The toy section at Beans & Barley -- Every time my sons and I pop into Beans (which is about once a week), I end up with a pocket full of little plastic souvenirs, including mini rubber fairies, a tiny pink Buddha head, old-school finger monsters and a little wind-up cymbal-clapping monkey. Technically, they are for the boys, but I admit I'm smitten with the small, bizarre cuteness of these playful baubles. Next time, I'm going for the Hello Kitty Pez dispenser. -- Molly Snyder Edler
Saturday morning breakfast at the Wicked Hop -- The outdoor portion of the Milwaukee Public Market along St. Paul on Saturdays has become a fun weekend tradition. Early in the harvest season, it doesn't have a ton of produce vendors yet, but it does have one -- thanks to The Wicked Hope -- of the best and least expensive breakfasts in town. Every Saturday, the boys and girls at The Hop bring out a massive grill and do up eggs, pancakes, French toast and more. Scramble an omelet to your liking for only $4 or a huge flapjack for $1.50. This is about as close as a down home breakfast on the farm that you'll find, and you don't even have to leave the city. -- Jeff Sherman
The second generation iPod shuffle -- The original was smaller than a pack of gum. The second generation is smaller still (0.6 ounces). There is no display and you can only load about 250 songs, but the integrated clip makes it perfect for jogging and working out. Just be careful not to misplace it. -- Drew Olson
"My Unique Family" -- I didn't catch the original run of the TLC television series that profiles -- you guessed it -- unique families. I have only seen, so far, the episode called "Witches Next Door" about a Pagan / Wiccan family and "That Woman Is My Husband." (You can guess the deal with this family). It's mindless-but-intriguing cable television at its best. -- M.E.
Ethiopian Hut's honey wine -- I recently dined at the new Ethiopian Hut and found it to be exactly as I remembered when I ate Ethiopian food about five years ago in San Francisco. It's a bunch of mushy piles in the middle of the table that you sop up with pancake-type pieces of sourdough bread. I can't say I'm a huge fan, but once in a while, I appreciate the experience. I am, however, a massive fan of honey wine. I'm not usually a sweet wine person, but the finish is fast on this wine, which makes the sweetness a tease and not too intense. -- M.E.
Wisconsin firewood -- Like having backyard fires? Why pay $5 or more per bundle at a supermarket when you could have Wisconsin Firewood drop off a 1/4-full cord of wood? You pick what kind you want: oak, maple, cherry, hickory or white ash. Throw another log on? Absolutely! (Just remember not to transport any firewood or you run the risk of helping the destructive emerald ash borer travel! -ed.) -- Molly Snyder Edler
The bar at Moceans -- Why go to Moceans, 747 N. Broadway, to drink? Why not? The former Grenadier's has transformed nicely into one of the better seafood places in town, but its bar just has a good feel. Nothing truly amazing, just a good bar to have a drink before or after a meal or a show. While you are there, have a few oysters too. Need another reason to check it out? You can be one of the first to feel what Johnny V's newest "bigger city" venue will feel like. A new Moceans' NYC location is coming soon to Lexington Avenue. It's always fun to stop at "Milwaukee places" like Moceans when you are in New York. -- J.S.
Guacamole from Super Amigo Foods -- There are very few rational reasons why I'd drive to Waukesha. All due respect, I have everything I need Downtown. But, when I do travel westbound I-94, I know one place that I need to get to, Super Amigo Foods, 1427 E. Racine Ave. Wait up, I've never actually been there but, I have had their guacamole and I'm here to tell you that it's in the running for some of the best I've ever had. Add some of Amigo's fresh salsa and pico de gallo, and you are set. Seriously good stuff. Super Amigo (gotta love the name) is a full service place, I hear, with a butcher, bakery and authentic taqueria. They also cater. Check it out: (262) 544-4420. -- J.S.
