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Wild Truffle
Posted by Lynn Peters on 11/2/09 |
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 I recently had an opportunity to check out the Wild Truffle, a new restaurant near the Fox River Mall. Cleverly hidden behind Wal Mart, the Wild Truffle specializes in small pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven.
The decor is lovely, with lots of tile and stone. My mushroom soup was positively delicious although it wasn't at all what I expected. In fact, everything tasted great and I was tempted to snatch some of the other food I saw going past my table.
The Wild Truffle isn't one of those places you'd dash into for a quick and inexpensive lunch. The food is special, the glassware is lovely, the napkins are crisp and white, and the prices are a bit higher than normal. |
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It's that time of year
Posted by Lynn Peters on 10/28/09 |
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I walked into Younkers Department Store today and discovered that the entire place was decked out in Christmas finery. At this time each year, "Wisconsin's Shopping Place" becomes the Christmas shopping capital of the state. Why do I say that?
1. Buses parked in the Fox River Mall lot. Yup, Christmas shoppers come by the busload. Want the mall hours? Go to foxrivermall.com.
2. Costumes--I'm not making this up. Groups of women show up in matching Christmas shopping sweatshirts!
3. The real Santa is at the Fox River Mall chatting up kids for gift ideas. If he's not the real guy, I'll eat my Christmas stocking.
4. Fox Cities hotels offer their annual shopper specials. You'll find them elsewhere on this website.
Add a Christmas show at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, a good friend or two and you've got a fun weekend and a chance to have your shopping done early for a change! |
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Great Gifts for the Season
Posted by Pam Seidl on 10/16/09 |
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 Kerrigan Brothers Winery not only makes a variety of fruit wines, they also stock the largest selection of wine accessories in the area. They have everything from caps to keep open bottles of wine fresh to really fun bottle holders, as well as some great sassy t-shirts and cocktail napkins. Definitely worth a visit. Make sure you take advantage of a wine tasting while you're there!
kerriganbrothers.com. |
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Arts of Fire
Posted by Pam Seidl on 10/12/09 |
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Our Bergstrom-Mahler Museum is all about glass. It's know for one of the largest collections of glass paperweights in the world, and also has a signifcant collection of Germanic glass drinking vessels.
This weekend, the Bergstrom-Mahler will be hosting the Hot Glass Road Show from the Corning Museum of Glass. The Road Show is a traveling full size glass blowing studio made from two semi trailers. They are currently stoking the fires to get them hot enough for glass blowing demonstrations this Thursday-Sunday.
In addition to the Hot Glass Road Show, the Bergstrom-Mahler has assembled a great exhibit of glass art with a special feature of Italian blown glass as well as an Italian Carnivale-themed gala on Saturday, Oct. 17.
It's sure to be a hot time in Neenah this weekend. More info at:
bergstrom-mahlermuseum.com. |
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ATW
Posted by Lynn Peters on 10/12/09 |
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A lot of people assume a community the size of ours won't have much of an airport. Wrong! The Outagamie (out-uh-gay-me) Regional Airport, fondly called "ATW", is just a mile or so west of Hwy. 41. Served by four airlines, it has more than 20 flights departing each day and goes directly to Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, Denver, Atlanta, Orlando and Las Vegas. It's the 4th largest airport in Wisconsin.
In 2008 528,000 passengers traveled through the Outagamie County Regional Airports, so small potatoes it's not.
Want to learn more? Go to atwairport.com. |
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Catherine Street Mural
Posted by Lynn Peters on 10/5/09 |
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I was in Kaukauna recently and on the advice of Mayor Gene Rosin I went a few blocks out of my way to see a giant mural being painted on Catherine Street.
Local artists and high school students have joined forces to tell the city’s story in paint. They're rapidly turning the long, curving, stark white wall into a series of richly colored images. Historic buildings, the 1000 Islands Environmental Center, the Fox River, local people and businesses are all featured.
I expected the mural to be just the tiniest bit amateur, but instead I was blown away by its vibrancy and detail. Located just a block from downtown Kaukauna, the Catherine Street mural is well worth seeing.
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Cory Chisel
Posted by Pam Seidl on 9/23/09 |
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The Fox Cities area claims a number of truly original artistic souls: Houdini, Edna Ferber, Willem Dafoe.
Our latest rising star is Cory Chisel, who's been getting a lot of attention on the national music scene. Cory will be in concert to celebrate the launch of his new record on Saturday, Sept. 26th at 7 p.m. in the Lawrence University Chapel. Every ticket includes a copy of his new album. More info: corychisel.com.
How cool is it that he's one of our own! |
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German Food
Posted by Lynn Peters on 9/21/09 |
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Our community is full of ethnic restaurants and I've written about several of them in our Fox Cities blog. Thai, Spanish, Mexican or Italian, we've got lots of choices. I had forgotten, however, that Mark's Eastside has great German food. I was there for a banquet last week and had a chance to sample several "old country" entrees. Wiener schnitzel, German sausage, sauerkraut, red cabbage, spaetzles (little dumplings) and "kasseler rippchen."
I love sauerkraut, and Mark's was some of the best I've ever had, but my favorite item was the "kasseler rippchen," a smoked pork chop. Yum. Actually, make that a double-yum!
Mark's Eastside is located on Wisconsin Avenue in Appleton. You'll find their menu and lots of other info at markseastside.com
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Holiday Shopping Traditions
Posted by Pam Seidl on 9/14/09 |
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Holiday Shopping in the Fox Cities is a tradition for many. Watch our web site during the next several weeks and we'll bring you info on special holiday shopping hotel rates, plus some insider tips from the fine folks at the Fox River Mall.
Believe it or not, many stores already have some of their holiday items out. Remember when making hotel reservations, sometimes calling your favorite Fox Cities hotel directly can get you the best rate vs. making a reservation online, especially during the weekend of a Packer home game.
Finally, don't forget our "Fun's on Us" promotion. Stay 2 nights and get a $50 gift card, it's your best deal this holiday season. Check out the hotels offering this promotion here: foxcities.org/fun.
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Babcock Hall Ice Cream
Posted by Lynn Peters on 9/11/09 |
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I just learned that "CSI Appleton" carries Babcock Hall ice cream! If you've spent any time on the UW-Madison campus, you know this is one of Wisconsin's finest dairy products. If you haven't had the privilege, I wholeheartedly recommend that you dash down to CSI for a large ice cream cone.
CSI Appleton is a small restaurant best known for its soups and cookies. It's located in the City Center Plaza building just west of The Building for Kids in downtown Appleton. You'll find their daily specials at csi-appleton.net.
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