I pretty much love everything at Trader Joe’s—from the panko-crusted chicken to the E=MC2 salsa/gauc—so why do they have such lousy salads-to-go in their pre-packaged section? I’m not talking about the awesome chicken salad or the tabbouli salad, but the green salads, bland, watery…eh…weak. Any other Trader Joe’s items you either swear by or have sworn off?
Hitachino White Ale
Oh Hitachino, why are you so hard to find and why don’t you come in a 6-pack? If you haven’t tried this fantastic Japanese beer I highly recommend, both for its flavor and cool owl label that looks lifted from a 1970s crochet project. They offer a variety of beers (like Amber, Red Rice and Pale Ale), but I love the sushi-and-seafood-friendly light white ale, which flaunts the bold flavor profile of Blue Moon, but without the heavy wheaty orange notes, and almost pulpy texture often perpetuated by, well, an orange. Actually, I’ve spotted Hitachino on more and more on beer bottle lists, but has anyone ever seen it on tap?
Filed under boozeworthy
Mystery mirrors
What lounge bathroom flaunts a row of communal sinks with glowing mirrors?
Filed under mystery spot
Coerper’s 5 O’Clock Club
Just by the name, 50-year history and nondescript location in downtown Milwaukee, you know this place is going to be cool. It’s been home to what might be, in my opinion, the best steak in the Midwest. My parents were gracious enough to treat us to Coerper’s for our birthdays as kids, and I remember the rolling carts that delivered a relish tray, warm, fresh sourdough bread straight from the oven and served with your own personal pad of butter and honey, a huge salad with homemade dressings like creamy peppercorn and French honey, and then massive juicy steaks served with large mushrooms resting in a pool of savory gravy on the plate. After years of kicking around the idea, a couple of my siblings and I finally headed back to Coeper’s last weekend after what seemed like years. Nothing had changed and it was almost better than we had remembered (besides the having to pay for it part). But it’s worth it.
Experiencing the steaks at Coerper’s is sort of an out of body experience: Each is cooked perfectly with a crispy crunchy charred coating on the outside, and gravy-soaked meat on the inside that literally melts in your mouth. The service is old-school and impeccable, and they always start you off with a drink at the bar where your waitress takes your order. Strings of red Christmas lights (why do they make a restaurant instantly cozier?) and retro red-glowing lamps and light fixtures are about the only thing that sheds any light on the mirrors, framed photos and vintage signs, and it can be hard to get a last-minute reservation (although we scored a four top on a Friday night and called the day of). As for the secret of the steak, I couldn’t get anything out of our waitress. She just said something vague about how the chef cooks the steak, let’s it rest, cooks it again, rest, etc…she changed the subject by telling us that a recent diner called from New York to see if they could have a Coerper’s filet shipped overnight to Manhattan. Manhattan! Yes, it’s that good and yes it’s worth a road trip. Just let me know. Coerper’s 5 O’Clock Club, 2416 W. State St., 414.342.3553.
How cool is the outside?
How cool is the inside?
Filed under eliz-a-trip, I like to eats
Mystery bottles
What lounge keeps its house-made bitters in dropper bottles behind the bar?
Filed under mystery spot
Larry’s Brown Deer Market
A hidden-gem specialty foods store in Brown Deer
To think I grew up mere blocks from this place and I never knew it existed until now. A foodie friend told me about Larry’s Market in Brown Deer, Wisconsin and I made a stop there over the weekend only to stumble upon everything from imported cheeses, to applewood smoked Nueske’s beef jerky, fresh bakery, local beer, arborio rice, wine, homemade candy, gourmet mustards, olive oils, maple syrups and seasonings, elaborate gift baskets and tons of other gourmet goodies. The place is a little hidden, but worth a visit if you’re heading up north, or are looking for a block of Cheddar fit for a UW-Badger. I may never open this, but as a Madison alum, I had to have this cheese. Larry’s Brown Deer Market, 8737 N. Brown Deer Dr., 414.355.9650.
"Bucky Badger" mild Cheddar cheese by Jim's Cheese Pantry, Waterloo, WI
Filed under ..and more, eliz-a-trip, I like to eats, random spottings
Eliz-a-tips and Solly’s Grille
If you haven’t noticed the eliz-a-bit and eliz-a-tip listed off to the side yet, keep on eye on these relatively new blog bits as I try to change them out every few days. I was about to change the Heinz 57 tip out tonight, but spotted someone over the weekend at Milwaukee’s historic hamburger destination Solly’s Grille whose face was turning redder than the ketchup that wasn’t coming out of the glass Heinz bottle as he repeatedly and violently smacked the thing from the bottom. After what seemed like five cringeworthy minutes, he resorted to the effective, but highly unsanitary knife-in-the-bottle trick. So, I’ll keep the tip for now, and throw in a report this week of something much less frustrating that I experienced at Solly’s, the award-winning and artery-clogging butter burger.
Filed under ..and more
On the table: Pane Caldo
Four glasses, two napkins, two knives, two forks, two plates, salt and pepper, flower floating in glass bowl. 72 E. Walton St., 312.649.0055
Filed under on the table
ELIZABITES 