1. See The Children at Next Act Theatre
EVAN MUSIL, ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR
What responsibility do we owe our children? When they face earth-shattering crisis – whether that’s a devastating break-up or literal nuclear disaster – are we meant to step in, or step aside? I don’t have any children, so I can’t answer that question. But Next Act Theatre’s intimate drama The Children, directed by Marie Kohler, tackles these hefty questions through three retired nuclear scientists with a complicated past. Climate change and fear of radiation poisoning hover over the characters, but they have their own personal issues that slowly unspool over the course of the play. I’m writing a full review that’ll be up later this week, but the short of it is this is a compelling production propelled by excellent acting. It’s still on for two more weeks, so you still have plenty of chances to catch it.
2. Get a Burger at Dairyland
CHRIS DROSNER, EXECUTIVE EDITOR
3rd St. Market Hall has so many intriguing food vendors to explore and sample from… and yet. I can’t shake the smashburgers and fried chicken from Dairyland, and after my last experience, I don’t know if I’m ever going to stray from it. These burgers, man: perfect smash-griddle caramelization, just a little crispy, juicy as all get-out. There’s a touch of crunch on the buttered bun, too. These burgers are so good it doesn’t really matter what you put on it, but I went with the Big Mac knockoff Big Man on Campus, and it was all that. The chicken’s great, the sides are great, the wider hall space is great for kids and adults … dang, I need to go again.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
3. Slurp Ramen at Kin by Rice N Roll
ARCHER PARQUETTE, MANAGING EDITOR
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been on a quest – a ramen quest. Over many a lunch hour, I’ve found myself stopping at our region’s top ramen spots in search of the best noodles around. My quest is in its infancy, but I hope soon to have enjoyed a noodle at all the big contenders. Last week, I hit up Kin by Rice N Roll in Tosa and ordered some tonkatsu ramen. If you’re a living, breathing human being who stepped foot outside last week, you know it was freezing, and boy I was practically shivering when I walked in there. That delicious bowl of ramen was just the warmth I needed – savory, filling, fantastic.
4. Bake Banana Bread
ANN CHRISTENSON, DINING EDITOR
The definitive banana bread recipe might really exist. I’ve never been attached to a certain recipe, but I’ve leaned on Smitten Kitchen’s Ultimate Banana Bread for the last couple of years. It’s reliably delicious. It makes a big loaf, and between the 2 cups of banana, half-cup of butter, 2 eggs and 1 cup of packed brown sugar, this baby is dense and moist (why does everyone hate that word?), sweet but not too and banana-y. That said, I can’t resist adding semi-sweet chocolate chips. To me, that makes it the “ultimate.”
5. Buy Tickets to The Chef Event
BRIANNA SCHUBERT, DIGITAL EDITOR
Okay, yes, I’m plugging one of our MilMag events, but y’all, this is one of my favorite events of the year, so it’s a genuine rec. Tickets go on sale this Saturday for The Chef Event. What’s so great about The Chef Event, Brianna? I’m glad you asked! You get to enjoy small plates from some of the best chefs in the area and then listen to them talk about their work in a panel discussion. It’s literally a foodie’s dream. I, a foodie myself, look forward to it every single year. Learn more and get tickets at milwaukeemag.com/chefevent beginning March 1.
