Editor’s note: Below is the Thursday, March 12 edition of the Food & Culture newsletter, though without the “Dinner for Two” restaurant review feature, which is exclusive to the newsletter. If you want to receive it in your email inbox every Thursday (it’s free!), subscribe at captimes.com/newsletters.
A historic night
By Ashley Rodriguez, features reporter
Hello!
I know every time I take over this newsletter for Lindsay — she’s in Atlanta this weekend on vacation — I talk about basketball. This week, I promised myself, “No basketball talk.” (It helps that the Bucks stink right now.)
And then Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo scored 83 points in a game on Tuesday against the Washington Wizards. He now holds the second-highest record for points scored in a game, second only to Wilt Chamberlain.
It’s hard not to be charmed by this accomplishment. Along with being absolutely astounding (some 15-person teams don’t score 83 points collectively in a game), in attendance were Adebayo’s mom and his girlfriend, A’ja Wilson, a four-time WNBA MVP and one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Here’s a supercut of every basket he scored.
Bam Adebayo, right, of the Miami Heat scored 83 points in a game against the Washington Wizards on March 10. He now holds the record for the second-highest scoring game after Wilt Chamberlain.
But what’s especially charming to me is the picture players traditionally take after a high-scoring game. Chamberlain’s game wasn’t recorded, so the picture of him holding a paper with “100” written on it has become the signature image of his historic game. Players mimic this photo style after an unusually high-scoring game, and I’m obsessed with Adebayo’s snap.
I’ve been thinking a lot about accomplishments, especially after writing a piece on Porta Bella, one of Madison’s oldest Italian restaurants. The spot closed on Feb. 28, and was the site of many dates, proposals and marriages.
Even though its doors are closed, the space meant a lot to people in Madison and became a city institution, an accomplishment in its own right. I got a bevy of emails asking what would happen to many of the beautiful items inside. The restaurant posted information about an auction of key items on its Facebook page.
I’ve been glued to my television for every mixed doubles wheelchair curling match because two of the players, Steve Emt and Laura Dwyer, practice at the Madison Curling Club. I profiled the duo last month.
Laura Dwyer steadies wheelchair curling partner Steve Emt as he prepares to throw a stone during a practice game in February at the Madison Curling Club.
These two are captivating to watch. They’re mic-ed up for most games and are known for being incredibly direct with each other, a trait Emt said makes them great partners. They reached the semifinals and just missed out on a bronze medal in a thrilling game that went into an extra end against Latvia. They already have their focus set on the 2030 Games.
This weekend, I’m going to try to go to Milwaukee and go thrift shopping. My corner of Madison on the east side has become a haven for thrift stores, but I’m excited to take a day trip and get out of the city.
What we’re reading
Weekly reading recommendations from Lindsay Christians and Beck Henreckson
A literary scholar in 2113 Britain looks back on a pivotal literary dinner party in Ian McEwan’s 2025 novel, “What We Can Know.” It’s been slow getting into this novel, set between times as it is, with a focus on a type of poem called a corona. I’ve been told this gets juicier, and I’m ready for it. — Lindsay
Sick at home cuddling with my cat seemed like the perfect time to read “If Cats Disappeared from the World,” by Japanese author Genki Kawamura. Featuring a devil who wears Hawaiian shirts, a kitty named Cabbage, and a terminally ill protagonist who can extend his life only by choosing one thing to permanently remove from the world each day he remains in it, this 2012 novel is unexpectedly thoughtful and heartfelt. — Beck
Restaurant news
The Cross Plains location of Vintage Brewing Co. has announced that it will close on March 29 after being open about 18 months. “As Vintage continues to grow and new opportunities take shape, we need to focus our time, energy and team on the next chapter of our company,” the restaurant posted on Instagram. Vintage has locations in Sauk City, on Whitney Way on Madison’s west side and East Washington Avenue.
Vintage Brewing Company.
After 23 years, Pasqual’s Cantina in Verona is closing, owner Ben Roberts announced on Instagram on Thursday. “As I inch closer to ‘retirement’ from the restaurant business, I have made the decision to close the doors of Pasqual’s in Verona,” Roberts wrote. The restaurant’s last day will be March 19, but Roberts encouraged people to keep visiting the Middleton location.
Recent obsessions
The Milwaukee Art Museum is so much better than it needs to be. I have favorite pieces I like to visit, like Beth Lipman’s table full of welded, melded glass and a blurry beauty called “Breath (Atem)” by Gerhard Richter. I’m also drawn to the furniture. On a recent trip, I learned that many Tiffany lamps were designed by a woman, Clara Discroll, who didn’t receive credit for her contributions until decades after she died. — Lindsay
At Double 10 Mini Hot Pot, menus are laminated, and you use a dry-erase marker to check off your choices, including add-ons.
It’s time to preorder sweets for Easter Sunday, if you celebrate. I’m eyeing this chocolate peanut butter freezer tart from Bloom Bake Shop. I also just had a fantastic opera cake at Le Reve Pâtisserie & Café in Wauwatosa, and I love that classic coffee/chocolate combo. If you have a confirmed lead on opera cake in Madison, share it? — Lindsay
Ashley Rodriguez is the Madison culture reporter for the Cap Times. Ashley covers entertainment, cultural events, public art, restaurants, unique local businesses, neighborhoods and trends, among other features. Email story ideas and tips to [email protected].
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