Road Trip

A Recipe for a Perfect Cheesy Weekend Getaway

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What's better than the combination of wine and the great outdoors? The addition of cheese crafted by certified master cheesemaker Scott Erickson will take things to a still higher level. Lovers of cheese (goat cheese in particular, but there are some cheddars and truffle-infused numbers that'll definitely raise some eyebrows) should head on out to the wine tasting at the Bass Lake Cheese Factory this Saturday.

It runs from 1 to 5 p.m., and promises a series of taste pairings fine enough to match this week's weather.

Here are a few photos to whet your appetite, courtesy of photographer/my wife Becca Dilley:

First, some butter jack cheese with cinnamon:

Second, a shot of (a small bit of) the extensive cheese array at the Bass Lake shop:

Finally, some of the Finnish-style "bread cheese" that Bass Lake has become well-known for:

All this is accessible by driving east on 94, and taking Highway 12 north (exit 4 in Wisconsin). From there, drive through Burkhardt and take a left on county road I. Bass Lake's sign will pop up on your left. Total travel time's about an hour.

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Posted by James Norton at May 14, 2008 11:09 PM | Comments (0)

 

In Defense of Midwestern Road Food

Filed under: Road Trip

Yesterday, a commenter named "East Coast Doug" took a moment to savage my short endorsement of the Target Bluff German Haus. He offered no indication of having been to the restaurant, and, in essence, said my views were invalid because I had kind things to say about Culver's and the Norske Nook. He then offered the opinion that Midwestern highway restaurants weren't worth patronizing.

This kind of crap gets my blood up. The arrogance — pure, unmitigated, ignorant arrogance — of trying to dismiss an entire region's cuisine based on a couple of bad experiences is absolutely mind-blowing.

And while I could choose to chuckle quietly to myself about the experiences this guy and his fellow-travelers will miss because of the blinders they're wearing, I'd rather deal with it head on.

Like the judging at a state fair, you need to be able to assess things within their class. Culver's doesn't compare to Gramercy Tavern or Chez Panisse, it's true. But within the class of "fast food" it does exceptionally well, in my opinion — the average quality of food and service at Culver's is far and away better than the national chains, and stacks up well against even foodie-worshipped chains like In-n-Out. (Allowed to choose between the two on a regular basis, I'd probably switch off; Culver's for the frozen custard, In-n-Out for the burgers.)

It's true that on the East Coast you're going to find some great, ancient, world-class pizzerias. Go far enough north, and you'll get places that'll serve lobster rolls that'll knock your socks off. Far enough south, and you'll find places that will do fantastic crab. Etc., etc., and let's not forget New York City bagels. I certainly can't.

So when I say the farmstead sausages, master-made cheeses, Friday fish fries, draft beers and homemade pies of the Midwest stack up, I don't say it lightly. If you love food, you can be happy out East, and you can be happy here. It's just a matter of knowing the terrain and understanding what to expect.

I guess, in retrospect, I'm not actually angry with "East Coast Doug" and the other miserable East Coast exiles who suffer every day because they can't find a decent meal out here; I feel kind of sorry for them. There's an art to finding a good meal, and if you practice it diligently, you'll be surprised at just how many are available, regardless of what part of the country you're in.

Posted by James Norton at March 26, 2008 6:33 PM | Comments (5)

 

Road Trip: Target Bluff German Haus

Filed under: Road Trip

If you're driving down 90/94 toward Madison — as I inevitably am — you've got a number of good options vis-a-vis food. There's Culver's, home of the ButterBurger. There's decent local cheese and sausage available at most gas stations. There is, of course, the Norske Nook, home of awe-inspiring pie.

And then there's the Target Bluff German Haus. Located at Camp Douglas (30 miles north of the Dells), the Haus faces Target Bluff, a damned fine looking pile of rocks.

The Haus (which doubles and triples as a bicycle rental depot and gift shop) doesn't exactlly scream haute cuisine, and that's perfectly fine; what it delivers is sprawling small-town supper club atmosphere crossed with a Bavarian beerhall. It also sports a massive leather bar that could easily seat 50.

Here's the killer order: a bratwurst sandwich ($4) and a draught mug of Spaten Optimator, one of the most thrillingly smooth-drinking beers in the world.

The bratwurst (of the white, relatively gentle, easy-eating variety) comes on a flat buttered bun with a jar of German-style mustard on the side. It's soul food for the central European soul, and it's available on a major highway near you.

Posted by James Norton at March 25, 2008 6:14 AM | Comments (10)