From The Editor: I’ll Drink to That!

In this year’s Spring Dine & Drink issue, we have a lot to celebrate.

First of all — I’m going to go out on a limb here — it’s finally, actually spring. At time of writing, we’ve just been through what looks to be the last snowstorm of the year, following a few days of glorious but clearly false spring weather. Temperatures on the 10-day forecast look to be going in the right direction from here on out. 

By the time you read this, I have faith that we’ll have finally broken through to real spring. It might still be slushy, but it’ll be sunny, and, more importantly, I think the collective realization that what has been a long, hard winter is finally over will put some much-needed pep into everyone’s steps. That seems to me like a worthy cause to head out to a restaurant or bar to celebrate. 

On the other hand, if I’m wrong and it’s still gross outside, I think a trip to a bar might be even more necessary — to commiserate, rather than celebrate.

Regardless of the weather, a nice dinner out could be in the cards if you’re attending a concert or show like the ones featured in this issue’s Arts & Culture coverage. Ballet Co.Laboratory’s “Freddie: Break Free,” which tells the story of Queen frontman Freddie Mercury, is on at the Ordway April 10-12. Sommer Wagen, who’s been busy in the lead-up to this issue, also interviewed Lzzy Hale of Halestorm. While the soonest you can catch Halestorm without buying plane tickets (or subjecting yourself to a lengthy road trip) is June 25 at Summerfest in Milwaukee, you can make an evening out of any show you catch in town this spring with dinner out before, drinks after, or both!

And, last but not least — should be first and most, really, which is why we featured it on the cover — another reason to dine out this spring is the annual Dining Out for Life fundraiser benefitting The Aliveness Project. I’ll leave it to Natasha DeLion to explain the details in her article, but the short version is, eat at a participating restaurant on April 30 and a portion of your bill will go to The Aliveness Project to support their work in HIV/AIDS prevention and support. 

If my first two suggestions of reasons to dine out this spring didn’t convince you, I’m confident my last one will. So, one way or another, I’ll see you out there. Cheers!