How many ways can you say risotto? Turns out at least four...beginning this weekend at the Rookery.
Hard to believe it was just over two years ago when Seafood Truffle Risotto made its initial appearance on the Rookery menu, quickly becoming one of our most popular entrées. Which is all the more surprising if we let you in on a little secret. Chef Mike had never prepared risotto before in his life. Never even tasted it, in fact.
So please don't raise the hackles of any Italian chefs you may know. Because guess what? Risotto connoisseurs...of which there are far more than I ever would have guessed wandering about the Northwoods' risotto-less desert...have heaped lavish praise on the Rookery's rendition of this traditional Italian rice. One devotee even proclaimed our risotto to be as good or better than any she's discovered in her culinary journeys throughout Italy.
The popularity of our Seafood Truffle Risotto illustrates just how well this delectable starch pairs with shellfish. With that knowledge Chef Mike has come up with an all-new Orange Crab Risotto to further tempt seafood lovers. But one of the neat things about risotto is that it's also a great compliment to various other meats, poultry, and vegetables. So this weekend we're also bringing back two other slightly revamped risotto options: Chicken & Sun-Dried Tomato and Trio of Mushroom.
We're also beefing up our newest menu with several of the Rookery's most popular entrées from previous seasons, including Pan Seared Rainbow Trout, Citrus Shrimp Scampi, and Grilled Lime Tofu. That brings our menu to a total of 18 entées in all, the most to choose from in the Rookery's four year history.
On the salad side, our Chopped Rainbow is back again from last summer due to popular demand. And for this coming weekend at least, Ms. Jenny has promised to bake homemade carrot cake as yet one more temptation on our decadent desert menu.
And then there's our Fresh Fish UN-Fry. Up this week, one of my personal favorites:
mahi mahi in ginger lime cilantro sauce. This weekend (Thursday until it sells out...call ahead to reserve). Only at the Rookery!
Riverboat Randy Norby
Performing Live at the Rookery this Sunday
For the second time in as many weeks we'll be welcoming a new performer to the Rookery stage this weekend. And just like last week, he's coming to us all the way from Eau Claire.
Not only is Riverboat Randy new to the Rookery, but so too is his particular style of music. "Piedmont acoustic blues from the 20s and 30s" is one way of describing it. "Pre-war acoustic fingerstyle blues" is another. Still not satisfied? Then how about "old time acoustic blues and ragtime?"
Whatever moniker you choose, it's sure to be another fun weekend of live outdoor music at the Rookery. And speaking of fun weekends, don't forget the Rookery has scheduled an entire season of 17 live outdoor performances. It's becoming the place to be in northwest Wisconsin on Sunday afternoons...for music fans and musicians alike.
In that vein we're thrilled to announce that Molly and the Danger Band has just agreed to a 3rd appearance at the Rookery this summer, filling one of our last two open dates of September 9. And Rookery veteran Fizz Kizer has kindly agreed to shift his previously scheduled performance on September 16 to September 2, in order to make room for a wonderful acoustic indie-folk duo coming to the Rookery stage all the way from Portland, Oregon as part of their midwest tour. For the most up to date schedule of all performances check out our online music calendar.
The Rookery's Summer Sunday Serenades are scheduled EVERY Sunday afternoon (plus Labor day) through the end of September. Our patio grill fires up at 1:30, and the music runs from 2 to 5. Plan to arrive early, because seating is limited and on a first come-first served basis. All performances are free, though gratuities for the musicians are most appreciated.
Riverboat Randy and his guitar. This Sunday. Live. Outdoors. Only at the Rookery!
