GLEAM 2021 (Olbrich Gardens), Madison, WI

This event is an annual, outdoor, visual arts installation at the well-known gardens in Madison. Artists from all over the world submit their ideas and then a handful or so are chosen for each late summer/fall season. It runs nightly (after dark) on W, Th, F and Sa through the end of October. Tickets are relatively inexpensive ($15 for an adult with no other Olbrich Gardens membership already). Seeing the artwork is easily worth that price.

You can start the event off with a stop to a small but well-stocked bar, garb a drink, and then take a leisurely 30-60 minute stroll through the exhibits. Tickets are good for 1.5 hours of access, they have multiple "waves" of people throughout the night. I'm much quicker than most people and only spent about 40 minutes there. I also skipped one exhibit, #5 below. I could see it from afar, but didn't want to wait in line to "experience" it as it was in their real-live pagoda and an extra 10-15 minute wait (with kids screaming and some sort of noise being played on a "BIG" floor-sized keyboard on the floor of the installation - nah).

They have most of the walking path roped off or highlighted in some manner, so it's a pretty simple way to get around all the bright lights amidst the darkened sidewalks. You can also scan a QR-code for a very simple map and info on each exhibit, which I will use below.

This is their greenhouse that is always lit up, all year. From the outside it looks like a bit of a spaceship and you can't really miss it, even just driving by...

This is the first visual item after the bar... kind of hard to miss most of them... but not actually part of the show formally, perhaps an amuse bouche for your eyeballs... (I really liked it)

On the way to the pagoda, you have to walk over a small inlet and get to see some cool views on this bridge...

I feel the the Gardens makes a point of always putting something extra in the path, and this seemed like a perfect thing for kids to do on the way b/w the exhibits. They had black lights showering the sidewalk and markers ready for people to doodle with... very much sidewalk chalk drawing at night. Kind of simple really, but visually striking and fun...

This was the last one of the night and the end of the journey. Once here, it was a very short walk back through their main building and back out in to the dark. I've now done this twice, and if you can't tell for yourself, this is 100% worth it.

Italian Eatery, Minneapolis, MN

Being back in the Twin Cities for a weekend afforded me an opportunity to not only try some restaurants that I'd not been to before, but more importantly to meet up with old friends, like we used to - eating out at our favorite places.

With that theme in mind, two of my favorite female friends and I decided to meet-up at Italian Eatery on the near-southside of Minneapolis. We decided to tackle the menu by ordering some small plates & salads to share, then got our own pasta entrees if desired (uhhh, yes!). Drinks are available and well done - beers, wines, etc. Get what you like.

The three of us started "al fresco" on their gorgeous patio... but the storm coming in would not relent. Around the time our entrees arrived, and with prodding from the staff, we decided it would be best if we were whisked inside to our new waiting table. It was pretty seamless, and much drier.

Here's what we shared that night:

- Goat Ricotta with Honey

- IE Classic Meatballs

- Roasted Asparagus, with soft-boiled egg and Parmesan

- Shaved Root Salad

- House-made Rigatoni with Fennel Sausage crumbles

Though we were full, we also had a sweet treat in mind, and the waiter mentioned gelato. While we each didn't need our own desserts, we did want to try a few the waiter had mentioned. The waiter wound up making us a small "tasting menu" from all their frozen desserts. Again, this was maybe 2-3 spoonfuls of each flavor, so we each could get a taste. It was really nice of them, quite a perfect end.

Clockwise from upper right - Nutella, Pistachio, Raspberry Sorbet, Fresh Milk, Vanilla.

I still feel bad that this was my first visit to this restaurant, as it was in business before I moved out of MN. It was very very good, and I would love to back there, right now even! It's now on my list for when I go back or for when anyone in the areas needs a new go-to spot. Please visit if you're up there and haven't been.

Chuckwagon Restaurant, Adair, IA

I don't mess around when it comes to at least a few things... ice cream, beer, bikes, and I think now I can safely say, pork tenderloin. Ideally, pork tenderloin on a sandwich (easily one of my favorite food vehicles). I've had this sandwich a number of times over the years, but came upon what might be the best version I've ever had (easily Top 3) in a small town off I-80 in Iowa called Adair. I happened to use Maps to find a diner on the way to Omaha (also known for the pork tenderloin) and happened upon this 4.5/5.0 starred place - the Chuckwagon Restaurant.

"Chuck's" seems to be known for their breakfast/brunch menu, but that stops being offered at 11AM each day. It was going to be a lunch menu for me. Fine. Once I sat down, got my bearings, an Arnold Palmer and a menu, it was staring me right in the face - how could I not choose the pork?!

I wasn't exactly in the mood for the sandwich, but and because I'd had a fast-food version the night before... I had to try the real deal.

When it came to my table, I thought it was heavily breaded and likely going to ruin the roof of my mouth (you know what I mean?!)... but this thing was more tender than veal massaged by babies hands. It was SO good. I almost still can't believe it and am getting hungry just typing.

Needless to say, I ate the whole thing. And also needless to say - go here if you're making your way through Iowa on I-80, you'll be glad you did. 

They also had a very bright, friendly staff, plus pay-by-QR code when you're done. Easy-peasey.

Martina, Minneapolis (Linden Hills), MN

This might be my first restaurant post where I have no pictures of the food, only the drinks. Its certainly not b/c the food was not good - in fact, it was excellent. I think it's simply that the drinks got going quickly (first meal of the day) and by the time the food arrived, I tore into it.

Here's there brunch menu, in case you want to gaze...

At brunch, drinks are the only way to begin, right? Well, we wasted no time... speaking of wasted... this was the friends selection, then my 2nd drink, a pretty spicy Bloody Mary (beer was first drink)...

What was also great about Martina, besides the drinks and food, maybe even more-so than them, was th space. It's just really well done for decor and it makes being there that much more enjoyable. If you don't believe me, take a look below, and then go for yourself.

Lovely dining area...

Glorious kitchen...

Oooh, firewood! (but that also means they have some wood-roasted options on the menu!)

Even the patio is on-point...

I would be back in a NY minute.