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Salvy Sousa Bloody Mary Mix

Posted: April 21, 2014 in Uncategorized
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Thanks to Salvy Sousa for sending me two bottles of Bloody Mary mix to review!

Between going “out for bloodies” and my travel schedule, it’s been a while since I made them at home; however, I recently “forced” myself to make a Bloody Mary at home.

To keep the test pure, I sampled Salvy Sousa mixed with an unflavored Skyy Vodka and added olives, smoked mozzarella string cheese, and a beef stick.

 

Salvy 1 Salvy 2

 

According to their website, Salvy Sousa was started by Salvador Bianchine, the owner’s Italian grandfather who was a butcher in a family market in Tarrytown, New York. His final resting place is in the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery from the famed Washington Irving tale of the Headless Horseman. He was married to their dear Portuguese grandmother Loudwina Sousa. Between the two of them, these recipes and more were concocted and passed through the family. Salvy Sousa was  the brand “created to honor [this] family and their concoctions. Salvy Sousa has become larger than life. He loves fast cars and spunky women and loves to cook on his big ass grill. He is ornery, and in your face, and you will love every bit of him!”

And, their Bloody Mary mix isn’t just for drinking: “The Bloody Bull will give a kick of awesomeness to your chili, soups, red sauces, etc.!” 

You can buy Salvy Sousa online for $12/bottle.

The verdict: I LOVED this mix, but then again, I love all types of condiments, like ketchup, mustard and BBQ sauce… and this mix definitely tasted more like a condiment than a Bloody Mary mix. It was extremely thick (that just means you have to use extra vodka to thin it out!) and very tangy. Like other thick mixes, this is probably going to be polarizing for some people, but it definitely appealed to me. AND I definitely want to try making some sort of Bloody Mary chili with this product next… I will keep you posted!

Thanks again to the good folks at Salvy Sousa for the samples!

Cheers!

 

Cafe Bavaria: Part 2

Posted: April 21, 2014 in Uncategorized
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I recently wrote about the newest member of the Lowlands Group, Cafe Bavaria in Wauwatosa.

Since this German gastropub has a wide selection of Bloodies, I knew I had some work to do. During my previous visit, I had ordered the “Dusseldorf” and my dad ordered the “Haus”. This time, I tried the special, a Bloody made with sage-infused vodka, while my dining companion was a bit more adventurous, trying the jalapeno “Wurzig” Bloody.

Here’s my write-up on the special:

cafe Bavaria

 

Mix: Homemade, with different vodkas/spices depending on which beverage you order. This one had sage-infused vodka.

Chaser: Yes

Fixin’s: Varies, depending on the variety you order; this special had bacon, lemon, lime, olive, Brussels sprout, pickle, cheese and a piece of sausage.

Price: $7-$9

As previously mentioned, like its sister restaurants, Cafe Bavaria takes its Bloody Mary offerings seriously.  Delicious, I will be back again (and again!).

And, as a teaser, my aforementioned dining companion? She is also a Bloody Mary aficionado! I met with Susan Fiebig, author of “The Bloody Trail,” a book about her search for Wisconsin’s best Bloody Marys. After hearing about her book, I just knew I had to meet a fellow Bloody Mary lover from the area–over Bloodies of course!

Look for my review on her book to come.

Cheers!

Big Dogs Sports Bar & Grill

Posted: April 7, 2014 in Uncategorized
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Also during March Madness, I visited Big Dogs Sports Bar & Grill.

Big DogsI was pleasantly surprised to find that their Bloody Mary was something special-it has pizza on it!

 

Mix: Homemade.

Chaser: Yes

Fixin’s: Pizza, baby corn, olive, cheese, celery

Price: $7

I went here on a Saturday night and admittedly had low expectations when I ordered my Bloody Mary. I was shocked when it came with essentially two pieces of sausage pizza on it and other assorted fixin’s.

This was a delicious drink and tremendous value. Big Dogs is definitely in the running for a future meeting place!

 

Steve’s on Bluemound

Posted: April 7, 2014 in Uncategorized
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I recently visited Steve’s On Bluemound during March Madness.

Steves

Mix: Homemade

Chaser: Yes

Fixin’s: Lemon, Lime, Pickle, 2 Olives

Price: ?

This was a decent Bloody Mary. I wouldn’ t come here to seek it out, but it held its own for a Thursday night.

 

Eddie Martini’s

Posted: March 24, 2014 in Uncategorized
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I visited the famous steak/chops/seafood establishment Eddie Martini’s in celebration of my birthday last week. This was not my first time at the restaurant, but it was my first time trying their Bloody Mary.

Eddie Martinis

Mix: Homemade  

Chaser: Yes

Fixin’s:  Lemon, lime, asparagus

Price: $?

Steakhouses usually have very tasty Bloody Marys and Eddie Martini’s was no exception. This Bloody was very good-and very strong. I would not come here specifically for the Bloody Mary, but if you happen to dine here and you’re in the mood, you won’t be disappointed. The service and food here is top notch.

Cafe Bavaria

Posted: March 23, 2014 in Uncategorized
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I recently visited Cafe Bavaria, them newest member of the Lowlands Group, in Wauwatosa.

Although this is a highly authentic German gastropub, they had a nice variety of Bloody Marys (ala Hollander, Benelux, etc.).

Bavaria (3)

I ordered the “Dusseldorf” and my dad ordered the “Haus”:

The Dusseldorf Bloody Mary at Cafe Bavaria in Wauwatosa.

The Dusseldorf Bloody Mary at Cafe Bavaria in Wauwatosa.

The Haus Bloody Mary at Cafe Bavaria in Wauwatosa.

The Haus Bloody Mary at Cafe Bavaria in Wauwatosa.

Mix: Homemade, with different vodkas/spices depending on which beverage you order.

Chaser: Yes

Fixin’s: Varies, depending on the variety you order; there could be a brussel sprout, pickle, olives, sausage, etc.

Price: $7-$9

Like its sister restaurants, Cafe Bavaria takes its Bloody Mary offerings seriously. They are well-thought out and delicious. I would definitely return here just to try the other varieties or get a Bloody on a random day. Kudos to you, Lowlands Group! Another gem of an establishment and more great Bloodies–right in my neighborhood!

Arizona: Embassy Suites

Posted: March 21, 2014 in Uncategorized
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This doesn’t quite count, but I felt like it deserved a shoutout.

I stayed at the Embassy Suites by Hilton for part of my trip. For the uninitiated, they offer complimentary breakfast an an evening cocktail reception.

Yep, 7 days a week, you can get hot made-to-order morning meals and enjoy snacks and cocktails gratis from 5:30-7:30pm.

Embassy SuitesI ordered a Bloody Mary (shocker, I know) and while it had no frills, it was made with one of my favorite mixes-Zing Zang- and it was free.

This is a great perk for the traveler and since I was on my own most of the time, this reception afforded me the opportunity to meet some new people/make friends during my extended stay.

I highly recommend the Embassy Suites, not just for this perk, but for their exceptional service and accommodations at an affordable price.

 

Arizona: Blanco Tacos & Tequila Bloody Mary or Bloody Maria

Posted: March 21, 2014 in Uncategorized
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Fox Restaurant Concept’s Mexican restaurant is Blanco Tacos & Tequila.

Typically, I wouldn’t bother ordering  Bloody Mary at a place like this (hello, margaritas!), since they called it out on the menu, I figured it couldn’t be horrible.

Blanco (1)

Blanco (2)I was right-as with the other Fox restaurants, this Bloody Mary was very fresh with the very distinct taste of fresh lime juice. Surprisingly, it complemented the chips, salsa and guac quite well.

Mix: Homemade with  fresh lime juice; could  get a Bloody Mary with vodka or Bloody Maria with tequila

Chaser: No

Fixin’s:  Lemon, lime, cucumber, two olives

Price: $8

Another great restaurant to try in the area. While this Bloody was good, I hear the margaritas are amazing, so give them a try!

Arizona: The Henry

Posted: March 21, 2014 in Uncategorized
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The Henry is the newest member of the Fox Restaurants Group family. So new, in fact, that it didn’t register when I was planning my trip to AZ. I found out about it initially from the friendly bartender at Little Cleo’s. He told me it was amazing and that it would be tough to get into without a reservation.

The Henry (2)

I didn’t let that stop me, so I headed there a little later in the evening on a weeknight and grabbed a coveted seat at the bar.

The Henry (4)My eye naturally gravitated to the “Chevy Chase” skirt steak sandwich on the menu… It says “add a Bloody Mary for $5.”

I had to inquire–why was it called a Chevy Chase and what was the significance of the add on Bloody?

“It’s from Caddyshack,” the bartender told me. “He says he’ll have a steak sandwich and a Bloody Mary.”

Hmm… I thought to myself. I’ve never been one of those people who is really great at identifying or spouting off movie quotes, but I am a huge Caddyshack fan and I think I would remember a line about Bloodies in one of my favorite films.

Regardless, I was sold.

The Henry (3)

The Henry (1)

Mix: Homemade

Chaser: YES-the only place I visited in AZ that offered!

Fixin’s:  Lemon & olive

Price: $5 w/ purchase of Chevy Chase

The meal was delicious, as was the beverage. However, upon returning home, I researched the line and discovered it was from a movie called Fletch, which I have not seen, not Caddyshack as I had been told.

It was an honest mistake and I won’t hold it against the bartender. The meal was excellent and I may not have ordered it otherwise, silly as that may sound. Plus, I was happy I hadn’t overlooked a Bloody Mary line in a great movie.

Definitely check out The Henry when you’re in Phoenix, but don’t feel like you have to get the Chevy Chase! You  can order Bloody Mary solo, or enjoy one of their many other beverages as well.

Arizona: Greene House Bloody Mary

Posted: March 21, 2014 in Uncategorized
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The Greene House is a Fox Restaurant Concepts group establishment with California cool and “inspired by nature” cuisine.

The food is very healthy and fresh and so was the Bloody Mary.

Greene House

 

Mix: Homemade

Chaser: None

Fixin’s:  Lime

Price: $?

Unfortunately, this Bloody Mary was nothing special. If you like hummus,  kale and Brussels sprouts, check out the Greene House, but you can skip the Bloody Mary unless you’re counting it as a veggie.

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