Caribou Coffee

Our local Caribou Coffee shop is going away sometime this spring.  Many of us are sad because, as a national chain based out of the Minneapolis area, it gave the international giant, Starbuck's, a run for the money and offered some much needed variety. However, Caribou will remain in most of their other strong markets, and word on the street is that the shop will be replaced by Peet's Coffee, another national/west coast chain.  It would be nice if Pewaukee could gain one of the the popular Milwaukee-based shops, such as Anodyne or Collectivo.  Time will tell.

It's interesting to note that Collectivo used to be called Alterra, but sold the name and brand to the Mars Corp. a few years back, with the promise that the Milwaukee market base would not be infringed upon. Again, time will tell.

On Tap

A very interesting, albeit a bit frightening, "draft" handle at Palmer's Steakhouse in Hartland, Wisconsin. It's after Labor Day and so almost time to close up the "Nude Beach!"

The Freight House

A century ago the railroad tracks were a busy place along the west side of La Crosse, Wisconsin.  The Milwaukee Road hauled freight -and occasionally passengers- up and down the Mississippi River from Chicago and other points south and east, to Minneapolis and other points north and west. The tracks have been rerouted through other sections of town, but the historic freight house building remains and has stood as a popular namesake restaurant for the past 35 years.

The "conductor" below is calling you inside to try one of The Freight House's delicious signature steaks!

SkyWatch Friday: Nagawicka Lake

Every Friday night during the summer, there is a traditional midwestern fish fry dinner at a local restaurant called "Seven Seas." Located on Nagawicka Lake in Waukesha County, the dining patio has a lovely view of the sunset over the lake. They also have a large pier where boaters can dock their crafts while they eat, and this photo shows a number of boats coming in for a landing.

See all SkyWatch Friday entries here.

Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant

Another institution in Sister Bay is Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant (the double-door shown is the entrance). An old-style family restaurant that is best known for their Swedish pancakes with lingonberries, they also offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a wide variety of menu items. One of the main attractions is the building's quaint grass thatched roof which occasionally has goats grazing on the top!  Legend has it that each morning at the goat farm, they open the flat-bed transport truck by the goat barn, and any interested goats who wander up the ramp are taken to the roof for that day.  They are never forced - so if no goats show an interest, there are no goats on the roof that day.  Unfortunately - that was the case for us the day of our visit. Be sure to watch the entertaining little video on their website that gives the history of the place!

Skywatch Friday: Dining at Seven Seas

Every Friday night during the summer, there is a traditional midwestern fish fry dinner at a local restaurant called "Seven Seas." Located on Nagawicka Lake in Waukesha County, the dining patio has a lovely view of the sunset over the lake. They also have a large pier where boaters can dock their crafts while they eat, so casual attire like board shorts, deck shoes, and sundresses are all acceptable.

See all SkyWatch Friday entries here.

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If you arrived here via the "SkyWatch" link - thank you!  Feel free to peruse all my other photo posts by visiting the Pewaukee Daily Photo's home page. 

One Way Cafe

A nice place to stop for a cup of coffee or tea while shopping in the Village of Wauwatosa.  And yes, it is on a one-way street. ;-)

Peter Piper Bartolotta

Another grand Victorian-Gothic style building in the Village of Wauwatosa houses the esteemed "Ristorante Bartolotta." Built of cream city brick, this is the flagship location for the Bartolotta restaurant group and is hands-down my favorite place for a special meal in the Milwaukee area. Their Pappardelle Braised Duck Ragu is fabulous!

For decades, it was the "Peter Piper Pancake House" - the type of restaurant you might see featured in Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives on the Food Network.  A great story about this place is that it was a local haunt of the old Tosa eccentric, Abe Austin, Jr.!

'29 Chevy

A very nice old black '29 Chevy from the car show mentioned the other day. Reminds me of those old gangster movies!

Breakfast!

Every so often, we go out for breakfast at The Crossings, a cute little diner located where Pewaukee meets Waukesha meets Brookfield... at the intersection of Hwy M and Redford Rd. and the railroad tracks. It's only been around for a few years, but already has a loyal following. My "usual" is the Greek Gyros Omelet, loaded with feta, lamb, and tomatoes, served with a side of Tzatziki sauce. Highly recommended!

Birthday Present

At the end of April, I received a coupon for a "free lunch" at the Chocolate Factory from our insurance agent.  It's a cute little restaurant across from Pewaukee Lake. The neat thing is that my husband - whose birthday is 12 days after mine - received one, too. Of course, there is no such thing as a free lunch... they were really just worth $2 each.  Still - it was nice to go out on a date for a sub, some fries, and a little home-made ice cream for dessert!

Twisted Fork Brunch

I had brunch with my daughter at the Twisted Fork last Sunday, although we eschewed the "booze" part of it. An omelet with bacon and cheese, rye toast and a bitty bowl of fruit was only $7. Such a deal. They also serve great Alterra coffee.

For those of you who might be familiar with Milwaukee's east side, it's in the same location as the old "Oriental Drugs." You can see a favorite old-time local tee-shirt here.

Casablanca

"Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world...she walks into mine."

This Middle-Eastern style restaurant is located on Brady Street in Milwaukee. Not exactly Morocco, although, they do offer elaborate hookah pipes and flavored tobacco, just like Sydney Greenstreet smoked in the movie. Plus belly dancers on Friday nights...yowza! Read more about Casablanca (the restaurant) here.

Jerome Grand Hotel

During our Arizona trip, we visited Jerome, a quaint little historic mining town built precariously on a hillside. We ate lunch at the Asylum Restaurant, located inside the "Grand Hotel," which was once the local hospital. The highlight of our meal was their squash cream soup, which doesn't sound that good, but was actually quite delicious.

If you look closely at the photo, you can see "Santa" climbing up the balcony railing!

Jimmy John's

A favorite area sub sandwich shop is "Jimmy John's." This particular location is on Brady Street in a converted brick fire-station/garage. Taken about a month ago during one of the last nice days of autumn, patrons are are eating at the tables outside, enjoying the warm sunshine before it disappears for the next six months.

US Mail

One of the stone creatures surrounding the Asiana Restaurant on Capitol Drive is this giant eagle, who is guarding the mailbox.

Asiana

One of the newer restaurants in our area, Asiana, offers an Asian/fusion menu. This huge place rarely seems busy - but it is certainly interesting from an architectural standpoint. It also has a variety of large stone creatures surrounding the property -- not sure why, though. I'll post an example in the next day or two.

Get Your Duff Up the Bluff!

The Alpine Inn has been at the top of Bliss Road on Grandad's Bluff in La Crosse since I can remember. As a child, when our family would drive to the top of the bluff for an afternoon hike, my dad would stop on the way back home so we kids could get a "pop" - usually a Spring Grove Orange, or a 7-Up. As a college student in the mid-1970's, we would spend weekend afternoons watching (or playing) volleyball on their side-court, and evenings listening to music and tipping back a few. It's lived through lots of changes, but the modified A-frame shape and the name remain the same.

Lighting the Way

In the entrance way of The Golden Mast restaurant on Okauchee Lake, a pair of these huge lanterns grace the brick walls on either side of the door.

Welcome to our Inn

My final installment of The Golden Mast series is their little Bavarian-style inn. The mural painted on the outside wall offers a welcome to visitors.