In Search of...

Drowning the Shamrock....a Bloody the Brocach Way

2009-10-03T13:14:00.022-05:00

Date: 1 October 2009
Place: Brocach
http://www.brocach.com/home.html

Don't let my freckles fool you, I have no Irish ancestry. So the promise of a Guinness wasn't the reason we meet up with friends for happy hour at Brocach. The weather is dreary, dark, cold and rainy, the perfect backdrop to an evening at this Irish Pub located on the Capitol Square.

By reputation we are trying Brocach's Bloody Mary.

"It gets extra credit for the glass," says J, as our friendly bar maid sets the drinks before us. Served in a hefty Guinness glass, the drink looked pretty enough with its wedges of lemon and lime, and a skewer of stuffed olive, pickled onion and mushroom. Its claim to fame? A 'dab' of Guinness added to a "Jack and Bernies thick and spicy mix," according to the bar menu.

The first sip was lacking - but a vigorous stir with the straw helped. I think I can taste the stout, but only if I'm really concentrating. And because I'm not a beer fan, its addition to the mix doesn't sway me. As I finish my drink, I'm left wondering; would I have rated it higher had it been accompanied by a Saturday egg brunch?

So while the Brocach bloody passes muster, I switch to a shiraz when the waitress returns for our second round.

Spice/Sauce 3.5
Strength 3
Appeal 3.25
Price $7 for 16 oz.

A New Discovery at The Old Fashioned

2009-06-20T13:53:00.020-05:00

Date: 20 June 09

Place: The Old Fashioned

http://www.theoldfashioned.com/index.php

The Bloody Mary we had today reminded us why we started this quest in the first place; discovering a drink uniquely blended into what could be called a signature cocktail. That's what we found at The Old Fashioned, as their spicy blend is unlike any we've tried so far.

Farmer's Market was in full swing when J and I met at the top of State and made our way through the crowds til we were in front of The Old Fashioned - our real destination this morning.

Can't believe I haven't been here before - as so many people I know rave about the place. The restaurant was quiet when we arrived at 9:30 and I thought there'd be outdoor seating. Our friendly waitress Sara explained the outdoor dining starts next week as she handed us the Bloody Mary menu.

Agreeing it was good omen that there were three options to choose from, we opted for the one made with pepper vodka; a step up from the house offering. The other was "too Wisconsin for me," J observed about the garnishes, which included beef jerky, cheese curd and a spicy pickled egg. We chuckle as we recall those large glass containers of pickled eggs in so many rural taverns. Not a pretty image for me as I always thought those eggs looked like a science experiment.

What a pretty drink, J said when the bloodies arrived. Served with a petite beer chaser, the cocktail is decorated with a giant stuffed olive, aspargus spear, pickled brussel sprout, pickle and a lemon garnish.

The drink was delicious from the first sip. We're impressed with the combo of flavors and ponder how it's made. We wonder if there's spicy brown mustard in the mix; it doesn't have that sharp flavor that horseradish offers in so many of the other bloodies we've tried. I also like that I don't taste too much citrus. It's unique and both of us are impressed.

We also appreciate that we could linger over our drink before breakfast arrived (although by the time we leave the place is packed.) The breakfast menu is interesting - a few Wisconsin offerings like beer battered walleye with eggs and Door County cherries or a brautwurst patty served with the Eggs Benedict. We both have the daily scramble - aspargus, oyster mushrooms and cheese - served with toast made from a rustic bread and battered rosemary potatoes. We even give huge props for their coffee; rich, dark and smooth.

As the name implies The Old Fashioned really knows how to make drinks:

Spice 4.5

Strength 5 (we needed the coffee!)

Sauce - 4.5

Appeal 4.5

Price $7

Bloody Beautiful Brunch

2009-04-18T13:14:00.018-05:00

Date: April 18, 2009

Place: Sardine

http://www.sardinemadison.com/

Last November, J and I said we needed to come back to Sardine - and have a bloody on their deck along the shore of Lake Monona. So, the first Farmer's Market of 2009, and the first truly warm spring day, we're back to enjoy the sunshine and see if if the bloody marys taste better outdoors.

Must say, the sunshine and great girlfriend gossip, along with a savory omelette with mixed greens and frites, were the perfect companions to the bloody marys that Sardine makes.

Not only tasty, these drinks are pretty - rimmed in celery salt, floating with finely chopped radish, jalepeno, herbs and horseradish, the garish includes olives, pickles, lemon and lime.

In fact they were so good, we had two.

Sardine may turn out to be my new favorite summer hangout.

Not much flower power at Marigold

2009-03-14T14:31:00.013-05:00

Date: March 14
Place: Marigold Kitchen

http://www.marigoldkitchen.com/

Hey, spring might be coming after all. Getting together with J on a sunny Saturday morning for the latest installment of bloody mary brunches. Today we meet at Marigold Kitchen off the Square on South Pickney. I think it's a good sign that I got street parking fairly easily, but when I walk in at 9:30 the place is packed. "We prefer you order first and then get a table," a server says, as she walks by juggling an armload of dirty dishes.

So we get in line and ponder the chalk board of daily specials before opting for eggs, Marigold potatoes and wheat toast. And of course coffee and a bloody mary for each of us. Lucky us, as a table for two opens up and we gladly take a seat.

Our bloodies come right away - served in a (10 oz?) beer tap glass. "What used to be a 25 cent tapper," J says (dating herself). The drinks look attractive - garnished with two olives and a twisted pickle chip. Horseradish floats in the drink; at first glance the tomato sauce looks a bit thin.

The first sip goes down well. "It's a bit earthy," J observes. We stir, talk, sip and soon our food arrives.

Our eggs are done just as we like them. The signature potatoes are very good and well seasoned; a bit hard to define - thin sliced as in a baked au gratin, slightly greasy like a hashbrown. J's bread was barely toasted and mine was too cold to spread any butter. The coffee well brewed.

Despite the line that snaked out the door at one point during our meal, we didn't feel rushed, so we enjoy a leisurely breakfast and bloodies. Overall we just don't taste a robust tomato juice, so that disappoints.

We like the lively morning atmosphere at this popular restaurant and enjoy a well-cooked, if unremarkable breakfast, but decide we'll pass on future bloody marys. So the quest continues...
Spice - 3
Strength 3
Sauce - 2
Price - $4.50 (10 oz?)

We're taking suggestions on a where to go next - thinking we may have to travel farther afield; friend M suggestions someplace near Cambridge. Next time we think we'll meet in Cottage Grove at a place we've not been to before - 1885 Saloon and Grill.

These Fat Boys are Phat

2009-02-21T17:58:00.021-06:00

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

2009-02-21T17:19:00.007-06:00

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

Brunch al Fresco

2008-06-29T19:48:00.007-05:00

Guess our schedules were just too busy these past few weeks, but J and I finally got together to continue the Tour this past Saturday. We tried to go to Ocean Grill for their web-advertised Saturday brunch. http://www.foodfightinc.com/oceangrill.htm

But when we arrived at 9:30 or so they weren't open. Gosh, I was really looking forward to that Bloody Mary, so we wandered over to the top of King street and The Local Tavern and their outdoor dining. http://thelocaltavern.com/

But for the wind, it was a great place to have brunch downtown, and people watch. As we were ordering our bloody marys, talking to the waiter about liking them full-bodied and spicy, a fellow diner passed our table and assured us that the Bloodys were indeed spicy!

We liked the retro glasses -- sort of like a soda fountain glass. The drinks were dressed with a pickle, olive and a pepperoncini. The sauce looked interesting - like maybe there was horseradish in the mix. The heat came from red pepper flakes. Spicy at first sip, but the palate adjusted quickly and it was simply a good drink.

Both of us ordered the quiche special - which was served individually encasserole with a phyllo dough crust. It was very tasty and served with a side of fresh fruit. I have to admit that my expectations were pretty low for what I thought was a more of an old-fashion 'tavern'. But looking around, all the breakfasts looked tasty. Needless to say, we'll be back.

We rank The Local Tavern's Bloody Mary:
Spice: 5
Strength: 5
Price:4 ($5)
Appeal: 3
Size: 12 oz.
Brunch: 4

Lunch instead of brunch?

2008-04-05T14:01:00.004-05:00

We're having a bit of trouble finding places that serve breakfast and bloodys on Saturdays.

We know there are lots more options on Sundays...but neither one of us fancies those 'all you can eat' buffets. Too much food.

And besides, Saturdays are a better lounge and linger day in my opinion...

So next time we hope to it will be warm and sunny enough for an outside table and we'll probably 'do lunch'.

But where to go??

Perhaps the mother lode.. but not at Eldorado

2008-04-05T13:33:00.011-05:00

Date: 4/5/08
Place: Bluephies, 2701 Monroe St.
http://www.foodfightinc.com/bluephies.htm

J and I planned to meet at the Eldorado Grill on Willy Street for the latest in our bloody mary brunches...but guess they're only open on Sunday mornings...so we headed to Bluephies (another Food Fight restaurant). Wanted to go there anyway to formally review it and we are glad we did!

For our 'official review' we tried their "Belt Busting" special ($7) and it is now the one to beat! It's got great spice and J decribed the sauce as 'meaty' without being thick like a V8-style juice. Loaded with celery, olives, an aspargus stem (pickled in a horseradish brine), mushrooms, lemon and lime, it came pretty darn close to being the answer to our quest...as J challenged, we are looking for a bloody mary that 'eats like a meal'!

Soooo only 4 months in and we may have found our favorite. We liked it well enough to enjoy a second round, so need I say more??

Our breakfast was good - although J's quiche was on the petite side and my biscuit wasn't as flavorful as other visits. But it's the company that counts, and it's always affirming to catch up with a friend I've known since childhood. Knowing what's going on in her life and sharing the same is what this journey is all about.

We ranked Bluphies Belt Buster:
Spice: 5
Strength: 4
Sauce: 3.5
Price:4
Appeal; 5+
Size: 4

This is the first really nice day - highs in the 60's - that makes us think Spring is really here to stay.

What more can I ask for? Great weather, great friend, good food and a perfect bloody mary. That second bloody made me sleepy; think I'll go nap on the deck in the sun!

Where to next?

2008-03-01T23:01:00.002-06:00

We do have to go back to Bluephies http://www.foodfightinc.com/bluephies.htm not only to include them in our offical tally, but also because their breakfasts are so good.

I've also tried the Bloody Marys at Babes http://www.babesmadison.com/contact/ but I don't think they have Saturday brunch....but maybe just to compare their drinks, because remember them as really good. (but it's been a few months since I've had a drink there.)

We talked about The Weary Traveler next time, but they don't serve breakfast so I'm not sure where we're going. Have to talk to J.

By reputation we try The Green Lantern

2008-03-01T22:20:00.006-06:00

Date: 3/1/08
Place: The Green Latern, McFarland
http://www.explorewisconsin.com/greenlantern/

Several people recommend this place, so here we are on the first of March.

Oops, we started our visit with a 'spice your own' version - which the nice waitress talked me in to before I realized that we can't judge a drink that we make ourselves. (You get a tall tomato juice delivered with a tray that includes Tabasco, A1, Worcestershire, steak sauce, celery salt, a bloody mary seasoning). Fortunately it wasn't that strong so we ordered what the they called"the ultimate" mixed by the bartender. Horseradish jazzed this one up more than the 'make your own' and it included a pickle spear, but no olives and I miss those.

Spice: 2
Strength: 3
Sauce: 3
Appeal: 3
Size: 3
Price: 5
Our waitress, April, was great and the my hash browns and english muffin were cripsy and dark and the ham/cheese omlete was perfect. The restaurant was too smoky for me though.

Catching Up: The Club Tavern

2008-03-01T22:13:00.007-06:00

Place: The Club Tavern
Date: 2/9/08

February already and our second taste testing. The Club Tavern in Middleton is up for sale, so who knows what the future will bring. I love the dining area of the place - it's over 100 years old and the exposed stone foundation and low ceiling give it a cozy feel on a winter morning.
http://www.clubtavern.com/
Spice: 2.5
Strength: 4
Sauce: 4
Appeal: 5
Size: 5
Price: 4.5
Brunch: 4 (two for one coupon)

This is a large drink (21 oz.) that comes loaded with salad - including a spicy shrimp. Yummy. This day J and I were really impressed; they raised the bar for drinks to come.

I will add that I'd been to the Club Tavern twice before with K and one of those times the drinks were subpar (when K questioned, the waitress admitted they were premixed in anticpation of a busy Saturday crowd.)

Catching Up: The Avenue

2008-03-01T21:27:00.005-06:00

Date: 1/12/08
Place: The Avenue
http://www.madisondining.com/avenuebar/

So this was the first official visit on the Bloody Mary tour. The Avenue's reputation made it a perfect place to start.

Spice/Sauce: 3 for spice but 2 for sauce (too thin)
Strength: 4 (post brunch buzz while shopping)
Appeal: 3 (not much salad)
Size: 2 (in a short glass)
Price: 4 (potent for the price)
Brunch: average

What We Judge

2008-03-01T21:00:00.000-06:00

Every bloody mary we drink goes through a vigorous assessment process. We judge each contender on:
1. Spice/Sauce
2. Strength
3. Visual appeal
4. Size
5. Price

Extra credit for a tasty brunch!

How We Score

2008-03-01T20:58:00.003-06:00

On a 1 to 5 scale, here's how we tally:
1. Tell your friends to stay away - horrible
2. Don't bother ever coming back
3. Well, at least it's alcohol
4. Worth a second trip
5. Yipee - the mother lode!

Spicing Things Up

2008-02-29T18:01:00.001-06:00

We started recording the taste testing the old fashion way - just joting down notes in a small notebook...but then it occurred to me that blogging might be a bit more fun. So here I go. One small step back to my writing roots. 'Course I'll never compare to B's blogging, but this is a start. Just keeping it fun.