Swiss Dining in New Glarus

August 10, 2012 Leave a Comment

Glarner Stube Restaurant, New Glarus, Wisconsin

Last weekend as we bummed through Green County, we stayed overnight in the town of New Glarus, also known as Swiss Town. What a quaint place—actually, there’s enough there to spend a day or two.

Anyway, we ate at the Glarner Stube restaurant and it was divine. You know me, I’m a sucker for an eclectic atmosphere and this place didn’t disappoint. The hospitality was great—lots of New Glarus Beer, if you can imagine that, and traditional Swiss and American food. We had Roesti (swiss fried potatoes), oooh, they were good! And yes, we had to ask what they are—two layers hash browns with swiss cheese between. Delicious, as was our whole meal.

Fun evening—gotta go back sometime and see the rest of the town.

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Wednesday Webs: Empowering the People

April 25, 2012 1 Comment

City of Toronto Archives, public domain

In the old days entrepreneurs were at the mercy of banks or venture capitalists for financing their innovative ideas. Nowadays crowdfunding provides resources at the grassroots level. It’s a “teamwork makes the dream work” approach that offers even the little guy an opportunity for success.

Maybe you too have a dream?

  • Likened to an old-fashioned barn raising, crowdfunding is successful when recipients work hard and give back in return. This restaurant owner offered free meals.
  • A creative print and design business became reality with the help of Kickstarter, the largest of crowdfunding communities.
  • Crowdfunding is also for non-profits. StartSomeGood, who actually prefers the term peerfunding, connects social entrepreneurs with people who want to help.
  • Kiva helps under-served and poor people around the world. Just a $25 loan empowers people to create a better life for themselves.
  • A top ten list of crowdfunding websites.

 

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Everyone’s Irish, Even in Wisconsin

March 19, 2012 Leave a Comment

The Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary Help of Christians at Holy Hill

This past weekend my husband and I took a St. Patty’s getaway. Yes, on St. Patrick’s Day everyone is Irish. And here in the Midwest, where we’re relishing an unseasonably warm spring, even the least celebratory of Wisconsinites was outdoors with great cheer.

First stop was Erin, Wis., an unincorporated community of 3790 people. Located in the foothills of the Holy Hill National Shrine, Erin honors its Irish roots in a big way. Every year, rain or shine, and no matter what day of the week St. Patrick’s falls, it celebrates with a full-blown parade.

Erin, Wisconsin St. Patrick's Day Parade

Like all parades, Erin’s St. Patrick’s parade is a fun way to promote small businesses. And, of course, every good Wisconsin parade must have horses.

Erin, Wisconsin St. Patrick's Day Parade

And tractors.

Antique truck at Erin, Wisconsin St. Patrick's Day Parade

And cool, old trucks.

Bagpipers at Erin, Wisconsin St. Patrick's Day Parade

And last, but not least, especially for a St. Patrick’s parade, there must be bagpipers.

St. Patrick's Day parade at Erin, WIsconsin, Washington Co.

Irish fashion is fun and intriguing.

St. Patrick's Day parade at Erin, WIsconsin, Washington Co.

I love this woman’s cape with its beautiful Celtic designs.

Erin Emmanuel Cemetery

The parade went right past Erin Emmanuel, a small cemetery where my husband’s Lohr ancestors are buried (no, not exactly Irish). The gate was locked but I was able to take pictures from the road.

Gravestones are such beautiful works of art, aren’t they?

52 Stafford Irish Inn, Plymouth, WI

After the parade, we headed on up to 52 Stafford, a historical Irish inn in Plymouth, Wis. We’ve stayed here before and have always been pleased with the beautiful building, the delicious food, and great service. Once again, we had a great time.

52 Stafford Irish Inn, Plymouth, WI

On Saturday, the bar was packed with people watching March Madness basketball games and enjoying Black and Tans or a Jamison (I’m a little softer and settled for a yummy Bailey’s on the rocks:-). Victory for both Wisconsin teams made for a happy crowd!

52 Stafford Irish Inn, Plymouth, WI

The 52 Stafford promotes itself as Wisconsin’s prettiest pub. With these beautiful stain glass windows and cherry millwork, they have a rightful claim.

52 Stafford Irish Inn, Plymouth, WI

On Saturday night, the hotel’s restaurant served Irish stew and corned beef with cabbage. It must have been good because this parlor-pub area was filled, as well as the restaurant’s dining room. A live Irish band topped off the festive atmosphere.

According to 52 Stafford’s information sheet, the 19-room hotel was built in 1892 and has been in continuous use for more than a century. The O’Dwanny family purchased it in 1978, and in 1987, they restored the building to its original appearance. It’s now on the National Register of Historic Places.

So, to you the O’Dwanny family, we say go raibh maith agaibh (thank you) for preserving this beautiful building. It’s stunning! And thank you, 52 Stafford and the Town of Erin, for a very fun St. Patty’s weekend!

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Supper Clubs, Brandy Old Fashioneds and a Wisconsin State of Mind

March 5, 2012 Leave a Comment

Capital Brewery Supper Club Beer

 

I’m just so excited. Recently I started a web design project for a local supper club. By local, I mean just around the corner, and here in our neck of the woods, this restaurant is the place to gather for good food, family and friends.

When starting any new design project, the first thing I do is research. I learn everything there is to know about the business and industry so I can then formulate a creative plan of action. (If you’re wondering why a well-designed website costs so much, this is one reason).

So, researching supper clubs is what I’m doing these days. Perfect timing, I must say. Here’s why.

Localness, heritage, and even the name ‘supper club’ are hot culinary topics these days. It started with Millennials taking an interest in the origins of their food. This has spread and now everyone has become hipsters seeking the quality and traditions that make a community. On top of that, there’s just something inherently cool about Wisconsin.

Like here. Check out Supper Clubs: An Old Fashioned Experience, by Ron Faiola. This fun documentary describes supper clubs as family-owned, Wisconsin traditions. They’re nostalgic gathering places that serve—not breakfast—not lunch—only supper. And a supreme supper it is, heralded with pure Wisconsin culture—the brandy old fashioned cocktail.

This Chicago Tribune article defines supper clubs with four simple truisms:

  1. They’re associated with out-of-town, road trips and loyalties that span generations,
  2. They serve soup and a salad; plus the bread, the relish, the potato and the whole more-than-enough shebang,
  3. Their menus are traditional Midwestern comfort foods; typically prime rib, steaks, seafood, duck and chicken. Oh, and don’t forget the beloved Friday fish fry!
  4. They’re an endangered breed.

I think that last point is debatable.

Gobbler Supper Club, Johnson Creek, WI

It’s true many supper clubs have been nudged out by chain restaurants (which truly are the most unexciting of dining). One sad example is the Gobbler Supper Club in nearby Johnson Creek. It’s been empty and for sale for years. Please someone, save this historic building and bring back its true supper club glory!

But appreciation for supper clubs has recently gone from a continued simmer to a full out boil. Forget the clichéd, repetition of chain restaurants. Leave behind the factory-line hustle of fast food. Instead, relax, slow down and enjoy the unique experience of a Wisconsin supper club.

I think the brilliant copywriters for Capital Brewery’s Supper Club beer say it best. They’ve captured the essence of Wisconsin supper clubs like a thick, foamy head compliments a good glass of brew.

Yep, we’re celebrating a Wisconsin state of mind.

 

Capital Brewery Supper Club Beer

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