1. Eat Oyster Mushrooms at Odd Duck
ARCHER PARQUETTE, MANAGING EDITOR
I don’t dine at nice restaurants much at all – largely to avoid the embarrassment of bursting into tears when the bill arrives. (I’m starting to think that might be why none of my first dates call me back.) But this past week, I had the chance to eat dinner at Odd Duck, the popular small plates spot in Walker’s Point (939 S. Second St.).
Obviously, I felt like a fraud perusing the fancy-pants menu with my Taco Bell-accustomed palate, but I will say I enjoyed just about everything I tried – and there was one dish that was a particularly welcome surprise. That was the “crispy Thai-style oyster mushrooms.” Having the diet of a third-grader, I didn’t expect to like something mushroom-based, but man those suckers were good. Crisp, flavorful, with a lil’ spice. My only complaint was that I wanted more after violently vacuuming the bowl clean. I would also recommend the smoked duck breast and the lamb quesabirria. All delicious.
2. Try Dry Tooling at Turner Hall’s Climbing Gym
AMRITA THAKKAR, DIGITAL EDITOR
Over the last few years, it’s understood that if I’m not at home, I’m probably at the climbing gym (and if the weather permits, out at the crag). While Adventure Rock is the gym of choice for most climbers, the smaller gym at Turner Hall has one big advantage over it – you can practice dry tooling and ice climbing there.
In ice climbing, climbers use axes and crampons to climb up huge chunks of ice – when those tools are used on rock, it’s called dry tooling. Turner’s gives climbers the rare opportunity to practice both disciplines indoors, and they’ll even help you along the way. I attended a two-day dry-tooling workshop (Dry Ice Fest) at Turner’s last May and while I was definitely worried about taking someone’s eye out with an axe (likely my own), it was some of the most fun I’ve had in a long time. Turner’s also has one of the few “fake ice” walls in the Midwest, a thick styrofoam concoction that is able to bear weight and take repeated swings from axes and crampons.
If you’re looking to break out of regular rock climbing, want to pick up ice climbing or just want to try something different, Turner’s has dry tooling meet-ups every Tuesday ($20 for non-members, $10 for members – gear provided). Don’t forget to bring a helmet.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
3. Grab a Box of Valentine’s Day Truffles at Indulgence Chocolatiers
ANN CHRISTENSON, DINING EDITOR
Chocolate is, as many know, love in cocoa form. If this week, you’re thinking of love and chocolate (as would be natural), the Valentine’s Day seasonal offerings from Indulgence Chocolatiers are worth the indulgence. They have solid milk and dark chocolate hearts, a peanut butter jelly bar, and a truffle collection featuring six flavors – among them, pink champagne, peppermint mocha and vanilla bean caramel with Speculoos praline. You can read my review of them here.
4. See “The Circle That Unites Us” at MIAD
CHRIS DROSNER, EXECUTIVE EDITOR
The two galleries of the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design are little hidden gems in the Third Ward, and there’s one particularly interesting exhibition open now. “The Circle That Unites Us: How One Becomes Many” explores patterns in nature – a loose theme, I would argue – through a variety of fascinating works, from sculpture to film to paintings. I particularly enjoyed the mind-bending glass panel works by Pakistani American artist Shafaq Ahmad. The Circle That Unites Us is open through March 6, and one of the featured artists, Edra Soto, gives a talk on over Tuesday’s lunch hour, from 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Frederick Layton Gallery, 273 E. Erie St.
5. Treat Yourself to a Bagel at Ruby’s Bagels
EVAN MUSIL, ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR
I’m a simple guy: All it takes to motivate me is a baked good. Throughout last week, I told myself, “You’ve got this, Evan. Get your work done, make it through the week, and a delicious bacon, egg and cheese bagel sandwich awaits you Saturday morning.” For my part, I held up both ends of the bargain. Superbly crusty and chewy, always fresh and tasty, the bagels from Ruby’s Bagels are quite an effective carrot – er, bagel – on a stick. Of course, why should one limit themselves to the weekend? If you need an extra push, whenever that may be, consider a bagel.
6. Catch a Play or Concert
CAROLE NICKSIN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
There’s a whole lot of culture happening this weekend – take your pick between the opening of the Ayad Akhtar play, McNeal, at Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, or Present Music’s Avant Garde of Love concert – or do what I’m doing, and see one on Friday and the other on Saturday!
