One of the young men at church told me to watch a video on YouTube because he and his family decided that this is what is going to happen to Tim when we have the baby. I couldn't stop laughing while I was watching this. Not only does the video look like Tim, but the reaction to the baby is also quite plausible. It is kind of a nutty video but a 17 year old boy recommended it so that is kind of expected. Tim laughed when he watched him but it made him a little nervous about the baby coming.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuSBCIV1zuQ
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Baby Showers, Weddings, Aprons, and Belly Pics
Last week I took a trip out to St. George UT for my wonderful friend Lauren Knox's wedding! (I am allowing an exclamation point for a wedding). It was wonderful and I loved being home with family and friends. I have some pictures of the adventures from the trip.
First, my sister-in-law Katie threw a baby shower for me and it was beautiful and so much fun. She should be a party planner. She had so many little details with the decor and food and I loved everything about it. I especially loved being able to see so many wonderful friends and family. A few pics are below and I took way too many pictures so I had to just pick some favorites.
Second, my beautiful friend Lauren Knox (photo above) had a much awaited wedding and it was spectacular. It really was unreal. Very beautiful and perfect with a Polynesian twist. I had so much fun with high school friends and BYU friends and I am glad Lauren and I have so many mutual friends because it made the day extra fun. Just a few of the hundreds of pictures I took are below.
First, my sister-in-law Katie threw a baby shower for me and it was beautiful and so much fun. She should be a party planner. She had so many little details with the decor and food and I loved everything about it. I especially loved being able to see so many wonderful friends and family. A few pics are below and I took way too many pictures so I had to just pick some favorites.
Second, my beautiful friend Lauren Knox (photo above) had a much awaited wedding and it was spectacular. It really was unreal. Very beautiful and perfect with a Polynesian twist. I had so much fun with high school friends and BYU friends and I am glad Lauren and I have so many mutual friends because it made the day extra fun. Just a few of the hundreds of pictures I took are below.
Above: St. George friends Emily Lund and Kiersten
Below: BYU friends Ashley Christley, Katie Duncan, Carly Adams
Hula Dancers
Here are some pictures of Lauren and Tai doing the money dance.
It was the highlight of the night. I was so proud of her for doing this in
front of 420 people and she looked great doing it.
Backyard lunch at Lauren's house
Third, for Christmas my sister Sarah came up with a great idea that the girls in my family should make aprons
for one another. We drew names and then made an apron for that person. The first picture is the apron we
got from the other person. The second pictures is the apron we made.
Fourth, I am posting pregnancy pictures after many requests of people wanting to see me look fat.
The first was at 16 weeks:
The second at 24 weeks--took this today, bad angle:
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Big News
We bought a new car. Here's a picture of Anna with it.
We got it because Anna is scared to drive in the snow and it sometimes snows here. Pictures from Snowmageddon:
Some more big news, if you haven't heard, we will have a new passenger for the new car come July. Anna is pregnant, with a boy. He just better not spill anything in the backseat. I'm serious. I was thinking the other day about all the freedom I'm losing with the baby coming, but also of all the good things (besides the obvious). So I made a list. And being around family/friends/people-in-general-whom-I-consider-neither, I've had lots of practice learning the benefits of having kids.
1. I'll no longer have to babysit for free anymore. Now I can finally get something in return for watching other people's kids. Now I've got kids to watch. When you babysit other people's kids and you're an adult, you can't really get repaid. For me it's too awkward getting paid - mainly because I'm an adult and getting paid for babysitting puts me on the same level as a 12-year-old girl. As it stands, my babysitting in the past has been really just a favor. And being married for nearly five years now has given me plenty of these favors. A bonus of this is that now I'm able to finally cash in on all that free babysitting. So if I've watched your kids in the last five years, it's my turn. Looks like I've got my Friday nights cleared for the next year. A side note to this is now I have an excuse when someone wants me to watch their kids at their house. Before kids, I was forced to go to someone's house so that their kid could be put to bed at home. This is one of my least favorite things to do. I basically have to mosey around in someone's house for three hours. Someone who usually has no cable TV and nothing to eat. I'm so glad that I will never be in this predicament again. For those of those of you who we have turned down (a recent favorite past time of ours), we will still ask you just as many times as you've asked us. We've been keeping track.
2. Anytime I don't want to do anything, I'll just use my kid as an excuse. "Really wish I could, but bedtime is 5:30, so...you know. Sorry."
Things I won't like:
1. Apparently, I won't be able to do anything at all for the next thirty years. That's just what I've heard, a lot, as in, "Me and Bobby haven't done ANYTHING together in SO long. I mean, I forget that we're even married sometimes."
2. Women and mothers being condescending about my parenting skills, because I'm a man.
3. It's also going to be hard because our blog will have to go private when our kid is born because we know there are all those perverts on the internet looking for pictures of kids at the birthday parties and the zoo. Kidding. I hate private blogs. I have thought about this before, and it was pointed out by someone else, but it is highly unlikely that random people are coming across your blog and then trying to abduct your kids. Unless your daughter is Jonbenet Ramsey. (Too soon?) All these parents need to cool it. "Ohmygosh, some guy in Shawnee, Kansas is looking at our blog. Do you know anyone in Kansas? I don't. He must want to steal our baby."
We got it because Anna is scared to drive in the snow and it sometimes snows here. Pictures from Snowmageddon:
Some more big news, if you haven't heard, we will have a new passenger for the new car come July. Anna is pregnant, with a boy. He just better not spill anything in the backseat. I'm serious. I was thinking the other day about all the freedom I'm losing with the baby coming, but also of all the good things (besides the obvious). So I made a list. And being around family/friends/people-in-general-whom-I-consider-neither, I've had lots of practice learning the benefits of having kids.
1. I'll no longer have to babysit for free anymore. Now I can finally get something in return for watching other people's kids. Now I've got kids to watch. When you babysit other people's kids and you're an adult, you can't really get repaid. For me it's too awkward getting paid - mainly because I'm an adult and getting paid for babysitting puts me on the same level as a 12-year-old girl. As it stands, my babysitting in the past has been really just a favor. And being married for nearly five years now has given me plenty of these favors. A bonus of this is that now I'm able to finally cash in on all that free babysitting. So if I've watched your kids in the last five years, it's my turn. Looks like I've got my Friday nights cleared for the next year. A side note to this is now I have an excuse when someone wants me to watch their kids at their house. Before kids, I was forced to go to someone's house so that their kid could be put to bed at home. This is one of my least favorite things to do. I basically have to mosey around in someone's house for three hours. Someone who usually has no cable TV and nothing to eat. I'm so glad that I will never be in this predicament again. For those of those of you who we have turned down (a recent favorite past time of ours), we will still ask you just as many times as you've asked us. We've been keeping track.
2. Anytime I don't want to do anything, I'll just use my kid as an excuse. "Really wish I could, but bedtime is 5:30, so...you know. Sorry."
Things I won't like:
1. Apparently, I won't be able to do anything at all for the next thirty years. That's just what I've heard, a lot, as in, "Me and Bobby haven't done ANYTHING together in SO long. I mean, I forget that we're even married sometimes."
2. Women and mothers being condescending about my parenting skills, because I'm a man.
3. It's also going to be hard because our blog will have to go private when our kid is born because we know there are all those perverts on the internet looking for pictures of kids at the birthday parties and the zoo. Kidding. I hate private blogs. I have thought about this before, and it was pointed out by someone else, but it is highly unlikely that random people are coming across your blog and then trying to abduct your kids. Unless your daughter is Jonbenet Ramsey. (Too soon?) All these parents need to cool it. "Ohmygosh, some guy in Shawnee, Kansas is looking at our blog. Do you know anyone in Kansas? I don't. He must want to steal our baby."
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Mormon Blog Spectrum
Quite a few of my friends on Facebook posted a link to this article http://mobile.salon.com/life/feature/2011/01/15/feminist_obsessed_with_mormon_blogs/index.html and a few other friends emailed it to me. It was written by a self-proclaimed feminist atheist who says she can’t stop reading Mormon housewife blogs. She described a few of the blogs she follows and includes their links (I follow one of these already). The blogs she describes are very familiar to other Mormon bloggers because there are many other blogs just like the ones she talks about. However, this made me think a lot about the different types of Mormon blogs out there. They really don’t all fit in this category she is talking about, I would actually say most do not fit in this category. This has made me spend way too much time thinking about the different Mormon blog categories that do exist. I have broken this down into four categories. This will not include everything but probably the majority and be warned that it includes a lot of generalizations and blanket statements.
1. Artistic, Educated or Self-taught Mormon Wives
These blogs are the main ones discussed in the article. These women are typically college educated and have very real artistic ability. The non-college grads are self-taught which is pretty cool. These really aren't your typical Mormon wives. Many of them majored in something like Print Design in college. They spend much of their time making beautiful, vintage creations that the rest of us would probably buy at an expensive boutique or make a poor attempt to replicate. Also, you will notice these women have expensive cameras and some editing skills. All of their pictures look professional which means they actually know how to use their expensive cameras too. These women tend to be detail oriented, well dressed, classy, yet humorous. Their sense of style is really what sets them apart from the rest of us. They may dress in a unique way that is not typically mainstream but they would know how to redecorate your entire house and wardrobe better than anyone. They have husbands that listen to cool music and children with classic names like Henry. They do talk about their husbands and children on their blogs but it is not the focal point of the blog. They use their blog as an outlet for their vast amounts of creativity and exhibit how they use this creativity in their daily lives.
Phrase to describe this bunch: Artistic hipsters.
A few examples of my friends under this category:
Kenzie Sasser http://www.secretpocketblog.com/ (she has links to tons of others in this category)
Kylee Fackroll http://myyellowballoon.blogspot.com/
2. Family Orientated Record Keeping Mormon Wives
The author of the article never claimed that blog type number one is the only type of Mormon wives blogs out there or that the hipster blogs are the most prevalent. Her only claim was that she is addicted to that type of blog. Most Mormon Wives blogs fall under the family oriented record keeping category. These women are busy moms and wives that work hard to plan fun activities for their kids and lots of playgroups. These women spend most of their time discussing their kids, family outings, family events, and playtime. These women can be overwhelmed with all that is going on around them but are generally positive and happy. You could print their blogs into a book and it would easily make a family journal of their happenings and sometimes feelings. These blogs contain lots of pictures of kids. Some of these women do crafts and are very talented but that is not the focus of their blog. The blog is an outlet to show their daily activities and keep family and friends updated. The majority of my family and friends blogs would fit under this category. I like these blogs. They keep me up to speed on the people I care about.
Phrase to describe this bunch: Moms on the move (I think that is the name of a workout video).
A few examples of my friends under this category: too many examples to share
3. Explorers of Life’s Journey
These blogs focus on wherever life takes you. These women focus on always trying new things, sharing witty stories, travelling to new places, and a lot of self-introspection. A lot of my friends with these blogs are either single or do not have children. They are excited about life and the future. They never seem to have any expectations for the future but just let life take them on a journey. I love reading these blogs. They are so real and can be raw. Not raw in the sense of TMI but raw in the sense that they are letting you in. You almost feel like you are listening to your friend when you are reading it. Their personality and humor are ever present. They hate being showy.
Phrase to describe this bunch: Real life learners and enjoyers
A few examples of my friends under this category:
Hannah Prusso http://hanyon.blogspot.com/
Kirstin Hansen http://kirstinkayhansen.blogspot.com/
Courtney Hansen http://courtneykayhansen.blogspot.com/
Kate Buhler http://kateandgraham.blogspot.com/
Katelin Rowley http://thesummernanny.blogspot.com/
4. I <3 Me (Mom, <3 means heart in case you forgot)
These blogs are always interesting for me to read. I definitely think Seriously So Blessed is based off of this last type more than any other type. This type of blog is what made Tim and I create so many weird blog rules such as no using the word AmAzInG or excessive !!!!. These women use the word “I” a lot. Although there is some introspection, it is at a surface level. They want you to see their lives but they don’t want to let you in. These blogs can sometimes be unrealistic. The wives tend to have lots of highs and lows. Either things are picture perfect or it was the worst day of their life. Some of these wives can come across as immature or self-absorbed at times. Other times they do elaborate posts about their fantastic husbands and children followed by posts about something terrible their children or husband has done. These wives are social. They have lots of friends. They like to make sure their blog emphasizes this. These wives are fun, cute, happy, outgoing, and trendy. Mostly Utah trendy though. I think sometimes enjoy motherhood and sometimes hate it (which is normal from what I hear). Their blogs are an outlet for them and a way for them to have a showcase showdown with other blogs. These aren’t bad blogs, they are just an alternative type from the other two. I must admit that I find these the most amusing and the most annoying at the same time. I have no close friends with these blogs so I don’t end up reading them often.
On a side note, these wives tend have a poor music selection playing in the background.
Phrase to describe this bunch: High School was the best 4 years of my life
A few examples under this category: I refuse to post them for obvious reasons.
5. (Sorry, I added another category) Your husband writes your blog because he thinks he is funny and because he does more crafts than you. Sometimes the wife posts too. The wife wishes she took more pictures.
Example: Tim & Anna Hassell http://hassellplushassell.blogspot.com/
1. Artistic, Educated or Self-taught Mormon Wives
These blogs are the main ones discussed in the article. These women are typically college educated and have very real artistic ability. The non-college grads are self-taught which is pretty cool. These really aren't your typical Mormon wives. Many of them majored in something like Print Design in college. They spend much of their time making beautiful, vintage creations that the rest of us would probably buy at an expensive boutique or make a poor attempt to replicate. Also, you will notice these women have expensive cameras and some editing skills. All of their pictures look professional which means they actually know how to use their expensive cameras too. These women tend to be detail oriented, well dressed, classy, yet humorous. Their sense of style is really what sets them apart from the rest of us. They may dress in a unique way that is not typically mainstream but they would know how to redecorate your entire house and wardrobe better than anyone. They have husbands that listen to cool music and children with classic names like Henry. They do talk about their husbands and children on their blogs but it is not the focal point of the blog. They use their blog as an outlet for their vast amounts of creativity and exhibit how they use this creativity in their daily lives.
Phrase to describe this bunch: Artistic hipsters.
A few examples of my friends under this category:
Kenzie Sasser http://www.secretpocketblog.com/ (she has links to tons of others in this category)
Kylee Fackroll http://myyellowballoon.blogspot.com/
2. Family Orientated Record Keeping Mormon Wives
The author of the article never claimed that blog type number one is the only type of Mormon wives blogs out there or that the hipster blogs are the most prevalent. Her only claim was that she is addicted to that type of blog. Most Mormon Wives blogs fall under the family oriented record keeping category. These women are busy moms and wives that work hard to plan fun activities for their kids and lots of playgroups. These women spend most of their time discussing their kids, family outings, family events, and playtime. These women can be overwhelmed with all that is going on around them but are generally positive and happy. You could print their blogs into a book and it would easily make a family journal of their happenings and sometimes feelings. These blogs contain lots of pictures of kids. Some of these women do crafts and are very talented but that is not the focus of their blog. The blog is an outlet to show their daily activities and keep family and friends updated. The majority of my family and friends blogs would fit under this category. I like these blogs. They keep me up to speed on the people I care about.
Phrase to describe this bunch: Moms on the move (I think that is the name of a workout video).
A few examples of my friends under this category: too many examples to share
3. Explorers of Life’s Journey
These blogs focus on wherever life takes you. These women focus on always trying new things, sharing witty stories, travelling to new places, and a lot of self-introspection. A lot of my friends with these blogs are either single or do not have children. They are excited about life and the future. They never seem to have any expectations for the future but just let life take them on a journey. I love reading these blogs. They are so real and can be raw. Not raw in the sense of TMI but raw in the sense that they are letting you in. You almost feel like you are listening to your friend when you are reading it. Their personality and humor are ever present. They hate being showy.
Phrase to describe this bunch: Real life learners and enjoyers
A few examples of my friends under this category:
Hannah Prusso http://hanyon.blogspot.com/
Kirstin Hansen http://kirstinkayhansen.blogspot.com/
Courtney Hansen http://courtneykayhansen.blogspot.com/
Kate Buhler http://kateandgraham.blogspot.com/
Katelin Rowley http://thesummernanny.blogspot.com/
4. I <3 Me (Mom, <3 means heart in case you forgot)
These blogs are always interesting for me to read. I definitely think Seriously So Blessed is based off of this last type more than any other type. This type of blog is what made Tim and I create so many weird blog rules such as no using the word AmAzInG or excessive !!!!. These women use the word “I” a lot. Although there is some introspection, it is at a surface level. They want you to see their lives but they don’t want to let you in. These blogs can sometimes be unrealistic. The wives tend to have lots of highs and lows. Either things are picture perfect or it was the worst day of their life. Some of these wives can come across as immature or self-absorbed at times. Other times they do elaborate posts about their fantastic husbands and children followed by posts about something terrible their children or husband has done. These wives are social. They have lots of friends. They like to make sure their blog emphasizes this. These wives are fun, cute, happy, outgoing, and trendy. Mostly Utah trendy though. I think sometimes enjoy motherhood and sometimes hate it (which is normal from what I hear). Their blogs are an outlet for them and a way for them to have a showcase showdown with other blogs. These aren’t bad blogs, they are just an alternative type from the other two. I must admit that I find these the most amusing and the most annoying at the same time. I have no close friends with these blogs so I don’t end up reading them often.
On a side note, these wives tend have a poor music selection playing in the background.
Phrase to describe this bunch: High School was the best 4 years of my life
A few examples under this category: I refuse to post them for obvious reasons.
5. (Sorry, I added another category) Your husband writes your blog because he thinks he is funny and because he does more crafts than you. Sometimes the wife posts too. The wife wishes she took more pictures.
Example: Tim & Anna Hassell http://hassellplushassell.blogspot.com/
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Antiques Roadshow
Whenever I’m flipping through the guide on the TV and come across Antiques Roadshow, I always stop for a minute to see what items may be sold. I’m always hoping for some secret compartment to drop down from an old dresser revealing an original copy of the Declaration of Independence or something. There have been some pretty amazing finds.
This is what I think about whenever I go and do work at the old man’s house on our street. He and his wife (now deceased) bought the house from her father roughly 25 years ago. Buying from family means they leave all their crap behind because it might be useful to someone someday. And old people love junk. So now I’ve got the junk of two people, all very well organized in old Jiffy bottles.
So this last week I’ve been working on stripping his basement floor of the old paint and applying a new, more durable finish. It’s terribly laborious, but it’s been filling up my nights and weekends. Going into his basement, especially the first time, I thought I was for sure going to find some awesome old furniture or at least an old confederate uniform. Didn’t happen. This stuff is in the basement for a reason.
However, while moving his things around (I have to do half the floor first, then move everything to the other half and do that side) I discovered an old, metal utility box. Being in this basement makes me a little more curious than usual. I’m generally very curious anyway, so this means I look at everything. So I open the box up because I know it hasn’t been seen in ages and it was hidden under a shelving unit. I wasn’t expecting much. I mean, the box on the shelf above it was filled with matchbooks from every casino in America. However, inside the box was individually wrapped (in aluminum foil) sets of bills. I wasn’t surprised. I know old people fear banks, keep a little money hidden in case of an emergency. However, when the old man came downstairs later on and I jokingly mentioned to him that I had found his stash of cash, he had no idea what I was talking about. It turns out that his father-in-law had put the money down there 25 years ago and forgot to tell anyone. He became very giddy.
So now the old man is $6,600 richer and I’m still waiting for my finder’s fee. He is going to split it with his two brothers-in-law. I still feel a little jilted though.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Making the Big Bucks
Tim got a job! I am allowed to use an exclamation point because it was designated as an exclamation point worthy event during the creation of the blog. See blogs rules HERE.
Tim starts in January at a law office in downtown Milwaukee. We are very happy that it all worked out and he is very happy about the place he will be working. Looks like we are going to be Wisconsiners for life...or at least for a while.
Tim starts in January at a law office in downtown Milwaukee. We are very happy that it all worked out and he is very happy about the place he will be working. Looks like we are going to be Wisconsiners for life...or at least for a while.
Friday, November 12, 2010
Milwaukee Restaurant Review
Tim and I have lived in Milwaukee for three years now and one of our favorite things to do is try new places to eat. I am always asking for recommendations from coworkers and classmates and after three years we have been able to try quite a few of them out. I still always feel like there are so many places to try but I told a few friends here in MKE that I would put some restaurant recommendations of the places we have liked so far. I am going to list our favorite menu items and a few reasons why we like the restaurant. THESE ARE NOT IN ORDER.
#1. Le Reve Patisserie & Café—this quaint French restaurant in Wauwatosa Village is full of delicious choices. The soups, salads, sandwiches, and French fries are fantastic.
Top pick’s: French Onion Soup, Pumpkin Soup, and Filet de Boeuf-- Beef Tenderloin with Cambozola Cheese, Caramelized Onion, and a Black Pepper Aioli on a Baguette
http://lerevecafe.com/
#2. Cempazuchi—this Mexican restaurant in downtown Milwaukee is located in a fun environment and has the best fish tacos in Milwaukee. I think other items on the menu are mediocre but the Tacos de Tio Isreael are the best we have found in the Midwest and we are always looking.
Top pick: Tacos de Tio Isreael—Three tacos of perch, rolled in organic blue corn meal with lime slaw, chipotole mayo, rice and beans.
http://www.cempazuchi.com/main_page.html
#3. Comet Café—Always atmosphere and fantastic food.
Top picks: BELT, Fish Fry, Meatloaf, and hot chocolate served with dinner
http://www.thecometcafe.com/
#4. Café LuLu
Top pick: Mediterranean Steak Pita
http://www.lulubayview.com/menu.html
#5. Juniper 61
Top picks: Falafel, Turkish Lamb Pita
http://juniper61.com/
#6. Maxies Southern Comfort –good food but I think it is overpriced. We want to go back and try some more items so there may be better items than this.
Top picks: Maxie’s Deluxe Crabcake Platter, Fish Fry
http://www.maxies.com/milwaukee/index.html
#7. Abu’s Jerusalem of Gold
Top picks: Shawirma platter and Lamb Kabob
http://abusmilwaukee.com/
#8. Il Mito
Top picks: Bruschetta Stagionale, Pumpkin Ravioli
http://www.ilmito.com/
#9. Eddie Martini’s—Hands down the best food in Milwaukee. The steak melts in your mouth and I have never had anything that compares.
Top pick: Crab Cakes, Lobster Bisque, Filet Mignon, Rib Eye Steak, Bacon Potato Hash
http://www.eddiemartinis.com/
#10. Five O’clock Steakhouse—This is Tim’s favorite steak in Milwaukee. The atmosphere is bizarre in a good way. Very Polish supper club.
Top picks: Filet Oscar and Rib Eye
http://www.fiveoclocksteakhouse.com/wi/index.html
#12 Sobelman’s Pub and Grill—Best burgers and onion rings in Milwaukee.
Top picks: onion rings, California burger, Sobleman’s burger
http://www.milwaukeesbestburgers.com/menu.html
#13 AJ Bomber’s—Great burgers with really fun and interesting toppings.
Top picks: Stuffed Shroom, Single patty with bacon and a fried egg
http://www.ajbombers.com/
#14 Speed Queen Bar’B’Q—Very scary atmosphere but has a great ghetto Milwaukee vibe. You have to slide your money under bullet proof glass. Safest to go for lunch. Fantastic BBQ with some of the best homemade sauce I have ever had.
Top pick: pulled pork and Speed Queen sauce
1130 West Walnut Street Milwaukee—they don’t have a website obviously
#16 Broadway Bakery and Café for Brunch—Wonderful place for brunch in the historic 3rd ward. GREAT brunch food.
Top pick: Two eggs and ham, French toast
http://www.241broadway.com/
#17 La Merenda—Great international tapas. I liked this more than Tim. You order multiple small plates and it is great because then you get to try lots of different things. I think Tim left thinking he was hungry because he never ate an entrée but by the end you eat more than enough.
Top picks: La Merenda Salad, Korean Lamb Shank, Empanadas, daily specials are usually great including squash ravioli and Korean bbq.
http://www.lamerenda125.com/
#18 The Knick—The appetizers are great here. Tim and I usually only get appetizers. We will order 3-4 and share them all. The entrees we have had were OK.
Top picks: Tater Tots (the best by far), Chicken Quesadilla, Greens Pizza
http://www.theknickrestaurant.com/
#19 Café Hollander—Great place to eat outside in the Tosa Village. The menu is hit and miss but I want to go back for a third time and try some recommended items.
Top picks: Gorgonzola Pear Salad, Blackberry Turkey (recommended item)
http://www.cafehollander.com/tosavillage/
#20 Blu Bar and Lounge—I have only gone here for drinks so I guess I can recommend the Sprite with grenadine and a lime but really the reason to come here is the atmosphere. It is at the top of the Pfister hotel and in the evening you can see the city lights and the lake. It is a bar and lounge with swanky couches and music.
http://www.blumilwaukee.com/menu.asp
#21 Balistreri Pizza—Great thin crust pizza that we both love. This is Tim’s favorite pizza in Milwaukee.
http://www.balistreris.com/
#22 Mason Street Grille—Great food but overpriced.
Top picks: Filet Mignon and Rib Eye (Big surprise, right? Obviously those are our favorites)
http://www.masonstreetgrill.com/
#23 Kopps—Best custard in Wisconsin. Burgers and onion rings are pretty good too.
Top picks: Red Raspberry, Grasshopper Fudge, Strawberry, Chocolate
http://www.kopps.com/
#24 Public Market—down in the historic third ward and has tons of food options. Great salads, bakery items, desserts. I wish I could try everything they have. I am sure some things are better than others but it has some really great options.
#25 Soup Brothers—hands down the BEST soup I have ever had. It is a tiny one room location and is cash only. They make all of their soup selections from scratch every day. The Bermuda Cheese and Onion soup is fantastic. You get fresh baked bread with each bowl of soup and the bread is SOOO good. I love this place.
Places I would also recommend but not the best food I have had but still worth trying: Cubanitas, Alterra at the Lake, Hi-Hat Lounge & Garage (great fries), Hotel Metro Bar and Café, Louise's Italian Café,
Places we have tried that are mediocre and I wouldn’t recommend for the food (some I would recommend for the atmosphere and the food is decent): Ale House, Water Buffalo, Rock Bottom, Brocach Irish Pub, Hinterland, the Palms (can be really good or mediocre depending on the time of day you go), Stir Fry, Charro, Gilles, Oscars, Pedro’s in Brookfield, Beans and Barley, Buca di Beppo, Twisted Fork…that’s all I can think of.
So I hope all you Milwaukee friends out there can try some new places and see what you think. For everyone else, maybe you will actually visit us now so you can try some good food.
Tim and I have lived in Milwaukee for three years now and one of our favorite things to do is try new places to eat. I am always asking for recommendations from coworkers and classmates and after three years we have been able to try quite a few of them out. I still always feel like there are so many places to try but I told a few friends here in MKE that I would put some restaurant recommendations of the places we have liked so far. I am going to list our favorite menu items and a few reasons why we like the restaurant. THESE ARE NOT IN ORDER.
#1. Le Reve Patisserie & Café—this quaint French restaurant in Wauwatosa Village is full of delicious choices. The soups, salads, sandwiches, and French fries are fantastic.
Top pick’s: French Onion Soup, Pumpkin Soup, and Filet de Boeuf-- Beef Tenderloin with Cambozola Cheese, Caramelized Onion, and a Black Pepper Aioli on a Baguette
http://lerevecafe.com/
#2. Cempazuchi—this Mexican restaurant in downtown Milwaukee is located in a fun environment and has the best fish tacos in Milwaukee. I think other items on the menu are mediocre but the Tacos de Tio Isreael are the best we have found in the Midwest and we are always looking.
Top pick: Tacos de Tio Isreael—Three tacos of perch, rolled in organic blue corn meal with lime slaw, chipotole mayo, rice and beans.
http://www.cempazuchi.com/main_page.html
#3. Comet Café—Always atmosphere and fantastic food.
Top picks: BELT, Fish Fry, Meatloaf, and hot chocolate served with dinner
http://www.thecometcafe.com/
#4. Café LuLu
Top pick: Mediterranean Steak Pita
http://www.lulubayview.com/menu.html
#5. Juniper 61
Top picks: Falafel, Turkish Lamb Pita
http://juniper61.com/
#6. Maxies Southern Comfort –good food but I think it is overpriced. We want to go back and try some more items so there may be better items than this.
Top picks: Maxie’s Deluxe Crabcake Platter, Fish Fry
http://www.maxies.com/milwaukee/index.html
#7. Abu’s Jerusalem of Gold
Top picks: Shawirma platter and Lamb Kabob
http://abusmilwaukee.com/
#8. Il Mito
Top picks: Bruschetta Stagionale, Pumpkin Ravioli
http://www.ilmito.com/
#9. Eddie Martini’s—Hands down the best food in Milwaukee. The steak melts in your mouth and I have never had anything that compares.
Top pick: Crab Cakes, Lobster Bisque, Filet Mignon, Rib Eye Steak, Bacon Potato Hash
http://www.eddiemartinis.com/
#10. Five O’clock Steakhouse—This is Tim’s favorite steak in Milwaukee. The atmosphere is bizarre in a good way. Very Polish supper club.
Top picks: Filet Oscar and Rib Eye
http://www.fiveoclocksteakhouse.com/wi/index.html
#12 Sobelman’s Pub and Grill—Best burgers and onion rings in Milwaukee.
Top picks: onion rings, California burger, Sobleman’s burger
http://www.milwaukeesbestburgers.com/menu.html
#13 AJ Bomber’s—Great burgers with really fun and interesting toppings.
Top picks: Stuffed Shroom, Single patty with bacon and a fried egg
http://www.ajbombers.com/
#14 Speed Queen Bar’B’Q—Very scary atmosphere but has a great ghetto Milwaukee vibe. You have to slide your money under bullet proof glass. Safest to go for lunch. Fantastic BBQ with some of the best homemade sauce I have ever had.
Top pick: pulled pork and Speed Queen sauce
1130 West Walnut Street Milwaukee—they don’t have a website obviously
#16 Broadway Bakery and Café for Brunch—Wonderful place for brunch in the historic 3rd ward. GREAT brunch food.
Top pick: Two eggs and ham, French toast
http://www.241broadway.com/
#17 La Merenda—Great international tapas. I liked this more than Tim. You order multiple small plates and it is great because then you get to try lots of different things. I think Tim left thinking he was hungry because he never ate an entrée but by the end you eat more than enough.
Top picks: La Merenda Salad, Korean Lamb Shank, Empanadas, daily specials are usually great including squash ravioli and Korean bbq.
http://www.lamerenda125.com/
#18 The Knick—The appetizers are great here. Tim and I usually only get appetizers. We will order 3-4 and share them all. The entrees we have had were OK.
Top picks: Tater Tots (the best by far), Chicken Quesadilla, Greens Pizza
http://www.theknickrestaurant.com/
#19 Café Hollander—Great place to eat outside in the Tosa Village. The menu is hit and miss but I want to go back for a third time and try some recommended items.
Top picks: Gorgonzola Pear Salad, Blackberry Turkey (recommended item)
http://www.cafehollander.com/tosavillage/
#20 Blu Bar and Lounge—I have only gone here for drinks so I guess I can recommend the Sprite with grenadine and a lime but really the reason to come here is the atmosphere. It is at the top of the Pfister hotel and in the evening you can see the city lights and the lake. It is a bar and lounge with swanky couches and music.
http://www.blumilwaukee.com/menu.asp
#21 Balistreri Pizza—Great thin crust pizza that we both love. This is Tim’s favorite pizza in Milwaukee.
http://www.balistreris.com/
#22 Mason Street Grille—Great food but overpriced.
Top picks: Filet Mignon and Rib Eye (Big surprise, right? Obviously those are our favorites)
http://www.masonstreetgrill.com/
#23 Kopps—Best custard in Wisconsin. Burgers and onion rings are pretty good too.
Top picks: Red Raspberry, Grasshopper Fudge, Strawberry, Chocolate
http://www.kopps.com/
#24 Public Market—down in the historic third ward and has tons of food options. Great salads, bakery items, desserts. I wish I could try everything they have. I am sure some things are better than others but it has some really great options.
#25 Soup Brothers—hands down the BEST soup I have ever had. It is a tiny one room location and is cash only. They make all of their soup selections from scratch every day. The Bermuda Cheese and Onion soup is fantastic. You get fresh baked bread with each bowl of soup and the bread is SOOO good. I love this place.
Places I would also recommend but not the best food I have had but still worth trying: Cubanitas, Alterra at the Lake, Hi-Hat Lounge & Garage (great fries), Hotel Metro Bar and Café, Louise's Italian Café,
Places we have tried that are mediocre and I wouldn’t recommend for the food (some I would recommend for the atmosphere and the food is decent): Ale House, Water Buffalo, Rock Bottom, Brocach Irish Pub, Hinterland, the Palms (can be really good or mediocre depending on the time of day you go), Stir Fry, Charro, Gilles, Oscars, Pedro’s in Brookfield, Beans and Barley, Buca di Beppo, Twisted Fork…that’s all I can think of.
So I hope all you Milwaukee friends out there can try some new places and see what you think. For everyone else, maybe you will actually visit us now so you can try some good food.
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