restaurants

Ardent You Glad You Read This?

by lisadiane

Well here’s a first my friends. I’m writing about something I loved in a timely fashion. Little heads up for you, this post is basically a test of how many positive favorable adjectives I know. Ready? Ok.

Ardent. Let’s talk about it.

My new mission in life is to stop going to the same restaurants over and over again. I think there’s enough great restaurants in the city to try a new one all the time! Little personal fact about me… part of my day job is to entertain clients. I feel there’s no better way to break bread aka do business than over food. I have my favorite impressive haunts in Milwaukee: Story Hill BKC, Bavette, La Merenda, Cafe Lulu… the list could go on of these affordable lovely great places that people really love when I take them there. But I know there is more to Milwaukee, and I’m ready to explore.

Tonight, I took a client to Ardent. Where do I begin.

Just a couple of businesswomen out on the town

We did the tasting with the pairing. I took pictures with my new phone, which means you will all be satisfied with the photos for once. *Little side story. Last weekend I was in Florida for a girls weekend with 10 girls in an Airbnb. I’m in the pool, cocktail in one hand, phone in the other, arms raised. Laughing, walking, talking, hit a deep spot, one hand goes down to steady myself, one hand goes up to save whatever I’m holding…. You can see where this story is going. New iPhone. Cocktail was saved, like an idiot. Wasn’t even a good cocktail.

Speaking of good cocktails… did I tell you about the pairings? 9 pairings. Nine amazing different wines… and even a Spotted Cow. The service was incredible. Man with Glasses and Woman with Fiance were uber professional. They explained every drink they set in front of us with the most pride I’ve ever heard someone take in explaining the “why” of something. One time the Man with Glasses was telling us about how the bark was peeled and the grape had skin and I swear I blacked out for a minute.

First round of snacks and tea in upper left hand corner, celery custard in top right, beef with egg and marrow plus cheesy bread in bottom left, and tofu soup in bottom right

Then there was the food. 12. Yes, TWELVE rounds. A couple of them were multiple things so it ended up being 17 different mouth experiences. I wish they didn’t show us the menu after so I could explain my favorites with my own words, but I’ll give it a try. You can also look at the menu they gave us afterwards for a tour of our experience. Or just go there.

Beef from Larry the cow in upper left, potatoes on potatoes with heaven sauce in upper right, the most magical thing that’s ever touched my lips in lower left, and radish wrapped tongue from an angel in the bottom right

Let’s talk about the cheese bread in the bag teamed with the beef tartar with the egg and marrow topping. All these things were from the same cow, Larry. Just kidding, they didn’t tell us his name, but, it could have been Larry because it’s from the award winning chefs’ family farm. I know I’m not explaining it right but it’s something very special. What about the foie gras carrot cone? That was literally the most magical thing I’ve ever put in my mouth. Ever. Or the radish wrapped tongue and cream treat. I. Can’t. Even. I literally died when I ate the potato dumplings with the potato chips on top in the bowl. DIED. DEAD. Or when the dessert round started and I had the coldest, spiciest, most interesting flavors hit my tongue. I was confused, content, scared, thrilled, curious. All at the same time. Or maybe that was the drink pairing talking.

The dessert round. On the left is a trio of bite size flavor explosions, upper right is all the flavors, textures, and temperatures of the world mixed into one dish, and bottom right is french fries dipped in a shake, but in square form.

I want everyone to have this experience in life. EVERYONE. If you have mucho extra casho laying around to spend, or a expense account and a client to impress, go here. Maybe you want to set the bar unreasonably high for a first date ruining first dates forever for the person you take, this is the place. Maybe you’re celebrating your 100th wedding anniversary. This is where you should take your spouse. Maybe you’re naturally rich; you should eat here every night. Maybe you’ve been given one day to live and you’re having a hard time choosing a restaurant. This is it. Maybe you found someone’s credit card laying in the street and you… ok, maybe I’ll stop there, you get the picture.

M&M. Mini Muffins and Menus.

PS: They sent us home with a mini muffin for tomorrow morning, so there’s also that.

PPS: The chefs mom knitted blankets for the back of all the chairs. You know. In case you wanted to snuggle.

Hop To It My Friends

by lisadiane

I’ve been officially called out for not blogging in a while. Yes. Correct. Bad Blogger. I do have many things to say, so if there was just some way to give someone all my words, and the pictures that go with those words, and then that person could make everything look good on the internet, imbed all the links, insert the tags and la de da, that would be great.  Technology is not my strong suit and time is not my friend.

I’m ready to Hop with you!

But in the mean time, let’s talk about The Hop. What? You haven’t ridden it yet? Shame on you. It’s free! (Thank you Potawatomi Hotel and Casino. And also thank you to the creators of the Hop for not going TO Poto on the route. That would be a huge problem for me.)

I started out with much animosity like many people.  Mostly because I tripped over the tracks and ate s%*# in the middle of the road twice in two weeks while taking my dog out.  The tracks and station are right next to the building where I live.

BUT, in true bandwagon girl fashion, I ride the s#*% out of that thing.  I’m taking this living downtown thing seriously.  I Hop to meetings, I Hop to brunch, I Hop to happy hour.  I Hop when it rains, I Hop when it snows, I Hop when the weather is glorious. I Hop all the stops, and I Hop one stop. I Hop. You Hop. I Hop you Hop we Hop.

Just a girl and her Hop!

Kids love to Hop!  Some parents just take their kids on and loop around a bunch of times so they can relax and know that their kid is entertained. It’s a shelter from the storm and a nice nap zone for our citizens who don’t have homes.  It’s a way to get from the Historic Third Ward to Brady Street without taking an Uber or Lyft.  And by golly, when this thing starts expanding… we are going to really take this city by storm.

I’ve met interesting characters, showed off my city to my out of town guests, and rediscovered bars I had forgot about but love. Aka, hellooooo Elsas on the Park you gem of a place.  Serving fine dining until 1am, the best roasted veggies in the city, and blue cheese stuffed olives in the best martini you’ve ever had.  More on that place later, because I have a LOT to say about it. Other favorite Hop Stops: The Cafe on the Plaza for brunch, The Milwaukee Public Market (obviously), Chipotle for some din din, Balzac for the best happy hour in Milwaukee and more! I should really make a really good list for ya’ll of places to go within a few blocks walking distance of The Hop. Later. Or ask me for a recommendation. You don’t get a body like this without really knowing your restaurants.

Waiting for a ride at the station by my house

I’ve saved tons of money on parking and rideshares. I’ve added another adventure to my infamous “Tour o’ Milwaukee”.  You may think it doesn’t go far, and I will admit I thought the same thing myself at first.  But it also makes places that weren’t walkable to someone like me who lives down here now totally walkable.  Last night I discovered that I could get to JoCats with a Hop and a 7 minute walk.  Not that I ever want to go to JoCats again.  But Balzac… I’m coming for you now!

Just a moms night out headed to good ol’ JoCats to re-live the good old days!

It’s free for now so please just come down here and do a loop.  20ish minutes gets you around once. Start at the Amtrak Milwaukee Intermodal Train Station.  When the loop ends at Burns Commons Park, the driver exits his little driver room, walks through the middle of the train to the other end and drives back to the train station.  It’s like a reversible car! Or park wherever you want and get on wherever you want.  Choose your own adventure.  Scared to Hop alone? I’ll Hop which ya!

I’ve heard it will be $1 to ride in the future, but also I think that’s too expensive for people like me who use it all the time.  Maybe they will have a monthly pass or something which would make way more sense for us down townies. Whatever they do, I hope it continues to get used, because my Milwaukee deserves it. 

Let’s Talk About Kopps

by lisadiane

Too soon?  I thought about it being too soon, but I feel so strongly about Kopps that I’m sure I’ll blog about it again when I have millions of followers, but for now, we will keep it as an intimate conversation amongst friends.

Kopps. A magical land of Cheeseburgers, Custard, and WTF Architecture. Which is the best kind.

For those of you who are not aware, Kopps is an iconic Milwaukee establishment.  Elsa Kopp was the woman who started it all back in 1950, and to this day, each of the 3 locations has a picture of her in a frame where everyone ordering can see and pay their homage to the woman who made this unique dining experience possible.

Where do we start? I suppose we start with the cheeseburger, no? Now, I’m going to make a strong statement here, but you need to remember I’ve been to 38 countries so I’m not making an uneducated declaration.

Best Cheeseburger In The Entire World.

Ok, I said it. Now, I knew you were going to ask why. A few things that come to mind.

  1. Ratio. The meat to cheese to bun to condiments is perfection. You don’t taste all meat, there’s no need to leave some bun behind, you don’t crave more cheese… you literally just feel satisfied.

    Cheeseburger with the Works from Kopps
  2. Condiments. You’re ordering it with The Works or you’re a square. I mean, do whatever you want, I don’t care, but ketchup, brown mustard, fried onions and relish is the jam. Do that.
  3. Toasted Bun. They have somehow scientifically figured out how to toast the side of the bun that faces your meat so perfectly while leaving the holdy part soft and supple. Butter.  That may have something to do with it.
  4. Price. Yeah, I’m going to go there. $5.75 for a 6 or 7 inch masterpiece? I don’t normally give any shits about saving money, but folks, this is a deal.

We’ve talked about the burger, but there are some other things that really complete the experience.

  1. Weird ass architecture. I mean, you have 3 locations to sit at and eat your burger and ponder. “Who did this? Why? Whats up with the weird garden of stumps? What’s up with these benches with cracks in the middle? Why is there so much stainless steel? Is there a garden inside this place? Why is there only one black cow?”  I mean, the list goes on.

    Everyone eating their food by the waterfall on cracked cement benches at the location in Greenfield on Layton
  2. Unusual ordering process. I mean, it’s almost like you must have the secret password to get in. You order the food here, not the custard, but yes the custard if it’s complicated, but you pick up the stuff on the color, or you get it right away? Whatever. Try to go with a veteran your first time who can break it down for you. (Pick me! Pick me!)
  3. Custard. That brings us to the custard. Don’t act like there’s an argument between custard and ice cream.  Just admit it’s custard and that you have The Flavor Forecast saved in the favorites on your phone.
  4. The People. No, I’m not talking about the polite teens on the other side of the counter, I’m talking about your peers. The many, and by many, I mean many, people just like you standing around, holding their ticket, waiting for their number to be called.  Everyone knows.  It’s like, everyone looks at each other and nods slightly with a soft knowing smile on their face.  They know.  You know. You’re at Kopps.

Chances are if you’ve visited me in Milwaukee, I’ve brought you to Kopps.  One of the 3 locations.  We’ve casually eaten our cheeseburgers in an indoor garden, next to a waterfall on a cement bench, or while staring at some cows. And you loved it. And it wasn’t what you expected. And it was delicious. And it was cheap. And you’ve gone home and told all your friends about it because it’s the ipedime of Milwaukee. It’s chill, inexpensive, unique, unexpected, diverse, a little confusing, immediately comfortable, and friendly. It’s Milwaukee.

Chances are if you come visit Milwaukee, you’re going to Kopps.  Unless your friends who live here don’t like you.  In that case, look me up, I’ll take you.  But only if they have one of my favorite flavors that day.*

Lisa

*Favorite Flavors Include:

Tiramisu

Grasshopper Fudge

Cherry Amaretto Cheesecake

Turtle Sundae

…just kidding, I would go any day of the week.  Don’t forget about the Shake of The Month or the Sundae of the Month.

S’mores! Sundae of the Month at Kopps