleasant experience with Israeli cous cous in the past and was a little nervous about getting it, but it was actually fantastic. Everything on the plate just really went together well and the flavors were well balanced.
AJ had the 1/2 Fried Chicken that came with garlic mashed potatoes and a tomato chutney. It did seem a little small for being 1/2 of a chicken but AJ said it was pretty good and the potatoes were delicious.
All in all we had a great time here. The atmosphere I think could have been improved if the restaurant wasn’t right next to the hotel pool that plays music of its liking from the time they open until the time they close (past 10 pm). I did however enjoy watching the fireworks from our table that Seaworld put on every night.
The other place we ate at that we enjoyed while we were in San Diego was called Saska’s. This restaurant has been around for sixty years and you can tell when you walk in. The place looks like a sixties supper club and really could use some updating. We got seated however, in a really awesome booth. It was like a sweet circle booth with a small table; perfect for two. We also had a great view of the TVs which made us happy since we had been following the women’s world cup all week.
Our service here was a little slow, but didn’t feel so bad because they warned us ahead of time that our server was dealing with a large party and was a little behind. Here, AJ had a steak stuffed with crab meat that he really really enjoyed. He kept trying to get me to try it, but I believed him. I enjoyed an amazing salmon filet. I just love fresh fish and this was a great way to end our vacation. I savored every bite of that fish and by the end of our dinner we were so stuffed. We thought that after dinner we would take a walk and then come back for their late night sushi deals, but we could barely walk when we left we were so full.
I don’t have any pictures of the food from Saska’s but I will just say that it was delicious and we had a great time. I will however, leave you with a picture of the sunset that night.
The hotel we stayed at was in the Mission Bay Area and it was right on the Marina. We were right on the ocean and just about a mile from Mission Beach. The scenery, weather, and sunsets were all beautiful and we could not have asked for a better time.
Now, I may have mentioned before that I have added fish back into my previously vegetarian diet. So, now I guess I’m more of a pescatarian, but I only eat fish every so often. While we were in San Diego, I was so excited for some seafood. In Wisconsin there really isn’t much a fresh fish scene, and when I am in coastal areas I just love the abundance of fresh seafood.
So, there are two places we ate at that we enjoyed. The first was actually a restaurant in our hotel called Firefly. They have some great outdoor seating with a good view of the bay. It was a little chilly though and the outdoor heater where we were sitting was broken. Luckily another table left shortly after we arrived and we moved to their spot and started to warm up. The service was a little slow. We needed refills on our drinks halfway through our meal and didn’t get them until we were done eating. That said, the food was still great.
For our entrees, I had the Seasonal Catch which was a rockfish. It came with Israeli cous cous and seasonal veggies. The fish was cooked perfectly and seasoned well. I have had an unpleasant experience with Israeli cous cous in the past and was a little nervous about getting it, but it was actually fantastic. Everything on the plate just really went together well and the flavors were well balanced. 
All in all we had a great time here. The atmosphere I think could have been improved if the restaurant wasn’t right next to the hotel pool that plays music of its liking from the time they open until the time they close (past 10 pm). I did however enjoy watching the fireworks from our table that Seaworld put on every night.
The other place we ate at that we enjoyed while we were in San Diego was called Saska’s. This restaurant has been around for sixty years and you can tell when you walk in. The place looks like a sixties supper club and really could use some updating. We got seated however, in a really awesome booth. It was like a sweet circle booth with a small table; perfect for two. We also had a great view of the TVs which made us happy since we had been following the women’s world cup all week.
Our service here was a little slow, but didn’t feel so bad because they warned us ahead of time that our server was dealing with a large party and was a little behind. Here, AJ had a steak stuffed with crab meat that he really really enjoyed. He kept trying to get me to try it, but I believed him. I enjoyed an amazing salmon filet. I just love fresh fish and this was a great way to end our vacation. I savored every bite of that fish and by the end of our dinner we were so stuffed. We thought that after dinner we would take a walk and then come back for their late night sushi deals, but we could barely walk when we left we were so full.
I don’t have any pictures of the food from Saska’s but I will just say that it was delicious and we had a great time. I will however, leave you with a picture of the sunset that night.
July 29, 2011
Caught off guard and regretting my response.
Today while spending some “me time” around the square doing crossword puzzles, drinking iced tea, etc. Two women approached me asking me what restaurants are good in the area. I reply with, “What kind of food do you want to eat?” and they respond, “Healthy, vegetarian.” I say, “Oh, ok, I’m a vegetarian too,” and I start to name a couple of my favorite restaurants around the capital square, I eventually send them off to The Capital Taphaus on State St. They have a pretty good vegetarian sandwich. They thank me and head on their way.
I was really caught off guard with this inquiry and as I walked home I knew there was a place I had forgotten about. I thought and thought and halfway home it hit me. The Great Dane Pub and Brewery. AHHHH. I wanted to run all the way back and find those ladies and send them to The Great Dane! I have a food blog for crying out loud! How could I not blurt this out immediately?? I blame downtown Madison for having so many restaurants.
So I think it’s time I let you all in on some amazing food and beer.
The Great Dane Pub and Brewery is one of our go-to places around here. They have a diverse menu with a good amount of vegetarian options including pizzas, amazing mac and cheese, falafel, a veggie burrito, and more. They also have great burgers, fish and chips, and lots of Sconnie favorites.
But the best Sconnie favorite that they have there is their beer! The Great Dane is a brewery and their beer is very very good. Being a light-beer drinker I usually stick to the Landmark Light and the Crop Circle Wheat, but no matter what kind of beer you like they have a delicious option for you.
My only gripe about this place is their selection of side items. I only get the fries there because all the other sides I have tried including their coleslaw and cous cous have been majorly disappointing.
Other than that though, the rest of the food, the atmosphere, and the service are great.
I apologize to the women that I sent to the Taphaus, hopefully they still have a good lunch and a nice time there. It is a great place, but The Great Dane would have definitely been a better choice for them. I will not make this mistake again! : )
Insider Tip: Sometimes this place gets crowded, so if you’re just going there for drinks, there is a Rathskellar with its own bar downstairs that a lot of people don’t know about. I always seem to find seating down there.
I was really caught off guard with this inquiry and as I walked home I knew there was a place I had forgotten about. I thought and thought and halfway home it hit me. The Great Dane Pub and Brewery. AHHHH. I wanted to run all the way back and find those ladies and send them to The Great Dane! I have a food blog for crying out loud! How could I not blurt this out immediately?? I blame downtown Madison for having so many restaurants.
So I think it’s time I let you all in on some amazing food and beer.
The Great Dane Pub and Brewery is one of our go-to places around here. They have a diverse menu with a good amount of vegetarian options including pizzas, amazing mac and cheese, falafel, a veggie burrito, and more. They also have great burgers, fish and chips, and lots of Sconnie favorites.
But the best Sconnie favorite that they have there is their beer! The Great Dane is a brewery and their beer is very very good. Being a light-beer drinker I usually stick to the Landmark Light and the Crop Circle Wheat, but no matter what kind of beer you like they have a delicious option for you.
My only gripe about this place is their selection of side items. I only get the fries there because all the other sides I have tried including their coleslaw and cous cous have been majorly disappointing.
Other than that though, the rest of the food, the atmosphere, and the service are great.
I apologize to the women that I sent to the Taphaus, hopefully they still have a good lunch and a nice time there. It is a great place, but The Great Dane would have definitely been a better choice for them. I will not make this mistake again! : )
Insider Tip: Sometimes this place gets crowded, so if you’re just going there for drinks, there is a Rathskellar with its own bar downstairs that a lot of people don’t know about. I always seem to find seating down there.
July 18, 2011
Lazy Jane's Cafe
Located on well-known Williamson St. in a very eclectic neighborhood, Lazy Jane's Cafe offers up the homiest eating experience in Madison that I know of. The cafe is basically a house that was simply converted into a communal eating space by eliminating some walls, adding some more furniture, and creating an ordering/serving area in the entryway. The kitchen doesn't even seem to be very accommodating for the business they bring in; and I'm always amazed at how they can pump so much good food out of it. This neighborhood favorite compiles homey furniture, cozy seating, and a mish-mosh of dinnerware to give guests a lovely home-away-from-home experience.
Let's not forget about the food here. They have a great cafe menu with plenty of options and its a great place to grab lunch during the week, but my favorite time to go to Lazy Jane's Cafe is on Saturday mornings. On Saturdays the cafe only serves breakfast which at any other restaurant would turn me off (due to my issues with eggs, and recent vegetarianism). Fortunately, this place has some great surprises on their menu. The last time I went, here's what I had.
It was all delicious as always, but I was really impressed by how good they made the seitan taste. It was my first time every having it and it tasted just like any other breakfast sausage or meat (maybe a little spicier, but I didn't mind).
The tomato soup was incredible as well. There were huge chunks of tomato in it and it was really creamy and seasoned well.
The melon soup was almost like a juice, and was surprisingly refreshing and palate cleansing.
Tanya said the biscuits and gravy were great and I trust her opinion :). They looked amazing.
Lazy Jane's is one of those neighborhood places where you can tell they put so much love into the cafe and into the food. It is incredibly inviting, cozy, and delicious; and the staff is fun and friendly. I recommend Lazy Jane's all the time for visitors looking for a good local place for breakfast or lunch, and I'm recommending it to you now. Check it out. You won't be disappointed.
Check out their Yelp page here for more info.
Insider Tip: The cafe is cash only, but they have an ATM inside. Get there early on Saturdays to beat the rush for breakfast or go for a late brunch. If you go later though, you may miss out. They run out of some dishes quickly.
Let's not forget about the food here. They have a great cafe menu with plenty of options and its a great place to grab lunch during the week, but my favorite time to go to Lazy Jane's Cafe is on Saturday mornings. On Saturdays the cafe only serves breakfast which at any other restaurant would turn me off (due to my issues with eggs, and recent vegetarianism). Fortunately, this place has some great surprises on their menu. The last time I went, here's what I had.
Seitan Hash and Tomato Bisque
Tanya had the Biscuits and Gravy and Melon Soup.
It was all delicious as always, but I was really impressed by how good they made the seitan taste. It was my first time every having it and it tasted just like any other breakfast sausage or meat (maybe a little spicier, but I didn't mind).
The tomato soup was incredible as well. There were huge chunks of tomato in it and it was really creamy and seasoned well.
The melon soup was almost like a juice, and was surprisingly refreshing and palate cleansing.
Tanya said the biscuits and gravy were great and I trust her opinion :). They looked amazing.
Lazy Jane's is one of those neighborhood places where you can tell they put so much love into the cafe and into the food. It is incredibly inviting, cozy, and delicious; and the staff is fun and friendly. I recommend Lazy Jane's all the time for visitors looking for a good local place for breakfast or lunch, and I'm recommending it to you now. Check it out. You won't be disappointed.
Check out their Yelp page here for more info.
Insider Tip: The cafe is cash only, but they have an ATM inside. Get there early on Saturdays to beat the rush for breakfast or go for a late brunch. If you go later though, you may miss out. They run out of some dishes quickly.
June 09, 2011
Surge Delivery Cafe
SURGE DELIVERY CAFE HAS UNFORTUNATELY CLOSED. :(
I’ve been itching to tell you all about Surge Delivery Café in Madison and I’m finally getting to it. First of all, I really want to commend the owners for creating an amazing place to grab breakfast or lunch at an unbeatable price.
All of the menu options here are vegetarian, but anyone can add their protein of choice for just a dollar more. They have deli meats, free range chicken breasts, steak, bacon, breakfast sausage, veggie bacon, and veggie sausage as protein options.
Today, I had the Veggie Voltage. It tastes like pizza! It has provolone cheese, red onions, green peppers, tomatoes, and mushrooms all grilled on Madison Sourdough wheat bread; and it comes with a side of marinara sauce.
MMM!!! I have also had the Zeus Fuel and King Veggie sandwiches, and all have been delicious. Check out their website and menu here.
They also have a great breakfast menu as most of their sandwiches can have egg/bacon/sausage added to them for breakfast-y goodness.
This place really has kept health conscience and veggie eaters in mind through their choices of breakfast and sides including oatmeal, fresh fruit, salads, and gluten free pastries. They also have an ample drink menu including organic Fair Trade coffee, fruit smoothies, and much more.
If you’re looking for something sweet, Surge doesn’t disappoint here either with its dessert sandwiches. Dessert Sandwiches? Uhh..Yes! Like the one my husband and I shared today, the Hot Nutella Nucleus. Amazing.
It’s just a grilled Nutella and Banana Sandwich! Who knew it could be so good?
Besides the delicious food, the prices are the best part. I’m talking lunch for less than $5. What a great deal for some great food!
I am so excited that this new vegetarian café opened up so close to home. The owners really did a great job with the space as well turning the old Milio’s chain into a cool new café with an awesome color scheme and modern seating. They seem to be earning a reputation as well. I have been there three times now and each time it seems busier and busier. Bravo Surge!!
I’ve been itching to tell you all about Surge Delivery Café in Madison and I’m finally getting to it. First of all, I really want to commend the owners for creating an amazing place to grab breakfast or lunch at an unbeatable price.
All of the menu options here are vegetarian, but anyone can add their protein of choice for just a dollar more. They have deli meats, free range chicken breasts, steak, bacon, breakfast sausage, veggie bacon, and veggie sausage as protein options.
MMM!!! I have also had the Zeus Fuel and King Veggie sandwiches, and all have been delicious. Check out their website and menu here.
They also have a great breakfast menu as most of their sandwiches can have egg/bacon/sausage added to them for breakfast-y goodness.
This place really has kept health conscience and veggie eaters in mind through their choices of breakfast and sides including oatmeal, fresh fruit, salads, and gluten free pastries. They also have an ample drink menu including organic Fair Trade coffee, fruit smoothies, and much more.
If you’re looking for something sweet, Surge doesn’t disappoint here either with its dessert sandwiches. Dessert Sandwiches? Uhh..Yes! Like the one my husband and I shared today, the Hot Nutella Nucleus. Amazing.
It’s just a grilled Nutella and Banana Sandwich! Who knew it could be so good?
Besides the delicious food, the prices are the best part. I’m talking lunch for less than $5. What a great deal for some great food!
I am so excited that this new vegetarian café opened up so close to home. The owners really did a great job with the space as well turning the old Milio’s chain into a cool new café with an awesome color scheme and modern seating. They seem to be earning a reputation as well. I have been there three times now and each time it seems busier and busier. Bravo Surge!!
June 05, 2011
Tahini, The New Sour Cream/Mayo/Spread/Dip
I have been using tahini a lot lately, and most people have never heard of it, or may only use it when they are making hummus. Since I have yet to find a hummus recipe to get excited about, I have tried to incorporate tahini into my diet where I can because it is a good source of protein.
Made from sesame seeds, this sticky “nut butter” has a powerful, but bland-ish flavor to it (it’s a little difficult to describe). It has 6 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber, and 200 calories per 2 tablespoons. At first I tried it by itself and couldn’t figure out what I would be able to use it for, but my first experiment was a success.
Vegetarian fajitas have become a staple dinner around my house and are a yummy way for me to use up leftover veggies. I just sauté up a bunch of veggies and heat up some black beans, or pinto beans, maybe some rice, etc. In the past, I would always spread sour cream on the tortilla before I put on my toppings; so to cut back on the amount of dairy in my diet, I used tahini instead. To my surprise it added a lot of flavor to the fajitas and I really enjoy using it in this way.
Since that experiment was such a success, I started wondering how I could use it in other ways. So, I made a sandwich and instead of Mayo (which I love, but is not very good for me) I spread tahini on my bread and also put lettuce, seasoned tomatoes, and raw mushrooms on it. Delicious!!!
I buy East Wind organic tahini, it is about $8 at Woodman’s. You could probably get a cheaper brand if you’re just trying it for the first time, but I have enjoyed this one and prefer to buy organic when I can afford to.
I also received two new vegetarian cookbooks for my birthday (Thanks to my wonderful husband) and there is a recipe in one of them for a tahini lemon sauce that can be made thicker for a dip or thinner for a sauce or dressing. I will be trying that out soon and I’ll let you know what I think!
Do you have any uses for this versatile condiment? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Eating!
Made from sesame seeds, this sticky “nut butter” has a powerful, but bland-ish flavor to it (it’s a little difficult to describe). It has 6 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber, and 200 calories per 2 tablespoons. At first I tried it by itself and couldn’t figure out what I would be able to use it for, but my first experiment was a success.
Vegetarian fajitas have become a staple dinner around my house and are a yummy way for me to use up leftover veggies. I just sauté up a bunch of veggies and heat up some black beans, or pinto beans, maybe some rice, etc. In the past, I would always spread sour cream on the tortilla before I put on my toppings; so to cut back on the amount of dairy in my diet, I used tahini instead. To my surprise it added a lot of flavor to the fajitas and I really enjoy using it in this way.
Since that experiment was such a success, I started wondering how I could use it in other ways. So, I made a sandwich and instead of Mayo (which I love, but is not very good for me) I spread tahini on my bread and also put lettuce, seasoned tomatoes, and raw mushrooms on it. Delicious!!!
I buy East Wind organic tahini, it is about $8 at Woodman’s. You could probably get a cheaper brand if you’re just trying it for the first time, but I have enjoyed this one and prefer to buy organic when I can afford to.
I also received two new vegetarian cookbooks for my birthday (Thanks to my wonderful husband) and there is a recipe in one of them for a tahini lemon sauce that can be made thicker for a dip or thinner for a sauce or dressing. I will be trying that out soon and I’ll let you know what I think!
Do you have any uses for this versatile condiment? Let me know in the comments!
Happy Eating!
June 04, 2011
A Delicious Dinner
Just sauté the veggies in a little olive oil, salt, and pepper, and cook your pasta. You can use any long pasta, but I used spaghetti since that’s what was in my pantry.
For the sauce, melt about a tablespoon of butter in a small sauce pan, add juice from about half a lemon and 1/3 of a cup of white wine. Bring that to a boil and pour over the pasta and veggies. Yum!!!
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