Eating in Madison A to Z

We're a free blog, baby

Dear readers, thank you for voting us second place in Isthmus' 2010 reader poll's "Local blog" (a.k.a. "blogger you'd most like to meet") category!

If you'll indulge just a little speechifying, we wanted to share a realization that struck us this summer, the 6th since we started.

In 2004 people didn't talk about food on the internet as much as they do now. Most collaborative restaurant rating sites like Yelp and Urbanspoon were but pixels in their designers' eyes. If today we were awaiting our crab rangoon from A8 China instead of scarfing something in the Ss, we might never have decided to make what's basically a food diary into a public internet project.

Our scope is very broad and shallow - we have neither the collective wisdom of the Crowd nor an expert reviewer's skill. Riding such a santoku-thin line is challenging in manifold ways. But we're glad we're still at it, chiefly because the insightful comments and encouragement from our readers hint that this site is bringing something valuable to Madison. We're glad you're along for the ride, and are brewing up some exciting plans this winter for your delectation.

Now. What would really pump us up would be 45 more $5 pledges to Bike the Barns to  match our $500 sponsorship. Last we heard MACSAC is less than $6000 from their goal. (And rumor has it some fabulous surprises may be in store at the after party, for which you can still register.)

Thanks again!

Bike the Barns update

MACSAC announced on August 16th that registration for Bike the Barns is full. There are still volunteer opportunities and plenty of room at the afterparty at Token Creek Park, September 11 from 4-7pm.

The Carrot Cruiser and Team A-Z are still collecting pledges to benefit MACSAC's Partner Shares Program. Our sincere thanks to those who've already pledged - and food for thought:

If every one of our readers gave just $1, MACSAC's pepper pledge-o-meter would go from peperoncini to Scotch bonnet in no time with the blinding heat of your generosity.

We know MACSAC can make that goal, but only with your help. Thank you!

Update for fellow riders: feel free to leave your own pledge link in the comments. See you in September!

Natural Juice (cart)

In a word: Runner-up.

The specs: #0576  
Address, hours & details via Isthmus.

JM ate the strawberry banana smoothie.
Nichole ate the raspberry smoothie and a spring roll.
Skip ate the banana blueberry smoothie.
The bill was about $4/person, plus tip.
JM gave Natural Juice a B; Nichole gave Natural Juice a C+ (see our grading rubric).

Natural Juice is another smoothie and spring roll cart just feet from Fresh Cool Drinks. Because we'd been to Fresh Cool Drinks first, and because it's one of Nichole's favorite carts, she needs to disclose a preference for FCD that gave Natural Juice a bad rap even though it stands fine on its own four wheels. JM wonders if a good 32 flavor Hawaiian Shave Ice cart could make a better go of it instead of two so identically themed and served carts.

A bucolic scene on the side of the cart invited us to drift off and soak up vitamin D as we waited. No such relaxation was on hand for the sole operator inside, who juggled orders from two service windows.

Skip started things off with a banana blueberry smoothie. He said:

It was quite smooth and very refreshing on that hot day. When it first hits your palate, you taste the luscious blueberry and banana in equal measure. As it slides back, the banana becomes more prominent. Very tasty indeed.

JM, too, enjoyed his run-of-the-mill choice, the strawberry banana smoothie, which was standard and just fine. Though he spilled a small amount of it and hopes that's not where the best slurp had lay.

Trying our best to be objective, we still think we noticed more ice and less body to the smoothies at Natural Juice (also evinced by their quickness to melt). This could be a good thing if you're looking for a lighter and more hydrating option than a dairy-based cup, though you can request a milk-based smoothie.

The spring roll was still $2 but a bit smaller, drier and less complex than Fresh Cool Drinks' - no spike of mint or cilantro and no shrimp option, but it was a decent snack of fresh shredded cabbage, carrots, and this time rice stick, with peanuts and Sriracha.

Natural Juice. That's about it.