Splashin' on a Patio

A few of my friends live out in the Lake Country area so to keep it fair, occasionally we head out in their direction for a night of fun because they come to Waukesha so often. Recently, we met up in downtown Oconomowoc at Splash Martini Bar on a Friday night. I have been here before and I love the martini selections, but they have beer, wine and cocktails too if you aren't a martini fan.

This time we were lucky enough to score a few tables on their patio that overlooks Lac La Belle. The weather was perfect as my friend nicely captured the sunset and posted on Instagram.

I saw a post on Facebook a few weeks earlier from Splash that if you signed up for its mailing list, you would get a free drink at your next visit. The signup isn't mobile friendly currently so you have to use a real computer to get on the list. Of course I signed up and encouraged my friends to as well. I got my voucher in time to use that evening, but we found out that the manager does updates to the list in batches so it's not an instant reward and my friends didn't get theirs in time. No worries, it just means we have to come back. And the drinks and atmosphere are still totally worth the price point.

I wanted to start with a martini that had St. Germaine liquor in it because it's a new favorite flavor for me, but unfortunately they were out of the liquor. Have no fear, there are so many more martinis to chose from, I easily picked one with peach in it. It was nice and refreshing.

My friends ordered other drinks, such as the Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Martini, a dirty martini, a Flirtini made X-Rated liquor and champagne, Moscow Mules and Hacker-Pschorr and Spotted Cow beers.

If you have never had a Moscow Mule, they are served in a copper mug and some bars hold your license or charge a deposit so they ensure they the cup back. Splash does not instill these policies but they have a limited number of glasses so it could be a wait for the drink. A moscow mule is created with vodka, ginger beer, lime and mint that is refreshing with a nice kick from the ginger. Some of my friends enjoy it without the mint and others with it but either way they are yummy.

We chatted and enjoyed the free Juke Box that is provided every Friday. The music was all over the board - death metal rock to country to very sexually suggestive R&B. It made us laugh a lot at the randomness. 

My second drink was a raspberry martini - called something like "Kiss Me After Dark." It was very sweet with cherries in the bottom but it was still really good.

My final drink was White Peach Sangria (sorry no photo) - the bar's summer special. It was really delicious. The peach tasted fresh and delightful and a little kick of the whiskey or brandy they added to it. I highly recommend getting this before summer is over.

We enjoyed the patio well into the evening and even switched to a table that had a heat lamp over it, as this summer hasn't been known for it's heat in Wisconsin. A nice breeze came off the lake to keep the bugs at bay too.

It seems that Splash's website is in the middle of updates, but the Facebook page has plenty of information and if you sign up for the mailing list, you are sent occasional messages with specials inside.

For example - Mondays - Saturday (excluding Thursdays) they are now offering a late night menu of specials. From 11 pm - close, enjoy a $5 Martini Menu, $3.50 rail cocktails, $3.50 tap/imported beers, $3 domestic beers

Specials going on other nights of the week:
Monday - Industry Night - take 20% off your bill if you work in the hospitality industry
Thursday - Ladies Night - Buy one, get one 50% off (per person, ladies only - sorry guys)
Friday - Free Juke Box
Sunday - Fun Day - Open at 2 pm - Get 10% off all food and $5 drink specials (I couldn't find their food menu but Facebook says in-house appetizers)

I definitely recommend you check this place out the next time you are in Lake Country.

Wauk Wednesday: Jose's Blue Sombrero

I have some pretty deep ties with the building that houses Jose's Blue Sombrero on Barker and Bluemound in Brookfield. My first serving job was at Annie's American Cafe, a burger joint similar to a Big Boy. I only worked there a short few months before the place closed, but the friends I made are still friends of mine today. We signed menus like yearbooks on our last day and shared some laughs and tears.

From the Wausau location - ah memories!

I followed a few of them back to the building when Gondola Grille opened and I became a server and bartender. I would work open to close almost everyday and experiment behind the bar for hours at a time. Unfortunately an accidental setting off of the sprinkler system closed that restaurant and kept the building vacant for a few years.

Then came along Jose's Blue Sombrero that did a complete overhaul and reinterpreted the entire building into a tex-mex-looking gem. The entrance is on the other end from when it was Annie's and besides some brick walls on the inside, you wouldn't even recognize the former restaurants.

From OnMilwaukee.com

I have only been to Jose's twice, once right after it opened and just last weekend. The food is fresh and fun and I hear the Happy Hour is amazing. (I might have to get to that soon.)

Chelsea, founder of Good Friend Inc. and I worked the Good Friend booth the Autism Speaks Walk at the BMO Harris Bradley Center last week. We were starving when we left and then two traffic jams (one construction and one car fire) made us beyond hungry and we decided on Jose's because drinks and chips would be readily available. :)

We walked in around 1 pm on a Saturday and were told it would be a 15 minute wait, but we noticed the bar tables were available so we ate in the bar.

Chelsea told me about these awesome Tornado drinks, a combo of frozen margarita and frozen sangria in one mug. I just had to have it. Best. Decision. Ever! I am going to have to make those this summer. It was so refreshing and hit the spot perfectly.

Tornado - sangria and margarita from Jose's Blue Sombrero

We were then provided a basket of chips and individual salsas to enjoy with the chips. The salsa was mild with great cilantro flavor.

I decided on the Guanajuato Al Pastor (don't ask me or our server to say it as we both butchered it), pork loin with pineapple and onion.

I received four tacos on the plate with rice and beans. There beans are really smooth and creamy and I almost finished all of them before eating my tacos. The rice was pretty typical Spanish rice.

Jose's Blue Sombrero

But now onto the tastebud explosion. I think the only tacos I can compare (and not even on the same level) were the Barbacoa tacos at Bel Air Cantina in Milwaukee. The meat was seasoned perfectly and the pineapple added a sweet to combat the slightly spicy sauteed onions. The cilantro was nice and fresh and I could only finish 2 of the 4 tacos. This could definitely be a meal to split with someone if you enjoy the chips and salsa before.

I have to definitely remember this place is around because I really enjoyed my food. There are two of them in the area - Racine and the Brookfield location and I definitely suggest you check it out for great quality Mexican cuisine.