The Dorf Haus Supper Club, Roxbury, WI June 6, 2014

Location: Dorf Haus, Roxbury, WI

Website: foodspot.com/dorfhaus
Points: 3.5
Fruit garnish: +.5
Cherry juice or grenadine: 0
Muddling: o
Bitters: +1
Brandy:+1
Overall taste: +1







The Drink: Made with sugar and bitters, well mixed. Then more than two shots of brandy poured over ice, finished with 7-Up. Very smooth and a very nice taste. Good blend of brandy and bitters. Again, we discovered that you have to ask for Korbel, which is $1 more! Patrons at this bar had the drill down; ordering their favorite version of the brandy old fashioned: Korbel, sweet with fruit; Korbel, sour with olives, etc. They all named the brandy!

Tips for Improvement: Use Korbel; muddle fruit.

Atmosphere: This is definitely a place where the locals gather. People know each other here. The atmosphere is old world German. The bar tenders where dress shirts and ties--very nice. The Dorf Haus is very popular on a Friday night, and it is a happy, bustling place. The bar is cozy, and it faces a mirror.

Experience: We had the fried haddock which was lightly battered with a hint of pepper--very good. But, the salad bar and fritters were the big hit. The salad bar had cheese spread and pickled beets. Steve ate the pickled gizzards (no way for me). The Dorf Haus is known for their fritters, lightly fried dough, served warm with honey.  Finally, wonderful German potato salad was served with fish. This was a delicious fish fry. And they have Spaaten on tap!

The best part about the experience here is that people know their brandy old fashioned sweets. There was even a discussion at the next table about how it is a Wisconsin drink.

Nite Cap Inn, Palmyra, WI May 23, 2014

Location: Nite Cap Inn, Palmyra, WI

Web site: None
Points: 4
Fruit garnish: +.5
Cherry juice or grenadine: 0
Muddling: +.5
Bitters: +1
Brandy:+1
Overall taste: +1











The Drink: This was a very tasty drink. The brandy was fine (though not Korbel). The bitters were good--Steve tasted "cinnamon."  The overall taste was very nice. There was no muddled fruit.  However, we noticed that they were pouring something that looked homemade into the drinks and asked about it. They are so busy on a Friday night that they make a mix ahead of time that is "potent" according to the bartender. It includes muddled fruit and bitters. So, they get points for muddling and creativity. Later we learned you have to ask for Korbel. 

Tips for Improvement: Always use Korbel.

Atmosphere: This was a big, old circular bar which is my favorite kind. We sat at the back side and watched the comings and goings of the fish fry crowd. The dining room had tables tucked cozily together, so you were next to other diners. 

Experience: I really loved this place. You order when you walk in the door, so your meal is ready and served family style when you are seated. They are so busy, that there is time for a drink at the bar, yet we got bar seats right away. The fish fry is good. Again, the homemade sides make the meal--coleslaw, dill tartar sauce and wonderful crispy potato pancakes. My favorite was the tartar sauce. While at the bar, I had a revelation. My son ordered a kiddy cocktail and I realized that loving kiddy cocktails as a kid, probably helped me develop a love for Brandy Old Fashioned Sweets as an adult.