Recently, my lovely bride Charlotte had to be out of town for a few days. So, it was my three year old boy, Joshua, and me “baching” it for a few days. And we made sure to have lots of fun, eat some yummy food and engage in some, good old-fashioned frivolity. We started our fun weekend at Milwaukee Burger Company (which Joshua calls the “cowboy place” for some reason…).

I’ve always enjoyed Milwaukee Burger Company. I really like their variety of appetizers, burgers and sides. It doesn’t hurt that they have three or four varieties of cheese curds alone (seriously… this place is SO Wisconsinite). We started out with some Portabella Fries. I had never had batter-fried portabellas before, so I was eager to try them out. As far as Joshua knew, they were simply “fries.” He isn’t too keen on mushrooms… but he totally enjoyed these, as did his daddy. They were fried perfectly and spiced nicely. Super tasty!

The restaurant had a special running on buffalo wings that night. I hadn’t had any for some time, so I ordered a few. They were really good as well.

For our entrees, Joshua had chicken nuggets and fries. Again, the fries were the main event for him. He could have eaten fries all night.I had the Steakhouse Mushroom Swiss Burger. While I hadn’t eaten particularly well thus far in the meal, I am eating a lower-carb diet these days, so I had my burger without the bread. It was good, although I think I prefer the sides and appetizers at Milwaukee Burger Company more than the actual burgers. I had a side salad with my burger (since I knew I would steal some of Joshua’s fries).

Overall, we had a fun and enjoyable experience at Milwaukee Burger Company. While the food was good, what made it for us was the service. The hosts that greeted us when we arrived were super-friendly and engaged with my son, which I love. Our server was one of the best servers I have had in a while. She was so accommodating, friendly and again, she engaged with Joshua throughout our time there. I am totally looking forward to going back soon!

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One of my favorite aspects of Pizza Plus is the atmosphere. The brick walls give the restaurant a very cool, rustic feel, while the Christmas lights that are hung up as decorations add a little fun into the mix. There’s also an arcade with lots of games for kids to enjoy in the back of the dining room area.

Hands down, the best aspect of Pizza Plus is the food. They offer a wide variety of dishes, some traditional and some with unique twists to them, and specialize in pizza, of course.  I wanted to try a few different things, so the friend I was with and I wound up getting an order of cheese curds, Italian nachos, and an artisan roll to split between us. Let me warn you, that is a lot of food! It was all delicious though, so it was definitely worth it. Because we went during happy hour, appetizers and drinks were half price, which was a great deal! The bar at Pizza Plus has a great selection of taps,too. The cheese curds were huge, homemade, and beer batter crusted. They are definitely one of the best—if not THE best—curds in town.

The artisan roll can best be described as a piece of pizza rolled up, Stromboli- style. You can add your choice of toppings to make it however you want it; I added pineapple and Canadian bacon to mine (I am a big fan of Hawaiian pizza).

The Italian nachos are a dish that is truly unique to Pizza Plus. I definitely haven’t seen them anywhere else. Imagine nachos, but pizza version! The chips used are pasta chips, and are smothered with cheese, pepperoni, pepperocinis, and Italian sausage.

If you are looking for a tasty and unique place to go out for supper or lunch, be sure to check out Pizza Plus! They also feature open mic nights and comedian shows!

Happy eating!

-Fun Finder, Brenna

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The Foster Cheese Haus is located right off of I-94 in Foster, WI. In in addition to being a wine and organic cheese store, it is also a restaurant specializing in wood fired pizza.

My boyfriend and I browsed the store before ordering a pulled pork pizza. There were so many different cheeses available, and they were all from Wisconsin. Descriptions and samples were available for some. We sampled five different cheeses, and that was just the beginning! We also browsed through their extensive wine and craft brew selection while we waited for our pizza.

We didn’t have long to wait, though—the woodfire ovens are heated at about 700 degrees, so it only took about five minutes for our pizza to cook! We could watch it cook through the window on the front of the oven, which was very neat. The pizza was delicious. I had been a little unsure to begin with; I like pulled pork and I like pizza, but I never thought of putting the two together. It proved to be a tasty combination, and one that I highly recommend.

For those of you with a sweet tooth, they also offer homemade pies. Sadly, I was too full from the pizza to indulge in a slice, but the pies looked very tempting. All in all, The Foster Cheese Haus gets two enthusiastic FFTU (Fun Finder Thumbs Up)! Check out their website at www.fostercheesehaus.com for more information, a complete menu listing and to order cheese online.

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Located at the intersection of Clairemont Ave and Menomonie St in what used to be Cicione’s Restaurant, the Empire has been remodeled into a combination of booths and tables and bar area. It retains hints of the old but creates its own atmosphere. Certainly the most interesting aspect is the self-proclaimed ‘nation’s first beer tap wall.’   And that’s exactly what it sounds like.  If you’re in an adventurous beer drinking mood, this might be just what you’re looking for.  It’s simply a self-serve beer wall, just like most other restaurants have for soft drinks.  There are differences, of course, such as being charged by the ounce and needing to be of adult age.  But there are 5 or 6 craft beers on tap and when one runs dry, they crack open another, so the offerings constantly change. It’s perfect to sample a variety of beers without buying a whole glass.  An ounce or two here and an ounce there until you find one you really like.  Quite unique.

For dinner, we started with an order of their deep-fried pickle slices and there were plenty to share…which was good since they tasted great! I decided on the Carolina Pulled Pork sandwich, which was wonderful. Fresh tasting and topped with a dollop of coleslaw and fries on the side.  I also enjoyed (very much, by the way) a cup of chili that had more than a bit of a kick.  Jane went with the Shrimp and Portabella pasta and we split a Caesar salad. Not being a seafood fan, I’ll have to believe her when she tells me that it was excellent and something she’d order again. The restaurant was lively and a fun place to be and we would recommend it to you when you need a change of scenery from your usual dining. Check out their Facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/eauclaireempire for occasional specials and offers.

After dinner, we headed to the Metropolis Resort on the city’s far south side. The hotel is sandwiched between the awesome fun of Action City and the Chaos Waterpark.  It was well stocked with families enjoying the fun and judging by the license plates in the lot, they weren’t all local.  That’s good news for the economy.

We were spending the night as a little getaway of our own and what Jane didn’t know was that we were booked into one of the Metropolis’ two honeymoon suites.  Both are themed rooms…one in the style of Paris…all white and dreamy and the other after Dolce Milano, dressed out in dark wood, overstuffed pillows and red accents.  That was the room I chose and when we arrived, a plate of chocolate dipped strawberries and champagne awaited us. This was a huge room…double size with a King size bed, full living room, two fireplaces and two TVs, along with a wet bar, sitting area and a wonderful whirlpool tub. The large bathroom had an even larger walk in shower that sported an overhead rain shower head, a wall mounted sprayer and 6, count ‘em, 6 wall jets that reminded us of a full-blown car wash. It was amazing.

Despite the 5 inches of snow that was falling outside, the room stayed nice and toasty thanks to the fireplaces and the champagne and the whirlpool was a fantastic place to melt away the week’s stresses. But it didn’t end there. Breakfast is included with the stay and in the morning I ducked down to the common room with a tray and returned with a full breakfast of scrambled eggs, potatoes, something amazing called Monkey Bread (which I couldn’t get enough of), and cereals, fruit, bagels and juice.  They called it a continental breakfast, but it was anything but.

We had such a peaceful, relaxing time reconnecting that it is high on our list of places to return…and soon. Whether you’re newlyweds or have some years behind you, the Metropolis Resort’s honeymoon suites are the perfect couples’ getaway … right here in the valley. Don’t wait for a special occasion. Make one.

Until next time, spend some time with the one you love, right here in the Eau Claire area.

- Tim and Jane

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Hippity, Hoppity, Easter’s on its way!

1. GREEN MILL – 10 am – 2pm
Buffet style Easter brunch; options such as ham, salmon, chicken, and prime rib. Kids 5-12 can eat for $7.99, adults for $17.99, kids five and under are free. Reservations are strongly recommended.

2. RAMADA CONVENTION CENTER – 10 am – 3pm
Deluxe buffet.  Adults can eat for $17.95, kids for $9.95, and seniors for $13.95. The Easter bunny will make an appearance, and there will also be a live bunny pen!

3. FANNY HILL – 9:30am – 2pm
Grand buffet featuring options such as ham, chicken, or beef with vegetables, mashed potatoes, and other side dishes. Adults eat for $20, children eat for $10, kids four and under eat free.

4. NORTHWOODS BREWPUB – 10am – 4pm
Offering alternate dinner options:  for $12, a ham or baked chicken dinner, for $13 a ham and baked chicken combo dinner. Served with mashed potatoes, vegetables, and pie. Reservations appreciated.

5. GALLOWAY GRILLE – 7am – 3pm
Serving special breakfast items such as breakfast skewers and stuffed French toast for $7.95. Baked ham  or baked chicken with mashed potatoes available at 11 a.m. for $9.95.

Happy Easter!

-Fun Finder, Brenna

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Brightly illuminated signs against the brick background of the building grace the outside of the café. Upon entering the quaint shop, a bright and inviting atmosphere greeted me, set against the backdrop of a charming modern-yet-classic interior theme. Caffe Tempo is owned and managed by Leila Wilson. Though Wilson isn’t the original owner, she brought her own touch to the shop in hopes of creating this welcoming environment. Wilson states, “The environment is extremely deliberate in that we have tried to create a place that people will want to come and stay. We want it to almost be like a home away from home in that people feel that relaxed and comfortable here.”

From the soft leather couches, to the folksy music playing in the background, to the stacks of games available in the lounge area, it’s clear that comfort was the overall goal. The cool gray walls contribute to the relaxed atmosphere, while the large windows let in natural light to brighten up the room.  Judging by the smiling groups that sat and enjoyed their drinks around me during my visit, it’s clear that that goal was achieved!

When I spoke with her, Wilson emphasized the importance of customer satisfaction and particularly getting feedback from customers. “That’s what keeps people coming back, and that’s what keeps people interested and feel like it’s theirs.”

This open communication is aided by the Caffe Tempo Facebook page, which gives customers the chance to voice their opinions, give feedback, and interact with Caffe Tempo. The Facebook page also features deals and promotions on a regular basis to those who have ‘liked’ the Caffe Tempo page.

But the best part of my experience at Caffe Tempo was definitely the drink that I had! I had a maple spice latte, and I think I have an all-time new favorite drink (sorry, pumpkin chai). The drink tasted so fresh, and was clearly made with expertise and skill. Caffe Tempo is Gold Cup certified, a process that Wilson explained as “a technical standard in world of espresso… people come and test the equipment and the way the barista makes the coffee.  If you get all of those things right, you hit the bullseye.” This is exactly what Wilson and Caffe Tempo did. The coffee that comes to Caffe Tempo is fair trade and organic, meaning that it comes from all over the world, and the laborers who make the coffee are paid fair wages. The coffee comes to Caffe Tempo the day after it is roasted, and Wilson says that the promptness in which she receives the coffee means that the beans themselves are fresh and are freshly roasted. This makes the overall taste “very fresh and not processed.”

Wilson has hopes of expansion for the future, so long as the shop can maintain its high quality products and continue to serve its customers. She states, “We want to create a coffee culture where the community can consistently come.” I, for one, will happily engage in that culture and will be consistently returning to have my maple spice latte!

- Fun Finder, Brenna

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On a cold Monday I found myself sitting with a co-worker as we were on our hour lunch at Fuji Sushi and Steak House. The atmosphere was quite different than the cold Wisconsin weather outside.

Upon entering there was a tranquil water fall with a peaceful flow of water turning a wheel and plush couches to sit on. We were warmly welcomed by the greeter and walked by the bar, sushi bar and seating, in what I have dubbed the “hibachi room.” Many grills and seating were arranged and we were lead to a grill where two other women were already seated.

Sitting down with the grill in front of us we ordered our drinks and meals. A few minutes later we received our salads that came with the lunch special and then our hibachi chef arrived. He was AWESOME he interacted with all of us at the table and got everyone talking together. Then the real fun started, it was like our own personal lunch show. The chef began by lighting up the grill; flames erupted into the air and were a nice change from the cold outside. His skills with the utensils were impressive as well, spinning the spatula in the air, throwing and catching it behind his back, and for the finale tossing an egg on the spatula in the air before cracking it on the grill.  All tricks that you probably shouldn’t try at home, but in the back of my head I was debating if I could.

There was light chatter and the show continued. At the perfect timing our food finished cooking and our meal was served. Everyone at the table marveled at their meal. It just so happened all of us got something different too, if I remember right there was a tuna meal, shrimp and steak, steak, and I ordered the chicken hibachi meal.

It ended up that I had to box the meal, but that means I get AMAZING leftovers from dinner and can smile all the while eating them remembering my experience. Lunch lasted about the entire hour that I had, but it was such a change from any lunch break I’ve had as of late. I am considering making it a once a month event now. Happy eating to you and yours.

By Stefanie Dunham

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Though it was plenty chilly while we were there, that didn’t keep anyone from having fun! The skating rink was huge, and people of all ages were skating—toddlers all the way up to adults.  Many used chairs and ice skating walkersto help with their balance. Skates were available to rent at the park in addition to snowshoes, and park goers could also play winter Kubb.

There was truly something for everyone at Winter After Hours, even those who didn’t want to skate or snowshoe. The park, which was decorated in white lights, featured huge snow sculptures and music.

If skaters got too cold, they gathered around the fire pit to warm up, and some made a ’smore or two. Hot chocolate, tea, and coffee were available for purchase for those in need of a little extra warming up.

Winter After Hours is held in Boyd Park on Thursday nights in January and February from 6-8 p.m. This Thursday, February 28, is the last one of the season, so make sure to check it out!

Brenna Long, Fun Finder

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Before this particular match, a live musician played a set while the CVRG and the opposing team, the Iron Range Maidens, warmed up on the track.  After warmups and before the bout began, the announcer explained the rules for those who had never been to a roller derby before.

Derbies take place in the Eau Claire Indoor Sports Center, so there is plenty of room for spectators to watch- but watch out if you sit in the first row, called ‘Suicide Seating’ for those over 18… you might wind up with a skater in your lap! Roller derby is a full contact sport and a bout involves two different teams going head to head, so it’s not uncommon to see skaters throw elbows or take a nosedive.  I was initially skeptical if roller derby was really as brutal as it’s made out to be, but it definitely is. If you check out the CVRG website at www.chippewavalleyrollergirls.com, there’s even a ‘bruise board’ where they proudly display injuries that they’ve sustained from the derby.

Clearly, you have to be tough to be in this sport, and the tenacious ladies of CVRG take it up a notch! With nicknames that they go by while on the court such as Arm & Slam’er, Calla Doctor, Stunt Double and Toxic Hell, these ladies mean business. After all was said and done, the Chippewa Valley Roller Girls emerged victorious (and probably slightly bruised)!

All in all, it was a great and certainly unique event, and one that I would highly recommend checking out in the future!

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It was a quick and easy drive from Eau Claire, and quite easy to find.

Upon arrival, I immediately noticed the gorgeous, wintry grounds. It was so picturesque! I tried to take it all in as I walked to the gift shop to check in. While I waited for them to prepare the sleigh, I browsed the quaint gift shop, which was filled with trinkets and collectibles, many of which were intricate and handmade.

When everything was ready, I went outside and saw a sleigh with two work horses at a hitching post, waiting to begin the ride. It was a very chilly day outside, but Mark and Judy even supplied blankets to cover my lap so I was toasty warm, despite the cold temperatures.

The sleigh ride was fantastic! We went through the grounds, and due to the recent snowfall, everything was covered with a beautiful blanket of snow. The trees were absolutely beautiful. Halfway through the ride, we made a stop at the Cabins to warm up by the woodfire stove inside, and I was pleasantly surprised by the holiday decorations that were found there. To add to the trip, there was even a great view of the (frozen) Paint Creek from the deck.

The ride back seemed way too short, but I guess time flies when you’re having fun! It was a memorable day and an experience that I would recommend to anyone and everyone. The winter setting was absolutely gorgeous, and I will definitely have to return and experience it again in the springtime.

Check it out- you won’t regret it!

Brenna Long, Fun Finder

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