Category Archives: random spottings

May 28, 2009 · 12:05 am

I love scotch…

I like scotcharoos

And by scotch I mean the butter kind loaded into the scotcharoos at Cafe 1505 in Mequon, WI. One of my best friend’s mom’s used to make these for us back in the day, so I know they are a common bake sale good, but when do you ever actually see them in a bakery? Every time I head up north I have to stop at this little gourmet cafe just off the freeway. It’s worth it for what is essentially a chewy block of butterscotch-and-peanut-butter-flavored Rice Krispie treat with a hardened milk chocolate top layer. Made in-house, they always have a fresh stack of them under a glass case. Anyone ever spot these in a bakery closer to home? Give a shout in the comments. Cafe 1505, 1505 W. Mequon Rd., 262.241.7076

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May 20, 2009 · 12:05 am

NRA Show

Only at the annual NRA show can you taste New Zealand mussels, fried cauliflower, microherbs and Jolly Rancher frozen drinks all under one massive McCormick roof. Chefs, restaurant owners, industry professionals and manufacturers of everything from bar stools to deep-fryers set up shop for 4 days, while parties go off all over town and open tables at restaurants are scarce. The show was a little smaller this year, but there was still plenty to check out. In between events and dinners, I did have time to snap a few shots of some of the tastiest and prettiest products spotted on and around the show floor.

Koppert Cress microgreens

Youki Trading Company Japanese flavored salts in flavors from green tea to plum

Japanese ginger juice

My fave packaging: Youki noodles

Frappé Classico samples from Ghirardelli

Spices

Mandatory sticker wearing before receiving mini Vienna beef dog

No sticker-wearing, no mini dog..

Té teas

Safe lite rechargeable candles and votives

Safe lite votives

Steinlager, my new favorite beer from New Zealand

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April 17, 2009 · 12:05 am

Chicago Bagel Authority

“So what the hells is that schlocky mess?” you might be thinking when you look at this photo. Well, all you need to know is that Cocoa Puffs and Golden Grahams cereals morphed together Rice Krispie treat-style to form this pretty awesome dessert I spotted on the counter of the Chicago Bagel Authority. If my confectionary calculations are correct, the hybrid of the memory-inducing sugar cereals incorporates the flavors of graham crackers, chocolate, and um, marshmallows…did someone say Rice Krispie s’mores? Anyway, I didn’t get one, but I sure was fascinated. I do love everything else in this Armitage Avenue steamed bagel sandwich lunch mainstay. With most sandwiches still under $6, it’s a steal, but sadly enough, the restaurant seems to be the only thing still bustling on the strangely ghost-town-esque Lincoln Park strip. Chicago Bagel Authority, 953 Armitage Ave., 773.248.9696

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April 14, 2009 · 12:05 am

Burger Baron

In an ongoing effort to try to pay more attention to details around me, I continue to wonder about places I pass on an almost daily basis. Like Burger Baron. It’s one of those breakfast, lunch, dinner, salad, gyro, burgers (duh), chicken, hot dogs, “beefs” places that seems too good to be true, yet I have never ventured inside. Easily mistaken for Burger Barn, the Baron is never empty, so someone’s eating there. If you actually have, give me the scoop. In the meantime, I do like how their Web site tells you to “have fun,” but the highly random music reminiscent of Enigma circa 1997? Um. Yeah, you’re going to want to turn down your speakers. Burger Baron, 1387 W. Grand Ave., 312.733.3285

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April 13, 2009 · 12:05 am

Mars Cheese Castle

The sun shines over the Mars Cheese Castle sign, an I-94 landmark

How many times do you have to drive past the Mars Cheese Castle in Kenosha, WI before you finally venture in? I had stopped into the haven for all things Wisconsin (from cheese to beef jerky to stuffed cow kitsch) once in high school, but not again until this past weekend. It’s looks like a poor man’s Medieval Times marred by a slew of random, mismatched signs (namely the massive one everyone notices from the I-94) on the outside. Instead of knights, falcons and jousts going on inside (yes I have been to Medieval Times too, don’t hate), there are aisles stocked with Wisco-produced products from Door County wines to local jams, beer, smoked sausages, specialty sauces, bakery, cooking products, and of course lots and lots of cheese. Not to mention a cafe, bar, deli and fully stocked gift shop. A fellow Milwaukee native swears by the 9-year-aged Cheddar, but there were dozens of other varieties to choose from. I resisted the cheese, but reached instead for a packet of beef jerky sticks by Klement’s and a Mars-brand raspberry kringle. Not exactly Kosher for Passover but my family devoured them nonetheless. At check-out I learned that the Castle has actually been in the same location since 1947, but will be relocating to a new 25,000-square-foot space (directly behind the current one) as soon as the freeway expansion project gets underway starting in July. The new location will include a wine shop, the original sign (phew), and some sort of “draw-bridge” thing that shouldn’t be tacky at all. In the meantime, don’t just wonder what goes on inside the Castle, pull over next time and stop in for all the cheesy Wisconsin goodness you crave and more. Mars’ Cheese Castle, 2800 120th Avenue, Kenosha, WI 800.655.6147

Beer sausage (literally)

Curd you die?

Apple and cherry wines from Northeastern Wisconsin-based Von Stiehl Winery

Really, can anyone resist a Wisconsin kringle? I mean...

If I had to guess, this trippy sign was designed in the mid-'60s. I love the planet hovering over the castle, but isn't Saturn the one with the rings?

If I had to guess, this trippy sign appeared in the mid-'60s. I love the planet hovering over the castle, but isn't Saturn the one with the rings?

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Filed under eliz-a-trip, I like to eats, random spottings, thick

March 31, 2009 · 12:05 am

So, um..

…is it possible to eat first, twice?

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March 23, 2009 · 12:05 am

Roto-foodie

Have a Bite

I could never tire of the eye candy at Rotofugi, from colorful plush monsters to ass-kicking vinyl ninjas, robots and other inanimate objects. But I truly can’t get enough of the tiny and totally freakin’ adorable food toys from Japanese company Re-Ment USA (warning, serious cute factor ahead) I spotted this weekend. Lilliputian burgers, shakes, fries, kebabs and more are in the “Have a Bite” collection, while rice bowls and cakes are hidden inside the “Triple Meals Deluxe.” The “Fun Meals” collection includes wee waffles and berries while “Sushi Bar” features a sushi, tea and wasabi meal called “Wasabi makes my eyes watery.” Like baseball cards and many of the toys at Rotofugi, the collections are packaged in “blind boxes,” so you don’t know which one you’re getting, but they’re all so darn cute it hardly matters. 1953 W. Chicago Ave., 312.491.9501

Triple Meals Deluxe

Burger shop toys

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March 19, 2009 · 11:27 pm

Bleeding Heart Bakery cupcakes

It’s the first day of spring! I’d say to celebrate with a red velvet, but I’m going to add the s’mores cupcake from Bleeding Heart Bakery to my list of new loves. The campfire-inspired creation features a chocolate cupcake covered with lightly brûléed marshmallow fluff and a chunk of what tastes like a graham cracker in cake form. A dab of mint chocolate frosting hiding inside is a welcome surprise and I love the red wrapper. I spotted these at the Coffee Studio, but I assume you can score them at the bakery as well. Bleeding Heart Bakery, 1955 W. Belmont.