I enjoyed my first Milwaukee “Sunday Funday” this week, and I have to say I’m looking forward to the next one. Typically, my Sundays are reserved for laundering, cleaning and occasionally treating myself to a movie. This Sunday, however, was an exception.
My friends picked me up for brunch and I assumed we were off to Comet – where else would we go, I thought. Instead we turned left, away from Farwell. We passed Lakefront Brewery and ended up at Roots. Something different, I was excited but a bit nervous about the prices.
A server and bartender greeted my friends by name as we walked in – they apparently frequent the Roots brunch scene. We sat at a table with a panoramic view of the cool city skyline dressed in rain and fog. My back was to the window, but I kept turning around for sporadic glimpses. We started with mini-muffins and Bloody Marys, of course. Muffin varieties included banana, blueberry, and lamb and garlic. The blueberry was a good choice, and though I declined a taste of the meat muffins, they reportedly had little flavor.
I settled on the chorizo and black bean burrito at a satisfactory price of $9.50. The food was unique and filling. I ordered a coffee for dessert.
“Anyone else,” our server offered.
“What kind of coffee do you have with liquor in it,” my friend asked looking to continue the buzz, “I don’t think I’m ready for whiskey though.”
Our server insisted on an Irish coffee, assuring her that the Baileys tames down the whiskey a bit.
“Yea I’ll do that, too,” I blurted. What the hell, Sunday Funday, right?
The Irish coffee took a few minutes to make, but the maple whipped cream made every extra second worthwhile.
Feeling good, we continued to the WMSE Rockabilly Chili contest at the MSOE Kerns Center. After running through the rain we entered a gymnasium filled with dozens of restaurants and bars showcasing their prized chili recipes. The Milwaukee Ale House provided beer for four tickets ($4) each – not cool, but for a good cause. My companion knew there wouldn’t be any liquor and was prepared with a flask of vodka.
Still full from brunch, I only tasted a few chili recipes. I tried Flannery’s first, so we could visit with a friend.
“We’re almost out, can you believe it?”
Pensive for a moment, I looked at the other contest worker. Call me a naysayer, but I think her low-cut shirt may have boosted the day’s chili sales.
McBob’s Pub and Grill was a fun table offering special sauce – a shot of Tullamore Dew – with every tasting. After a little whiskey swig, we sat full for a while, waiting to digest before leaving the event to go to Flannery’s.
I sat at the bar and ordered a Pilsner, something light to round out the day. The bartender dumped out what seemed like three beers before settling on a pour. I understand cutting out the foam, but come on, conserve a little. Then, ten minutes later I knocked my beer and she gave me a fresh one on the house. Who’s the jackass now?
The bar was nice: dark wood, intimate booths, generally a cozy feel as we watched the rain turn to snow. The music selection was interesting. From an instructional song telling me to “walk it by yourself” – no problem there, thank you – and then Björk screeched in out of nowhere. I love that crazy woman.
After some long conversation and amusing dance moves, I started to get a headache and we took off before too long. We had a fine time at Flannery’s, but it raised the question of what an Irish bar means anymore.
“Irish pubs” in this town and elsewhere are playing Journey and serving up domestic beers with the neon Miller Lite Irish signs above the bar. What is that? Miller Lite is Irish when you say it is, with green neon and a clover? The owner of The Harp capitalized on the Irish pub motif with the colossal Trinity. And The Irish Pub – wonder how long it took to think up that name? Business is business, I realize, but the façade can be a little disturbing.
Some bars, like Paddy’s and the County Clare, are more effortless in their native theme. You can drink a fresh Guinness with complementary pub mix, get friendly service from the bar’s namesake and order a drink from the man who just sang traditional Irish hymns on a humble stage.
Anyway, a point of discussion, perhaps.
When I finally made it home after a long day of brunch, chili and beer I was ready for bed. Then I realized it was only 8 p.m. Sunday Fundays are hard work, but I’m willing to make that sacrifice.
Roots
1818 N. Hubbard St.
Sunday: Brunch 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Try a Bloody Mary with cucumber, pickle, olive and red pepper garnish.
Flannery’s Bar and Restaurant
425 E. Wells St.
Tuesday, March 17: Open at 10 a.m. for Irish stew, green beer, Reuben sandwiches and corned beef and cabbage.
Mo’s Irish Pub
142 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Saturday, March 14: Watch the parade, Irish dancers and listen to live music. Irish-Amercian breakfast served ‘til 11:00 a.m. $5 Smirnoff and Bacardi Limon Bloody Marys.
Monday, March 16: Free green beer toasts at 6:00 p.m. and midnight
Tuesday, March 17: Open at 6:00 a.m., free t-shirt to first 100 people through the door. Green beer and Baileys drink specials. Live music and Irish dancers.
Paddy’s Irish Pub
2339 N. Murray Ave.
Sunday, March 15: Paddy’s will be open the Sunday before St. Patrick’s Day with live music from Milwaukee’s Frogwater at 3 p.m. And if you miss them at Paddy’s you can catch them pretty much anywhere in the next week (seriously, check out their Web site). They will also have food all afternoon and invite you to bring a non-perishable food item for the Hunger Task Force.
Tuesday, March 17: Open at 6 a.m. No cover charge. Will serve traditional Irish Breakfast, with lunch and dinner starting at 11 a.m. Free gifts to the first people at the gates. And half off meals with proof of unemployment – check stubs, etc (the Paddy’s stimulus package). Also from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. they will give away $100 per hour with the purchase of a $1 ticket or if you bring in a non-perishable food item – all proceeds go to the Hunger Task Force and the Wisconsin Humane Society! Must be present to win.
The County Clare
1234 N. Astor St.
Tuesday, March 17: Pub opens at 6 a.m. and the outdoor tent opens at 11 a.m. Frogwater plays live from 10 p.m.-1 a.m.
Decibel
1905 E. North Ave.
Tuesday, March 17: 2009 St. Patty’s Day Service Industry Party
Special Guests: Plain White Ts featuring DJ White Shadow 8 p.m., $5 cover, $3 Effen cocktails.
Slim’s
338 S. 1st St.
Tuesday, March 17: Opens at 6 a.m. with free green eggs & ham. First 50 people to arrive get a prize! Frogwater (seriously, they’re everywhere) will be playing twice during the day from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. They’ll be selling a t-shirts, pints of Guinness, Harp or Smithwicks with a chance to win a trip for two to a Brewers vs. Cubs game at Wrigley field ($12). Also serving corned beef and cabbage, Irish stew, Galway chicken salad, appetizers and sandwiches from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. And, of course, green beer all day.
Trinity (125 E. Juneau Ave.) and The Harp (113 E. Juneau Ave.)
Tuesday, March 17: Open at 6 a.m. with two stages of live music, traditional Irish fare, Trinity Irish dancers, Irish marketplace and giveaways throughout the day.
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What is a woman stuck in a miserable marriage to do? Nikol Knows.
