House hunting is hard work. After a long work day followed by a full evening of traipsing through dirty attics, dingy basements, and one cool-but-spooky tunnel connecting house to garage, I didn’t even want to think about cooking.
Thank goodness for take-out. And not just any take-out – gourmet take-out from the Milwaukee Chophouse on 5th and Michigan.
Forget fast food my friends; today diners are heading to more upscale restaurants for good food to go. Why? Because although many of us love great food, and some of us even enjoy making it, our jam-packed schedules and increasingly complex lives just don’t leave us left with a lot of energy or time for meal preparation. In response, more and more restaurants like the Chophouse are offering excellent take-out options.
Scott and I pulled out our “Chop Chop” menu and put in our order as soon as we left the last house: Filet mignon for Scott, a veal chop with Jack Daniels gorgonzola sauce for me, two orders of the roasted garlic mashed potatoes, and one Chophouse salad made with chopped greens, roasted shallots and a creamy buttermilk dressing.
Forty minutes later we rolled up to the restaurant’s loading zone and a young lady brought out a big bag packed with our order. I handed her my card, she went in, swiped it, returned with the receipt and off we went. I didn’t even have to get out of the car!
How awesome to wear shorts, flip flops and a totally comfy T-shirt to pick up a meal, and not have to worry about getting dirty looks from the maitre d'.
Arriving home, we pulled the Styrofoam boxes from the bag and plated up the perfectly cooked filet mignon and succulent veal alongside the potatoes. We emptied the colorful salad into small bowls, put the bread and spreads (one made with what tasted like blue cheese, the other with roasted garlic and tomatoes) on a small plate. We uncorked a bottle of merlot that Scott picked up at New World Wine Company (632 E. Ogden), poured a glass and took our magnificent meal to the living room.
As we sat on our comfy couch, cut into our meat and sipped the smooth wine, we flicked through channels and assessed the night’s movie offerings. I wanted to see Elizabeth Taylor's "Butterfield 8" again, but Scott was in the mood for something with a little more kick.
He finally won out, convincing me that Sam Dunn’s documentary, “Metal: A Headbangers Journey,” would provide me with a deep anthropological insight into the background of heavy metal and the psyche of its fans. (Lest you think I'm that easily swayed, let me also say that there was a promise regarding the purchase of a new pair of James Jeans involved.)
An hour later, we agreed despite learning that if Wagner had lived in recent times he might have been a member of Deep Purple, the metal movie probably wasn't the best choice; however, getting take out from Milwaukee Chophouse was definitely a winning option. And with lots of houses to look at, work to do, and a few guests to entertain in the near future, it’s an option we’ll be taking advantage of much more often.
Hmmmmm .... when I think takeout, I sure don't think the Milwaukee Chop House. I may just reconsider - that food looks great!
Posted by: Erin | July 14, 2006 at 11:38 PM