Fitchburg Days

May 21-23rd was Fitchburg Days. Liliana's participated, serving up yummy jambalaya, vegetarian red beans and rice, muffaletta sandwiches and cornbread.

It was fun running the booth as a family. Liliana and baby Charlie were so patient and really tried to enjoy themselves, despite staying around through long days and loud music.

Here is Liliana's mom Tiffany, helping customers while keeping baby Charlie close (also check out his little baby hearing protection from Audible Difference!)

Liliana, rocking her dress from Mexico during Fiesta Hispana at Fitchburg Days.

Anyone Can Cook!

Did you know that the talented chefs at Liliana's Restaurant offer cooking classes to small groups on certain Sunday afternoons?

Executive Chef and Owner Dave Heide loves teaching these classes and really enjoys the ability to open his kitchen to brave and curious customers for a hands on learning experience. There is nothing like trying (and sometimes failing!) to recreate dishes and flavors at home to really appreciate what goes in to a properly prepared delicious meal at a restaurant.

All students should take the introductory course which covers topics like knife skills, how to cook proteins, why and how to shop local and organic and health and safety issues in the kitchen. Beyond the introductory class we cover a wide array of topics based on our students interest. This weekend we are teaching a barbequing class because, well, everyone loves a summer bbq!

There are still a few openings in our intermediate class this Sunday May 16th, and in our Introductory class Sunday May 23rd.

Lots of course information, how to reserve a spot and video clips here

Tuesday Tasting Menu 4-20-10

On sunday we headed over to this years first Farmers Market on the square for a little inspiration for our Tuesday Tasting Menu. There was (as always) some lovely produce and meats, but we were pulled (as always) to our friends at the Hooks Cheese table.

So here's what we came up with:

1st Course

Arugula salad with Hooks Bloomin Idiot, Duck confit, orange supremes with Crispy potato and soft poached quails egg.

2nd Course

Duck breast stuffed with Red Errigal cheese, cranberries, and served with wild rice, and brocoli rabe

3rd Course

Riesling poached pear with Hooks little boy blue cheese, figs, pecans and honey. With spiced port ice cream.

Tulips at the Capitol is such a gorgeous sign of spring! Lily couldn't resist running circles around this gorgeous tulip garden.

Be sure to say Hi if when you see us at the Farmers Market each saturday this year looking for inspiration for specials and Tasting Menus

Fitchburg Public Library

The city of Fitchburg broke ground on the Fitchburg Public Library this week, and we were proud and excited to attend. This is the library that our Liliana will likely spend countless hours at over the years, as a love of books and reading is deeply rooted in our family.

Here is an article on the groundbreaking, and a video of Lily in the news (at 1:31 into the clip), with no reference to Liliana's Restaurant, which is new for us!

After they "officially" broke ground, lily was allowed to have some fun with those very enticing shiny gold shovels!

And then on Wednesday night, Dave was asked to do a reading as part of "Family Pajama Night"

He read "Princess Hyacinth, the Surprising Tale of a Girl Who Floated" which is one of Liliana's favorites and is written by Liliana's Great Grandmother, Florence Parry Heide.

Tuesday Tasting Menu 4-13-10

Tuesday Tasting Menu

Spring has Sprung

1st course
Wild asparagus soup with baby radish micro greens

2nd course
Gates Farm grilled double pork Chop with apple and orange spiced chutney, wild asparagus, and smoked potato puree

3rd course
Sassy Cow cheese cake with Door County cherry preserves and sweet basil caramel

$30 for all three course, wine flight an additional $10

Watch for next weeks menu, where we celebrate the return of the Dane County Farmers Market.

70 DEGREES!

It was 70 today! I know it's too good to last.. because, well, we live in Wisconsin and the weather just likes to tease us a bit before we settle into a new season. We were so, so thankful that we had time to enjoy the beautiful weather today.

While I sat on the patio soaking up the sunshine and drinking a mimosa I remembered I needed to post a very important....

Public Service Announcement:

Well behaved dogs are very welcome on the patio at Liliana's.

Especially if they are adorable and like to sit in tiny chairs.

Basically same message about cute babies.

Easter Brunch!

Easter brunch was fun and delicious! Ken Wheaton played guitar

There was a delicious buffet (which we hardly ever do, but it was fantastic)

Pancakes, made fresh to order in the dining room

bagels and toppings

Chef Dave and son Charlie looking handsome on Easter sunday