52 Supper Clubs in 52 Weeks

Our son Chris joined us for dinner at the Viking, located on Highway II near Larsen.   We arrived around 6:00 and settled in at the half full bar for a round of Old Fashioneds. The gentleman that prepared our drinks was just helping out as the scheduled bartender failed to show for work. The drinks, however, were excellent. They weren’t too busy so he gave us the choice of heading into the dining room to order or having the waitress take our order at the bar. We chose Option B. After reviewing the menu we told the bartender we were ready to order and our waitress promptly appeared. She was friendly and efficient, but appeared to be a bit nervous as I think she was relatively new on the job. We decided to split a half order of smelt at the bar before heading into the dining room. The smelt were small, lightly breaded and deep fried served with a side of tartar sauce.   The appetizer was excellent and the half order was just the right amount for the three of us to share. ...

This particular Friday we had plans to meet our good friends, Judy and Gabe, for dinner and chose the Legacy on the north side of Appleton.     We went early to avoid the typical Friday night wait and arrived about 5:15.   We put our name in with the hostess, received a number and menus and secured a table in the barroom.   The bar was lively and pleasant, although it lacked some of the unique décor of several of the more rural supper clubs.   No animals or fish adorned the walls.    The veteran bar-tender wore a tie and would have fit perfectly behind any Supper Club bar in the 70’s.    He was friendly and efficient.   We ordered what is now becoming the “usual”, 2 brandy old fashioned sweets with olives.   Our friends joined us in the barroom for a cocktail and good conversation.     Our drinks were fine, but not anything special.    The barroom was quickly becoming busy and the hostess said we c...