morning walk

This is Humboldt park in Bay View. When I have time I try to tag along with Lulu the dog and the husband on their morning walk. The leaves are almost at their peak and the park looks gorgeous.

Fall, I've missed you.

Backyard Discovery: Boone & Crockett

Welcome to my new hangout, Boone & Crockett. I love the theme - a turn of the century hunting parlor with a Sconnie twist. Deer trophies line the wall, plaid tufted benches, art deco brass lamps over the mohair couches, and a picture of Teddy Roosevelt above the bar. We were there the other night again - I think I just love the antiques, but the drinks might be the reason, too. They serve great mixed cocktails like cucumber collins and a gin bramble (gin with lemon and blackberries). It's a great place to visit if you're in Milwaukee and of course, hangout if you live in Bay View. They also have a patio for these hot summer nights. Hurrah!

Boone & Crockett Facebook page 2151 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Milwaukee, WI Open from 3pm - 2am

New In Town: Hamburger Mary's

I was so excited to have Hamburger Mary's open in Milwaukee that we have already eaten there....twice. After weeks of scoping it out/stalking the doors looked to be open last Wednesday. And it was! It was their opening night. We ate so well that we went again on Friday after the Brewers game. We promised our waitress we weren't stalking her.

Those in Chicago may be familiar with the offbeat burger joint. Hamburger Mary's is a small national burger chain with a cross-dressing "Mary" as a mascot and cheeky names for their delicious burgers. Brothers, Ashley and Brandon Wright, own the Chicago location as well as part of the franchise and took over the empty Omega Burger on KK and Becher this spring. We met them when they were both at Chill on the Hill postering for their upcoming restaurant and again when Brandon came up to our table both nights. They have fully integrated into Milwaukee life, owning a place in Bay View as well as adding local beers and taps to the menu. It had a real local hangout vibe and a fabulously eclectic mix of the neighborhood- kids, couples, and cross-dressers, oh my!

I had the Mary Burger, a 1/2 pound angus burger with fixings and special sauce, a bloody Mary with their special pepper infused vodka and lemon pepper rim, and the Mary Tyler Smores over the course of two visits. Once the menu expands, look for other burgers like the Barbara-Q Bacon Chzburger, the Buffy (the Burger Slayer), the Queen Mary, and appetizers like Britney Fried Spears. Cannot wait. Did I mention the patio is modeled after the Golden Girls' lanai? And I'm quite intrigued by their hambingo (drag queen bingo) and mimosa brunch (deets forthcoming).



Hamburger Mary's on Facebook

Hamburger Mary's on Twitter

Backyard Discovery: Drawstring Fabric Studio

This is why I love Milwaukee. Cool stores like this are right around the corner from my house. I ventured into the Drawstring Modern Fabric Studio in Bay View over the weekend to check out their stock. Loved it. I am not blessed with the crafty gene, but Drawstring offers sewing classes for us not-so-creative types. However, I can sew a decent seamline so I picked up a square of cute fabric for Lulu the dog to wear as a scarf. What can I say? The dog has some fashion sense.



Visit the Drawstring store at 800 East Potter Street in the Bay View neighborhood (around the corner from Honey Pie Cafe)
W-F: 12pm-8pm
Sat-Sun: 12-4pm
and online at www.drawstringstudio.com

Not in Milwaukee? They have an Etsy Shop to the rescue.

Tennis Time

Nike Skort, $65. Polo Wristbands, $21. Sigg water bottle,, $25. Michael Kors ceramic watch, $250.

Has anyone been watching Wimbledon? I have, and now I'm all motivated to pick up my racket again. I used to play tennis 24/7, racking up varsity letters, and taking year round lessons. I think it's time I get back in the game. So, I've been on the hunt for some good courts to start practicing. Read my post on Inside Milwaukee "Finding a Good Tennis Court" HERE to see what I've found. It turns out my favorite courts are in fact the closest. Humboldt Park tennis courts are topping my list.

Chill On the Hill

Bay View Neighborhood Assoc.

I caught the tail end of the first Chill on the Hill last night. And Jazz In The Park starts tomorrow. I can't wait to pack a picnic and a bottle of wine and sit outside this summer.

Making of a Mural

Photos via Faythe Levine

After watching Exit Through the Gift Shop last week, a documentary about artful graffiti and other unsanctioned art, my eyes have been on the lookout for street art in Milwaukee. The storefront wall of Sky High features a rotating mural every few months with the latest mural (shown above) by Makeal Flammini & Ella Dwyer. I really love this idea; creating something beautiful and poignant and accessible. And it's neat to see a part of the creative process. This type of creativity not only adds to the Bay View neighborhood's character but keeps it alive. The mural will be up facing Howell Ave. from May to July 2011 for everyone to see.

The Vespa Ride

My husband has been taking the Vespa to work almost everyday since early March (Spring comes pretty late to Wisco). I patiently wait for him to get home and pray for nice weather so that I can hop on, but it always ends up being too cold, too rainy, too windy, or too late for a ride. But last weekend, when it was a glorious 84 degrees (remember that?) I looked by the garage to see the Vespa staring back at me. I grabbed the keys and ran. We (the scooter and I) took to the streets, zooming down KK. If you A) don't have a scooter B) live in a city or C) hate gas prices or bad parking, then you need a scooter. I parked on the sidewalk next to Groppi's next to 2 other Vespas. Now, if I only looked as cool as these European women riding a Vespa below. Well, I did strap a 6-pack of O'so Brewery The Big O beer onto the rack for the ride home (more on that tomorrow). That's how we roll in Wisconsin.

Do you have a Vespa/Scooter/motorcycle? Have you been out riding this spring?




images: the sartorialist

Pint In Hand: Ommegang Cup O Kyndnes

One of my favorite things about my neighborhood, Bay View, is that microbrews and specialty brews are a staple. Honestly, it's hard to find Miller Lite around here. The mecca of this niche is Sugar Maple. The menu changes often, the sixty taps are always on, and the selection is hard to match. Last night, I tried Ommegang's Cup O Kyndnes--their dark and smoky fall seasonal scotch ale. It's definitely a beer you sit and enjoy to taste all the unique flavors. What interesting beers have you had recently???

Backyard Discovery: Pastiche Bistro & Wine Bar

photos: Adam Morris

This little place opened up a couple months ago on the way south end of KK. We had walked the dog past the place many times, but last night we finally saw the inside. It's small but really cute. The menu has classic french cuisine; I had the trout with purple peruvian potatoes and french green beans. Dinner was excellent, the chef came around and said hello. Then we trotted a few steps over to the Palm Tavern to have some drinks. To read more about Pastiche, check out the write-up in the Bay View Compass . Pastiche is located on the corner of South Kinnickinnic and Rusk in Bay View.

In the kitchen: Riviera Maya's Tortilla Soup

jsonline

This soup is so good! Can I get an 'Amen'? I have had it many times since it's served with almost everything on the menu at Riviera Maya, and every time I eat it up with lightning speed. Their margaritas there are also incredibly good. In fact, Riviera Maya is one of the reasons we moved to Bay View. We told our realtor that we needed a house with good restaurants within walking distance.

I found the recipe in the Journal Sentinel's "You Asked For It" section. Now I can make it at home!

Backyard discovery: Front Room Photography

I stopped in to scope out Front Room Photography today. It's a really nice space, one of those old Bayview buildings with a tin ceiling and crown molding. They had large canvas photos over the exposed brick wall and nice leather lounge furniture off to the side. I had come to talk about wedding photography (I was a little apprehensive-I was afraid they would be too expensive). They were a little expensive, but not as bad as I thought. I think I can make out only spending $3000 for a wedding day. Thank God! I got a really good feeling about them; very down to earth, modern yet comfortable. It's so great to have wonderful and creative people in Milwaukee. I was worried I'd have to search Chicago.

Check out one of my favorite photos:

I really like that it's not just wedding photography.


The buzz on NPR and NY Times (see article here) is that I should really be disclosing stuff that "I Like". So, for the record, I'm not getting free photos from Front Room. I WISH!

Backyard discovery: At Random

I've driven past for years and heard about the tiki bowls, but I never got around to going inside. WARNING: It's pitch black inside, so watch yo' step.



Link for Decider Milwaukee article