Publication: Weekend GetAways
Enjoy The Great Capital Of Madison, Wi. | |
Subscribe FREE to Weekend GetAways by clicking here.
WEEKEND GETAWAYS - Friday, December 28, 2007
Make The Most Of Your Vacation - From Coast to Coast!
Greetings Getaway Lover,
We're Off To Madison, Wisconsin....
The four lakes region was formed by the glaciers when
they retreated about 13,000 years ago. Between 300 and
1,300 AD Native American "mound builders" occupied the
area. Of the thousands of effigy mounds that once
surrounded the lakes only a few remain to remind us of
this unique culture. By the time the Yankee settlers
began to arrive, the Winnebago Nation called the area
home and continued to camp near the lakes into the
1940's.
James Duane Doty, a territorial Judge and land speculator,
traveled through the Isthmus in May 1829 and liked the
site so much that he bought 1,200 acres for $1,500 and
platted a grid of streets. In 1836 he persuaded the
territorial legislature meeting in Belmont WI to designate
his paper city as the site for the new Capital. Doty named
the city Madison for James Madison, the 4th President of
the U.S. who had died on June 28, 1836 and he named the
streets for the other signers of the U.S. Constitution. In
April 1837, Eben and Rosaline Peck moved to the Isthmus
from Blue Mounds and built a log cabin boarding house near
S. Butler St. to accommodate the workmen who came from
Milwaukee to build the Capitol.
Nine years later when the Village of Madison was incorpor-
ated the population had reached 626. Wisconsin became a
state in 1848. Madison became a city in 1856 and boasted
a population of 6,864. The first settlers were Yankees
from the eastern states. They were soon followed by German,
Irish and Norwegian immigrants. Italians, Greeks, Jews and
Blacks also found a home here after the turn of the Century.
King St. and the E. Main/S. Pinckney Street sides of the
apitol Square were the first commercial districts. The
first residential districts were north of the Square along
Gorham, Gilman and Langdon Streets. The growth of state
and county government, the University of Wisconsin and a
few industries such as Oscar Mayer, French Battery Co.
(Ray-o- Vac) and L.L. Olds Seed Co. (and businesses that
are gone such as the Gisholt Machine Tool Co. and the
Fauerbach Brewery) provided employment and stimulated
Madison's growth.
The Madison Landmarks Commission has produced a series of
eight neighborhood walking tour booklets. MADISON'S PIONEER
BUILDINGS is the title of the downtown walking tour booklet.
There are also booklets for First Settlement, Langdon
Street, University Heights, Greenbush-Vilas, Third Lake
Ridge (Marquette), Old Market Place and Schenk's-Atwood
neighborhoods.
Happy Trails,
Jan
------------------------------------------------------------
TIRED NO MORE...
Store Price: $24.99
INTRODUCTORY PRICE: $2.99
"Studies show Ginseng is effective in treating
circulation problems, fatigue, lack of energy,
stress and anxiety."
Throughout ancient history, Ginseng has been praised for its
exceptional nutrition value. Modern nutrition researchers
also regard Ginseng as a valuable herb because of its naturally-
proportioned wealth of vitamins, minerals, enzymes, & co-enzymes.
We're SO SURE that our "Ginseng Energy" will help you, we're
practically giving it away. For a fraction of the store
price you can get 60 pills to see for yourself what the
'miracle of Ginseng' can do for you. Grab a bottle by visiting
(Sorry there is a limit of five (5) bottles per order):
Ginseng Energy Tablets
------------------------------------------------------------
--DESTINATION: Madison...The Capital Of Wisconsin
Because its very existence as a community can be traced
to selection as the capital in 1836 Madison has a special
relation to Wisconsin’s sesquicentennial anniversary.
This exhibit encourages Madisonians to think about the
ways in which this status has shaped our community.
Historic Madison also urges scholars to undertake the
research necessary for a full examination of this
important historical issue. The illustrations in this
exhibit suggest that although it is by no means the only
source of Madison’s uniqueness, status as the state
capital is an important part of our sense of place.
------------------------------------------------------------
Free CDRom - Exploring America's National Parks
Enjoy the Splendor of America's Treasured Sanctuaries.
Exploring America's National Parks is a tremendous resource
for planning your vacation, accessing useful visitor
information, and experiencing the best family vacation spots
in America. From the depths of the Grand Canyon to the heights
of Mt. McKinley, adventure to more than 230 American National
Parks. Enjoy more than 900 breathtaking photographs with audio
captions. Travel to awe-inspiring vistas with 40 full-motion
videos. All of this can be yours today for free ($5.99 s&h plus
$2.99 for each additional) by visiting:
National Parks CDRom
------------------------------------------------------------
--WHAT TO DO AND SEE:
The U.W. Arboretum
Recognized as the birthplace of ecological restoration,
we heal the land and restore native species. Our exem-
plary research and land care practices support a bene-
ficial relationship between people and the land.
THE ZOO IS OPEN!
Henry Vilas Zoo is open year round
Grounds are open daily from 9:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Building hours are 10:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
------------------------------------------------------------
Other Places of Interest:
Welcome to the Aldo Leopold Nature Center!
Mission & Philosophy
The mission of the Aldo Leopold Nature Center is to
"...teach the student to see the land, understand what
he sees, and enjoy what he understands." in the spirit
of famed Wisconsin conservationist, Aldo Leopold.
Through hands-on, guided experiences, children and
adults come to discover and explore the wonders of the
natural world!
The Aldo Leopold Nature Center specializes in connecting
children, their families and teachers to the outdoors.
The Aldo Leopold Nature Center was established in 1994
as an independent not-for-profit charitable organization.
It operates year-round, is governed by a volunteer board
of directors and managed by professional staff. The
Center is solely supported by charitable contributions
and program fees.
Golf Courses....
The City of Madison Parks Division announces that the
golf season at Glenway and Yahara Hills Golf Courses
will come to an end effective Wednesday, November 7,
2007 due to cold weather. Odana Hills and Monona Golf
Courses will remain open on a day-to-day basis based
on weather conditions and the number of golfers
utilizing these courses.
The City of Madison offers four premiere public golf
courses for residents and visitors.
A commitment is made to provide affordable, accessible
golf programs and facilities through the use of environ-
mentally sound maintenance practices.
Led by Professional Golf Associations professionals,
each course provides an enjoyable and challenging level
of play. Each golf course offers unique lessons programs
for adults and juniors alike. Whether you are a beginner
or seasoned golfer, the City of Madison Golf Courses have
the program for you.
Check out all four courses for their unique programs and
lessons.
------------------------------------------------------------
TURTLE KEY HIDER/HOLDER
This Turtle Has A Secret...
Normal Price: $9.99
DEAL PRICE: $2.99
What a great idea! That's what everyone says about this item.
Not just an appealing garden statue, this turtle cleverly
conceals a secret spot to hide your spare key. Tuck near a
door for a handy hide away. Good for a house or garage key.
Grab one or two while they last. This is an item we made a
special purchase on and it is Below Cost! Once it sells out
it is gone forever. Makes a great Housewarming Gift too.
Because of the low price, we must limit you to no more than
six (6) per order. Check it out by visiting:
Turtle Key Hider/Holder
------------------------------------------------------------
--WHERE TO SLEEP:
Comfort Suites Madison
1253 John Q. Hammons Dr.
Madison, WI 53717
Nightly Rates (119.99 - 149.99) 3 Star
Deluxe Suite Hotel. Convention Center adjacent. Duffy's
Pub and Wine Bar on premise. Indoor pool, whirlpool and
fitness room. FREE Continental Breakfast. One FREE
cocktail per adult. FREE Airport Shuttle 0800 - 2100.
1998 AWARD Comfort Suites I
Quality Inn & Suites
2969 Cahill Main
Madison, WI 53711
Nightly Rates (99.99 - 129.99) 3 Star
The Quality Inn & Suites hotel is less than two miles
from Madison's Beltline, with easy access to area
businesses and attractions. This Madison hotel is close
to points of interest like the University of Wisconsin-
Madison, the Alliant Energy Center.
Clarion Hotel Central
2110 Rimrock Road
Madison, WI 53713
Nightly Rates (111.99 - 111.99) 3 Star
All suite hotel centrally located within minutes from
downtown and Monona Terrace Convention Center. Directly
connnected to the exhibition hall at the Alliant Energy
Center. Olin Park and Lake Monona within walking
distance.
Howard Johnson Madison
3841 E. Washington St
Madison, WI 53704
Nightly Rates (77.01 - 92.01) 2 Star
Easy Access to Interstates. Adjacent to East Towne Mall-
Largest in Madison. Close to many local Restaurants and
Movie Theaters. Only 5 miles to State Capitol, Downtown
Attractions and University of WI. Largest Indoor Pool in
Madison.
Baymont Inn & Suites Madison West
8102 Excelsior Dr.
Madison, WI 53717
Nightly Rates (80.00 - 90.00) 2 Star
Visiting Madison, Wisconsin on business? See why Entre-
preneur stated "Baymont Inn" is the best hotel value.
The Baymont Inn Madison WI features an added value.
Located one hour from Milwaukee, WI and two hours from
Chicago.
Wingate by Wyndham - Madison
3510 Millpond Road
Madison, WI 53718
Nightly Rates (89.01 - 89.01) 3 Star
Complimentary Full Breakfast The capital city of
America's Dairy Land is home to many thriving busines-
ses as well as one of the Midwest's fastest-growing
cultural centers Convenient location and just 8 miles
from the airport and minutes from downtown Madison.
Madison Days Inn
4402 E. Broadway Service Road
Madison, WI 53716
Nightly Rates (79.01 - 115.01) 3 Star
Looking for value, comfort and cleanliness while travel-
ing? The Days Inn of Madison has won the 5 Sunbursts and
Chairmans Award for Quality every year since opening in
1995. We pride ourselves on being able to go the extra
mile for our guests.
Crowne Plaza Hotel Madison East Towne, Wi
4402 E. Washington Ave.
Madison, WI 53704
Nightly Rates (132.96 - 171.72) 3 Star
Madison Crowne Plaza Hotel is located in Madison
Wisconsin, and is the ®Place to Meet® for meetings
and weddings alike. Our premier hotel is located on
the East-side of Madison.
--WHERE TO DINE:
Blue Marlin
101 North Hamilton Street
Madison, WI
(608)255-2255
Serving: Lunch: Tuesday - Friday
Dinner: Tuesday - Sunday
The Blue Marlin restaurant, a downtown Madison institution
since it’s inception, is a small, intimate restaurant with
a pleasant atmosphere.
Stepping into the restaurant, the first noticeable aspect
is the size. The Blue Marlin is not large. The tables are
situated closely together, making truly private conversa-
tions a bit difficult to achieve. Due to the high ceilings
and a wall made of stone, acoustics are not at their best.
The restaurant, however, still manages to be cozy and
comfortable despite that. Our party of five was seated
immediately next to the bar. This made the staff traffic
a bit heavy at times surrounding the table. This didn’t
detract terribly from the dining experience.
Our party was made up of varying degrees of four fish
aficionados, as well as one fairly rabid landlubber who
prefers a well turned steak. After perusing the menu, it
was apparent that while the choices were plentiful for
the seafood fans, the steak lover was going to have a
difficult time finding choice of dishes.
The menu was comprised of a variety of delights for those
who relish seafood, with the barest hint of a nod to those
who do not. Lobster, Alaskan King Crab, Sea Bass,
Swordfish, Tuna, Salmon, Halibut, Mahi and Grouper all
adorned the menu, which appeared to change daily dependant
on the fresh catches available. The sole concession to
those who are not interested in seafood was a Carpetbagger
Steak. This was only a cursory concession, as the steak
was prepared stuffed with oysters.
Our party ordered a variety of dishes, including Live Main
Lobster, Swordfish, Atlantic Salmon, Chilean Sea Bass, and
the Carpetbagger Steak, sans oysters. Judging from the
fact that the server did not blink when asked if the steak
could be served without the seafood addition, one would
assume that this is a common request.
The wine list was adequate, though necessity dictated that
it be biased towards white varieties and other seafood
friendly types. We chose a personal favorite, a bottle of
Qupe Syrah. Dinner was preceded by a choice of soup, or a
vinaigrette or ceasar salad. Crusty sourdough dinner rolls
also were served. The salads ranged from adequate to good,
and the bread was a bright spot, crusty and flavorful.
The serving staff was attentive and efficient, and conver-
sation flowed freely as we were served leisurely but
pleasantly.
When dinner was served, the Live Main Lobster drew murmurs
of appreciation from all, aside from the landlubber. Two
pounds of grilled lobster, it was quite a spectacle.
Though it looked overwhelming, it was eaten with apprecia-
tion, and little was left by the end of the meal.
The Chilean Sea Bass was blackened, and served with lime
yogurt and a mango papaya salsa. It was moist and flaky,
and a hit. The grilled Atlantic Salmon, served with a
cucumber dill sauce citrus marinated gulf shrimp provided
a well appreciated flavor combination. The Swordfish,
grilled with a black peppercorn sauce and served with a
mignonette sauce was tender and delicious, one of the best
cuts of swordfish experienced. The Australian Carpetbagger
Steak, sans oysters, was an eight ounce filet of beef,
marinated in dark beer, olive oil, lemon, garlic, tabasco
sauce and brown sugar. For a joint that specializes in
seafood, the quality of the steak was significantly more
than adequate.
We can heartily recommend the Blue Marlin, particularly
if your party is comprised of seafood lovers. The prices
are a bit steep, but completely reasonable for the quality
received. It would be wise to plan ahead and secure
reservations, as the size of the restaurant guarantees
that it will be seated to capacity.
Lombardino's
2500 University Avenue
Madison, WI
(608)238-1922
Hours: Sunday, Tuesday - Thursday 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Friday & Saturday 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Closed Mondays
Lombardino's has been a Madison tradition since 1952.
Though it's changed hands, the tradition continues, for
the better.
Anyone who has lived in Madison has heard of Lombardino's.
This restaurant has been serving the community with fresh
Italian food for years. The establishment has changed
hands within the last few years, leaving the same atmos-
phere, but creating a more upscale menu to cater to a niche
that was missing in Madison.
Walking into Lombardino's on a recent Saturday night, we
were struck simultaneously by two things; the noisy crowd
and the decor. The restaurant was bustling and full.
The decor doesn't appear to have changed in years. Murals
on the walls, painted tiles, and fake old world charm
dominate the dark restaurant.
We were quickly seated at a comfortable table for four.
We had reservations, and we strongly recommend that you
make them if you plan on trying the place out. All tables
were taken throughout our meal.
We started the evening out with a round of drinks; red
wine, a margarita, and two Garten Brau Mai Bocks. We
were thrilled to see the Mai Bock on tap, as it's a top-
notch seasonal beer that needs to be appreciated while
available.
As our very friendly and efficient waiter took care of
our drink order, we perused the menu. Lombardino's
doesn't serve your standard spaghetti and Lasagna. The
menu is full of more interesting choices, ranging from
a variety of pizzas to multiple interesting pasta dishes.
We skipped the appetizers and went right to the soup and
salad course. The soup and salad does not come with the
entree, but it's not unreasonably priced. The Caesar
Salad that was ordered was heaped on a large plate, topped
with croutons, freshly shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
and classic dressing with anchovies. It was pronounced
"very good" by the member of our party who ordered it.
The rest of our party started off with the Ribollita Soup.
This soup had a tomato and white bean base, with vegetables,
smoked pork and toasted bread that somehow managed to soak
up the soup yet maintain it's crispness. While it was an
excellent soup, it was served to us lukewarm, at best.
That was our only complaint for the evening.
As we waited for our entrees, we talked over excellent,
crusty bread, served with olive oil and grated cheese for
dipping. The restaurant was very full at this point, and
very noisy. Conversation was a bit difficult due to the
echoing sounds, but the atmosphere was warm and friendly.
We had chosen a reasonably priced Italian Primitivo as a
red wine to go with our entrees. This grape is the
Italian equivalent of the California Zinfandel, and it's
spiciness was a welcome accompaniment.
Our entrees arrived after a short wait. Two of our party
ordered the Roasted Chicken al Mattone (under a brick).
The chicken was roasted to perfection, with a very crispy
skin that had been coated with herbs and maybe a bit too
much salt. It was served on a bed of polenta that was
rich with mascarpone cheese. It was garnished with olives,
thyme, and lemons. This entree was well worth the $17
price.
Also ordered was the Orecchiette with Fraboni's Sausage &
Rapini. You really can't go wrong with an entree that has
Fraboni's sausage in it! The disk-like pasta was shaped
like "little ears", and tossed in a roasted garlic, cream
and brandy sauce. The sausage was flavorful, and the
rapini (broccoli raab) added some color. It was a rich
and satisfying entree for $14.
The last entree of the evening was the Seared Sea Scallops,
for $19. The member of our party who ordered this dish
had been torn between this and the grilled trout. The
waiter steered her firmly towards the scallops, and he was
right on target. The perfectly seared scallops were mixed
with roasted potatoes and sautéed greens. Surprisingly,
they were served with a deep, rich rosemary-infused veal
demi glace that really set this dish apart.
Dessert time rolled around, with all of the members of our
party feeling the full effects of the bread and olive oil,
followed by the filling entrees. We ordered one baked
apple to share amongst the four of us, and settled into
that with coffees and ports.
Lombardino's is a Madison restaurant that you should
experience if you are looking for elegant, upscale
Italian dishes beyond the norm. Make reservations and
prepare for an evening of noise and bustle, but excel-
lent food well with the price.
********************
------------------------------------------------------------
Let EVTV1.com Be Your Travel Guide:
Travel Videos
ARCHIVES:
WeekendGetawaysArchives
Forum:
Visit My Forum
------------------------------------------------------------
The travel destinations and events that appear in this
newsletter have been selected by our editors. Apart from
those offers clearly set apart from the text, none of the
links presented here are paid promotions for any company
or organization.
Please forward this, in its entirety, to others.
(c)2007 NextEraMedia. All rights reserved.
 E-Mail this issue
Subscribe FREE to Weekend GetAways by clicking here.
|