Mason's on Main, Oregon, WI 2/22/14

Location: Mason's on Main, Oregon, WI
Web site: http://www.masonsonmain.com/
Price: $5
Points: 4.25
Fruit garnish: .25 (for the generous orange slice)
Cherry juice or grenadine: not sure
Muddling: yes +1
Bitters: just right +1
Brandy: just right (Korbel) +1
Overall taste:  perfect +1

The Drink: This was a really good BOFS.  Both Steve and I agree that it was nice and smooth. We weren't able to watch them make it, but this is a featured drink on the menu called "Main Street Old Fashioned" which boasts "Our special homemade Old Fashioned mix featuring Wisconsin's Favorite -- Korbel Brandy." The fruit seemed muddled. There was no garnish, but as Steve loves to point out, the flavor is what matters most.

Tip for improvement: Can't really think of anything.

Atmosphere: This is a nice place and is fairly new.  The bar is roomy and has a cosmopolitan almost industrial feel. The main dining room next door has more of a turn-of-the-century look.

Experience: We took the family there for dessert. Everyone agreed the desserts were really good. Even though we were in the bar, there were tables that were comfortable for a large group.  Here is my dessert--Godiva panna cotta with home-made Kahlua ice cream. 

Kavanaugh's Esquire Club, Madison WI 2/21/14



Location: Kavanaugh's Esquire Club, Madison WI
Web Site: http://www.esquireclubmadison.com/
Price: $5.50
Points: 3.25 out of 5
Fruit garnish: +.5
Cherry juice or Grenadine: none
Muddling: no
Bitters: good +1
Brandy: strong enough +1
Overall taste: just a little too bitter +.75







The drink: This drink was just OK. No muddled fruit in combination with a slight bitterness dragged it down.  It was made with simple syrup and bitters, then ice and brandy and 7-up.  Two cherries were the garnish.  This place cranks these out--sometimes there are 6 lined up being made assembly line fashion.  So, they are super popular here.  The second one was better.


Tip for improvement: Muddle fruit with sugar and bitters.  Without the muddled fruit, a BOFS will never be great.  At least they didn't ask if we wanted olives.

Atmosphere: This is a classic Wisconsin supper club. The bar is at the center and it was packed.  We were lucky to get two seats at the bar.  As I said, they crank out the brandy old fashioneds, which is pretty cool.  This place is huge, with various dining areas surrounding the bar area.

Experience: For a Friday night, you get the full Wisconsin fish fry experience.  You wait to get a table in a packed bar and while you are waiting, you have a brandy old fashioned.  The locals are friendly and willing to talk.  Of course we discussed the old fashioneds.  I was told that the best ones in Madison are at "Toby's."  Care to join us?




The Night Owl, Evansville WI 2/14/2014

Night Owl, Evansville WI

Location: The Night Owl, Evansville WI
Web site: http://nightowlgrill.com/
Price: $4.50
Points: 4.0 out of 5.0
Fruit garnish: none
Cherry juice or Grenadine: not sure
Muddling: fruit (cherry and orange)was muddled with sugar. +1
Bitters: just right +1
Brandy: just right (though not Korbel) +1
Overall taste: great +1



The drink: Overall this was a great brandy old fashioned sweet.  The bartender concocted it with care. Steve thought it had a cinnamon taste.  We were asked if we wanted olives and said no, but there was no fruit garnish either. At least there was the muddled fruit to eat. The second one was better.

Tip for improvement: add a fruit garnish.

Atmosphere: the Night Owl has a pleasant bar area which is where we sat.  Note the shiny bar counter. There is also a very open restaurant area. The atmosphere is OK--part sports bar and part Wisconsin small-town bar and restaurant.

Experience: we like this hometown bar for meeting up with friends and for lunch and dinner with the family.