Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer. The three-day weekend is synonymous with travel and driving.

With the cost of gas hovering around $3.80 a gallon, families may be hesitant to plan a long trip this holiday weekend. Filling up the family cruiser for a trip up north can run over $100 roundtrip.

For those that want a weekend adventure without spending their entire paycheck on gas, here are some local getaways of interest.

Cave of the Mounds
Estimated round-trip gas cost - $10.76

On Saturday morning, as Badger fans tried to find somewhere in town with the Big Ten Network so they could watch the game, Madison triumphantly set the record for biggest calzone in the world at 19-feet 4-inches in length, 29-inches in width and more than 100 pounds. The feat was accomplished at the newly opened Lovshack on State Street, Madison's second calzone joint to open in less than 30 days. On hand to make sure the calzone met the standards of Guinness World Records were Madison mayor Dave Cieslewicz and Madison Weights and Measures Inspector Cindy Lease. The calzone took roughly 35 minutes to pass through the oven typically suited for one small calzone at a time (we have photos of the process below).

Certainly a good start to the holiday binging that is just around the corner, this year’s Food and Wine Show on October 19 through 21 included an impressive variety of exhibitors, from artisan cheese makers to high-end kitchen designers. With over 100 different exhibits and a bustling crowd, just walking through the Alliant Energy Center on Saturday was overwhelming. Moments after picking up my tote bag full of coupons, Wollersheim Winery tasting glass and tasting notebook, a gentleman at the Cameron’s Coffee booth asked me what my smile was for. I hadn’t realized it, but there certainly was a goofy, dazed smile on my face.

"I think Madison has a huge variety of world cuisine, especially downtown and on campus. This is a great opportunity for students and locals to get a taste of the world at a somewhat affordable price." After speaking to former University of Wisconsin-Madison Food Science Club president, and Culinary Institute of America graduate, Michelle Tittl, a growing culinary appreciation by the city's student population is unquestionable.

"Many different ethnic cuisine line State Street and neighboring streets, including Afghan, Indian, and Mediterranean. Though think the culinary scene of Madison is still trying to establish itself and is constantly growing, there are [restaurants] that have made a mark nationally including Harvest, up by the capital, for it’s seasonal tasting menus," Tittl adds.

A fervent passion for all things food is indeed evident when listening to Yvonne Bushland try to decide on her favorite restaurant in Madison. "Buraka has a great curry meal that is similar to the tastes I experienced in Malaysia," Bushland speaks of her past experiences with food and culture, "I love Frita's chips, and the Great Dane has delicious sandwiches." Former University of Wisconsin-Madison food science lecturer (retiring this semester), Bushland has a definite diversity of insight about the food community in Madison.

Do you know who the sexiest vegetarian in Madison is? PETA has given that title to Jonathan Reske and now he is gunning for "Sexiest Vegetarian Alive." Reske was chosen out of a pool of 700 entrants and is now up against 10 other "Sultry Soy Boys" over on GoVeg.com.

Reske, a bartender at Cafe Montmartre, is described on the site:

"You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces - just good food from fresh ingredients." These strong words from pioneer food television personality Julia Child are undoubtedly words lived by the many members of my community: Madison "foodies".

Throughout the last two years that I have lived in downtown Madison, I have become quite acquainted with the diverse, unique, and abundant aspects of culinary creativity present. The food enthusiasm in Madison is without a doubt plentiful. From the weekly farmer's markets, to the world of cuisine on State Street, there is something for everyone with a passion for food. My personal experiences with the city's culinary wonders include: venturing to the local Italian delicatessen Fraboni's to buy fresh mozzarella and delicious sorbet; spending endless Saturday mornings at the farmer's market buying fresh, local produce, cheese, and hot and spicy cheese bread; strolling through a weekend of "The Taste of Madison", sampling falafel and cookie dough egg rolls; World's Largest Brat Fest, need I say more?; being an active member of the Dietetics and Nutrition club and adding another eager "foodie" to their culinary committee; being a co-fundraising chair for the Food Science Club and previously helping with their product development team; supporting and dining at the Madison Originals restaurants; constructing a feature for Dane101.com implementing food in Madison and cooking ideas for back at home; and being an avid reader of all food relations in Madison Magazine.

Risotto was all the rage a few years ago. Everywhere restaurant I worked at or ate at seemed to have risotto on the menu. At first it was a mysterious dish; a mixture of starchy rice, onions, wine and cheese, I could find the sex appeal. My first experience of making it was horrible. At the restaurant I worked at we made it at the beginning of the night and reheated as we went. This was not a good risotto, it was “mush.” Later in my cooking days, I fully learned to respect this interesting grain and give it the life it deserved. It cannot be made ahead, it waits for nobody.

I love peanut butter: chunky or smooth, it always pleases me. Never having made homemade peanut butter, I wondered what it would be like to experience such an endeavor. What is it like you ask? Delicious and easy. I simply mixed 2 cups of unsalted peanuts with 2 tbsp canola oil and 1 tbsp Splenda in the food processor. Depending on your preference for creamy or chunky, blending it for 5 to 10 minutes is crucial. I made my mostly creamy with a few surprise chunks. It definitely turned out tasty.

Typically Dane101 would encourage you to get your ice cream from the locally founded Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream on State Street, but even our dedication to local products can be defeated by free ice cream. In case you didn't get the memo, today is free ice cream cone day at Ben and Jerry's. The insurgent ice cream company that opened up two blocks down from the Chocolate Shoppe last year is scooping out free cones from noon until 8 p.m. as part of their worldwide 28th anniversary celebration. Today it will be a Cherry Garcia, tomorrow its back to the Chocolate Shoppe for a Fat Elvis. The airport Ben and Jerry's is not particpating.

We thought it would be worthwhile to mention that early last week Dane101 was spanked by the website italk2much.com. It is an interesting little blog run by a group of ladies with names like "Bitter Bitch," "Ms. Chatty," and "Princess Pottymouth." We were reviewed initially by "British Bitch" (see the avatar on this post). The basic concept is someone submits their blog and the women artfully tear it apart with a significant amount of written abuse. They were actually rather kind to us, especially considering none of them are actually from Madison.

Are you experiencing city government related news fatigue? If so, you may find this one a little more palatable. Most of us have worked in the hospitality industry at some point in our lives and everyone who has worked in the hospitality industry has a shitty tipper story. Now, instead of bitching to your friends you can do something about it.
Enter the Shitty Tipper Database. It's a one-stop-shop for waitrons to call people out for leaving less than generous tips. Part of the website bitterwaitress.com, it allows people to anonymously post examples of shitty tips they have received as a way of getting back at the people who don't realize or don't care that tips make up the bulk of wages for most people in the hospitality industry.

I recently found myself at a Free Meal center because unpaid food critics need to eat, too. St. Paul’s Catholic Church on the Library Mall is obviously named after Paul---the guy who has been churning out meals for those that need them for over 20 years. Paul also handles Luke House on Ingersoll. These two sites produce good food and good feelings: like a church potluck but no one expects you to bring anything. Sure, some take advantage. But there are many more that really need the help now and then. Here's how it works: