brat haus palooza

IMG_1796 IMG_1797 IMG_1798 IMG_1799IMG_1801 on monday (gosh, was that yesterday? it is still only tuesday? that's too bad. carry on.), we met up with ben's side of things for some dinner at brat haus. it is the home of artisan sausage, craft bier, and belgian fries. yup. not too shabby for a monday night. they also have soft pretzels with cheese. and fried cheese curds. and poutine. oh, the poutine.

i am not much of a beer drinker. i am more of a french bubbly or tasty red kind of gal. but there is just something about springtime and the smell of smoked meats that makes you order one. when i do enjoy a beer, i go for the dark, malty, dunkel on the menu. tall, dark, and handsome. none of that light or fruity or hoppy stuff for this gal.

but enough about beer.

we ended up at brat haus because auntie faith was home from college for spring break so naturally, this spot was on her list. smart girl. and we were happy to oblige. the crew got comfortable at a big picnic table and got the food going, asap. we sipped. we noshed. and we wandered and table tennis-ed until the main courses arrived. and when they did, a lovely hush fell over the table. ben ordered the chili dog. i ordered the boar and bacon sausage with sautéed peppers and onions. and elinor got her very own dog and fries. and the best part of the fries (other than being fried in duck fat. yes.) is that they come with super tasty dips. and a smorgasbord of dips = heaven for elinor. that girl is all about the dips. she tried her fries in the leftover cheese sauce from the pretzel. in mustard, which she decided was a tad too "phicy" (spicy) for her taste. auntie katie's ketchup. truffle aioli. hush hush sauce. you name it, she dipped something in it.

ridley plowed through his banana and a cup of kidney beans (i brought extra, just in case, and he ate ALL OF THEM) during appetizers and then came back for round two. he got to enjoy some fries and some pretzel and other odds and ends. this boy and his food. i tell ya. he likes IT ALL. and he even attempted to grab papa's beer to wash it all down but we swooped in just in time. silly boy.

IMG_1802 IMG_1803 IMG_1809 IMG_1804 IMG_1805 IMG_1795 IMG_1810 IMG_1807 IMG_1806 IMG_1812 IMG_1811 IMG_1813IMG_1808

it was a night to remember, for sure. not for anything particularly outstanding. more because of the magic found in the simple moments. it was one of those sweet spring evenings that was just right. and what a fun way to begin a week. i think every week should start with beer and brats and belgian fries and game time with family. and of course, rides on pop-pop's shoulders for miss elinor.

this is the stuff.

and because a walk down memory lane is always a good idea, here are some past trips to brat haus: octoberfest last year + faith's sweet sixteenwhen ben passed a licensing exam + date night with newborn elinorpost-prenatal appointment datedate night right after brat haus opened

rachelComment