Things change
After almost four years and 4,300+ posts, it’s time for a hiatus. My career is moving in a different direction: I need to re-focus my time, energy , and attention on other projects, including creating websites for clients, writing feature stories, and tackling a book proposal that has languished too long on the sidelines.
Although I will not be posting new items to Madison on the Cheap, it will, for now, continue to have a presence on the Internet so that people can still access some of the “evergreen” material that includes some of our most popular pages – including lists of Madison-area cooking classes and thrift shops; and our annual list of lutefisk dinners in Wisconsin. I also want people to have access to the excellent and very popular “Change from a Twenty” restaurant reviews written by Deb Nies, whose energy and enthusiasm – and contributions to organizing a wide variety of events for good causes in our community – are inspirational.
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I’ve often lamented that Fat Tuesday does not occur more than just once a year. Turns out, there’s a little slice of New Orleans – The Bayou – right here in our fair city where you can enjoy it EVERY Tuesday, complete with drink specials and beads.
The Bayou restaurant on South Butler Street specializes in Cajun cuisine. Photograph by Deborah Nies
A larger than life court jester at the center of the dining room at The Bayou. Photograph by Deborah Nies.
A trompe l'oeil Badger fan at The Bayou. Photograph by Deborah Nies.
In fact, my Bucky Book coupontold me The Bayou invited us to “Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez” or translated, Let the Good Times Roll!! Since my trusty dining companion and I have found great culinary happiness in Cajun dining in the past, we decided to give it a try.
The Bayou is located just a few blocks from the Capitol on South Butler Street. Metered parking is available near the entrance, but if you’re willing to walk a bit, free street parking is available just two blocks away.
As soon as we spied the green and yellow facade, along with the carnival masks and jester faces on The Bayou’s windows we suspected all the other Cajun restaurant in the city could be called mere poseurs. This suspicion was confirmed when we walked inside, and spied the larger-than-life court jester towering in the center of the dining room — not to mention the entire 2nd floor painted to look just like the infamous balconies on Bourbon Street. For the uninitiated, a sign warns, “Caution! Flying Beads!”
Click here to read all the delicious details and see the food photos
For a limited time, Amazon is offering a FREE MP3 download of “Hillbilly Heart” by Billy Ray Cyrus.
This download is compatible with MP3 Players (including with iPod), iTunes, and Windows Media Player.
Prices fluctuate frequently at Amazon, so don’t wait too long to download this freebie.
Once upon a time, I was a mystery shopper for local restaurants, and the Claddagh Irish Pub in Middleton’s Greenway Cross was one of the restaurants I “shopped” a few times. I hadn’t been there in several years though, and I’d heard talk of a great Monday night Buy One, Get One (BOGO) Fish dinner. I decided it was time to renew our acquaintance.
Exterior of the Claddagh Irish Pub restaurant at Greenway Cross in Middleton. Photograph by Deborah Nies.
Click here to read the review and see the food photos
The High Point Estates Neighborhood is holding a three-day garage sale from Thursday, May 2, 2013 through Saturday, May 4, 2013.Sale times on each day are from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. The sale locations are on New Washburn Way, which runs between Gammon and High Point Roads.
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Attention oenophiles and aspiring oenophiles: Groupon is currently offering several wine-tasting deals, as well as deal on an “Introduction to Wine” course (that includes tastings and pairings).
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Amazon.com is currently offering 100 MP3 albums for just $5 apiece.
Among the choices are “Magic Potion” by The Black Keys; “Crazy Love” by Michael Bublé; “16 Biggest Hits” by Dolly Parton; “Searching for Sugar Man” by Rodriguez; “The Highway” by Holly Williams; and “Nobody Dances in This Town” by He’s My Brother She’s My Sister.”
You can see all 100 albums on Amazon’s special promotional pages.
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The City of Madison Parks Division will host two Kids to Kids Garage Sales this year. During these events, any youth 5-18 may reserve a space to sell their own items to other kids. Individuals may sell items such as toys, books, games, dress-up attire, bikes, DVDs, and similar items.
The spring sale is from 9 a.m. until noon on Sunday, May 5, 2013 at Elver Park, and the fall sale is from 9 a.m. until noon on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at Warner Park.
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Introducing children to live theater need not be an expensive proposition. Playtime Productions Children’s Theatre brings affordable quality theater to a wide range of venues in the Madison area.
The cast of the Playtime Productions musical adaptation of 'The Red Shoes'
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Amazon is currently offering a FREE MP3 album for bluegrass fans: “Bluegrass Mastery Vol. 1″ contains 10 tracks and features such artists as The Grascals, Crowe, Flatt Lonesome, and The Boxcars.
There’s no indication of how long this album will be available free, so we suggest you download it sooner rather than later.
After recently enjoying the sumptuous Belgian frites at Brasserie V, we heard rumors of some nearby frites that could give them a run for their money. When I say “nearby,” I mean just blocks away on Monroe Street.
Interior of Jacs on Monroe Street. Photograph by Deborah Nies.
The interior of Jacs is stunning and warm; its brick red walls complemented with wood floors and chairs. It reminded me of an old speakeasy. The wall art is charming and in some cases, amusing. (Check out the man walking the badger.) An artful and colorful chalkboard on the far wall highlights the nightly specials for food and beverages. The bar seats perhaps ten people, and although I only had a brief glance, it looked like an enjoyable spot to belly up.
Click here to continue reading the review and see the food photos
When I recently learned of an upcoming Madison Originals discounted gift certificate sale, I knew exactly what restaurant I wanted to try: Brasserie V on Monroe Street.
The bar at Brasserie V on Monroe Street boasts 26 tap beers and over 200 bottled beers. Photograph by Deborah Nies.
Whenever I’d ask people “Where can I find the best fries in Madison?” Brasserie V’s name was always mentioned in the top three. And, although the Potato Whisperer wasn’t able to join me, I found another dining companion and off we went to investigate all the fuss. (Oh yes, I had my Madison Originals gift certificate firmly in hand!)
Click here for the rest of the review and the food photos
It’s not too early to think about paddling around Lake Wingra in a kayak or canoe, or making a resolution to learn to paddleboard this summer (which will arrive eventually).
Here are a series of Groupon deals for Wingra Boats that will help you enjoy some of these activities at a discount:
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Update (3/20/2013): This offer has been extended. The download is still free.
Today only, Google Play is offering a free download of “Live On Lakeside” by the Dave Matthews Band.
Google Play is the “new” name for what used to known as the Android Market. The rebranding was done about a year ago.
If you download this album, you will be able to listen to it on the web or on your Android device.
Here’s a great opportunity to subscribe to Entertainment Weekly for less than 50¢ an issue: Amazon is currently offering subscriptions to Entertainment Weekly for $25 a year.
You’re not likely to find a better subscription price. Sure, there once was a $10 a year offer, but we checked and that was almost three years ago. The $15 a year offer was two years ago. Clearly, prices are rising.
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Another snowy winter day, with warnings about “freezing fog” in some areas doesn’t seem conducive to thinking about summer activities — there but here are some good reasons to do so.
Firstly, the 2013 Vernal Equinox arrives on March 20 — and that means only three more months until Summer officially arrives. Plus Daylight Savings Time arrives on March 10, 2013.
Secondly, registration for Madison School & Community Recreation MSCR) summer programs opens on Monday, March 11, 2013 for residents of the Madison Metropolitan School District (non-residents may register beginning March 25, 2013).
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Update (3/25/2013): This offer is available again for a limited time.
Brickhouse BBQ on Gorham Street is offering a couple of tasty Groupon deals for those of you who don’t insist on dining out only on weekends:
$10 for $20 worth of barbecue, valid from March 3 to April 4 on Sunday–Thursday; or
$10 for $20 worth of barbecue, valid from April 7 to May 9 on Sunday–Thursday
Madison on the Cheap is an affiliate partner with Groupon. We rely on commissions from affiliate links like these to help pay our expenses, so we can continue to bring you great deals each day. Thank you!
