Ah, Wisconsin!

We spent the weekend in Kenosha, Wisconsin visiting family and eating some of the best Italian food we've had in a long time. The food feast started with the Lent special at Mike and Angelo's in Racine. Lake Michigan perch fried golden in a light batter and served with your choice of fries or spaghetti.

After dinner, we headed for drinks at Captain Mike's Lighthouse Pub, the bar where everyone will know your name if you can make it through the 100 beers on hand (30 on tap) in record time. On Saturday we started with a trip to Oliver's Bakery for cookies, and then off to Tenuta's. If you are from Wisconsin, you know this is the place to get any of your Italian staples. Their cheese, charcuterie, and wine selections are impressive as is their collection of dried, fresh, and frozen pasta. We loaded up on Parmesano Reggiano, aged provolone, and dried pasta, but, regretfully, had to leave the pasta sauces and wine for our next road trip.

Tenuta's meatball bombers and seasoned olives held us over until dinner at Wells Brothers Pizza rated one of the top ten pizzeria's in the U.S. by USA Today. Cut in squares, the incredibly thin and crispy crust is piled with savory toppings and cheese in any combination you want: anchovies and garlic, sausage and onions, tomato basil, or simply pepperoni. It is simply amazing how quickly those little squares of savory goodness go down. We tried some of Wisconsin's microbrews with our dinners, but will definitely have to come back for a more thorough examination of the state's breweries.

Finally, we capped the weekend with a home-cooked lunch that bested them all, complete with arroncini [fried risotto balls] made from scratch, fresh ravioli, and my father-in-law's newest invention, an eggplant-topped dish with layers of potato and spare rib meat hiding underneath. Top that off with a Kenosha staple, Cardinali's bread, and what can I say, it was great.

2008 Lunch Round up

2008's been a whirlwind. I can't believe it is nearly the ides of March. So Here are a few tasty treats for your lunch time rendezvous

Franktitude: This is a funky hot dog joint that boasts a full menu of alternative dogs as well as the traditional favorites, chili dogs, mustard and sauerkraut, etc. They also serve tasty wraps and salads for the health conscious. The service is fast and friendly, but stay away from the salmon dog. It sounds bad and tastes worse. (Downtown Miami a few blocks off the Government Center Metro stop)

Trattoria Luna: For a more upscale yet affordable lunch, this Italian eatery offers unbeatable value. Any lunch special comes complete with the soup of the day and a fresh mesclun salad. The entrees are sure to please with feathery light gnocchi in pesto, salmon and penne with a pink vodka sauce, and chicken piccata, just to name a few. Luna also provides a moderately priced wine list and classic range of desserts. (U.S. between Kendall and 104st.)

El Chalan: For those of you unfamiliar with Peruvian cuisine, El Chalan offers the perfect introduction. Unpretentious in setting and plentiful in its offerings, this restaurant brings the costal flavors of Peru to Miami. Seafood is fresh and moderately priced and prepared in a variety of ways: fried, steamed, grilled, you name it. The mixed cebiche is excellent, incredibly flavorful and tender, while the large fried seafood plate is enough to feed four people comfortably for under $10.00. Don't forget to try the unique Peruvian bevarages: Inca Kola and various pilsners and lagers (Bird Rd. across from Tropical Park, just past the Palmetto)