Bratfest Revisited

Happy Memorial Day!

This is the first time we have attended the new and super-sized brat fest at Colliseum Island. Eh. So you can buy a $5 cup of beer. And you can sit on the grass and listen to some local bands. I can do that at the Union every Friday night! It was something to do, and it is for a good cause, but it just ain't what it used to be.

Yogurt at the Farmer's Market

I love the yogurt at the Farmer's Market. I have not tried the Murphy Farms (home of the best cottage cheese on earth) because that is only available at the downtown market, but I have been gobbling up the Sugar River yogurt from the Westside Community Market like crazy. I love the Westside Community Market, otherwise known as the Hilldale defectors market. Murphy Farms, the Sugar River people, the good apple lady and my favorite maple syrup guy are all there. There is plenty of room to run around on the grass and the parking is plentiful. The old Hilldale market had gotten to be a cramped mess. Boo hiss! On other Hilldale defector fronts, the new Chocolate Shoppe at Midvale Plaza is open for business and booming. They have been open one week and we have already been three times. No peppermint stick, though. I am also going to request that they add the green tea ice cream from the State St. store (a special request from downtown patrons when Chocolate Coyote closed). Hooray for ice cream!

Chicks and Gifts

I ran down to the b-side during my break to buy the new Dixie Chicks album, Taking the Long Way. Here's to free speech! I also stopped in to Twee to pick up some taffy. For $1.50 you can purchase more taffy than you should eat in one setting. The raspberry/lemon and key lime are currently my favorite. But I always end up buying questionable flavors like chocolate chip cookie and buttered popcorn. When I know I like the tangy flavors. Blech. And watch out for the red licorice flavor. It is super stale. Some like the teeth crackin' taffy. I do not. Consider yourself warned.

Other recommendations: the MMoCA gift shop has so many excellent items - cards, jewelry, bags and household accessories. A wonderful place to buy gifts (for yourself) and others.

Mango

There is a new store opening on the 100 block of State Street called Mango Boutique. I was hoping that it would be related to the sensational international chain Mango, but I am not getting my hopes up. We cannot even support a decent H&M in this state. Still, it is nice to see new development on State Street. I have also heard that the post office from the now defunct U-Square is moving to State, as well as another Starbucks.

La Brioche

I still remember when La Brioche was on State St. It was in the spot where Ian's is now. My two favorite places! I can't even remember all of the other incarnations after La Brioche left: a coffee shop, a juice bar, a vegetarian restaurant and Madison Masala among others. There is something so magical about their pastries. I always get a black and white cookie and a brownie. If we are picking up pastries for the week-end, I like chocolate croissants and morning buns. Mitch likes fruit danish and mini chocolate chip cookies. But we have tried just about everything and it is all spectacular. We went through a phase where we were obsessed with the macaroons. My sister loves the florentines. Vive la brioche!

Sushi Carts and Sesame Noodles

The special of the day at the Sushi cart on the square at MLK near Starbucks on Friday was spicy tuna roll for $4.99. This came with avocado and cucumber rolls and was beautifully presented. The guy in line next to me got the tempura and that looked really good, too. And just so I never forget: 10# (or seemingly) of the most delicious cold sesame noodles on earth are just $3.75 from Asian Kitchen under La Bamba and Wasabi. I laugh every time I pass Riley's thinking of our freshman year bank statements being mailed to our parents with numerous Tyme withdrawls from the corner with a "Wines of the World" location indicator. ha.

MMoCa

The new Museum of Contemporary Art is gorgeous. Some of the art is kinda weird. It always was, but there is more of it to notice now in the bright, shiny new facility. It took several attempts to find the Henry St. gallery with the Frida Kahlo, and the glass stairs are a little scary - I really had to concentrate. It was raining the day we went to visit, so the rooftop garden wasn't much fun to spend time in and I was a little afraid of slipping, but I am excited to have this new facility in our town and plan to take lots of visitors. On the same day we went to MMoCa, my sister and I had dinner at Takara. We each ordered the beef negimaki Bento boxes. They are expensive but worth it. And the presentation is exquisite. Highly recommend.

Mourning the Rye

A bunch of us are still mourning the Rad Rye. Where can you get a good sandwich and decent soup on State Street? We were walking near Overture last night after having pizza at Sal's/Casa Bianca/Pizza di Roma (who can keep track?) and saw the glassy corner filled with stairs where the Rye used to be and paused for a moment. Then we discussed the possibilities of the new Food Fight restaurant going in and were optimistic, but not placated.

Open on Saturdays

I have heard over and over again how sad it is that Twee is not open on Saturdays. I agree. Saturday is a big day on State St. and the people should not be deprived of the magnificent bunny petit fours, dark chocolate covered vanilla marshmallows and various taffys. On other fronts, a food fight restaurant is going into Overture. Can't wait!

what's new and makes me blue

Some things that make me sad:
Where did all the empty storefronts come from? I can't even keep track. dick and jane, Discount Records, the Discount Den, the pelmeini place (although the sign says they are coming back), the import clothing places on the 100 block. And now there's a Fuddrucker's moving in on the 700 block? How on earth will an open topping bar work? I cringe thinking about it. Yucko. And another thing that I want to support, but consistently disappoints - Barriques. I am an Alterra coffee fiend - but even that tastes weird there. What are they up to? Why can't they get it together like Soleil, which is perfect example of what I need in a sandwiches, coffee and pastries, except on our side of the square?

Jamie's Lives On?

There may be hope for Jamie's, yet. Word on the street is that there is some kind of custody case over the shop and that it is open again, with limited hours. My best wishes for a speedy cookie recovery.

Chin's v. Asian Kitchen

Where is the best wonton soup on State St.? The wonton soup at Asian Kitchen is generous and comes with hot, greasy little fried crackers. What's not to love? But the wonton soup at Chin's has chicken dumplings instead of the usual pork. Hmmm. Still, the Asian Kitchen lunch special cannot be beat - your choice of entree, soup (hot and sour, egg drop, wonton) and crab rangoon, egg roll or chicken wings. For under $6.00. I can get two meals out of all of the food. And that is a miracle, with my appetite. I highly recommend the hunan chicken and shrimp. Choice is the spice of life.

Candy at Community Pharmacy

Started buying Valentine presents - new hit is the Green and Black's organic white chocolate candy bar. My brother loves white chocolate. I do not. I usually run from it. But I was buying it for him. When the nice person at the pharmacy told me that this candy bar has reached cult status among the staff there (who also claim to not like white chocolate) because of the full cream milk and BOURBON VANILLA. mmmmmmm.

Chocolate

Not much new in the world, other than the plethora of Valentine candy available. All of the new Hershey's Kisses are very exciting to me - caramel, cherry, peanut butter and now strawberry. I am putting up a book display featuring chocolates in honor of candy holidays.

Dunn Brothers and Burgers

Dunn Brothers Coffee closed. I had heard that it was wonderful coffee, but never got a chance to give it a try. My colleagues at Memorial Library were sad to see it go.

On other news fronts, Fuddruckers is opening on the 600 block. I wonder how they will handle the "choose your own toppings" bar with all the students and State St. vagrant population. Maybe not such a grand idea.

The Piano Bar where Dean's used to be is still vacant. Haven't heard anything about that.

Baked Egg Souffle

Wowee wow wow. This is not on State St. This is not even on campus. But I cannot love the Baked Egg Souffle at Panera enough. I ordered the spinach and artichoke and it is truly my new favorite thing. Imagine if I had ordered the bacon? It is just the right size - warm and fluffy and savory. And approx. $2.99. Which is just the right price, too. I am already planning when I can get one again. Maybe Saturday morning. Mmmm.

Jamie's

There is a "for lease" sign in the window of Jamie's. No more white chocolate macadamia nut muffins. No more giant chocolate chip cookies. No more Jamie's. That makes me very sad. In the way that Madison Bagel closing made me feel sad. Why on earth can't State St. support a bakery? The baked items at Michelangelo's are very good (many are from La Brioche), but I remember a time when a cookie lover had to stand in line!

Ian's Pizza

You can order a slice of pizza and a small side salad at Ian's for just over $5.00. The pizza is exciting and the salad is so green it makes you feel healthy just looking at it. Nothing beats a slice of macaroni and cheese pizza and mixed greens salad with tomatoes, pecans, craisins and balsamic. Happy New Year!

Holiday Pie

Have some holiday pie at Nick's. Have any kind of pie at Nick's. It is absolutely worth it. On a recent afternoon, a delicious variety of pie was available, including coconut cream, pumpkin, pecan, apple and blueberry. Ala mode or with ice cream - it's all pie!

Real Chili

I love Real Chili. It is a bit of a walk down State, but worth it. You can choose meat or veggie chili, add on beans, onions, cheese, spaghetti...very hearty and delicious. And very comforting on a cold, snowy day. I ordered the medium hot and I think I would go up to hot next time. I will report on chili dogs, etc. some other time.