Whether you're in the mood for a delicious dish, some sweet jams or an easy way to clean house, we've got your cravings covered in this week's OnMilwaukee.com Recommends.
Trocadero's Grilled Portobello Sandwich – I love a good burger, but when I'm in the mood for lighter fare nothing tops a portobello sandwich. Trocadero's is easily one of the better ones I've had. While some places serve these up as uninspired burger replacements or load them with cheese and heavy sauces, Trocadero keeps it light and flavorful with a diverse mix of accent veggies and a garlic aioli. It even comes with your choice of frites, but for me there's no option – it's sweet potato fries all the way. – Renee Lorenz
Black and Decker Flex Cordless Mini Canister Vac – Domestic Goddess, I am not. I wish I splurged on a cleaning service, but alas, it is I who does the dirty work of keeping a tidy house. Challenged by a shedding white dog in conjunction with dark upholstery, my cleaning expeditions are no joke. I know exactly where my Sookie has been lounging due to the trail of coarse reminders littered on my floors, furniture and blankets. The attachment on my regular vacuum just wasn't cutting it, so I decided to invest in a handheld vac designed specifically for the issue at paw – stubborn fur everywhere! I went with the Black and Decker Flex Cordless Mini Canister Vac, and I'm so happy I did. I am addicted to watching the pet hair attachment make my Sookie's shedding disappear! Dare I say, it makes cleaning ... fun? Plug it in, charge it up and tackle any vacuuming project – it even makes cleaning the car and getting into corners and crevices a cinch. I bought mine at Wal-Mart, but you can learn more here. – Lindsay Garric
Various Artists – We Remember Gregory Isaacs & Steely & Clevie – Memories (VP Records) – Two new discs from reggae imprint VP put a new spin on vintage Jamaican music. The first is a double-disc tribute to the cool ruler, Gregory Isaacs, who died last October. The bulk of the smooth singer's hits are here – "Top Ten," "Night Nurse," "Soon Forward" and on ... – rendered by the likes of Gyptian, Jah Cure, Etana, Romain Virgo, Lukie D and others. Most of the performers are smart enough not to try to mimic Isaacs' inimitable vocal style. The second disc is instrumental versions featuring saxman Dean Fraser.
"Memories" is also two discs. The first finds digital duo Steely and Clevie and a host of singers, from Freddie McGregor to Errol Dunkley to The Chantells offering updates of some of their most recognizable tunes. The second disc is a DVD that is more interesting than the CD. After all, you're more likely to groove to the original tunes than these remakes, which are fun but non-essential. But the Jamaican studio tour with Clevie is pretty cool. – Bobby Tanzilo
Stone Creek's Green Bike espresso – This has become my favorite espresso as of late. It's a mix of beans from Guatemala and El Salvador, creating one of the smoothest espressos I have tasted in a very long time. It also has a hint, just a hint, of sweetness to cut the strong espresso taste. (I refuse to describe it as "bitter"). Plus, Stone Creek always has really cute stickers at the counter which, technically, are to differentiate coffee cups, but I can't resist sticking them on my hoodie. -- Molly Snyder
