The Soup Market

I love soup. It was therefore no surprise that I was excited when my friend Andy recommended we try one of Milwaukee Wisconsin's best known soup places, namely The Soup Market as a lunch option today.

The Soup Market is a small restaurant on KK avenue, Milwaukee South side. It specializes in a variety of delectable soups and its menu changes daily. Based on discussions with the manager this little gem has over 200 different soup recipes and due to its success just opened its third store in the Milwaukee area. The secret: all soups are made from scratch with only the freshest ingredients. No soup is overflavored and all recipes are tested and retested before being released to the public.

The restaurant on Knicknick (or KK) avenue is small and simple. It seats approximately 15 people and resembles a diner which I would expect to see on the show "Diners, Dives and Dine-Ins" on the Food channel. The menu, like the store is small and not complex. It offers 6 varieties of soup daily, along with sandwiches and a daily special. The grilled cheese sandwich was the daily special on the day we visited The Soup Market.

Upon ordering my friend Andy pointed out that there is an option on the menu in which one can get 3 small cups of different soup instead of a bowl of one flavor. I took this option and tasted the chicken dumpling (a daily staple at the soup market and one of my favorite soup varieties if made with chicken stock), the Mardi Gras chili and the spicy lentil soup with Chorizo sausage. Each soup was delicious and made from the freshest ingredients. There is no one day old cup of soup served in this restaurant!

The Soup Market impressed me tremendously. The soups are delicious and very good value for money. My soup trio mentioned above was priced at $6.50 and I left fully satisfied. Additionally all soups are served with freshly baked bread and butter. This venue will definitely become a staple during winter and summer months and I recommend every Milwaukean to try this out!


website: www.soupmarket.com

La Madeleine - Alexandria VA and Washington DC

I had the privilege to visit a good friend of mine in Washington D.C. the weekend just after the election. This was an amazing time to be in our nation's Capital. Not only was it the epitome of the fall season, but an excitement also permeated the air. The aftermath of the election was evident in everyone; the excitement in the air was tangible.

Both my friend Julia and I are active in general and nothing excites us more than to spend a day outside exploring a new (or old) city on a bike or on foot. This specific Saturday, based on the fact that it was a balmy 65 degree perfect Fall day and since we had not yet had a game plan set for the day, we decided to explore DC on bikes. We started at her house in Mt. Pleasant and covered the entire city, first exploring downtown. The 'Notes to Obama' display had not yet been taken down in Lincoln Memorial. It was emotional to realize that even though I am not considered a member of this country I still had the privilege to share in one of the most intimate moments of time it had to offer. I wish you could have read these notes.




We departed from downtown and headed to Alexandria, VA. Alexandria is a quaint town just over the border and approximately 12 miles from downtown D.C. This is a town with character. The streets are narrow and well kept, the buildings are old, red brick stone houses and the people, similar to the buildings are well dressed and exquisitely taken care of. I loved it.

We stopped for lunch on King Street at the quaintest little french cafe called "La Madeleine". The name mirrors that of a restaurant that we had in my home town in South Africa and which always rocked the charts with its exquisite service and quality. But alas, I am in America and merely tasting the little delights this cafe has to offer. I was impressed.



Our meals were simple. I had a tomato basil soup while Julia ordered the mushroom bisque and we shared the strawberry pecan salad. The meals may have been simple but this did not interfere with the quality nor the taste. In fact it may have been the simplicity that ensured that the cafe was jam packed all the time.

In general I do not like a heavy creamy soup. When I taste or eat food I want to taste the different subtle flavors the meal has to offer and I have often found that creamy dishes diminish the true flavor and potential of the ingredients. As such I tend to stay away from creamy goodness and opt for the lighter meals instead. The tomato basil soup did however have a creamy base and surprisingly enough this did not bother me. The chef was able to prevent the creaminess dominate the soup. In fact it was a superb combination of cream/milk, tomato and basil, with a touch of pepper and a little bit of sweetness to lighten the acidity of the tomatoes. It was excellent and I will go back just for this soup if I ever return to Alexandria. Julia's mushroom bisque was very flavorful as well and it was evident that only the freshest ingredients were used. The salad was good yet drenched in a little bit too much (but very tasty) balsamic vinaigrette. I recommend ordering the dressing on the side. Overall the atmosphere is friendly and vibrant and the food great quality and good value for money. It definitely deserves its rating of 8.5 out of 10.

After our departure from Alexandria we biked to Georgetown and explored this part of the city. We spent a bit of money on some clothing and then headed back to Julia's in Mt. Pleasant.

It was a trip worth remembering and if you ever find yourself in D.C. and have access to a bike, don't hesitate. D.C. is one of the best biking cities that I have found around the globe.

Golf

Yes, some of you may say that I am crazy and others may not call it a 'sport', but let me tell you, there is nothing like golf. Not only is it a sport for a lifetime, it is also physically and mentally challenging and different every day. (http://www.revolutionhealth.com/blogs/drscherger/is-golf-exercise-15403).

Most of the sports that the average amateur enjoy are acts of motion. Once you understand the jest of the activity you can reach a reasonable standard and have a good time. I like to compare it to learning how to ride a bike. After learning the skill the activity becomes natural, one can retreat into a meditative state and let your physical capability take over. If you are a runner or biker you may understand what I am referring to. (Please keep in mind that I am talking about the amateur sportsman, and not profesionals that refine every movement to the core). I love this about these activities and the 'high' after gives one the energy to get up each day every day and get into 'the zone' again.

But, nothing compares to golf.

Golf does not only physically challenge you (that is if you play the 'real' game, by carrying your bag, keeping an active pace, walking 18 holes, and limiting the 19th hole activities), but mentally as well. You have to THINK. You have to be sure of yourself and you have to believe. The game itself is relatively simple. Once you get over the first barrier and learn the key movements of the game you have the ability to start enjoying a game that has stood the test of time.

The key challenge ameteur golfers face today is to believe that the act of hitting a small white ball to a specific target is in fact not such a difficult task. You have to believe you can. The moment a negative thought crosses your mind it is extremely difficult to play the stellar game we all sought after. Once you learn to clear your mind of all thoughts, focus on two things only, namely the ball and the target, and 'see' how you hit that target spot-on before you actually hit the ball, you have won 50% of the battle. The mind can be the golfers best friend and yet be the most formiddable opponent to a good golf game.

So go ahead and focus on controlling your thoughts on the golf course. Give it a shot. You have nothing to lose. Maybe you will also then be able to enjoy those lovely sunsets on the 18th hole of a signature course without wanting to throw your clubs in the pond next to the green. You may just be able to share the feeling and memories so many others around the world and accross the centuries have lived and died for.

What do you think about golf?

The Oven in Haysmarket, Lincoln, Nebraska

My travels don't always take me to places that make the front cover of magazines. This does not mean, however, that these little spots do not have hidden treasures. In fact, most of the time I am pleasantly surprised. It was during one of these trips that I visited a pleasant small 'big' town (as the locals like to call it), Lincoln Nebraska.

When one thinks about Nebraska words like 'corn', or 'cows' come to mind and not necessarily authentic and state of the art cuisine. But, if you ever make it over to Lincoln you will also be pleasantly surprised. Lincoln, Nebraska, the Capital of the State and the home of the University of Nebraska has an area called "The Historical Haysmarket" that hosts an array of excellent authentic restaurants, including Indian, Italian, Mexican, Cajun, among other. One of my favorites and one that compares to the best I've had in the States, is an Indian Restaurant, called "The Oven"

The Oven serves various traditional northern Indian dishes ranging from appetizers of samosas, roti, naan, dahl, to sumptuous entrees, desserts and drinks. The menu is extensive and options exist for vegetarians and meat lovers alike.

Atmosphere:
The balmy atmosphere of The Oven is accentuated by the traditional decor and authentic background music. A large outside sitting area in the heart of the Historical Haysmarket adds a Bohemian character to this traditional feel and is a great spot for people watching.

Service/Price:
The service is excellent. Waiters have a good knowledge of the menu and clearly love working here. Prices are average and you will walk away with money still in your pocket and most likely some left overs for the following day.

Quality of Food
This is where the fun starts. The Oven serves truly traditional northern Indian cuisine ranging from the Chole (garbanzo beans in a spicy flavorful sauce), Paneer (an Indian white cheese with variety of different sauces) , Tikka and a variety of curries as well as various rice dishes. This place is truly a gem and no matter your pallet you will find something that makes the entire trip to Lincoln worth it.






If you have been here let me know what you think. If you haven't make sure to give it a try on your next trip to Lincoln!

Cool web site

how awesome is this?! Maybe you knew, but I just strolled upon this website and I will definitely have to take one of these classes!

http://www4.uwm.edu/sce/program_area.cfm?id=566

Cafe Hollander

Approximately two years ago Cafe Hollander opened its doors on Milwaukee East side to reveal a surprisingly unique and refreshing combination of flavorful food, beer and atmosphere. Initially the cuisine did not live up to the spectacular ambiance however once a new chef was hired and a new menu released the restaurant was bound to be a success.

Located on the corner of Downer Avenue and Summit, situated in the characteristic Water Tower district on Milwaukee East Side it is quite a sight to remember. The outside sitting area attract many regulars and new-comers alike during warm weather months and never disappoints. Additionally, the inside is so uniquely European with its dark wooden features and high ceilings that, for a moment you may confuse it with the real deal! This, along with an extensive beer list including unique selections from across Europe and specifically Holland and Belgium, which is complimented by a variety of Dutch appetizers such as "mussels and frites" makes it a personal favorite.

Some favorites include the mussel appetizer in the Abbey Ale Sauce, the blackberry turkey sandwhich, a combination of roasted turkey, Swiss cheese, hot giardineira, and red onions, served on a baguette and topped with blackberry jam, as well as the Ahi Tuna Sandwich. Sumptuous breakfast choices are available all day including the Beneleux omelet ( a combination of Gruyere cheese, diced tomato, sauteed mushrooms served with frites) and my personal breakfast favorite, the Ex Mrs. Hollander, consisting of smoked shaved ham, fried egg, white cheddar cheese sauce and tomato served on a croissant with frites.

Overall prices are reasonable and options are available for meat-lovers and vegetarians alike.

Next time you make it to the Milwaukee be sure to check it out and let me know what you think!

Madison WI is one of my favorite places in this country and I try to make it over there at least a handful of times over the summer months. While spending an evening there a couple of weekends ago I was able to stop by one of my favorite restaurants/bars in the city, named Nat Spiel. The music (which is always great by the way with asian/european influences) was particularly good that evening. I asked the DJ what was spinning and he named a person I had never heard of before, Dominik Eulberg.

After heading back home I looked Eulberg up and this is what I found:

Heavily influenced by the sound of Sven Vath's radio show during the '90s, Germany's Dominik Eulberg began performing and producing music in front of small audiences in 1995. His early releases on the Sniper imprint caught the attention of such other labels as Matthias Schaffhäuser's Ware and Germany's Raum...Musik. After a series of singles on Traum Schallplatten and Trapez, Eulberg released his first full-length, Flora und Fauna in 2004. The album was met with much acclaim from critics, dancefloors, and DJs alike and resulted in a series of DJ-friendly remixes in 2005. He continues to record almost exclusively for Traum Schallplatten and in the past few years has become an in-demand remixer known for his epic compositional sensibilities and dramatic, sweeping arrangements. He recently came full-circle creatively by recording an EP for Sven Vath's Cocoon label in summer of 2006.

I also found various of his mixes on YouTube. Check this one out and let me know what you think.

It is such a pleasure for me to see Afrikaners that truly meet world standards, whether it is sport, theatre, music, entertainment. I don't really know why, but no matter where we find ourselves, for some reason we are always connected in some way or another, or at least it feels that way. Today while I was looking for a video of Karen Zoid actually, to share with you, I trodded upon this one. Never heard of the band but clearly I have missed out. What a pleasure it is to have found this and to share it with you.

Here's a fun video to start off the week. To imagine how many singers out there are yet to be discovered by the rest of us. ;0)

Enjoy!

Milwaukee storms...

La Merenda

One of my passions is to try new restaurants. I have decided, to at least once a month post a review of a restaurant that I have frequented. Each restaurant will be rated based on

1. Atmosphere
2. Service/Price
3. Drink Menu/Wine List
4. Quality of food

The first review is of a new restaurant that opened in Milwaukee WI approximately one year ago, named La Merenda. It is tapas style, however unique in the sense that it not only focuses on Spanish cuisine, which is associated with tapas style food, but also French, Asian Fusion, Indian, among other.

Tapas, which means 'small plates' is great fun as a variety of different dishes can be ordered and shared among friends. It usually better on the pocket as well and one is sure not to leave hungry even with a few extra dollars left in the wallet.

1. Atmosphere - La Merenda is lively and has a great atmosphere. It is not the place to go if you are looking for an intimate, quiet conversation with a friend/ lover; however it is a great place to take a group of friends to socialize. The acoustics are not very good but this does not seem to intrude on any one's fun and you'll leave with fond memories of times that will not be forgotten.

2. Service/Prices - Prices are average/low and if shared among a group should not be more than approximately $20-25/person, excluding drinks. Service was average, nothing to die for; however not too bad for anyone to call the manager to the table. :0)

3. Drinks - The wine menu is interesting, ranging from a variety of Spanish, Argentinian, Chilean and some European/US varieties. Of course the wine that I ordered was not available; however I was able to replace with another good alternative, a flavorful Malbec from Argentina. The variety is great and provides an option to satisfy most palates.

3. Quality of food - dishes are complex yet simple, creative, unique and flavorful. There were a few disappointments, but most were enjoyed by all of the guests. Some favorites: fried polenta, bavette a la bordelaise avec frites, and spicy shrimp and pineapple ceviche. The specials of the day are usually a must try as well.

Overall the experience was fun and the general consensus was that this is a place that most of us will frequent. This is definitely one of my top 50% experiences in Milwaukee and it is a fun place to take friends or associates. It is further unique for Milwaukee, the food is above average and the wine list is extensive.

Give it a shot and let me know what you think.

http://www.lamerenda125.com/index.html

I just love this picture. To see Cape Town covered in a blanket of clouds, as on this day, is not that uncommon, yet, to capture the moment so well in a picture is special. Wish I could claim this shot!

One more..

One more day is history
Now only a memory
That will stay for a while
And then fade
With all the others.

One more day of memories
One more day of ecstacy
And so they all go by.
And as we live and breathe and gaze
We see the world in all its shades
And try to remember those days
Now, long past
That all we had to do is look at each other and smile.
And all was good.

One more day is history
One more day of you and me
That will stay for a while
And then fade with all the others.

One more day of memories
One more day of ecstacy
That will last and then fade like candy in one's mouth
Until all that remains is the sweet aftertaste
Of memories.

Enjoy the long weekend everybody!

Dominik Eulberg - Björn Borkenkäfer

Pictures of the fam.

Wish they were all here with me!

Within my soul, within my mind,

There lies a place I cannot find.

Home of my heart, land of my birth.

Smoke Coloured stone and flame-coloured earth.

Electric skies, shivering heat.

Blood-red clay beneath my feet.

At night when finally alone,

I close my eyes - and I am home.
I kneel and touch the blood warm sand

and feel the pulse beneath my hand

of an ancient life too old to name

In an ancient land too wild to tame.

How can I show you what I feel?

How can I make this essence real?

I search for words in dumb frustration

To try and form some explanation,

but how can heart and soul be caught

In one dimensional written thought?

If love and longing are a "fire"

And man "consumed" by his desire,

then this love is no simple flame

That mortal thought can hold or tame.

But what is home I hear them say,

This never was yours anyway.

You have no birthright to this place,

Descendant from another race.

An immigrant? A pioneer?

You are no longer welcome here.

Whoever said that love made sense?

"I love" is an "imperfect" tense.

To love in vain has been man's fate.

From history to present date.

I have no grounds for dispensation,

I know I have no home or nation.

For just a moment in the night.

I am complete, my soul takes flight.
For just one moment...then it's gone

and I am once again undone.

Never complete. Never whole.

White Skin and an African Soul.

The fam and friends in Cape Town!