Top Twenty Moments | Our Great American Roadtrip 2014

This fall, Tyler and I took three weeks off and headed out west. I had carefully planned the details of our adventure for almost a year, researching restaurants, campsites, and hikes. I think travel is one of the most rewarding luxuries we afford ourselves. It opens our eyes to the world around us and broadens our horizons. I'm a hopeless wanderer, I yearn for mountains I haven't seen, and I would gladly live out of a suitcase if it meant that I could see the world. I can honestly say this trip was one of the coolest things I have ever done. So without further ado, here are my Top Twenty Moments from Our Great American Roadtrip 2014 (in no particular order):

1. Watching Orcas migrating off the coast of San Juan Island, Washington. (No Orcas below)
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2. Sharing s'mores with our Asian camping neighbors in Yellowstone National Park who had never had s'mores before.

3. Watching the sun rise on the Teton Mountains.
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4. Sitting in the hot springs of the Salmon River just outside of Stanley, Idaho, drinking local beer.

5. My dad surprising Tyler and me by showing up in Springdale, Utah and joining us for dinner, hiking, and relaxing.
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6. Attempting to hike Angel's Landing in Zion National Park. This made the list ONLY because Tyler and my dad were with me every step of the way. It was singlehandedly the hardest physical and mental challenge I've ever tried in my life. I cried and had to hold my dad's hand. However, I didn't make it to the end. Maybe next time...
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7. Cooking a live crab over a campfire.
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8. Seeing Glacier National Park for the first time and walking along the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
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9. Snuggling in a two-person tent on a blow up mattress every night. Seriously, some of the best sleep I've ever gotten--a warm, comforting body next to me, nestled under sleeping bags and blankets, the cool night air surrounding us, and (usually) soft sounds of nature lulling us to sleep. Perfection.

10. The glorious colors of Utah and Colorado in fall.
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11. Seeing how truly beautiful Idaho is. My previous perception of Idaho was so wrong.

12. Our whole San Juan Island experience--the ferry ride, camping on the edge of the ocean, exploring the tidal pools, visiting Pelendaba Lavender farm, our neighbors sharing huckleberry pancakes with us, and again, watching the Orcas migrate south.
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13. Walking through the Portland Japanese Gardens and the International Rose Test Gardens.
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14. Getting to stay at The Pines in Beaver Creek, Colorado in our generously upgraded room.
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15. Cooking over the fire almost every single night. You'd be surprised the delicacies you can prepare over open flame! We also had some amazing restaurant experiences on this trip, I can't pick just one.
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16. Exploring Pike's Place Market with the little time we had. The dried pasta and produce we picked was amazing, as was our lunch at Lowell's.
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17. Getting to try so many craft beers we can't get in Wisconsin!
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18. Getting to photograph almost every single moment and Tyler being so patient when I either pulled over to take a picture, or made him pull over so I could take a picture, or taking pictures with Tyler.
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19. Realizing that no matter how carefully the major details may be planned, there will always be something to throw you off like a two-hour detour, or a closed road, or an injured knee or back. Roll with the punches.
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20. All of the "little" moments with Tyler that were the real meat-and-potatoes of this trip; moments of laughter, frustration, serenity, excitement, and appreciation. Moments spent talking or silently learning about each other. We definitely drove each other crazy at times. But that's not what stands out to me. I remember making each other laugh until we cried, and looking at each other in wonder when we came across something breath-taking or interesting or new. I'll remember how important it is to spend the rest of your life with someone who will take adventures with you, say "screw it" and go into the unknown, help you put up the tent, and still call you beautiful when you haven't showered for four days.
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This wasn't just an amazing road trip, it was a test of our relationship. Before, I would only remember what I saw, what I ate, and the experiences that went along with that, because I was almost always with my parents (thank you, Mom and Dad). But as I reflect upon this trip and make this list, it's clear to me just how important it is who was beside me through the whole thing. My parents gave me the gift of travel, and I will be forever grateful for that and the trips we shared. They've given me a wealth of knowledge of travel tips, ideas, and planning. I'm so relieved that I've found someone who understands this wanderlust soul of mine. Stay curious, my friends. It's the only way we really experience life.

Until next time,
Kate

Roadtrip Restaurant Reviews

Snake River Grill—Jackson, WY

For the first dinner of our vacation, we headed into Jackson to the Snake River Grill. I had done extensive online research for the best place to get dinner in Jackson and settled on this location. We arrived early, and the staff was more than happy to seat us before our reservation time. We were brought to a romantic corner booth inside the warm, cozy dining room. I would describe the décor as lodge-meets-NYC with its log siding walls, stone fireplace, and white linens.

Our server was very attentive and knowledgeable about the items on the menu and wine list. I ordered a glass of melon de bourgogne, a French white wine from the Loire region. It was served much too cold to be enjoyed immediately. From the get go, I thought something was off with the wine. I requested a new bottle be opened to compare the two. Our server was most accommodating with this and brought me a glass from a new bottle, which was clearly in correct form.

We ordered truffle fries as an appetizer, an absolute must anywhere, in my book. Thinly sliced and crispy, with the perfect amount of truffle and cheese, they were just what I hoped they would be.

For my main course, I ordered the Lava Lake lamb ribs with herbed rice. I had high expectations for this dish since the lamb is superb out west. I was quite disappointed with my choice. The ribs were mostly fat with thin slivers of meat on the bone. The spicy sauce that came on the ribs was sparse and tasted of tomato paste. Something closer to a curry or red wine reduction would have been more appropriate. The rice that came with the lamb was under done, and heavy on the herbs. I felt like I was chewing on a mint leaf. There were also chunks of raw onion in the rice, which was very unappealing.

The excellent service was almost enough to forgive the lackluster entrée. However, service is not enough to bring one back to a purportedly creative and high quality restaurant. The meal is the star of the show, the service is the prelude and the intermission. A poorly written show will receive no applause. I will tip my hat to the staff at Snake River Grill, but let my hands be still otherwise.

Jackson Lake Lodge—Grand Teton National Park

I didn’t originally plan on reviewing our breakfast at the Jackson Lake Lodge, but excellence deserves to be recognized. We stopped here on our way to Yellowstone National Park after rising early to photograph the famous Mormon Row. We arrived just before the end of the breakfast buffet. I presumed the buffet would be a step above a Holiday Inn continental breakfast, nothing more. I was completely mistaken.

The view in the Mural Room of the Jackson Lake Lodge alone is enough to captivate anyone. The Tetons tower over the fields and Jackson Lake outside the floor-to-ceiling windows. But the food is what will keep people coming back. It was hands down the best breakfast buffet I’ve ever had. The sausages were fresh and juicy, the orange juice tasted fresh squeezed, and the breakfast potatoes were delicious. The scrambled eggs were made with real eggs. The waffles were fluffy and seemed to be homemade. It was well worth the median price and I highly recommend it to anyone who’s hungry or looking for a great view.

Cristina’s Restaurant and Bakery—Ketchum, ID

We stopped in Ketchum to get a quick lunch on our way to Stanley, ID. A quick online search told me Cristina’s was the place to go. Nestled on a side street in this ski town, the salmon colored building that is Cristina’s was easy to spot. Seeming to be no bigger than a postage stamp, our walk inside revealed a small dining area and sunroom, deli, and a good-sized patio. The interior was chic and modern with bright walls that warmed everything.

There were excellent deli and dessert options available in addition to the well-rounded menu. The staff was very friendly and willing to answer any questions. We ordered some dishes to go and were treated to fresh squeezed lemonade on the house since our order was going to take a little while. When we got our bags, an additional treat of chocolate chip cookies had been added to our bags for our troubles. I know the stress a server can feel when one knows a customer’s order is going to take longer than expected. I always tried to keep the customer comfortable while they waited. The cookies and lemonade were two special touches that showed how thoughtful the staff was.

The food was equally as thoughtful. The salad that accompanied my quiche was served room temperature, not freezing cold straight out of the refrigerator. The greens were fresh and the vinaigrette dressing was skillfully made. The quiche was light with juicy sausage, fresh broccoli, and melted cheese. The crust was flaky perfection. I was licking up the crumbs as I drove to get every last bite. I will be dreaming about Cristina’s until the next time I’m in the Ketchum area.

T Maccarone’s—Walla Walla, WA

After a couple hours of wine tasting in the area, we descended upon T Maccarone’s for dinner. Located off the main drag, the restaurant isn’t easy to spot except for the faintly lit sign above the windows. The cool blue interior with ambiance lighting has a cooler-than-you vibe, but we weren’t offended. There is a small scrap of a patio along the street that holds about four or five tables. We were lucky to snag one on that balmy fall night.

The drink menu featured local wines, but other than that was unmemorable. Our appetizer of beef carpaccio, thinly sliced raw beef with Parmesan cheese, greens, poached egg, and house crackers, was rather middle of the road. The egg was a nice touch not normally seen, but the meat needed more seasoning and love put into it. It was pounded too thin to be enjoyed properly.

The bread service was average as well. I don’t think the bread was made in house, or even locally. The density and lack of crunch in the crust implied a frozen bread was used.

For our entrees, we both ordered dishes our server recommended. I had the pappardelle alla Bolognese, and Tyler had the Upper Dry Creek lamb gnocchi. My pappardelle pasta was perfectly al dente, but the beef and pork ragout was dry and overcooked. The ragout should have been much more moist, especially with the beef and pork being milk braised. Tyler’s gnocchi were slightly overdone and mushy, but the lamb in the dish was excellent. Lightly shredded and tender with well-paired herbs and spices, it was mouth watering. The portion-to-price ratio didn’t quite add up, however. Gnocchi are relatively cheap, so throwing an extra handful in to fill up the plate would have made it look more appropriate.

To the average consumer, this meal would have been the highlight of the week. While it wasn’t disappointing, we are not the average consumer. Mistakes were made that a restaurant of this caliber shouldn’t have made. If I am ever in the Walla Walla area again, perhaps I will stop in and see if this was just an off night at T Maccarone’s.

More restaurant reviews will be coming, as well as our whole trip blog, keep your eyes open!

Green Bay Wedding: Lauren and Ryan

I have known Lauren for a number of years, simply because I graduated with her younger brother. While Lauren and I were just acquaintances until recently, she has always been an extremely sweet and kindhearted person. It is obvious to see why Ryan was drawn to her.

When Lauren was in high school, she worked with Ryan at one of her first jobs. She had a crush on him, but Ryan was older and in a higher position than she was. Her affections remained unknown for a number of years. After graduating high school, Lauren and Ryan were reunited. Ryan could see that Lauren had grown up and she wasn't the same 16-year-old girl he had first worked with so long ago. They hit it off and the rest is history.

The love between them is unwavering and effervescent. It seems to surround them like a gentle blanket, keeping each other close even when one is across the room. Ryan watches her adoringly, and she pulls him near as they dance. Lauren and Ryan, I wish you all the best and I hope you have never ending happiness!

Three Three Five | Anniversary Dinner

If you live in Green Bay, by now you've probably heard of the downtown restaurant Three Three Five. It's certainly deserving of all the buzz. Owner and head chef Chris Mangless has created a dining studio that is worthy of Chicago or New York's critical eye. The open kitchen concept is fascinating and friendly, as you can see your food being prepared in front of you. It's an art form, really. Chris pairs creativity with a considerate and thoughtful mindset that has SLO food (Sustainable, Local, Organic) fans in the area excited as well. Only open to the public on select Wednesdays, Three Three Five is somewhat of an illusory place, second only to Narnia, or perhaps Hogwarts or The Shire. Patience pays off, however, and the good people at Three Three Five try to accommodate as many people as they can when they are open.

I frequently tell people that Three Three Five is the best restaurant in Green Bay. You could say I'm a little biased; I consider Chris a friend of mine, and my fiancé proposed to me at Three Three Five. That being said, I would consider it disrespectful to give a less-than-honest review of any restaurant just because I am acquainted with the owner or staff. I have many friends in the service industry ranging from servers and cooks to owners and investors. I have been blessed (and cursed) with the knowledge of this industry from growing up in it and working in it, as well as the opportunities to dine at some of the best restaurants across the globe. Constructive criticism can sting, but it can lead to reflection and improvement.

Be that as it may, I have little to say in the way of constructive criticism concerning Three Three Five. Our meal and experience was wonderful. When I made our reservation, I mentioned that we were celebrating our anniversary. Upon arrival, we were greeted with two complementary glasses of sparkling wine served at the perfect temperature in lovely Reidel glasses. I adore a place with great glassware. We also ordered one of the house cocktails, "The Mangler". Comprised of bourbon, earl grey tea, absinthe, and Bittercube cherry bark vanilla bitters, The Mangler had a much lighter, more refreshing taste to it than I expected. The ice ball was very welcome, as an ice ball prevents dilution better than regular ice cubes.

We ordered a variety of shared plates as our meal. The Wisconsin Artisan Cheese platter is a guilty pleasure of mine. We were served Hooks Four Year Cheddar, the Carr Valley Ba Ba Bleu, LaClare Farms Evalon goat cheese, and the Wisconsin Sheep co-op triple cream, along with an assortment of crackers, dried figs, and apricots. They were all delectable, providing a wonderful array of flavors and textures, although I personally loved the Evalon the most. 

The Cape Cod bay mussels were tasty, but I think the sauce they were served in was the real star of the plate. It was reminiscent of a hearty tomato soup beefed up with small strings of onions and bits of smoked ham. I lapped up as much as I could with the sourdough toast that came with it. Perhaps a few more mussels could have been thrown in.

The Wagyu beef was the risky delicacy of the evening. I say that because what often happens when my fiancé and I eat at someplace like Three Three Five is I look over the menu, pick out what I think will be most interesting and delicious, tell him what I think, and he usually agrees without looking. He claims that I know what the dishes are better than he does. This may be true a certain percentage of the time, but I definitely took advantage of it in this instance. You see, the Wagyu meats in this dish were braised tongue and shaved tenderloin. I knew Tyler hadn't looked at the menu and read the ingredients. I gleefully informed him after he ate every last bite. We have since taken up a "don't ask, don't tell" policy when we dine out: he doesn't ask, and I don't tell. The Wagyu dish with the meats, polenta, kohlrabi, and salsa verde was crisp, savory, and filling. The Wagyu was tender and juicy with great flavor. The kohlrabi was the perfect texture contrast in the dish.

Although it is always hard to choose a favorite dish, I must say that the 335 Patio Figs were divine. The thick slices of sourdough toast topped with chèvre, fresh figs, La Quercia prosciutto, saba (sweet syrup from grape must), and nasturtium leaves left me yearning for more. I enjoy a great dish that makes me close my eyes and enjoy while wondering if all of this consumption will give me a heart attack an an early age. I would rather die fat and happy anyways, especially if my last meal was at Three Three Five.

To top off our celebratory dinner, we satisfied our sweet teeth with the Meyer lemon pound cake and the bittersweet chocolate budino. My heavens. The whipped creme fraiche with the pound cake tasted like angels' wings had graced our plates. The budino itself was so silky and sexy with it's cocoa nibs and gingersnap, I would have taken it home any night of the week. We could not get enough of them. On the outside, we may have looked like a sweet couple sharing our spoons, but on the inside, we were calculating exactly how many bites were left and how we would get more than the other person without them noticing. It was a draw.

 

The only fallback to our evening was at the end of the night when we asked for our check. From the moment we asked for our check to the moment we signed our receipt, it took roughly eight minutes. Eight minutes may not sound like a long time, but when you're sitting at a cleared table ready to leave, it can feel like an eternity. We had also asked for a specific way our payment be handled, and it wasn't taken care of the way we asked. We were aware that our server had gotten more tables seated in his section in the meantime, and he thanked us for our patience. However, a rule of thumb when a server gets unexpectedly overwhelmed is to ask for help from your fellow servers. Certainly no one is perfect, and it by no means ruined our evening. 

Overall, I would give our experience a 9 out of ten. I have yet to be dissatisfied upon leaving Three Three Five, and I will still tell anyone who will listen that it's the best restaurant in Green Bay. If you don't believe me that such an enchanting place exists in Green Bay, follow the yellow brick road north on Broadway, click your heels three times, and enter Three Three Five. If you can't people-watch at a window seat, be sure to ask for a table at the bar and watch the action. You won't be disappointed.

Manitowoc Engagement Shoot | Stacie + Jimi

This weekend, I was rewarded with the joy of shooting in a new location more beautiful than I expected. I had the opportunity to photography Stacie and Jimi at Silver Creek Park in Manitowoc. The park provided the perfect backdrop for summer engagement pictures.

I was able to really spend time with Stacie and Jimi and get to know them, both as a couple and individuals. They're love is absolutely effortless, it just pours out of them. They laugh and kiss easily, they were relaxed, and so focused on the moment they were in. It was so touching to see how they look at each other with eyes full of love. They seem complete when they're with one another.

Stacie and Jimi, thank you for letting me capture these moments of your love. I can't wait to see you at your wedding!!

Taste of Broadway 2014

I don't know about you guys, but when a culinary extravaganza is coming to the area, I get excited. Really excited. The hours before I leave work and walk down Broadway, I'm imagining streets filled with wonderful smells and sample portions of deliciousness; my mouth is constantly salivating. Needless to say, when Taste of Broadway came around, the salivary glands were functioning on high.

Upon my arrival at Taste of Broadway, I purchased the "tokens" (one token = $1)  necessary to buy food from the vendors and discovered something completely maddening. When I purchased my tokens, I was told that if I wished to enjoy alcoholic beverages, I would have to be wearing a wristband that I would have to purchase for one token ($1). Meaning I would have to pay $1 to wear a wristband proving that I was of legal drinking age, even though I had a perfectly good driver's license with me FOR FREE proving I was of legal drinking age. I can understand the logic of the wristbands, speeding up the process for those buying beverages because vendors wouldn't have to look at every I.D. But paying $1 to prove I can drink, especially when all the beers were then 5 tokens ($5)? That was a bit ridiculous. Even more so considering the person who sold me my wristband didn't even check my I.D. to make sure I was legal to drink. The wristbands should have either been provided for free, or the beers should have been 4 tokens instead. I know the high cost of the beers kept me from purchasing a second one. Bad move by the committee's part on that one. If that is the case next year as well, I certainly won't be buying drinks.

Back to the main event of Taste of Broadway: the food. I walked down one side of the vendors, perusing my options and mentally making note of the ones to come back to. My first stop was a bit of comfort food from NorthBrook Country Club. I had never heard of NorthBrook before, but they were offering a Wisconsin grilled cheese with bacon that looked hard to resist.

The quality bacon was done perfectly, the toast was very average, but the cheese hadn't quite turned to a coagulated state, which is always a bonus. However, I paid either 2 or 3 tokens for a piece of grilled cheese that could fit in my palm. The quality to cost ratio didn't add up in my book. 

My next stop was The Bottle Room's booth. They had an Ahi Tuna taco that caught my eye when I walked by. I'm a sucker for properly cooked Ahi Tuna. I had never eaten at The Bottle Room and had heard mixed reviews, so I was definitely keeping my eyes and tastebuds open. 

The taco was wonderful. The generous portion of tuna tartare mixed with the fresh vegetables, the cilantro, and the lime sauce was very pleasing, and honestly, a welcomed surprise. The owners of The Bottle Room are friends of mine, and I am so relieved to see they have quality people in the kitchen that match the quality of the people in the front-of-house. Granted, I only tried one dish, but I will most definitely be back to try more. If I had to pick on something, I would say the cilantro bordered on excessive, but I didn't find it offensive. Bravo to The Bottle Room!

Walking down the row brought me to CasSandra's booth. Once again, I had not had the chance to eat at CasSandra's yet, but my dad had given it some high praise, so I thought it worth a stop. For those of you who don't know, my dad is a fellow gastronomic with a far more experienced palate. I ordered the paella, a dish of seafood, rice, and spices, which looked hearty and filling.

For those of you who don't know, traditional paella is served with the shells still on the shellfish. As you can see above, this paella was served in the traditional manner. However, I think the type of event should have been taken into consideration before deciding to stick with tradition. Taste of Broadway isn't an event where there is ample room to sit down, use a fork and a knife (or even your hands), and remove the shells. People are walking around and shoveling food in with the nearest utensil. Besides holding their plate in one hand, they have a beer in the other, a camera around their neck, a phone attached to their ear, etc. This type of juggling is not conducive for removing shells. I had to give up and stick the whole shrimp in my mouth, chew through the shell, and spit the shell out. It definitely took away from enjoying the flavors and the dish itself, which was quite lovely once I got past the shells. In this case, I would advise leaning away from tradition and letting the great flavors of the dish bring people into the restaurant, where customers can be shown the traditional styles. 

My final stop was at OJ's Midtown Restaurant's booth. I had never heard of OJ's before, but they were serving a chocolate raspberry dessert that had caught my eye from the beginning. I definitely wasn't disappointed.

The raspberries were fresh, the chocolate ganache top was perfect, and there wasn't too much filling. It was an excellent end to the event.

My overall experience at Taste of Broadway left me wanting more. Not more food, I was definitely stuffed when I left. I think perhaps I built up the event in my head more than I should have. I was hoping for more creative dishes in greater variety, better prices, better music, and an all-around more satisfying experience. I had a chance to talk with one of the judges from the event. This judge mentioned that Hinterland had a wonderful dish (how I missed this, I will never forgive myself!), as well as Cheesecake Heaven and OJ's Midtown Restaurant, which I wholeheartedly agree. Still, I found myself quickly looking for an "out" when my attention was wandering. I have to say, I think that once I had devoured the tuna taco from The Bottle Room and had the chance to lick my plate clean from OJ's, the best part of my night was sitting down at the Lorelei and sipping on a refreshing mojito. Better luck next year, Taste of Broadway, or at least I hope so!