A Bread, A Spread and A Filling

The bread: Talera, which is a Spanish-style ciabatta, with a crunchy crust and soft inside.

The spread: A garlic-tarragon flavored mayonnaise.

The filling: Tender juicy slices of steak, spring mix and red tomato slices.

This is the Steak Sandwich on the menu at Red Restaurant, 

a new eatery in the historic Broadway district of downtown.

The talera is lightly toasted so it can soak up the steak juices without becoming soggy on the  bottom side.  Tender juicy slices of steak, here ordered medium rare, begin the first layer of the sandwich filling which is topped with tomato slices then a spring mix. The garlic-tarragon flavored mayo spread on the inside of the top slice of talera which brings this whole sandwich to another level of flavor.

Accompanying  the Steak Sandwich are large diced baby red potatoes, that are seasoned and roasted.  A pickle spear and sprinkling of parsley garnishes the plate.

Local Food Find

What began as a way to introduce people to the possibilities of what New Leaf Market, an evolving local food co-op, is about and to recruit member-owners to make New Leaf Market a reality, is the annual New Leaf Winter Farmer's Market held on select Saturday mornings in December, January and February.  New Leaf Winter Market hosts over 80 vendors featuring local meats, cheeses, veggies, jams, canned items, breads, pastries, and various local restaurants. Local chefs are doing cooking demos using only the local ingredients found at market.  Here is a small sample of some of the wonderful foods, many of them organic, that the Urban Diner found at market all provided by our area's very own local vendors. 

Organic Butter Chard, Ledgeview's Striped Spaghetti Squash, River of Dreams Beef Sticks, Villagios' Marinara Sauce, O So Good Kettle Corn Premium Chedddar Popcorn, La Fonda Fish Market Pickled Whitefish, Trust Local Foods Peace of Pasture Cow Milk Gouda, Amish Grown Radish, Sweet Temptations by Michael Gourmet Eight Piece Chocolate Sample Pack (Peanut butter Truffle, Bacon Truffle, Lemon, Oatmeal Stout Caramel, Sea Salt Caramel, Mango, Coconut Oolong and Earl Grey Lavender-flavors change at each market), Nala's Marcona Almonds, Ledgeview's Grape Tomatoes, and Irresistibly Healthy's Socko Taco Hummus.


Market Dates: Dec.15, 22, Jan. 12, Feb. 2, 23  Time: 8:00am-12:00pm.  Free Entry.
Located at the KI Convention Center, 333 Main Street.  Free parking.

Chinese Odds and Ends

Chop Suey literally means odds and ends or assorted pieces.  A Chinese dish that consists of meat and vegetables cooked quickly in a starch thickened sauce, Chop Suey has been widely adapted to suit Western tastebuds making it a part of American cuisine.

 At China Palace the Beef Chop Suey is fresh, fresh, fresh. Consisting of thinly sliced beef, bean sprouts, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, pea pods, slivers of green peppers and carrots, Chinese cabbage and water chestnuts coming together in a silky brown sauce and served with a steaming bowl of rice. Other Chop Suey options at China Palace are: Vegetable, Roast Pork, Shrimp, Chicken or the House Special.  And as can be expected, a fortune cookie arrives at the end of your meal!

Koko Prelude

Spicy Ahi Tartare can be found on the menu at Koko Sushi Bar & Lounge under Preludes.  This delectable appetizer can be shared or easily consumed by oneself. A simplistic japanese plate presentation highlights a mound of Maguro Ahi that has a kick of heat from finely diced peppers and modestly embellished with a cucumber garnish. The plate is sprinkled with yuzu citrus soy and served with light puffy triangles of baked wonton chips. 

Diner notes that may be helpful:
Tartare=preparation of chopped sushi grade raw ahi
Ahi=high grade tuna that is best served raw or rare
Maguro (mah-goo-roh)=Japanese term for Bluefin tuna, a most commonly known fish eaten in sushi dining
Yuzu Soy: also know as Ponzu sauce, is a soy sauce blended with Yuzu fruit, an east Asian citrus, that has a distinctively sweet, sour, and slight salty flavor good for all kinds of seafood.  

Titletown Classic with an Honest Pint

Preserving 100 years of history in the former landmark Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Depot building, Titletown Brewing Company serves up hearty food and microbrews.

A staple on Titletown's menu  is listed as a "Titletown Original". The Cranberry Turkey Melt features layers of Smoked Turkey, Provolone cheese, and Baby Spinach layered between slices of their freshly baked Zucchini Bread spread with Cranberry Onion Marmalade. Pictured here with a side of Titletown's Cucumber Salad.  

The microbrew to wash it all down?

Rye The Helles 

Titletown's beer notes describes this as a malty golden lager in the Munich Helles style but with the addition of malted rye, whose spicy, almost tangy flavors compliment those of clean, grainy pilsner malt. Light in body with a clean lightly sweet finish.

DINER NOTE: Titletown serves an "Honest Pint" by pouring a pint (16ounces) of their beer in a 20 ounce glass.  This insures the best possible flavor.  A properly poured pint needs to have at least one inch of head (foam) so serving their beer in 20-ounce glasses provides a full 16-ounce pint with the proper head.

Cheez! Over 50,000 Sold!

One of the more popular sandwiches ordered at Kavarna is The Cheesy Artichoke. Their menu claims over 50,000 sold!  This hot wrap sandwich begins with an herbed tortilla, spread with cream cheese and filled with artichoke hearts, marinated tomatoes, black olives and provolone which is then toasted to create a warm melted bundle of goodness. It comes with crunchy kettle chips or can be upgraded to a side serving of fruit.

Diner Note: The Cheesy Artichoke is also available gluten free. 

Pasta Trilogy - Rajun Cajun Alfredo (3 of 3)

A robust Creole cream sauce stars in the Rajun Cajun Alfredo entree on the menu at Hagemeister Park.  Chicken breast strips, slices of spicy andouille sausage and shrimp are sautéed in the  spiced Alfredo sauce then tossed with steaming linguini.   An herbed vegetable medley of broccoli, yellow carrots and green beans compliment this dish along with a warm crescent breadstick.

Pasta Trilogy - Baked Lobster Mac & Cheese (2 of 3)

Black & Tan Grille  offers a decadent comfort food on their lounge and dinner menu.  Baked Lobster Mac & Cheese is a casserole dish of creamy white cheddar melding with chunks of Maine lobster and Cavatappi macaroni noodles that is topped with a grated blend of Romano, Parmesan, and Asiago cheeses and toasted crumbs, baked golden and served piping hot.  

Maine Lobster Chunks

Creamy White Cheddar coated Cavatappi Noodles

Pasta Trilogy - Spicy Drunken Noodle (1 of 3)

Spicy Drunken Noodle, Pad Khee Mao in Thai, features fresh large, wide rice noodles stir fried with tomatoes wedges, slivers of onion, sweet basil leaves, and fresh minced chili peppers.  This dish was accompanied by a crab rangoon which is filled with cream cheese, imitation crab meat, and onion, wrapped and deep fried in a wonton skin and served with a sweet more than sour dipping sauce.
Located in the historic Broadway district, Bangkok Garden Restaurant, serves up  "authentic Thai food".  Each dish is cooked to order and spicy dishes, like the Spicy Drunken Noodle, can be varied to your taste by specifying mild, medium, hot or extra hot.  Peppers can be served on the side.  
Diner Side Note:
A glass of Robert Mondavi Private Selection Sauvignon Blanc, which is a medium dry white available on Bangkok Garden's drink list, went very well with this dish.  Bangkok Garden Restaurant  also has a large selection of tropical drinks.

Seasonal Plates & Craft Cocktails

There's an authentic sense of cool within The Historic Wauters Building that is home to Three Three Five, where seasonal cuisine and hand crafted cocktails are served.  Three Three Five is a private dining studio which is usually only open to the public on Wednesday evenings when an often changing seasonal drink and food menu is offered.  Below is a sampling of menu possibilities at Three Three Five. With it's limited public availability, a few more photos are offered to explore.

Bleu Mule
Hangar One Blueberry, Lemon, Thyme, Ginger Beer

Preserved Tomato Bruschetta
Ricotta, Sour Dough, Basil

La Quercia Prosciutto Sweet Corn Crepe, Market Peach, Triple Cream, Saba Vinegar

Sweet Corn and Black Bean Fritters
Twin Elm Garden Cabbage, Chipolte Honey Aioli

Cuke Collins
Hendricks Gin, Lime, Mint, Cukes, Soda

Hidden Valley Lamb Chop
Peach, Frisee, Spring Onion, Buttermilk Blue, Celeriac, Chanterelles

Always The Soup du Jour

Manhattan Clam Chowder is hard to come across in the area and luckily, this chowder can be found daily on the menu at Fox Heights Pub & Grill, a recent addition in the downtown district and sister restaurant to Fox Harbor about 4 blocks down the road.  Clam meat rules in this chowder along with tomato filets, diced carrots and bacon in a steamy tomato broth.

StayFit Cuisine*

 The Pub is located in the Hyatt on Main hotel and while a hotel is generally not what may come to mind when looking for a restaurant at which to dine, the daily availability of The Pub's menu is convenient.  This salmon dish is featured as one of the StayFit Cuisine* items indicating it is a healthful dining choice on The Pub menu.  The salmon is grilled and served with steamed seasonal vegetables, a fluffy rice pilaf and grilled lemon.
  

"Pub Food is Comfort Food"

St. Brendan's Inn restaurant offers traditional Irish fare, with a well known Irish pub specialty, Shepard's Pie.  Roasted lamb is simmered with carrots, turnips and mushrooms in a hearty thick broth that is finished with green peas and decoratively topped with whipped potatoes and then baked.  St. Brendan's Shepard Pie is showcased with their homemade Irish scone and a Kerry Gold butter pat.  Dig in and warm your spirit!

                                     

Extra Napkins Needed

You'll need two hands and a napkin or two or three for this one.  And as the name on the menu at Cafe Espresso implies: Super Italian Beef is, well, super...super tender roasted Italian beef that is shredded and sandwiched between soft Italian bread with grilled onion and sautéed green pepper, crisp lettuce and your choice of shredded cheese, combo or shown here, Romano.  Sandwiches at Cafe Espresso are served with chips (a.k.a. tortilla chips and salsa) and a juicy kosher pickle.

An Artistic Appetizer

Hinterland Brewery Restaurant

Crab and Trout Cake  

In an artistic presentation, Ledgeview Garden tomatoes, combined with pea sprouts, and layered cucumber slices are showcased along side a moist crab and trout cake and plated atop a flavorful caper aioli. 

Hinterland's seasonal menu changes often. 

Yum Nur

Yum Nur, a house specialty dish found on the menu at Nukeo Thai, is plated in a beautiful dish served at room temperature. Thinly sliced marinated beef paired with freshly chopped lettuce, red and green peppers, onion, cucumber, cashews, and scallions are tossed in Nukeo's quintessential sweet and spicy Thai dressing giving some heat to this elegant dish that is then garnished with cilantro.  An icy glass of jasmine scented Thai tea  is a refreshing compliment to this Asian specialty dish.

Over Easy Does It

The River Room in the Clarion Hotel, which is situated on the Fox River, hence it's restaurant name, has long been a dining destination for locals as well as guests staying at the hotel. Here is a tasty offering from their breakfast menu served daily. Two perfectly cook eggs, over-easy, with a side of bacon, raisin toast, an orange wheel garnish and a bottom-less cup of coffee.

Let's Roll!

A Tempura Lobster Roll is offered on the small plate menu at Chefusion's upstairs Fusion Lounge on Broadway.  Filled with little chunks of sweet lobster meat, julienne carrots and bits of green onion slices, this lightly tempura battered sushi roll has a delicate, crispy crunch surrounding it's outside.  Complimenting this decadent Tempura Lobster Roll is Thai volcano sauce, a mini wakame and carrot salad and chopsticks.

Moof-fuh-LEHT-tuh or Moo-foo-LE-ta

No matter how you say it, the Muffaletta, which is a New Orleans specialty sandwich, can be found on the menu at The White Dog Black Cat Cafe .  They put their own spin on the Muffaletta by making this sandwich with their olive tapenade (a briny olive relish) then layering it with a slab of grilled ham, a thick slice of Genoa salami and Provolone which is all stacked on a French roll and warmed til the Provolone is melted.  A pickle wedge and their homemade potato chips, which are "sliced and fried", accompany this sandwich. Find it on their menu under "NOW-N-LATER".

CATCH OF THE DAY

The TEN O ONE SUPPERCLUB  has been around since the 1950's serving up their homemade food to  hungry patrons.  On the restaurant's chalkboard this particular evening, Whitefish was one of the featured dinners.  This simply prepared, lightly seasoned, fillet of whitefish, is plated with sautéed fresh summer vegetables and choice of potato: baked, sea salt French fries, garlic mashed or shown here, baby reds.  Simple and satisfying.

Featured Whitefish
Ten O One Supper Club 

The Bellin In The Bellin

                     


















                            


        Start your day with The Bellin at the Daily Buzz in the Bellin.  Named for the building which houses this coffee shop, this breakfast egg sandwich can be made on toasted bread, an English muffin or as a wrap. Filled with your choice of ham or crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, caramelized onion and red peppers, The Bellin comes garnished with two juicy orange slices.  GOOD MORNING!

Eat Your Vegetables...

...Panini-style.  
Panini is the Italian word for sandwich made on a ciabatta. And you can get a tasty serving of your veggies ordering the Vegetarian Panini at Angelina's. 
This panini is grilled to a toasty crunch and layered with grilled zucchini, roasted peppers, asparagus, tomatoes, eggplant and a slice of Provolone cheese. Angelina's serve's all their panini's with a small side salad that has tomatoes, cucumbers, and fresh mozzarella, on a bed of spring mix, which they drizzle with a balsamic vinaigrette.  

DINING TIP:

This panini is best enjoyed eaten on Angelina's outside patio!

Now in Downtown Green Bay and It's Not Just Gyros & Kabobs!

It's by the bowl or by the quart when you order Gyro Kabobs Homemade Chili.  No cup size portions here! Light on the beans and spices, this chili sticks thick to your spoon.  While this to-go was ordered without, Gyro Kabobs does top their chili with cheddar cheese and onions.  Welcome to Green Bay Gyro Kabobs!

Terrace Room Reuben

Perfectly toasted marbled rye is filled with tender layers of corned beef, sliced Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and a smear of Thousand Island dressing. 


The Terrace Room, located on the second floor in the historic Bellin Building, serves this delicious Reuben as a whole or half sandwich and with your choice of soup or French fries. The Terrace Room is open for lunch, 11am-2pm, Monday-Friday.   

What's Shaking?

Shake off the heat of summer and revive your tastebuds with the fresh flavors of summer in these fine martinis. 

You'll be chilling in no time.

Lemon Cucumber Saketini @ KoKo Shushi Bar and Lounge
Fresh Lemon muddled with Cucumber and shaken with
Sake, Absolut Citron & Triple Sec

Hypnotize Me @  Chefusion Lounge
House Pineapple Infused Vodka, Hypnotiq,
Blue Curacao & Splash of Pineapple Juice

Lemoncello Drop @ Big Tomatoes
Absolut Citron, Lemoncello & Grappa

Mediterranean Monkfish on Main

Monkfish isn't a pretty fish until it gets to your plate and 

Big Tomatoes knows just how to dish it up Mediterranean-style. 

This flavorsome moist fish, which has no bones and often compared to lobster, is pan roasted with garlic, meaty roasted tomatoes and potatoes, then plated on a delicate light sauce and sprinkled with herbs. 

-Monkfish at Big Tomatoes-

This Greek is Fresh and Light

Showcasing a generous slab of Carr Valley Goat Feta cheese garnished with extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkling of oregano is the Greek salad at Parisi's Delicatessen.

Fresh and light, Nicoise olives, thinly sliced red onions and red peppers are tucked within a bed of tender field greens and tossed with a bright lemon vinaigrette. 

Fall-Off-the-Bone-Tender

The new kid in town doesn't mess around with his entrees. The long awaited for opening of Hagemeister Park located near the Green Bay Children's Museum stacks this fall off the bone tender Braised Pork Shank on top mashed potatoes with Hagemeister kraut and beer braised root vegetables. This is comfort food with a capital "C".  Welcome to the neighborhood Hagemeister!

Have you had this bruschetta?

These simple flavors burst in your mouth. The Wild Mushroom & Goat Cheese Bruschetta at Black & Tan Grille is also topped with juicy meaty balsamic marinated Roma tomatoes and shredded Parmesan cheese.  This bruschetta? Not to be missed!