Archive for July, 2014

This weekend, I also visited Riverfront Pizzeria for a birthday party. While waiting for the rest of the group to arrive, I decided to try their Bloody Mary.

Riverfront

 

Mix: Homemade

Chaser:Yes

Fixin’s: Pickle, Celery, Olive, Pepper, Lemon

Price: $?

The drink was decent, but nothing special. I couldn’t tell if it was especially spicy or if it was just my reaction after eating the pepper. I probably wouldn’t go out of my way to order this one again, but if you do stop here, you MUST get the Cheeseburger pizza.

It tastes like a McDonald’s cheeseburger in the very best way possible. Trust me on this one, I wouldn’t steer you wrong!

On Friday night, I visited Trocadero for dinner. As I’ve said in previous reviews, all of the Lowlands Group restaurants have a fine selection of Bloody Marys.

I was very pleased, however, to be offered two specialty Bloodies this weekend. The first was a “Guacamole Bloody” and the second was a “Bacon Bloody.”

Trocadero Guac
Trocadero-Bacon

It’s a bummer that these two aren’t regulars on the menu as they were both delicious. Just another reason to keep on coming back to these places–you never know what they’ll think of next!

 

On a recent outing to Jefferson, Wisconsin, we tried to find a local watering hole. Thanks to Yelp, we found Wayside Inn, an old school supper club of sorts.

It had received great reviews so we were a little surprised when we pulled up to a somewhat ramshackle building in the middle of nowhere.

However, just like you can’t judge a book by its cover, you can’t always judge a bar by its facade.

Wayside Inn

The drinks here were strong, tasty and cheap.

Mix: Homemade

Chaser:Yes

Fixin’s: Olive, mushroom, pickle

Price: $4

Not a place I’d go out of my way to visit, but definitely a sleeper spot!

Last week, I took a day trip to Lake Forest, IL to play golf.

Following the round, I had asked for a recommendation of a bar to check out in the area and was told to stop by the Lantern.

Lantern (2)

Mix: Homemade

Chaser:No

Fixin’s: Celery, two olives and a lemon

Price: $8

The verdict? This bloody was decent, but definitely not one that I’d go out of my way for in the future.

Thanks to Leahy-IFP for sending me their Orchard Splash Wicked Bloody Mary mix to review!

Between going “out for bloodies” and my travel schedule, it usually takes a special occasion for me to make them at home; this time, I broke out the box (yes, box, not bottle!) to make Bloodies with some friends on a Sunday Funday.

To keep the test pure, I sampled Wicked mixed with an unflavored Skyy Vodka. I did not add any spices, but I topped the drink with olives, celery, cheese, meat, a pickle and a brussels sprout.

Wicked Bloody Mary Mix

Leahy-IFP is a local Chicagoland company (offices in Glenview) that’s been around since 1957.  They are a canned fruit and juice manufacturer and, among many other things, they make  Wicked Bloody Mary Mix.

Previously, they only sold their products into large scale food service distribution (like Sysco and US Foods) and not into retail markets; but through one of those distribution deals the mix was served on Alaska Airlines.  And after receiving many, many, many requests from passengers to buy it direct, they finally launched a retail website, called Food Courier – www.foodcourier.com, to sell their products directly to end users.

And this is where we come in. A company rep wanted to spread the word, so they reached out to me and sent me the samples.

The verdict? All of us agreed–the mix was very good! Not too thick, not too thin, very flavorful. There were four of us and we were able to make about 6 drinks with the amount in one box.

Thanks again to the good folks at Wicked Bloody Mary Mix for the samples!

In case you’re in the IL area, I also wanted to point out that they are one of the official sponsors of the 5th Annual Bloody Mary Fest in Highwood, IL on  July 27, so check them out!

Cheers!

Last night, I had drinks at Mo’s-A Place for Steaks in downtown Milwaukee.

As I’ve often said, steak houses are usually good for decent Bloody Marys, so I tried one first:

MOs

Mix: Homemade

Chaser:No

Fixin’s: Two olives, lemon, lime

Price: $?

This Bloody Mary was pretty standard; not great, not bad, just run of the mill. If you check out Mo’s, I recommend ordering one of their many unique martinis, or a good glass of wine, instead.

I recently dined at Hom Wood-Fired Grill in Brookfield, Wisconsin, one of the newest places in the SURG Restaurant Group.

Hōm celebrates simple farm-to-table cuisine and the growers and producers in the Wisconsin community who share a passion for pairing locally farmed ingredients with dramatic flavors.

Of course, any time I check out a place for the first time, I need to try its Bloody Mary:

HOM

Mix: Homemade

Chaser:No

Fixin’s: Olives, Lime

Price: ~$?

This Bloody Mary was very good, but, compared to the unique appetizers and entrees offered at Hom, quite plain.

I definitely encourage you to try Hom if you’re a fan of the SURG Restaurant Group, or if you’re in the Brookfield Area. I enjoyed my meal very much and hope to get back here again soon, but first, I need to make sure I visit more of the SURG establishments!

I had the chance to play at one of my favorite golf courses a couple of weeks ago–Glen Erin in Janesville, Wisconsin.

Following the round, a friend of mine bought me a Bloody Mary at the 19th hole, a great bar/restaurant called Cursing Stone Pub.

Cursing Stone Pub

Mix: Homemade with Sacramento Tomato Juice

Chaser:No

Fixin’s: Olives, Cheese, Beef Stick

Price: ~$5

This was a very tasty Bloody Mary and I enjoyed it very much alongside their homemade potato chips.

If you’re ever looking for a course to play in the Janesville area, be sure to check out Glen Erin and stop in for a drink afterwards!

Since Bel Air Cantina opened in Wauwatosa last year, I’ve become a somewhat frequent customer, especially on Tuesdays and Thursdays. You really can’t beat $2 tacos and beer!

One thing that has always caught my eye on the menu is the Michelada. Described on the menu as “an authentic, tantalizing blend of Valentina, tabasco, lime, worcestershire sauce and seasoning served over ice with a salted rim – just add your choice of beer,” thought it sounded perhaps like the Mexican version of a Bloody Mary.

Bel Air

I could not have been more wrong. This tasted like someone poured hot sauce in a beer. My mouth was on fire and the weird carbonation combo was too much for me to take. Sadly, most of this beverage—and my $6—was wasted.

Lesson learned: A Michelada is NOT a Bloody Mary.

Lesson

During the Tosa Gran Prix Bike Race, I grabbed a Bloody Mary from Tall Guy and a Grill, a restaurant and catering  company specializing in traditional Sicilian dishes passed on from the owner Dan’s great grandparents.

This was my first experience with the restaurant and even though it was  a small sample, I was quite pleased.

Tall Guy and Grill

Mix: Homemade…very fresh.

Chaser:No

Fixin’s: Lemon, Lime, Cheese, Beef Stick

Price: $?

Again, this was a Bloody Mary from a cart on North Avenue during the race. I’m sure dining in on a regular day, it would be even better. I told them that they should consider participating in this year’s Chili’n on the Avenue and I hope they do!