Pizza - Milwaukee Style

Being the child of a New Yorker, I grew up in a home where we cut our pizza's in triangles and were encouraged to fold them in half if at all possible.  I remember quite well the first time I saw pizza cut into squares around the age of 6.  I was at a sleep over at my best friend's house and I thought to myself, "WHAT ON EARTH ARE THEY DOING!"  I couldn't believe my eyes - and then it got worse - some people started eating it with a fork!  A FORK!  The blasphemy!  I quickly learned this is common in Wisconsin and that actually many a person eats their pizza like that, and it has a name.

While Chicago lays claim to the deep dish pizza, and New York to the large triangular slices, Milwaukee is home to the incredibly thin and crispy crusted pizza that is cut into squares and called TAVERN style pizza.  I have to admit, it's growing on me.  Now, don't be mistaken, there are many places in Milwaukee to find a Chicago style or New York style slice, but lately, I'm into this tavern style pizza and I want you to know where to get it!

Zaffiro's, which is just off of Brady street opened in 1954 and has been serving magically thin pizza ever since.  They have a special secret to getting their pizza that thin, which you can hear all about if you take Milwaukee Food Tours Brady Street Tour, but until then, my lips are sealed.  Zaffiro's is a second generation business with really friendly staff.  If you are one of those people who judge a book by it's cover, or a restaurant by it's store front, then you might have driven past this place a million times and never taken notice, but I promise it's worth the stop, with this zippy sauce, even layer of gooey cheese and ridiculously thin crust.  Make sure you stop at the original, the Marcus Corporation just franchised this recipe and will be opening locations through-out the country!

Another great place to try tavern style pizza is the Caradaro Club.  The Caradaro Club is the birthplace of Milwaukee Pizza.  To get people interested in pizza they passed out slices downtown for free, and it worked!  The restaurants long history has carried through and today they have two locations.  This pizza is also really tasty with wonderful fresh ingredients.

I think most people who like pizza, say there can't be a really awful pizza and so far, I find that to be the truth in Milwaukee, but you haven't had a TRUE Milwaukee experience until you try the tavern style pizza, thin and crispy just the way we like it!

Milwaukee Food Tours

Ever been on a food tour?

If you like to eat and you like to learn new things about your city or a city you are visiting, I highly suggest trying out a food tour.  Milwaukee Food Tours was started by a couple who went on a food tour in NYC and when they came back her to Milwaukee they thought, "Why not give this a go in Milwaukee?", and we are glad they did!

The tours are all about two to three hours long and are for the most part walking tours of about two miles.  The tours are lead by locals ranging from college students to thespians to retired teachers looking to have some fun.  I personally am a fan of the Brady Street tour and the 3rd Ward tour but there are may tours to try!  What I especially like about the company is that they take real pride in teaching their tourists about the history and culture behind the food and location along the tour.  For me, when touring I find it important that the tour is equally amusing to educational and I think Milwaukee Food Tours does a fantastic job!

Milwaukeeans don't think that if you have lived here you know all that is to know about Milwaukee.  This is a great activity for tourist and locals alike!

...and she's back!

I know, I know, I made a commitment to be good about this blogging thing and then I stopped completely!  The SHAME!  Well folks, I got a new job and I have been travelling all over the Midwest and not spending quite as much time in good ol' MKE as I had hoped BUT I am back and things are slowing down so I am here with a great MKE update coming your way.

Thanks for hanging in there.

Cheers!  M

Brunch, Bloodies and Black n' Whites!

Up Nort' where Mark is from they have this thing called widows weekend.  It's the opening weekend of hunting season.  All the ladies band together and go out to do their girl things... including going to the Packer game.  I am thrilled to say that I WILL be participating in this years Widow Weekend again!  I'm going to the game with my future mother-in-law and sister-in-law.  BUT! before we can move on to this monumental occasion we need to talk about the best event happening in Milwaukee since beer!  Well maybe not quite that exciting... but it should be great!

Ever wish you took better photos?  Wish no longer!

Art Milwaukee along with INdustri Cafe have partnered to bring you "Brunch, Bloodies and Black n Whites"!  This will be a culinary and artistic journey like none you have experienced before.  Come on down for the BEST BLOODY MARY in town, a beautiful brunch sampling, then photography lessons and a tour through the Historic 5th Ward where we will test out those newly acquired photography skills!  Let's not forget another perk... this event is hosted by yours truly.  I hope to see you there!

Tickets are on sale for $50 dollars which is a steal ; the bloody mary alone has a $13 value!

Back in the Blogosphere! Saffron Yoga

I love yoga.  I love the stretching, the calming atmosphere, and the mental break from real life.  One of the  hard things about maintaining a regular yoga schedule is often the price.  I understand the need to charge fifteen dollars a class, I really do, I just can't personally afford it that often.

Saffron Yoga Center in Milwaukee is the answer to that problem.  Saffron is a pay what you can yoga center located in Bay View above Cafe Centraal on KK.  They ask for a donation of five to fifteen dollars  for their courses.  Their new space which is shared with Community Acupuncture is my type of yoga room.  They have pretty soft lighting, hardwood floors, quiet music, and blankets, mats and blocks to borrow.  I know some yogi's out there prefer their rooms carpeted with zero distractions but I appreciate the aesthetic qualities that Saffron's room brings to my practice.

The classes them selves vary but are taught my talented and compassionate yogis.  If you are on a tight budget and looking to try out yoga I suggest stopping in and checking this place out!

"In wine there is truth"

Back to posting about the Market: One of my favorite date nights is to go to Thief Wine Shop in the Public Market.  I love the noise and energy of everything going on around me.  They have excellent wine choices and a really friendly staff.  I think the bar itself is fantastic.  It's made of multiple different woods and quite spectacular.   One of the really cool things about visiting the wine bar in the market is the ability to order or bring food from other places in the market to enjoy with your wine purchase.  If you are looking for a casual place to grab a glass of wine I highly suggest Thief in the public Market.   Check out their specials and their wine tastings at their site.

Looking for something fun to do in Milwaukee this weekend?  Check out Alverno Presents: Global Union!

Global Union is a two day concert (12-5) in Humbolt Park.  It is completely free and features 6 awesome bands!