Crispin Tasting at Surdyk’s

the churn

Skimming the cream of local food news

• Best Beer for Breakfast and February 9 Tweet Rodeo

  The latest from Twitter: @BirchwoodCafe is featuring artwork by WACSO (check out his lively contributions to some of our stories), @fultonbeer’s Sweet Child of Vine is only $3 a pint @ZenBoxIzakaya, @RickNelsonStrib wants to know how you tip, and @MNBeerActivists ask about the best beer for breakfast time.

• Drunken Pig Chocolates and Recipe Roundup

  Spiced Cubano, pretzel bites with spicy cheese dip, coconut curry soup with tomatoes and pumpkin, Drunken Pig chocolates, Wisconsin Swiss / gruyere fondue, and wild rice and honey sprouts.

• Cocotte Kicks Off and Morning Roundup

  Two central Wisconsin butchers rise to the level of Master Meat Crafters, Dara previews Sparks in Bryn Mawr, the first page of locally produced gastronomic graphic novel Cocotte, a pancake breakfast to benefit the Women’s Prison Book Project, Rick looks for feedback on whether servers should confront customers who radically undertip (prepare to enjoy commenter chadmg7, who channels the spirit of Mr. Pink), a taste of Rush River Unforgiven Amber Ale, and a profile of Wisconsin-made Gail Ambrosius truffles.

• Valentine’s Day at Ngon Bistro and February 8 Tweet Rodeo

  The latest from Twitter: @BlueOxCoffeeCompany plugs their peppermint mocha garnished with a Thin Mint from the Girl Scouts (it’s that time of year!), @ngonbistro announces their Valentine’s Day tasting menu, @RogueChocolate marvels that every one of their bars is hand-inspected by the founder himself, and @france44 is serving a decadent-sounding fig salami with blue cheese.

• Chicken Wild Rice Soup with Bacon and Recipe Roundup

  Cranberry pecan boule, pavlovas, chicken with wild rice soup and bacon, homemade yogurt, curried wild rice with lentils, sweet basil cheesecake with honey, and cut out sugar cookies.

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