Our enchanted experience at Birch, which we detailed in this post, featured a truly stunning Allium Soup, which was served along with a short-rib, leek skewer and focaccia. I declared very clearly "I would change nothing. Ever." It was a great dish. But the whipped ricotta served alongside got me thinking. Now I am guessing [...]
Category: Ideas
Recipe Haiku #1: Ramp Toast
Simmered ramp butter, Lightly toasted sourdough bread, Over easy egg.
Restaurant – Birch
In a few weeks from the writing of this post, James Beard Foundation will announce it's winners for Best Chef for 2024. The Great Lakes region in the awards includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, which puts Chicago, Detroit, and Cleveland all in the same category. Tough sledding for the Great Lakes cities. Milwaukee (thankfully!) [...]
Lakeside Campfire Cooking
‘When you do something, you should burn yourself up completely, like a good bonfire, leaving no trace of yourself.’ ~Shunryu Suzuki-roshi The immediacy, even intimacy, of cooking over a campfire adds layers of warmth to any meal. Outdoor firepit cooking requires thoughtful consideration to the preparation of the fire and the food, as well as a [...]
Smoked Whitefish Omelette – ala “The Bear”
So my neighbor, a full foodie in his own right, asked me recently if I had tried making the omelette from the "The Bear" because his daughter had made it for him. For those not acquainted, "The Bear" is a television series from FX based on a fictional restaurant. There are two seasons so far [...]
Great Lakes Cuisine 