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Food and restaurants

Naked Bones at the Brickhouse BBQ

As I get older and balder, I have come to appreciate the t-shirt legend that proclaims, “Only a few heads are perfect – the rest are covered with hair.” Something similar is true of barbecued ribs – the best way to serve mediocre ribs is smothered in sauce – but to serve ribs naked, they have to be done just about perfectly. MORE »

Independent cafes don't fear McCafe

Philippa Clayton grasped a pitcher of milk, frothed and steamed it to 140 degrees, ground espresso and locked the mechanical arm into her Cimbali espresso machine, all while stirring chocolate syrup. MORE »

Two for the road

This month, you’re getting two reviews for the price of one. Not my fault: It’s just that husband-and-wife Erin Ungerman and Hector Ruiz have been opening places faster than I can eat. MORE »

Outdoor dining: old favorites, new finds

My how time flies. It is almost August, the days are getting shorter, and the evenings of patio dining will soon be a distant memory. I still haven’t made it back to my all-time favorite outdoor dining spot, the patio at the Black Forest Inn, for a mug of Pilsner Urquell, a pair of bratwurst with sauerkraut and potato salad, and a big slice of Apfelstrudel. Speaking of which, next Sunday, August 3, the Black Forest will be celebrating National Bratwurst Day (who knew?) with brat specials, brat prizes, and a special bratwurst day menu cover contest. Accordionist Mark Stillman will play from 6:30 to 9 p.m., which make it worth the trip even if you are a vegetarian. MORE »

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Things People Say

"We wanted lots of blood and guts and gore as much as you did ..."

Comments are running as high as August temperatures this week. Douglas McGill’s article on the Oromo people of Ethiopia and politicking in Minnesota triggered lots of comments, ranging from “Genuine integrity to the truth” to “rubbish eyegougeing lie.” MORE »