Liliana's
Anyone answering the door on Halloween night will have noted the presence of two very special beings among us -- the undead and princesses. The undead will remain culinarily uncelebrated, which is a good thing. Princesses, however, will have a very special brunch at Liliana's in Fitchburg Sunday, Nov. 7, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
This is the second princess brunch, which honors four-year-old Liliana (after whom the restaurant is named) says her dad, chef Dave Heide. Heide's grandmother, Wisconsin children's author Florence Parry Heide, is slated to be on hand to read from her book Princess Hyacinth: The Surprising Tale of a Girl Who Floated. A stylist from "Rock and Glam" will be on hand to confer that just-so princess look, and more activities are planned, like decorating a large cardboard castle.
The brunch will be mostly locally-sourced and organic, says Heide, with pancakes, waffles, scrambled eggs, Nueske's bacon, housemade sausage, fresh fruit, quiche, pastries, and more.
Princesses and princes dressed as such get in for $5 (their retainers and commoners will put $15 into the kingdom's coffers).
Last year, 120 princesses from age zero to about 12 attended; princes, not so much. "About six princes," Heide says, "and I think they were there with their sisters.
"You'd think that 120 little girls in a restaurant would be chaos," Heide continues. "But everyone is so well-behaved. I think it comes from putting on their princess outfits." Make a reservation online or call 608-442-4444.
Other special dinners: Ocean Grill is hosting a 17th Century Thanksgiving Dinner to benefit Second Harvest Foodbank on Nov. 9 at 5:30 p.m. The menu included ballotine of duck, pork tenderloin sous vide (did they have that in the 17th century?) and salt-crusted whole cod, with sides of succotash, roasted brussels sprouts, beet salad and mussels. For dessert: pie, of course.
Lakeview Lutheran Church, 4001 Mandrake Road, is holding its 59th annual Lutefisk and Meatball Dinner Nov. 5 from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. ($15). Even if you're not interested in lutefisk, those meatballs are mmm-good.
And REAP Food Group presents edition of its Pie Palooza on Nov. 7 from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., at the Goodman Center, 149 Waubesa St. (adv. $16/$18 at the door). Choose two pieces from pies made by restaurants and bakeries across the city (plus salad and beverage). Note: Whoopie pies are not technically "pies" but this year they too will make their appearance. Proceeds benefit REAP healthy food programs.
