The Red Stag ***3/5 stars

Okay, so this whole MN vs. WI thing needs to die. We are pretty much the same when you boil it down. Lakes, trees, beer, passive aggressiveness, Christian guilt... and don't forget that great work ethic! But there's one feature of Wisconsin that I will give extra credit... aside from that tasty, tasty New Glarus brew. Supper clubs. So yeah, MN has them, but they're just too damn modest. WI clubs have flair. They let their freaky, backwoods, old-fashioned-drinking, animal-slaying, antique-hoarding selves run wild. The Red Stag in NE MPLS is an homage to such places.

Ironically, the Stag is an upscale joint. The food and beverages aren't of your average supper club variety or price. And you'll probably not find a brunch like this in Kenosha. Well maybe, but it'll be way more greasy (I mean, don't get me wrong, greasy has its charm).

The menu plays the classics... scrambles, hashes, bennies, cakes, etc... They use local and organic ingredients, and Wisconsin Cheese, of course.

We got this complimentary coffee cake Brunchitizer™.

Look at this sexy Campari and grapefruit. And while we're on the subject of breakfast cocktails, I have some sad news. The bloodies here are terrible. Which is strange because Pat's Tap and Bryant Lake Bowl (the Stag's sister restaurants) have some great ones. Bring those recipes up here, y'all! This one is funky. I don't like to suck peppercorns and other chunky seasoning up my straw.

Above is a greyhound and the granola with yogurt and fruit... the granola was under there somewhere. Below is the veggie hash. Pretty.

Here's the florentine. Ung. Them hasbrowns is real crispy.

And the corned beef hash with two scrambled...

Also, they bring you a vat of fresh jam for your toast.

While not a truly authentic Wisco supper club experience, I have to say the Stag does a pretty nice job of re-creating the general feeling without the extra must, dust and social conservancy. It's a bit on the pricey side for my likes, but it's pretty worth it. HELLO WISCONSIN!

Kitschy.

The Stag beckons.