Here we go.
Lombardino's Restaurant:
Josh ordered the braised pork belly. It was one of the best things I have ever eaten.

This is my walleye on a bed of truffle infused polenta. There was this savory, earthy, succulent flavor - I guess you call it umamai - that I just couldn't get enough of. The walleye was crisp on the outside, creamy and sweet inside. It too was one of the best things I have ever eaten. (This may become a theme.

)

Josh and Honeycomb had the ORECCHIETTE with FRABONI'S SAUSAGE & RAPINI - Little ears of pasta with Fraboni's hot Italian sausage, rapini, roasted garlic cream & a splash of brandy. Yeah.

We swore there was a full pound of butter in that dish. It was so rich and creamy. The rapini was a good, bitter contrast that was needed in such a rich dish.

Looky at the desserts. This was the sampler Erin & Lunanoir got, but it is a good representation of what was on the menu. There is tiramisu, Boca Nera (flourless chocolate cake) and panna cotta.

Wonderful food and really great staff. Even though we were their last customers and kept them there a couple hours after closing, I never felt hurried.
Saturday morning. Josh, Honeycomb, Jackiecat and I went to the Farmer's Market. Such fun!
Cheesebread. Best thing on a cold, damp morning. Cheese seemed to be the order of the day.

Interesting gourds.

We saw many veggies that were new to us. First off were these interesting looking Black Beauty Chiles. At first I thought they were largish olives.

Then there were unusual radishes:
The Beauty Heart Radish:

The Black Spanish Radish:

I am intrigued by veggies that offer a surprise when cut open.
The winner of the most interesting colored vegetable of the day had to be the cauliflower. It looks like it comes pre-cheesed! I have never seen anything but white cauliflower before. The fuchsia was gorgeous too.

Broccoli Romanesco, winner of the "Most interesting shaped vegetable":

Props to the vendor. She was a dear and was proud as punch to help me set up the shot of the cauliflowers.

After the Farmer's Market we met up with the rest of the gang at Great Dane Brewery. I was a little disappointed at the wheat beer here. It had a strange bitterness and very little of the nuttiness I associate with wheat beers. Oh well. Food was pub fare, heavy, tasty and good with beer.

The Great Dane’s Brat & Bacon Pretzel burger - A one-third pound U.S.D.A. choice ground beef patty and a one-quarter
pound bratwurst patty grilled with caramelized onions and topped with applewood smoked bacon, sharp cheddar cheese, lettuce, pickles and tomato. Served on a pretzel roll with a side of Peck’s Pilsner mustard.

I had the Chicken Pot Pie. They used mashed potatoes instead of potato chunks. It was good. The applesauce was not.

Josh, WhiskMEaway & Honeycomb all decked out and ready for the beer tour:

As others have mentioned, Capital Bewery was closed for a private party, so we headed out to New Glarus and their shiny new facility. Yes, I did have the Raspberry Tart beer. Yes, it was pretty tasty.
I tried a new beer at the Mill House. It was a German beer known for it's smokey notes. Very interesting. Very hoppy. Helles Schlenferla Lagerbier.

Time for dinner at the Tornado Room. Another great place, if not a bit echo-y once you get 20 Briners all chatting at once.

My 28 oz Ribeye. I don't really know what I was thinking. I did take the rest home to my folk's house and we ate it with a little browned butter.
That was nice.

Josh & Honeycomb had the Venison. It was so tender you could cut it with a fork. Here's Honey's with Yorkshire pudding:

Sunday morning and the food-fest continued at Ella's Deli. What a fun place! Good food, but not photogenic in the least.

They had dioramas in the tables. Some were set up to play with, but most were just to look at:

This one's for ChefShawn:

Before we left Madison, Josh and I ran over to Mt. Horeb. We have been trying to get to the Mustard Museum for 3 years now and we finally made it.
'Tis a silly place.

The foodie highlight for the rest of our week was Wednesday. The sun finally came out.

Josh and I went over to the Cities and restocked our pantry at Penzeys. Of course we had to run over to Dino's for gyros, then we spent the rest of the day wandering around Como Park, Zoo and Conservatory. Those in the Twin Cities should take the time to check out the park. It's wonderful. (And the Zoo and Conservatory are free) The Conservatory has one whole garden set up for food. I've got pictures of Cardomom, Vanilla, Tamarind, Ginger, Black Pepper, Bay Laurel and several other plants we use everyday. It was neat to start the day out smelling and purchasing spices and herbs to ending the day seeing the plants those spices/herbs came from.
For all those wondering, Dad is doing really well. He has bad days and good days, but the good days are winning out. He looks thin, but is eating pretty good. I think he's going to be ok.
Oh and Honeycomb - I think you bought the last 6 pack of the Furthermore Knots Stock at Steve's. They were out when we arrived.

It is sold in MN though. I found it at MGM Liquors.
I just realized I don't have many pictures of Briners. Thank goodness some of ya did.

I was having too much fun with pretty food.