Cento, Madison, August 21, 2015

Location: Cento, Madison, WI

Total Points: 4.0
Fruit garnish: +.5
Color: +.5
Muddling: 1
Bitters: +1
Brandy:+.5
Overall taste: +.5

Web site: http://www.centomadison.com/

The Drink: They get a bonus star for the beautiful dark and sweet cherry. The fruit was well-muddled. The bitters were just right. However, the brandy was not strong enough and the drink was too sweet. But, this really is beautiful to look at, if not the best tasting. 

The Atmosphere: Cento is in a former bank building and they have made good use of the space. It is very open and elegantly situated. We were a large party and we had more than adequate space. 

The Experience: The food and atmosphere here are definitely more interesing than most of our Friday night jaunts.The food was rich and flavorful. The bacon wrapped dates were a hit with everyone. To the right is the Pumpkin Agnolotti.

 

An Old Fashioned Old Fashioned, May 31, 2015

We decided to visit our favorite place for brandy old fashioneds--The Old Fashioned! This time I tried something a little different: The Northern Exposure Old Fashioned.

Location: The Old Fashioned, Madison, WI

Website: http://www.theoldfashioned.com/

Points: 3
Fruit garnish: +.5
Cherry juice or grenadine: 0
Muddling: 0
Bitters: +1
Brandy:+1
Overall taste: +.5

The Drink: According to the menu the Northern Exposure is made with Kessler's, sugar and bitters served in a pint glass. To me this was a watered-down version of an old fashioned (lots of soda). Maybe the point is that you can drink a lot them? I think I will stick with the southerner's version, which so far is surpassed by none.

Atmosphere: This place is just so much fun! There are two big bars and many tables. It is always crowded and noisy, but everyone is happy. There is lots of fun, kitschy Wisconsin memorabilia decorating the walls.

Experience:  Despite being busy, service is efficient and friendly. We got one of the lazy susans with a variety of Wisconsin cheese spreads and meats which brings back memories of the once ubiquitous salad bar at Wisconsin supper clubs. 

The Old Fashioned, 8th Annual $1 Old Fashioned Party, September 18, 2014

How do you make 1588 Korbel Brandy Old Fashioneds in 2 hours?  On September 18, 2014 the Old Fashioned had its 8th Annual $1 Old Fashioned Party.  Here is how they did it.

Step 1: Pre-prep the muddle

Step 2: Muddle

Step 3: Add ice

Step 4: Add brandy and 7-Up at the same time

Step 5: Garnish

Step 6: Serve 20 at once

Step 7: Enjoy yours. It is perfect.

Dotty Dumpling's Dowry, Madison, WI August 22, 2014

Location: Dotty Dumpling's Dowry, Madison, WI

Website: http://www.dottydumplingsdowry.com/

Points: 4
Fruit garnish: +.5
Cherry juice or grenadine: 0
Muddling: +.5
Bitters: +1
Brandy:+1
Overall taste: +1






The Drink: This was a nice BOF. There was muddled fruit and a nice orange twist garnish, plus it had a nice red color. We didn't get to see them make it, but the balance of brandy and bitters was good and it was not too sweet. And of course it was made with Korbel.



Tips for Improvement: Can't really think of any.



Atmosphere: Dottie's is a Madison staple (since 1974). It is an adorable hamburger joint with lots of vintage Wisconsinalia. Only trouble is, it was Friday, it was crowded and there were 7 of us in a booth!

Experience: Dottie's is always fun. On this day, we had the fish fry which was good. But really, Dottie's is all about the burgers. The coolest thing is that they have an "Old Fashioned Martini" on the menu. Of course we had to try one. It didn't taste much like a brandy old fashioned but it was delicious and they get kudos for making a variation of our favorite drink.

The Fountain, Madison, 3/7/14

Location: The Fountain, Madison, WI
Web site: http://www.thefountainofmadison.com/
Points: 2.5
Fruit garnish: +.5
Cherry juice or grenadine: ?
Muddling: +1
Bitters: +.5
Brandy: +.5
Overall taste: 0





The Drink: Wow, this was a pretty drink. The fruit was properly muddled, and it was well-garnished. They used Korbel brandy. However, the overwhelming consensus from the 4 of us who had one was that it was SWEET. Too much 7-up.  Vicki couldn't taste the brandy, but others said they could a little bit.  It just did not have the right balance.

Tips for improvement: More brandy and bitters to balance the sweet.

Atmosphere: We were in the restaurant section which is nice.  There is a bar in this section as well, so we could see them making our drink. 

Experience: We were with 4 friends (Jane, Jonathan, Walter and Debbie).  Jane and Debbie tried the brandy old fashioned sweet and agreed with us that it was too sweet.  They were busy (Friday night) and we were crunched for time and they did a good job of getting us out on time.  The separate bar area here is nice too, though we didn't have time for a second drink there.  This was our first blog post venture with friends, and it was fun!

Paul's Club, Madison, WI 3/7/14

Location: Paul's Club, Madison, WI
Web site: Can't find one
Points: 4.25
Fruit garnish: +.25 for generous, muddled orange
Muddled: Yes!
Cherry juice or grenadine: 0
Bitters: +1
Brandy: +1 Korbel
Overall taste: +1
















The Drink: Yummy, yummy. This was good. A tad strong, but that is better than being too weak. They muddled the fruit with sugar and the bitters.  They also gave the drink a shake before pouring it into the glass. This was just about perfect.

Tips for improvement: none

Atmosphere: What can I say about Paul's Club. If I had not been going there for over 30 years, I might think it was the best bar ever.  But, it is not the same and it is not better.  Paul's Club is known for its oak tree and its coziness.  It was resurrected after a fire and they maintained the coziness.  But, in the last couple of years it moved (tree and all) to a new location that is bigger. It is now not as cozy.  But, if I didn't know all of this--nice bar.  We met a friend there and we had our own space with comfy chairs.

Experience: Well, we saw some bearded hipsters.  

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?