James Beard Award Names Four Milwaukee Semifinalists
Three renowned chefs and one premier restaurant from the Milwaukee area were announced as semifinalists last week for the prestigious 2010 James Beard Awards. The awards are considered the Oscars of the culinary world.
Sanford, a restaurant owned by past James Beard Award winner chef Sanford D'Amato and his wife, Angie, was nominated for Outstanding Restaurant of the year.
Justin Aprahamian, chef de cuisine at Sanford, was nominated for Rising Star Chef of the year, an award which recognizes chefs younger than 30. Among the list of his competitors is Kevin Gillespie, chef at Woodfire Grill in Atlanta and a contestant on last season's "Top Chef".
Among the 20 semifinalists for Best Chef Midwest are Peggy Magister, chef-owner of Crazy Water, and Dan Van Rite, executive chef of Hinterland in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward.
Finalists will be announced March 22 in New Orleans, and the winners will be announced May 3 in New York.
VISIT Milwaukee markets Greater Milwaukee to tourists, convention and meeting planners nationally and internationally and is dedicated to ensuring our guests are warmly welcomed and enjoy an enriching experience in this jewel of the Great Lakes. VISIT Milwaukee has more than 620 members, including hotels/motels, restaurants, attractions, services and area businesses. Tourism generated $2.7 billion in spending in Greater Milwaukee in 2008 and supported about 66,000 local jobs. The City of Wauwatosa, Midwest Airlines, Potawatomi Bingo Casino and the Wisconsin Center District are strategic partners with VISIT Milwaukee, providing funding support for conventions and tourism programs. For more information call 1-800-554-1448 or visit http://www.visitmilwaukee.org/.
Top 10 Craft Beers That Trim Your Waistline
Need a beer that won't weigh you down (literally) while you're trekking through ...
Monday, February 15, 2010
Find Gems in Milwaukee’s Neighborhoods
An outing to Milwaukee used to mean a gut-filling meal at a German restaurant and maybe a brewery tour. But the city keeps evolving, saving prized ethnic treasures while developing areas with a cool urban vibe.An outing to Milwaukee used to mean a gut-filling meal at a German restaurant and maybe a brewery tour. But the city keeps evolving, saving prized ethnic treasures while developing areas with a cool urban vibe.......
Friday, February 12, 2010
Milwaukee Airport Wants…
Mention Milwaukee, and many people would think of city icons such as bratwurst, Miller Beer or even Laverne and Shirley. But the city's General Mitchell International Airport is quickly putting Milwaukee on the map for travelers in the Midwest.javascript:openWindow('http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2010-02-11-airmilwaukee11_CV_N.htm');
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Moose International Commits to Milwaukee for 2013
Moose International has selected Milwaukee as the host city for its 2013 International Convention. The convention is expected to bring more than 7,000 delegates to the city, take up as many as 18,000 room nights and pump approximately $9 million into the local economy.
"The community came together in a big way to win this significant convention for Milwaukee," said Brent Foerster, vice president of sales and marketing for VISIT Milwaukee. "This group will occupy hotels, dine in restaurants and spend significant dollars throughout the greater Milwaukee area."
Moose International (http://www.mooseintl.org/) comprising the Loyal Order of Moose and the Women of the Moose, is a fraternal and service organization founded in 1888 with nearly 1.1 million men and women in roughly 1,800 Lodges and 1,600 Chapters throughout North America, including four Canadian provinces as well as Great Britain and Bermuda.
William B. Airey, director general and chief executive officer of Moose International, said Milwaukee will make an ideal destination for its 2013 convention. "There are a lot of factors that go into our site selection decision," said Airey. "We were impressed by the community's desire to host us and the overall quality of the city's hospitality community. We're very excited about bringing our members to Milwaukee, for what will be the first time since 1944."
The Moose organization supports the operation of Mooseheart Child City and School, a 1,000-acre community for children in need, located 40 miles west of Chicago; and Moosehaven, a 70-acre retirement community for its members near Jacksonville, Fla. Additionally, Moose Lodges and Chapters contribute approximately $75 million worth of community service (monetary and in-kind) annually. The 2013 convention will mark the 100th anniversary of Mooseheart; on one day of the six-day meeting, members will make the 100-mile trek south to the campus for festivities, then will return to Milwaukee the same evening.
"In the past 100 years, Moose International has been a model organization through its significant work with children, schools and communities, and I believe it deserves an anniversary celebration that will be remembered for another 100 years to come," said Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. "Milwaukee is the perfect choice for a celebration of this magnitude!"
Milwaukee Common Council President Willie Hines is a member of the VISIT Milwaukee executive board and participated in a recent site visit by Moose officials that helped close the deal.
"This is a group of people who have a history of doing good deeds and working to improve communities throughout the country and the world," said Hines. "Like all groups who select to convene in Milwaukee, they will come to experience our warm brand of hospitality and world-class attractions that make us a great visitor destination."
VISIT Milwaukee markets Greater Milwaukee to tourists, convention and meeting planners nationally and internationally and is dedicated to ensuring our guests are warmly welcomed and enjoy an enriching experience in this jewel of the Great Lakes. VISIT Milwaukee has more than 620 members, including hotels/motels, restaurants, attractions, services and area businesses. Tourism generated $2.7 billion in spending in Greater Milwaukee in 2008 and supported about 66,000 local jobs. The City of Wauwatosa, Midwest Airlines, Potawatomi Bingo Casino and the Wisconsin Center District are strategic partners with VISIT Milwaukee, providing funding support for conventions and tourism programs. For more information call 1-800-554-1448 or visit http://www.visitmilwaukee.org/.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
This Valentine’s Day: Get Out of the Box
Looking for a new take on an old story? Cupid's arrow has landed on some compelling reasons to celebrate Valentine's Day in Milwaukee.
A BOX OF CHOCOLATES IS EASIER TO WRAP, BUT THE UNIVERSE IS WAY MORE IMPRESSIVE. . .Roses are nice but nothing says "I love you" like a trip through outer space.
The Milwaukee Public Museum's Daniel M. Soref Planetarium is the place to make an out-of-this-world date at Romancing the Stars February 12, 13 and 14.This romantic tour of the universe comes complete with a look at which star clusters are actually "constellations of love." The planetarium sweetens the deal with complimentary red roses and valentine's candy. Admission is $20 per couple, and reservations are highly recommended. The show is rated "AC," for adult couples only-no young children allowed.
NOTHING GOES BETTER WITH LOVE. . .THAN BEER. What do a cheesy, mass-produced, overpriced card and a hastily-purchased floral arrangement really say? This Valentine's Day, go for creative gold and originality with a gift from Milwaukee's award-winning Sprecher Brewery. Imagine giving your special someone a custom-labeled, 1-liter bottle of Sprecher beer - featuring your photo and a thoughtful message. What says love in Wisconsin more than your mug on a big bottle of brew? Sprecher also features three, limited Valentine's Day card-style labels available in its gift shop. http://www.sprecherbrewery.com/
SO NOT DOING THE VALENTINE'S THING THIS YEAR? Has cupid been unkind? Grab your single gal pals and head to the Library at The Iron Horse Hotel for the ultimate pajama party. Is there any better way to get over whatever- his-name-was than commiserating over complimentary champagne cocktails with your BFF? Add the indulgence of a late night, ice cream-chocolate-junk food-lovers buffet and you may end up the envy of your "coupled" girlfriends! Package includes a Custom Deluxe room with 2 queen beds (up to 4 girls per room), welcome bag, spa amenity and your pass to the UnValentine's Day Party on February 13. http://theironhorsehotel.com/un-valentines-package.php
FOR THE EXHIBITIONIST. . .Love under the covers is so. . .yesterday. Throw away your inhibitions and welcome cupid under glass this year. The Milwaukee Domes are a signature landmark and the only horticultural structures of their kind. This trio of 85-foot-high glass domes houses the equivalent of a tropical rainforest and an arid desert, along with a floral show dome that features five annual themed displays. The combination of flora, the new Domes Light Show featuring a futuristic light extravaganza set to music AND a chocolate fountain? Be still your heart. www.milwaukeedomes.org/specialevents.asp
FUEL YOUR LOVE, HARLEY-DAVIDSON STYLE. Someone once said "Anyone can share a bed, but it takes true love to share a saddle." Toast to your saddle-mate at Motor Bar & Restaurant at the Harley-Davidson Museum February 12-14. Every two entrees purchased include two Harley-Davidson Museum pint glasses filled with the restaurant's signature Gasoline beer. And don't miss the world's only Harley-Davidson Museum while you're there, where the love of the open road is celebrated 365 days a year. www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/HD_Museum/museum_calendar.jsp?locale=en_US
THE PFISTER HOTEL TAKES LOVE TO NEW HEIGHTS! Feeling lightheaded? It might be love or the breathtaking effects of a vertical view 23 stories above the Milwaukee skyline. Bringing you romance since 1893, the elegant Pfister Hotel marries the luxury of a AAA, Four-Diamond hotel with the classic cool of a signature, sky-high lounge, Blu. Celebrate February 13 with a performance of John Coltrane's Classic Jazz Suite "A Love Supreme." Butterflies in your stomach? Blu to the rescue with a Valentine's Champagne Tasting Menu - think small plates and sweets. .
BIG LOVE FOR LITTLE ONES AT BETTY BRINN CHILDREN'S MUSEUM. Voted one of the nation's best children's museums for the 10 and under set, the Betty Brinn Children's Museum is the perfect place to celebrate with the littlest of sweethearts February 13! Fuel up between engaging hands-on exhibits such as a life-size Brio train and pretend waterfall with "Sweet Stops" throughout the museum. The icing on the cake? A build-your-own sundae bar. To top it all off, visitors can create their own delicious sundaes using Cedar Crest Ice Cream.
www.bbcmkids.org/calendar/extraevents.php
CEDARBURG WINTER FESTIVAL "ROMANCING THE SNOW" Modern relationships come with complications. Slow it down with a little 19th-century-style romance in Historic Downtown Cedarburg just 20 minutes north of Milwaukee. If cozy bed and breakfasts, an award-winning winery in a riverfront mill or boutique shopping make your heart race, get ready to fall in love. Temperature rising? Cool things off at "Romancing the Snow," Cedarburg's 36th Annual Winter Festival February 13-14. Activities include the "All's Fair in Love and War Co-ed Sno-Ball Tournament," the "Ice of Hearts Ice Carving Contest," "Big Crush Barrel Races on Ice" and ice skating on Mill Pond. http://www.cedarburgfestivals.org/winterfestival.html
DISCOVERY WORLD HAS A BETTER VIEW THAN YOUR LIVING ROOM. Sure, you could rent a movie and order in pizza, but that's not scoring anyone brownie points. Head to the Pilot House at Discovery World for a 360-degree view of Lake Michigan and Milwaukee's skyline. Powerhouse restaurateur Joe Bartolotta serves up Bartolotta's Dinner and a Movie at this special event February 13 and 14. It doesn't get much better than Johnny Depp in "Chocolat" and Fondue au Chocolate Noir, which translates to Rich Milk Chocolate fountain with Strawberries, Oranges, Bananas, Cantaloupe, Pineapple, Dried Apricots, Cream Puffs, Lady Fingers and Marshmallows. Or in other words. . . yum. http://bartolottacatering.com/pier/featured-events/
EXPERIENCE THE ART OF ROMANCE. Mystery adds excitement to any relationship and what could be more mysterious than a little film noir? Rendevous at the Milwaukee Art Museum's A Kiss is Still a Kiss, February 11. Sip cocktails in the Noir Cocktail Lounge, featuring chanteuse Leslie Fitzwater, enjoy a romantic dinner in Cafe Calatrava, then settle in for a screening of The Big Sleep, or a tour of the new Street Seen exhibition of postwar photography.
www.mam.org/calendar/events/index.php?com=detail&eID=1479&year=2010&month=02
VISIT Milwaukee markets Greater Milwaukee to tourists, convention and meeting planners nationally and internationally and is dedicated to ensuring our guests are warmly welcomed and enjoy an enriching experience in this jewel of the Great Lakes. VISIT Milwaukee has more than 620 members, including hotels/motels, restaurants, attractions, services and area businesses. Tourism generated $2.7 billion in spending in Greater Milwaukee in 2008 and supported about 66,000 local jobs. The City of Wauwatosa, Midwest Airlines, Potawatomi Bingo Casino and the Wisconsin Center District are strategic partners with VISIT Milwaukee, providing funding support for conventions and tourism programs. For more information call 1-800-554-1448 or visit http://www.visitmilwaukee.org/.
Friday, February 05, 2010
German Traditions Withstand Time at Mader’s
"...Rather than focus on frosty pints and cold cuts as he had since the eatery's grand opening in 1902, he decided to look to his German roots for the traditional dishes he enjoyed before moving to America in 1885."