These Fat Boys are Phat

February 21, 2009

Place: Bluephies

http://www.foodfightinc.com/bluephies.htm

Is it always snowing when we try to meet for a bloody mary brunch? In the winter it sure seems that way. And once again, a winter storm is upon us. What a better way to chase the winter blues than brunch and bloodies with a good friend.

We had planned to met in Cottage Grove and try 1855 Saloon and Grill, but we say the roads are too snowy to go the distance, so we meet at our tried and true, Bluephies. Such good food and the bloody mary has been our best so far. I didn't think I'd get to update the blog, but they've updated the menu and added another bloody variation since our last visit!

Called the Fat Boy, it's a completely unique combination of "house made" bacon infused vodka (bacon-infused vodka?!) spiced tomato juice, celery, jalapeno stuffed olives, pickled onions, pickled asparagus, a strip of bacon and string cheese.

We would have liked to linger over the bloody while waiting for our breakfast (scrambled for me and overeasy for J, both with a side of breakfast potatoes and their delicious multigrain toast), but our friendly waitress Kristen set our meals before us and confessed that the bartender was new, so she was taking her time making our "Fat Boys".

But it was worth the wait, as the drinks were "very visually impressive" according to J. Rimmed with celery salt, and stuffed with goodies, these "Phat Boys" lived up to the quest for a 'drink that eats like a meal'.

I mean really, a crispy piece of bacon in the drink? Crazy!

As usual, the Food Fight restaurants never disappoint.

Spice/sauce 4

Strength - 3

Appeal - "About a 6 on a 5 point scale"

Size - 3

Price - $8.75

Drink with a View

Nov. 1, 2008
Place: Sardine


Can't believe it's taken us this long to get together for our next bloody mary. Looking for a place on the East side, we try Sardine, a trendy bistro on Lake Monona. http://www.sardinemadison.com/

This was my first time there and I have a bit of trouble finding the parking lot ( I know, I know I'm such a westsider) drive right past the restaurant and down Williamson street. Oops. So I turn back and end up back at that crazy intersection (Williamson, Wilson, John Nolen and Blair all converge there) but finally figure out I park in the lot behind Machinery Row Bikes.

The restaurant isn't crowded at 11 am on this Saturday so we get a table with view of the Lake. Unfortunately it was a little too chilly to take advantage of the late Autumn sunshine and sit on the outdoor deck.

Our waiter - a seemingly hungover college student - was not in the mood for any banter and impatient for us to order, so along with our drinks we both choose omelettes. I opt for herb and gruyère cheese, while J tries the arugula, brie cheese, crimini mushrooms and scallions, both with spring salad and frites. They are excellent.

"It looks like a party in there," says J when the waiter sets down our drinks. A confetti of spices float in the bloody mary. The zesty drink is garnished with pickle, olive and pepperoncini. We especially appreciate the horseradish and agree that the appeal ranks a '5'.

Overall, a pleasant way to spend a late fall morning and we agree to come back during warm weather.

Spice/sauce - 4
Strength 4 (a bit of a buzz for this lightweight)
Appeal - 5
Size - 3 (10 oz? or maybe 12)
Price - $6