2025: The Year in Review
To be sure, 2025 was a very different kind of year. Lauren and I spent a good deal of time researching different locations and places we would like to visit. It had been a long time since we had done much traveling, and we wanted to experience new locations in Wisconsin and new venues for dining.
Between the cost of gasoline and the reckless drivers we experienced on the road, traveling was not quite as much fun as it used to be. However, though dining is still fun for us, the quality of the dining experience is slipping. Not sure why that is the case, but I think one culprit may be that there is still a bit of a hangover left from Covid…
Modis Operandi
Seems my M.O. is to wax philosophic at the end of a year. Just take a look at the intro in 2024: The Year In Review and you will see what I mean. This time around, I shall eschew previous practice. Except for one thing. I mentioned above that “the quality of the (dining) experience is slipping.” Saddened I am by what I have observed.
The work ethic seems to have become diminished, plating and presentation has taken a back seat to an apparent philosophy of “just get it done,” and the quality of the food itself has gone down at the same time prices have gone way up!
Four Major Criteria
All that said, as always: On the review side of things, it is always interesting to look again at the varied venues at which we dined in any given year. The decisions as to placement are always difficult. Unfortunately, multiple visits are not usually possible before a restaurant review is written. Also keep in mind that no matter the venue type or location, ratings are always based on the same four major criteria:
• Food quality
• Plating/Plate presentation
• Service
• Distractions (excessive noise level, sloppily or poorly attired or non-attentive wait staff, etc., location)
As has been the case since I first started this annual summary, always keep in mind that this is how I would rate the restaurants as if they were the only – in this case – 10 restaurants available… period. And as always, I certainly appreciate your opinions as to why you may or may not agree with my choices. So, let’s get started…
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Why Only Ten Reviews?
The past has passed. I usually have at least a dozen selections from which to choose. This year that number climbed to fourteen – one remained unfinished at press time…. 2024 was challenging for many reasons; not much changed in 2025. Lauren and I encountered a lot of windshield time on the road, and that again reduced my available time to write. Other commitments also got in the way. So, the normal ten reviews grace the review list this year. Although I am planning for 2026 to provide an even larger list, I am already noting new and different problems cropping up…
Let’s put all the unpleasant stuff behind us, and concentrate on dining at our favorite venues! But first here are the top ten restaurants (in reverse order) of 2025:
#10: Left Bank Brasserie – Menlo Park, California
(Original Review December 26, 2025) Food Type: French & American; Happy Hour
What can I say? Except perhaps that a bit of the “joie de vivre” was perhaps missing on the afternoon of our visit. Maybe it was a time before full wait staff had arrived? Or the usual staff was still on holiday? The premises were curiously void of patrons, and the temperature was not yet turned up for the evening diners. Our server was as chilly as the room temp. The oysters were not well presented. Otherwise, we all, in fact, did have a good time. And, it was happy hour, which kept our total tab lower than it could have been. 2025 rating: 3.0 Zins
#9: El Mezcal – Marshfield, Wisconsin
(Original Review April 22, 2025) Food Type: Mexican
For a city of almost 18,000 souls I did not expect the number of restaurants and eateries as we observed. On a previous visit we visited a venue called Lumberyard Bar & Grill and awarded it 7th place out of eight reviews – not the best dining experience we have had… On this evening we tried – as a result of a recommendation – El Mezcal. It was a far superior experience, at least as far as three of the four major criteria mentioned above… Service was prompt and with a smile, the place was clean and well-run, the food was very good. Only problem? Lauren’s Taco Salad was… pretty much a disaster: poorly constructed and lacking flavor and dressing; consisted mostly lettuce. As Lauren stated: “It seemed as it had been thrown together.” Their 2025 rating: 3.0 Zins
#8: Norske Nook – Rice Lake, Wisconsin
(Original Review January 28, 2025) Food Type: Breakfast; Scandinavian
There is some Norse blood that runs in this Italian. I have eaten – and really liked many different meats and fish (except Lutfisk (ugh!). That said, I guess I had expected more of a venue with a name like “Norske Nook.” Scandinavian thin pancakes are some of my favorite Norwegian / Swedish pancakes – when filled with anything! The sign on the door stated something like “We are short-staffed” – along with “if you are in a hurry”. Either, or both of those admonishments combined could have given us pause. Should we even go inside?“) I was surprised by the lack of patrons, but the food was good (would have liked it to be more like “excellent”), the place was clean, and our server? Very cordial, professional and attentive. The Norwegian Pancakes were… just OK and the Corned Beef Hash needed a little help (please read the review). 2025 rating: 3.5 Zins
#7: Rolling Oaks Supper Club – Barron, Wisconsin
(Original Review July 11, 2025) Food Type: American, Seafood, Steaks & Chops
Combination Supper Club and Golf Course. I did not have a chance to play the 18-hole course, but I did have a chance – two, actually – to dine there. My first visit? From my second visit review: “…not a particularly pleasant experience and a less-than-stellar first impression. As a result, I did not review it. End of story… well, almost.” What Rolling Oaks provided was 1) a Friday Fish Fry, 2) a well-stocked salad bar and 3) decent drink pours (and prices) from the bar. A couple of small dings on the evening did not really change things. We have not had a chance to return a third time… but I would. Rolling Oaks earned its rating. 2025 rating: 3.5 Zins
#6: Casa Mexicana – Rice Lake, Wisconsin
(Original Review March 6, 2025) Food Type: Mexican
It’s another “you really need to read my review.” The reason? Because 1) Lauren and I like good Mexican food and 2) good Mexican food is “scare as hen’s teeth!”). So, on a suggestion from a good friend, Lauren and I made a decision to check out Rice Lake’s Casa Mexicana. The parking lot was overflowing, the place was jammed , and the noise level inside was at about eleven (from the movie This Is Spinal Tap: “Eleven. That’s one louder, isn’t it?”). In fact, the noise level – it was excessive – is the only ding this venue gets. The plating and presentation were really well-done, the food was great, the service was flawless, the cocktails were excellent (very decent margaritas). Everyone there seemed to having a great time – including us! 2025 rating: 3.5 Zins
#5: Cafe at Neiman Marcus – Palo Alto, California
Original Review December 27, 2025 Food Type: American
Some might argue that this rating is a simple result of dining at a recognized and expensive retail store – not so.. This was simply a planned outing suggested by friends JP and Pauli to which Lauren and I had been looking forward for several months. Starting with a Prosecco Toast to all; followed by small cups of House-made Chicken Broth, Popovers and Whipped Strawberry Butter and a light lunch, it was a fine outing. Even though the Tuna Tartare fell a bit short of expectation a good time and a good pre-Christmas lunch was had by all! 2025 rating: 3.5 Zins
#4: Encanto Cantina – Eau Claire, Wisconsin
(Original Review June 5, 2025) Food Type: Mexican
This was a marvelous surprise! after an early morning arrival, we were scouting Eau Claire for some potential dining venues when we literally stumbled upon this chic little Mexican place. It had just opened for the day and – liking Mexican fare as we do – we thought “let’s stop in and check it out.” The rest is easy history as we discovered that Encanto Cantina was perfect for most any occasion. text here. We started that day with delivery of a pair of House Margaritas (Half price on that particular day!) and a basket of warm and crispy tortilla chips, joined by tasty salsa and white sauce for dipping. What followed was pure ambrosia: an order of Guacamole, prepared tableside! Best Guac’ I had ever tasted. Looking forward to having dinner there… 2025 rating: 3.5 Zins
#3: La ZaZa Trattoria – St Charles, Illinois
(Original Review May 6, 2025) Food Type: Fine Dining, Italian
Oh, so many years ago, Lauren and I had the dining pleasure for which we often seek. All things undergo changes over time. St. Charles, Illinois is certainly one of them. La Za Za Trattoria is another. A reconnection for dinner with close friends Jennifer & Danny Cabretta at Za Za’s almost made me wonder why we ever left the area…Importantly, even though the restaurant had added their own changes over time, the quality of the food and service there had been maintained. Lighted candles, fresh flowers, polished glassware, silverware, properly attired servers. It is getting harder to find every day and every place we go for dinner… But it is still there and waiting for you at Za Za’s! 2025 rating: 4.0 Zins
#2: St Charles Place – St Charles, Illinois
(Original Review September 24, 2025) Food Type: Seafood, Fine Dining, American, Steaks & Chops
Nostalgia is all I can say… It flooded over me like high tide over an oyster bed in Apalachicola, Florida. Even though the name has changed and the physical plant is a bit different, much is the same. I remember the giant tree in the bar filled with tiny lights, and I recall my good friend Richard, shucking oysters there with lightning speed. And I remember great food and great service from excellent servers. Now primarily a steakhouse, the menu is still filled with myriad selections. We ordered appetizers and they were awesome – I am certain that everything else on the menu would have been no less so. A bit pricey? Yes, for certain. But in today’s world, isn’t everything? Really happy to see that by any name, the place is still rockin’ it! 2025 rating: 4.5 Zins
#1: Field’s at the Wilderness – Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
(Original Review October 11, 2025) Food Type: American Cuisine, Fine Dining, Seafood, Steaks & Chops, Pizza, Barbeque
And so we arrive at the review of my #1 rated restaurant for 2025. From this author’s point of view, the rating would very likely be the same no matter when your visit takes place… In what I consider as the unlikely metropolis/location of the Wisconsin Dells is found what has to be one of the finest examples of dining Lauren and I have visited in quite some time. It was Lauren’s choice as I had never even hear of Field’s. From the moment we entered, until the moment we exited, everything was some kind of special. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright protégé and Taliesin Fellow James Dresser, architectural excellence oozes from every board and window. Servers glided effortlessly through the dining room, delivering plates, waters, cocktails, appetizers and Entrées. An open kitchen exhibited chefs and cooks who flawlessly performed difficult culinary tasks designed for only the most competent. From supreme service and well-crafted cocktails to “Appetizer Perfection” to “Succulent Seafood” to “The Grand Finale” and beyond, Fields’ at the Wilderness earns every bit of it’s rating as the best of the best! Their 2025 rating: a perfect 5.0 Zins
Three restaurants did not make this year’s Top 10: Cedar Lake Grill, Cooper’s Hawk in St Charles and Kincaid’s Country Inn.
Your Table is Waiting…
Ralph Pancetta
Lauren’s Links: Bringing it Home!
He finds the flavor; I find the gear. As Ralph’s sous chef, baker, and ‘Chief Procurement Officer,’ I’m sharing the secret weapons that keep our kitchen running at a restaurant level. From precision baking tools to the gadgets that make prep-work disappear, here is my 2025 curated list for the serious (but fun-loving) home cook.
- Zwilling 8″ Chef Knife – A good, sharp knife is the foundation of everything that happens in the kitchen. It’s one of the first gifts Ralph bought for me!
- Hamburger Press Patty Maker & Storage Containers – We love to grill and always have some hamburgers premade in the freezer ready to go when the mood strikes or for when guests drop in!
- KitchenAid Fruit & Vegetable Strainer – This gadget has saved us hours in the kitchen! We always grow fresh tomatoes and this workhorse can juice them almost as fast as we can feed them in. Great for homemade pasta sauce!
- Cuisinart Bread Maker Machine – There’s nothing like the smell of fresh bread baking in the kitchen! With a separate bread maker appliance, it leaves the rest of the kitchen available for cooking and prepping and it’s so easy to use.
- Individual Glass Wine Decanters – Impress your dinner guests with their personal wine carafe, just like the restaurants use! They’re great for portion control or letting each guest enjoy their own specific vintage.
- Henckels Take-Apart Kitchen Shears – We literally use these for everything! The best part is that they come apart for easy cleaning and are dishwasher safe!
