Many of you have asked where in the world I've been.

All I know is that after 7 plus years of blogging and a different lappy, which I don’t like, I seem to have lost my blogging fervor.

Someday, when you least expect it, I will post again.

For those of you still waiting I say thank you.

Meanwhile, I am rather prolific on twitter. Find me: @KeethaB
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The Eclectic Company - Waitin' on a New Adventure!!
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Monday, August 3, 2009

Last of the Favorite Haunts

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We've been home from our vacation for a week now, but I still have one vacation post to make.

I've been saving the best for last, and truth be told, by so doing I've been able to hang on just a little longer to the "feel" of being in our beloved northwoods.

The star of this post is Karibalis, home of our favorite northwoods cuisine.


Karbs, as it is known to folks around Hayward, is a long time main street attraction. Fisherhubby and I have been enjoying it's fine food for all the years we've been vacationing up north. How many years that is, is up for discussion and calculation - - - we simply aren't sure. I figure it has been about 18 years.


This is Kate who has been our waitress at Karbs for all the years we've been going there. To us, Kate IS the face of Karbs. She is a perfect choice for this honor, because besides the fact that she is about the best waitress ON THE PLANET - - - she is KATE KARIBALIS.

Kate's grandparents imigrated to the US from Greece. Her grandfather, Gus, started Karibalis on mainstreet in Hayward when Hayward was nothing more than a lumberjack town. Karbs was the place where Paul Bunyan went in the evening to shoot some pool, grab a burger, and drink a few beers.


Over the years, Karbs developed into what it is today, which is a fine dining establishment. Kate's father followed her grandfather into the business, and today Kate's sister and her husband own and operate Karibalis.

Now for the mouth watering part of this post:


This is my NUMBER ONE ABSOLUTE FAVORITE dish from Karbs. It is no loner on the menu, but both last year and again this year, Kate sweet talked the chef into making it just for me. I can't begin to tell you of the gratitude and joy in my heart when I eat this dish.

It is Shrimp Scampi Viennese: large shrimp, wrapped in chicken tenderloin, placed on a bed of white and wild rice with a rich brown sauce poured over the entire dish. It is heaven on a plate. I could kiss the chef's feet for his kindness in making this specially for me, because I don't think I'll ever find it anywhere else on Earth!


Hubby's Karb's dish of choice is Cajun Blackened Rib Eye. Unfortunately, I forgot to get a picture of that. This is also up there on his list of favorites - - - ribs with really brown, freshly made hashbrowns. He said (remember - - - I don't do ribs so I can't give you any first hand information) these ribs were tender, juicy, and fell off the bones.


In Wisconsin, it is tradition to have all you can eat Friday night Fish Fries. This was ONE plate of fish I had at Karbs on one of the two Fridays we were there. This was broiled cod, I had the fried too - - - and both were yummy beyond belief.


Last but certainly not least - - - a Karb's Reuben.

Now it's a sad day for me. No more Wisconsin Vacation posts until next year. No more potential black bear sightings until next year. No more favorite vacation haunts until next year.


And probably no more jig-saw puzzles until next year as I SAVE those for vacation because:

That's just the way we roll around here.

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12 comments:

Lori E said...

Oh my, my, my I want that Reuben and I want it now. One of my most favorite things to eat.
The ribs too. The fish too. You can keep the shrimp as I don't eat shellfish.
I think I really need to go out for dinner soon. Hubby owes me one as he has been away and has missed our anniversary. He is back tomorrow and will have to pay...literally.

Raise Them Up said...

Thank you. I am now starved! What great looking dishes! Thanks for sharing the pictures with us.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Looks like a great place to eat.
Sounds like you had a wonderful time. I wanted to eat that Reuben, my favorite.

Chari at Happy To Design said...

Hey Girlfriend...

I missed you yesterday for Sunday Favorites so wanted to come by and make sure all was well! I see that you've been busy with vacationing and all...loved this post about your favorite eating place in the North Woods! It looks like my kind of place too...mmmmm yummy! It's 4pm and I'm soooo hungry now...after looking at all of those delicious dishes from Karbs! Hehe!

I'm so glad that ya'll had a wonderful time vacationing! Talk at ya later, my friend!

Chari

Lynn said...

Awwww, I just hate it when vacation is over. Wait! I'm on vacation all the time!
Sorry.
My sister HATES it when I say things like that!
She starts back to work next week. Middle school Science and Math.
Poor Barbie.
Your vacation looked like it was more than successful.
I am going to see if I can find Kyle on Spacebook.

Kristin - The Goat said...

That shrimp dish sounds just divine...hmmm, I wonder if I could make that at home.

My husband has a place in the U.P. (Upper Peninsula of Michigan) and they eat at a place called McGowans. Same type of place - the same waitress - Fish Fry Friday nights - the best breakfast in 3 counties :) It's so great when you can go away and be a part of something so familiar.

I'm glad you are home but I'm also really glad that you had so much fun and introduced us and the unsuspecting vacation town to Brunhilda and Boris Bearsaltandpepper. :)

Tricia said...

Can I just say that you guys ate some of the best food I've ever seen! Oh my gosh! Yummy!
XO*tricia

Martin LaBar said...

Friday night fish has to do with the large Catholic presence in the area. When I grew up, Catholics weren't supposed to eat meat on Fridays, but could eat fish. The high school I attended varied its cafeteria menu to cater to this.

Keetha Broyles said...

Yep - - - all true, Dr. L. I just didn't go into all that explanation.

Cass @ That Old House said...

i have really loved your vacation posts --- bears and all! Sorry to see the last of them . . . but there's always next year to look forward to.

Cass

Nancy said...

I'm so sorry you will not have anymore Wisconsin posts this year, but you certainly have gone there many times this year.

The Reuben looked very good. At the time I am reading this post, I am full from my dinner, so it is hard to look at food. Maybe I should have waited to read your post. "Don't cha" just love the local places that stay in business for years and years?

Diane said...

Well, good morning, Keepie DaNiece!! Gosh, have I missed you and Gosh, did I pick the right day to come back!!!! OMG!!! I am now famished and ready to find a good place to eat! I don't suppose you could ship me some that good looking shrimp or ribs, could you?! ;) I actually WANT to eat now! Yippeeeee! I am so happy to be back and so happy I stopped by, even if my mouth is watering!!!

Many hugs..........

Diane