Archive for February, 2014

Saloon on Calhoun (with Bacon!)

Posted: February 17, 2014 in Uncategorized
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On a Sunday, I checked out the Saloon on Calhoun, a sports pub and grill with the slogan “Everything’s better with bacon.”

True to form, you’d be hard-pressed to find a menu item here that doesn’t include the delicious cured meat from a pig; in fact, their Happy Hour (Monday-Friday, 4-7pm) features FREE BACON. 

Thus, it was no surprise that two of  their Bloody Marys were bacon-themed as well. They have: the house Bloody Mary (boring!), the Bakon Bloody Mary (featuring Bakon vodka) and the Bakon and Egg Bloody Mary (read on).

Saloon on Calhoun

 

Their “house standard” Bloody Mary is made with their own receipt pepper-infused vodka; it costs $4.00 on Sunday ($5.00 any other day).

The “Bakon” Bloody is made with premium bacon-infused Bakon vodka and is supposed to come with a couple of strips of bacon It is $6.00 on Sunday ($7.00 any other day)

Of course, I ordered their most extreme Bloody Mary, the “Bakon & Egg” Bloody Mary, pictured above. Served on Sundays only, it contains all of the features of the Bakon Bloody, but with  a couple of deviled eggs added on on top for $7.00 .

Here are the stats for my Bakon & Egg Bloody Mary: 

Mix: A nice, sweet mix with Bakon vodka

Chaser:  Miller Lite

Fixin’s: A pickle, bacon, 2 deviled eggs, and a lemon.

Price:$7

Now a couple of notes here:

1. After this Bloody Mary, I decided to downgrade to the  Bakon Bloody Mary for my second drink (I didn’t need any more eggs.). However, when it arrived, it didn’t have any bacon strips in it, as billed. I inquired about this and the waitress said she would bring some; however, none ever arrived.

2. The Saloon’s website also mentions “the Squeeler,” their”Cheesy-Piggy” Bloody Mary, which features the characteristics of the Bakon Bloody, but adds two grilled cheese pig sandwiches to the rim for $8.00 on Sundays only. This Bloody Mary was not advertised in the bar itself, nor was it brought up by our waitress when we inquired as to the Bloody Mary specials. Disappointing.

All in all, I really liked the flavor of both  Bloody Marys that I tried. I’ve had the Bakon vodka before and really, it’s only good in a Bloody Mary and even then, you have to tread lightly. Saloon on Calhoun did a great job with theirs, which works well with the bacon thing they’ve got going on.

I liked this place and I’d definitely go back, I just wish that restaurants and such would all be on board with what’s supposed to come in/with their specialty drinks.

 

 

Ward’s House of Prime

Posted: February 17, 2014 in Uncategorized
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Over the weekend, I dined at Ward’s House of Prime in Milwaukee for the first time. Ward’s is one of Milwaukee’s top steakhouses and since I’ve noticed that steakhouses tend to have great Bloody Marys, I was very excited to see that Ward’s boasts three different varieties on its menu:

Wards House of Prime (1)

Naturally, I had to try the Ward’s House of Prime Bloody Mary.

Unfortunately, it did not arrive as billed on the drink menu:

Wards House of Prime (2)

 

Okay, so the important parts–the prime rib piece and the shrimp were there, but the blue cheese stuffed olives were missing and instead of a lemon, I got….an orange and a cherry? That’s a first.  I immediately removed those–had to be a mistake on the bartender’s end, I’m guessing?

Anyway, here are the stats

Mix: Ward’s homemade mix with Grey Goose Vodka

Chaser: None offered

Fixin’s: A pickle, prime rib slice, shrimp, lime and…cherry and orange?

Price:$12

Besides the obvious snafu, which I could normally overlook and chalk up to a busy night at the bar, I’m sad to report I just wasn’t impressed with this Bloody Mary. Sure, the prime rib piece was delicious, but other than that, I could barely finish the drink itself. I like spice, but this was overly peppery and the alcohol was overpowering as well.

In addition, dinner here was just okay; I was expecting a lot more for the price and from what I’d been hearing from others. I don’t think we’ll return anytime soon. So many bloodies, so little time.

Unfortunately, they can’t all be winners.

Sobelman’s Bloody Beast

Posted: February 17, 2014 in Uncategorized
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What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than with the one you love?

We’re talking about Bloody Marys, of course! We’d been seeing photos of Sobelman’s “Bloody Beast” popping up across the interwebs–with a special heart-shaped pretzel for the holiday–so we decided to check it out.

Sobelmans Bloody Beast (3)

This photo doesn’t really do it justice, but the “Bloody Beast” is a behemoth beverage–the vessel that it comes in is actually a pitcher. Yes, that’s right, a pitcher of Bloodies! (Sobelman’s says it’s the equivalent of five Bloody Marys.) It was even featured on The Chive.

It is served with four chasers and contains a buffet of fixin’s including: 2 sliders (on buns), 4 shrimp, 4 pickles, 4 olives, asparagus, cherry tomatoes, cheeses, beef sticks…and bacon-wrapped tater tots.

Bacon Wrapped Tater Tot

 

Here’s another closeup, more of an aerial view:

Sobelmans Bloody Beast (1)

 

The pretzel is courtesy of Milwaukee Pretzel Company.

Sobelmans Bloody Beast (2)

 

Sobelman’s uses Jimmy Luv’s as their mix and local vodka from Great Lakes Distillery.

The Bloody Beast will cost you $35, but that’s pretty reasonable considering we couldn’t finish the pitcher and walked away full.

I definitely encourage all Bloody Mary aficionados to try this at least once–fun for a group, too!

Cheers!

 

Bloody Mary Book Review: The Drunken Tomato

Posted: February 13, 2014 in Uncategorized
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I’ve never met her in person, but something tells me Shelley Buchanan and I are kindred spirits.

Shelley writes a Bloody Mary brunch blog called “The Drunken Tomato”. Shelley and her guest reviewers travel around, giving their Bloody Mary reviews, much like we do here at Out For Bloodies. 

And now, she’s published a book: The Drunken Tomato: A Definitive Guide to the Best Bloody Marys in Los Angeles and Orange County. 

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Each chapter of this comprehensive, unique city guide focuses on one area of the city, providing contact information for each bar and restaurant, along with reviews and pictures. The establishments range from well-known restaurants to the lesser-known “dive bars.”

I haven’t spent a lot of time in Los Angeles overall and in fact, I’ve only ever reviewed one Bloody Mary there on my most recent trip last March (Kitchen 24) which is not listed in the book; however, after perusing this guide, I’m definitely looking forward to my next visit.

Even if you’re not planning on visiting the area anytime soon, you’ll find that this book is put together so beautifully and the photos are so gorgeous (yes, I’m biased, I know, but I think Bloody Marys are amazing and photograph fantastically) that it could just as easily serve as a coffee table book and/or conversation piece.

Be sure to give Shelley’s blog a follow, follow her on Twitter @TheDrunkenTomato (and us, if you’re not already following– @OutForBloodies), and pick up this book if you get the chance.

in this “business,” we don’t consider ourselves competitors, but rather co-conspirators, searching for that ever-elusive perfect Bloody Mary and having a blast trying.

Cheers!

Dallas: Wolfgang Puck’s Five Sixty

Posted: February 13, 2014 in Uncategorized
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The best Bloody Mary I had in Dallas was at Five Sixty, a Wolfgang Puck restaurant inside Reunion Tower.

The restaurant earns its name by being a 560-foot landmark with a distinctive glowing ball. Upon ascending 50 stories, diners depart from the elevator at the center of the restaurant. With floor-to-ceiling windows that line the restaurant, it offers 360-degree views of Dallas as the room revolves. (The marketer in me suggests that they adopt a “560 with a 360” slogan; hey Wolfgang, you can use that for free!)

With a trendy, modern feel, the drink menu was eclectic and extensive, but I had to first order a Bloody Mary. Yes, I’ve had one at higher altitudes (cheers to in-flight bloodies), but once I heard that all of their beverages were made from natural ingredients, I was intrigued.

Five Sixty

 

Mix: Homemade from natural ingredients with Sobieski vodka

Chaser: No (spoiler alert—none of the Dallas bars offered a chaser)

Fixin’s: Three olives, a cucumber slice and a lime

Price:$9

This Bloody Mary lived up to the expectations billed by our waitress–it was natural, fresh and delicious. I would definitely dine in Five Sixty again; the atmosphere, the view and the experience was top notch.

Cheers!

Hooters, Dallas, Texas

Posted: February 13, 2014 in Uncategorized
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While in Dallas, we also stopped for drinks at the Hooters in Addison. Like Outback, I think I’ve only ever been to a Hooters once in my life.

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Mix: Unknown

Chaser: No (spoiler alert—none of the Dallas bars offered a chaser)

Fixin’s: One lime

Price:$unknown

This was by far the worst Bloody Mary I’ve had in some time. Even though I was asked if I wanted it spicy, I found the overall flavor to be quite bland and I was extremely underwhelmed with the fixin’s. I guess that’s why they are known for their wings, not their Bloodies… anyway, I don’t need to go back here any time soon.

Outback Steakhouse, Dallas, Texas

Posted: February 13, 2014 in Uncategorized
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While in Dallas, I had dinner at Outback Steakhouse. I’ve only been to Outback once in my life (the Milwaukee location) and I never had a Bloody Mary there, so I gave it a go.

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Mix: Homemade, I believe

Chaser: No (spoiler alert—none of the Dallas bars offered a chaser)

Fixin’s: Three olives, bacon

Price: $?

I can’t speak for all Outbacks, but the Bloody at the Addison location was pretty tasty. The bacon and the mason jar were nice touches and the drink had the slightest hint of sweetness.

From experience, I know that the Bloody Marys in Australia aren’t great, but the ones at the Australian-themed steakhouse aren’t half bad. 

Dallas: The Quarter

Posted: February 13, 2014 in Uncategorized
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You know the saying, “Everything’s bigger in Texas?” Well, not EVERYTHING is bigger in Texas… the Bloody Marys in Milwaukee definitely have those in the Lone Star state beat!

My first stop was The Quarter Bar & Grill in Addison.

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Mix: Zing Zang, with some extra kick thrown in.

Chaser: No (spoiler alert—none of the Dallas bars offered a chaser)

Fixin’s: Two olives, two beans

Price:$?

From the looks of the establishment alone (and the fact that they don’t have a smoking ban in Texas), I wasn’t expecting much, but my friend and I each ordered a Bloody Mary, requesting it spicy and that’s what we got. We were pleasantly surprised at just how tasty these Bloody Marys were–so tasty, in fact, that we ordered a second round.

I wouldn’t go out of my way to get to The Quarter, but if you find yourself nearby and thirsty, definitely give it a go.

Cafe Hollander (Again)

Posted: February 13, 2014 in Uncategorized
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Last Friday, I visited Cafe Hollander in Wauwatosa again. 

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This time, I had the Frenchie and the Traditional. You can read my original Cafe Hollander post here. 

Cheers!

 

Loving Don Cheadle’s Style

Posted: February 10, 2014 in Uncategorized
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Actor Don Cheadle was spotted enjoying a Bloody during a round of golf recently…a man after our own hearts! Here’s the link.

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