1. Sip an Edgewood and Stare Contemplatively Out the Window at Supermoon
ARCHER PARQUETTE, MANAGING EDITOR
I once took a couple buddies from out of town to Supermoon Brewing in Bay View, and one of them affectionately described it as a “grandma’s living room.” That description of the small taproom holds up, and it’s pretty much exactly why I like the place – simple, homey, quiet, relaxed with nice music and pleasant people. Shamefully, I haven’t been for a while. (My social calendar has just been too jam-packed with wild adventures and thrilling jaunts, such as playing video games and eating Funyuns.) But this past weekend I stopped by and tried the Edgewood, a “rye golden ale” with “rustic grains” and “dandelion stems.” Thank goodness – I hate when my grains are too sophisticated and my beer lacks weeds. I kid, I kid. The Edgewood was delicious, as are most of Supermoon’s funky concoctions and experimental takes.
What caught me by surprise on this particular trip to Supermoon was the overwhelming number of babies in the place. I don’t know if, like, an APB was put out to all toddlers in the Metro Milwaukee area, but man, there were so many of those tiny people. The parents were boozing in mass numbers. It was, almost literally, entirely couples, babies, and then me. Being a single man approaching his 30s, this awakened a strange sort of primal fear in my gut that continues to linger. I spent much of my time staring out the window as I sipped my beer, contemplating what purpose, if any, exists in this life. But that’s neither here nor there. The beer was good.
2. See Genesis at the Milwaukee Ballet
CAROLE NICKSIN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
I’m excited to see Genesis – a competition that Milwaukee Ballet hosts every other year. Three choreographers will each present a 20-minute dance that they had three and a half weeks to prepare. As an audience member, you get to vote. The competition gives these performances an extra edge that adds to the enjoyment of seeing new contemporary choreography. Friday through Sunday at the Pabst Theater.
Architects, interior designers, renovators and landscapers: Submit your best work for consideration!
3. Get a Bowl of Ramen at Kawa
AMRITA THAKKAR, DIGITAL EDITOR
I know, I know, you’re all wondering if I bothered to look out the window today before I suggested a steaming bowl of ramen. And rest assured, dear readers, I will be enjoying this blessedly sunny day, but the rest of the forecast shows a steep downward trend, and the best fix for the winter blues is, of course, said steaming bowl of ramen.
I’m a big fan of Kawa’s Tonkatsu and have been a loyal consumer for years – the perfectly cooked pork belly, the jammy eggs, the abundance of noodles and the tasty broth keep me coming back every time the temperature dips below the 50s. If you’re tempted to go on a warmer day, their sushi and sashimi hit the spot, too – don’t forget to grab a bottle of Ramune soda while you’re there.
4. Register for the World’s Largest (Probably!) Sheepshead Tournament
CHRIS DROSNER, EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Today I registered for the Glendale Open Sheepshead Tournament, and if you enjoy playing Wisconsin’s most distinctive card game, you should too. If you haven’t been here long, sheepshead is a trick-based card game that originated in Germany but is mostly just played in Wisconsin now; it’s the bedrock of many Wisconsin family traditions.
The tournament setting is different but still very fun, particularly if you like the game for the competition. Organizers are expecting more than 300 players this year, making it the largest single-day tournament in Wisconsin and, by extension, the world. I’ll be playing for the third time (and looking to improve on my third-place finish as a rookie), and a new family sheepshead tradition has begun as my parents are playing for their second time. Because sign-up is through the Nicolet Recreation Department, it’s a bit onerous, but hey, it’s nothing a solid blind won’t fix.
5. Make a Salad to Welcome Spring
ANN CHRISTENSON, DINING EDITOR
Daylight savings has begun. Which means… spring fever! I know it won’t last – my snow shovel is just temporarily chilling right now – but I’m relishing it as long as I can. That feeling translated to cooking. I’m never one to pass up a salad, and this recipe from NYT Cooking seemed pretty effortless (important right before a work week) but substantial (quinoa power!). I did change things up slightly. I roasted chicken thighs, but a rotisserie chicken would speed prep time up a bit. And I used dried cherries instead of craisins (personal preference). It’s a nice template if you like to mix things up a bit. I could see a chewy grain like farro with fresh dill, pistachios (in place of almonds) and dried apricots.
6. Bowl a Few Strikes (or Gutterballs) at Holler House
EVAN MUSIL, ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR
Recently, the MilMag team celebrated our editor-in-chief’s 10-year work anniversary (Congrats, Carole!) by striking out to a Milwaukee institution: Holler House. The hallowed tavern is well-known as the home to the country’s oldest sanctioned bowling alley – two wood-paneled lanes dating to 1908 with machinery still operated by human pinsetters. I spoke to owner Cathy Haefke for the February issue about the alley’s family origins and how late owner (and her mother) Marcy Skowronski built the spot’s eccentric furnishings and must-see reputation – Jack White, Lindsey Sterling and the band Beach House were just a few of the name-dropped celebrity visitors.
This was my first time bowling on these historic lanes. It became immediately clear there was a learning curve – quite literally. The second lane leans hard right, sending my attempts and the rest of our team’s straight into the gutter. We found a way to adjust – just roll it as hard you can – but I only managed a spare at best, which, in all fairness, is the best I can manage at any bowling alley. Either way, the pleasure of Holler House isn’t playing a seamless game. Friction is where the fun is, and the history. It tells you there’s nowhere else you can bowl like this.
