Original Pancake House - Madison, WI

I am typically a fan of the complete experience at the Original Pancake House (5518 University Avenue). I have been to the original Original Pancake House in Portland, OR, in addition to dining at locations in Chicago, Champaign, and elsewhere. Each one has a little different decor - not a typical "cookie-cutter" franchise - but the food is usually reliably satisfying. Their specialties - Apple Pancake or Dutch Baby - are always considered. On my last visit, I thought I'd branch out and try something new. It turned out to be a mistake as I didn't care much for my choice. Next time I'll stick with something familiar.

Scrambled Eggs with a mushroom Gravy & Potato Pancakes

(I can't remember the flavors in the gravy, but I didn't care for it)

Web Site Story

Anyone who has used google earth, hulu, twitter, facebook, pandora, eharmony, evite, or a blog might find this amusing. (Click on graphic to watch video)

Flesor's Candy Kitchen - Tuscola, IL

Tucked away on a corner in downtown Tuscola is Flesor's Candy Kitchen (101 West Sale St.). This is a resurrection of a family's locally famous soda fountain and confectionary business located in its original site. In addition to hand-dipped chocolates and other candies, a soda fountain and bistro are housed in the store.

Italian Beef Sandwich

The shop is long and narrow with dark woodwork and booths, a tin ceiling, and hanging lamps. It is a nice change of pace from food fast joints normally located along the interstate.

María de Buenos Aires

I attended the Allerton Music Barn Festival at Allerton Park this week. This was the third annual festival, held over Labor Day Weekend, but my first time in attendance. The performance space is the second floor of a century-old barn. Folding chairs are set up and musicians perform on a temporary stage. The musicians were mostly from the University of Illinois (faculty and students). This was my introduction to Astor Piazzolla's music and the tango operita, María de Buenos Aires, in particular. The youtube clip gives you a taste of the musical style with one song from the production. (These are not the performers I saw.) One of the signature sounds of Piazzolla's music is from the bandoneón.

María has been added to my personal list of (concert length) "classical favorites" which also includes Porgy & Bess (Gershwin), Carmina Burana (Orff), Mass (Bernstein), and Suite for Klezmer Band & Orchestra (Sid Robinovitch).