The Avenue Club and Bubble Up Bar – Great Re-Vamp!

The Avenue club and bubble up bar – Madison WI – 1128 E Washington Ave
Revamped Dinning Room
Divider Wall Between Dinning Room and Bar
Marinated Beets and Goat Cheese
Cioppino
Short Rib Stroganoff

My husband and I haven’t visited the Avenue in years. Probably because we were not impressed the first time we went. (Old, a bit tired, food was not impressive) We knew that Food Fight Restaurant took it over. At first we heard they didn’t change much, then reports came in the revamped the menu, then remodeled.

Tonight we stopped on the way home from the airport. So glad we did!

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State Street – Great Place to Shop for Unique Gifts

State Street – Madison, WI – Specifically the blocks from Capitol Square to University of WI

 

My friends and I frequently go shopping on State Street. All the cute unique gift stores. Then we are sure to stop at one of the many restaurants. There are so many to choose from. It’s hard to pick just one favorite.

Overture Center is located here also. If we are headed to see a show we always plan a meal and shopping either before or after. Yes, even, sometimes both!

(Previously posted to Trip Advisor)

Hands Down Best Saturday Morning Breakfast Sandwich

Marigold Kitchen – Madison, WI – 118 S Pickney St

My husband and I have been going to Marigold since they opened. Usually on a Saturday after the farmers market.

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Take a fried egg, applewood smoked bacon, use fresh tomato slices, sprinkle on some green onions then spread on the most amazing cheddar-spiked boursin on a toasted ciabatta and you have created the PERFECT breakfast sandwich!! Yum.

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Grasshopper Restaurant – Great Find

Grasshopper Restaurant – West Bend WI – 241 N Main St
Tables in Bar Area

Happened to be in West Bend on a Saturday and found myself downtown at lunch time. My husband and I wanted to take my Father-In-Law out for his birthday. He is new to town and never heard of this restaurant, but it looked nice from the outside and advertised “Slow Cooked Food – Breakfast and Lunch”. Sounds perfect.

They were pretty busy for 1:30 on a Saturday. We were warmly greeted from the nice bartender lady. We asked for a table for three and she directed (ok pointed) us to the dining room and said. “Please seat yourself, there is a table open in the dining room.” Once seated, we waited for a very long time and no menus. A table just left next to us and when the waitress came to clean it. We asked her for some menus. She was stunned, embarrassed and VERY apologetic that nobody had taken care of us. She told us that this wasn’t her section, but she was going to take of us. Well from that moment on everything went well.

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Fun Place – Tasty Lobster Rolls

Geddy’s – Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island, ME – 19 Main St

Lobster Roll (Hot Drawn Butter) and Regular Fries
Lobster Roll (Cold Mayo) and Sweet Potato Fries

 

Choice of hot with drawn butter or cold with mayo. Large pieces of lobster tucked into a large garlic toasted bun. Oder the sweet potato fries with the homemade cranberry ketchup. Normally I would suggest ranch dressing for sweet potato fries–but their homemade ketchup really works.

(Previously Posted to Trip Advisor)

 

 

Lobster Quesadilla

Side Street Café – Bar Harbor, Mount Desert Island, ME – 49 Rodick St

 

YUM! Thanks to the staff at the front desk of the Bar Harbor Inn for recommending this amazing spot.

Tucked away literally on a side street off of Main Street this is a gem of a place. They have outdoor seating when the weather cooperates and lots of tables indoors.

Lobster Highlander

One of the specials was called Lobster Highlander. A quesadilla filled with super fresh ingredients: large bite sized pieces of succulent lobster, ripe avocado and just enough cheese to make it “stick” together, but not too much to hide the lobster flavor. On the side a large dollop of sour cream and freshly diced homemade “salsa”. Tomatoes, onions, peppers, (red and green).

The wait staff is friendly, ok admittedly a bit slow. However, apologetic when they know they are. Here’s an example the waitress laughing said to us after she was running around, unable to stop at the table. “So sorry I ignored you and you had to wait so long to order drinks, what can I get you?” The delivery was so sincere and delivered in a such a manner that we laughed and it didn’t even bother us.

Let’s just say another trip to Bar Harbor will not be complete without a stop at the Side Street Café!

(Previously Posted to Trip Advisor)

Wisconsin State Capitol – Gorgeous Architecture

WI State Capitol – Madison, WI – The heart of Downtown, on the Isthmus

 

The State Capitol building on “the square” in Downtown Madison is absolutely gorgeous. Stop by for a tour while you take a break from the amazing Dane County Farmers Market. (Saturday April to November)

Be sure to head to the rotunda and look up. It’s a sight not to be missed. …. And if you’re feeling like a kid, lay down on the ground and look up. You won’t be disappointed.

You can feel the history in all the well-maintained details of building look for the different types of granite, marble and wood.

While on the outside be sure to look up at the cupola and see Ms Wisconsin gracing the top.

The grounds are landscaped and the flowers change with the seasons.

(Previously posted to Trip Advisor)