Potosi shines, Baumgartners rules! Will Brett Favre stay or go?? A very excellent trip to Wisconsin...

Just off the plane from Wisc. and back to business right away. Saraveza is starting to look real with actual walls up. This next week is full of inspections, getting ready to do the floors and digging a hole in the basement floor for the walk-in. I've started to drop hours at Cava (the awesome gastro-pub on Foster I serve at) as my early/mid October target date nears. I'm starting to feel the heat.

My short week at home really got me ready for the month ahead. We ate Cornish pasties in Madison and Mineral Point. The Red Rooster Cafe in Mineral Point really emulates what I want Saraveza's pasties to be. I think the miners of the past would have been proud! I'm really ready to start exploring the menu side of the business with someone who loves to cook, eat and drink beer. (If you know anyone, shoot me an email!)


Potosi, popultion 711, the ultimate destination of my trip, was such an unsuspected gem. Six Wisconsinites accompanied me and no one had heard of the Potosi's National Breweriana Museum. You don't have to be a breweriana junkie to fall in love with this museum - the often colorful and humorous artifacts on display are true pieces of Americana. It's also important to note that Potosi's Brewery and a beautiful dining area are attached to the museum, I recommend all beer enthusiasts venture to Potosi!

My father and Uncle Jim insisted that I visit Baumgartner's in Monroe. Here, I felt at home. With a cheese shop in front and a tavern in back, this place spoke to me like no other. Apparently, Baumgartner's is Wisconsin's first cheese shop. You can order a Limburger cheese and red onion sandwich for $2.95. What a deal! Especially since it stays with you all day! (For real, it stinks up your mouth, your hands, your face, your car.....) The staff is kooky and delightful. The food is simple and oh-so Wisconsin. The customers and laughing and drinking. I miss this place......

The remaining part of the trip was spent picking up bottle caps, going to the flea market, checking out taverns, talking about what was going to happen with Brett Favre and spending time with family. I've posted pictures of it all on Saraveza's MySpace (www.myspace.com/schlitzburger) All in all, this worthwhile visit really helped me pull together some final ideas for the shop. Speaking of Saraveza, I need to get back to work!

Prost!
- sarita