Dining Out- Week of July 4th, 2005

A stop at Lehmann’s Bakery in Sturtevant started with a complimentary slice of the Racine staple in the form of a Cherry Kringle. A selection from the cases was a tough choice and rewarded with a Raspberry Rosette. This gargantuan flower look-a-like had raspberry filling in between the ‘petals’ all coated in a glaze.



Annetta’s Café
Sturtevant


Honey Crepe with Ham

This buttery and sweet wonderful crepe didn’t need the ham filling whose saltiness actually detracted. But it was easy enough to pull out so the crepe could be savored in its full glory.


Décor: Looks like the 80s, doesn’t it?
Service: Ambience of a locals place.

4 out of 5 stars



An output of the Milwaukee locations the Lopez Bakery selection was a simple Cinnamon Shortbread Cookie.



Daily Grind, Breakfast Burrito, egg/chorizo/cheese, at least it was only a buck thirty five.

Mangia Trattoria
Kenosha


Gnocchetti Con Asparagi
Potato pasta dumplings, asparagus, parmigiano reggiano, butter and green onions

Some deftly crafted dumplings, crisp asparagus and full-bodied toppings were thwarted by a flavorless and watery sauce. This showed more when I found the leftovers much better.


Décor: Looks like a trattoria.
Service: Great balance of follow up and distance.

3 ½ out of 5 stars

When the words ‘homemade gourmet ice cream’ are strung together it is a signal for a must try. Amber's Wishes Homemade Gourmet Ice Cream & Custom Chocolates makes their own ice cream, chocolates, caramel corn and cotton candy with apparent pride. Ice cream samples were offered unprompted (twist my arm) and it was a tough choice with Banana Taffy edging out Strawberry Cheesecake, Kenosha Mud, Blueberry and Peppermint Crunch. It was like eating that candy without all the chewing. Post chow I had a nice conversation with the lady and learned all about ice cream making and that business. If in Kenosha, go here.

Shirl’s Drive-In
Kenosha


Grub
Ground beef mixed with special grub sauce

“I’ve bet you’ve heard this one before. What is grub?” They have and I learned it is basically sloppy Joe sauce without the tomato paste which lends the spices to the beef without adding that hefty binder. Also enjoyed were Raspberry Cheesecake Custard with large pieces of said cake and Fresh Peach Yogurt that indeed permeated of freshness.

Décor: You've gotta like a place with a cone on the roof.

Hillery’s Pit Bar-B-Q
Kenosha


Rib Tips

It was the aroma of barbecue and sight of smoke wafting out of a rooftop chimney that pulled me off Sheridan. I anxiously took my order to the bench in the above picture with anticipation of great ‘cue. First piece I chewed and chewed and chewed. Tried on 3 other pieces, gave up, tossed it, and got in the car. Thinking a bit I drummed up some courage and went back inside to ask for my money back and succeeded.

0 out of 5 stars

Betty’s Kitchen
Racine


Chicken Sandwich

What kind of sandwich do you get for a buck? What you’d expect. Processed chicken. Not bad actually, better than the rib tips!

Décor: Though the car hops are no longer used the other highlight is the window paintings hyping Big Mama’s cooking.

2 ½ out of 5 stars


One more Racine stop for a frozen treat was at Tooty’s Ice Cream & Treats in the form of a Butterfinger Hurricane. DQ has nothing to worry about. Really nice folks though.

Cold Stone Creamy July Flavor Stop #1: Oatmeal Cookie Comfort- oatmeal cookie batter ice cream with apple pie filling, pecans and caramel. I’ve never had this happen before that the ice cream is better without the mix-ins.