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Thursday, January 10,2008
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Karmic Sports
Food, drink and HD-TV
Whether it’s
a UFC fight, jai alai, polo or a Packers game, Karma Bar & Grill
has molded a space on Ogden Avenue that celebrates humanity’s ability
to engage in a shared experience. Key aspects that make up the identity
of any restaurant, like ambiance, service and food, have been shaped to
create a comfortable meeting spot at Karma, a place to experience the
feel of camaraderie.
Seventeen HD plasma screens, as well as a
Vegasstyle digital sports-book scoreboard, testify to Karma’s reverence
for a good rallying event. Notably absent is anything else that might
make you think you’re in a sports bar, like neon beer signs, retired
jerseys or darts.
Instead, thick wood rafters, diffused
lighting, beautifully carved wood panels and a grand stone fireplace
from the days of John Ernst lend a sophisticated vibe to this Park East
gathering spot. Score one of Karma’s six plush “premium booths” to
listen to the event of your choosing. The long bar, aglow from the row
of flat screens mounted above it, offers quality spirits, champagne and
wine, in addition to import and micro beers. Taps are currently
spouting Guinness, Harp, Spotted Cow, Leinie’s, Stella Artois, Miller
Lite, Newcastle and Sprecher Amber.
Karma’s menu is elevated
above the typical sports bar fare as well. High-quality ingredients like
Kobe beef, ostrich, Black Angus, buffalo, turkey and black bean can be
found in the burgers, along with toppings like avocado, roasted red
pepper and goat cheese. To sample all four of Karma’s burgers in one
round, order the plate of sliders, which are burgers of miniature
proportion. If tackling your appetite means something more
heavy-hitting, these sliders also come in quarter pound and 1-pound
dimensions. Karma’s burgers and sandwiches include a choice of
flavorful sweet potato fries, waffle fries, chips, Asian slaw or salad.
The appetizer menu showcases a nice selection of flavors,
including a respectable number of vegetarian options. The restaurant
offers a unique variety of salads and serves up its hot soups and dips
in ceramic crocks. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, take
advantage of the $8 lunch menu, when sandwiches and burgers include a
side, soda and tax.
For Happy Hour (5 to 7 p.m., Monday
through Friday), Karma takes $1 off taps and offers a $5 appetizer
menu. Any service woes that Karma may have experienced when it first
opened in September seem to have been resolved. Guests waiting for a
table in the main barroom are invited to delve deeper: Below the main
level is Sutra Lounge, an extra-chill romper room with a full bar and
plenty of snug seating. Until your table is ready upstairs, study the
Kama Sutra engravings etched into the walls, courtesy of Flux Design.
At
first glance, the employ of an Eastern philosophical term like karma to
name what is essentially an upscale sports bar seems a bit of a
stretch. But what does the word “karma” imply if not the
interconnectivity of our actions and the effects they have on others?
Does this cycle of cause and effect not include Brett Favre? Chuck
Liddell? And for the rest of us, what better place than Karma to order
a drink and celebrate the action?
Also in Eat/Drink:
Elections 2008
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AP - President Barack Obama says he wants Congress to pass legislation giving the government greater regulatory authority over financial institutions like American International Group.
Sources: Pentagon to stop forced tour extension
(AP)
AP - The Army will substantially reduce use of the unpopular practice of holding troops beyond their enlistment dates and will pay $500 to those still forced to stay in the service, defense and congressional officials said Wednesday.
AIG head shares US anger of bonuses but backs them
(AP)
AP - The chief executive officer of failed insurance conglomerate AIG acknowledged Wednesday that the company's multimillion-dollar bonuses were "distasteful" to many and had provoked a firestorm of wrath. "I share that anger," Edward Liddy, chairman and CEO of the American International Group Inc., said in testimony prepared for Congress.
Analysis: White House, Dems backpedaling on AIG
(AP)
AP - For the first time since last fall's election, Democrats and the Obama administration are backpedaling furiously on an issue easily understood by financially strapped taxpayers: $165 million in bonuses paid out at bailed-out AIG.
Pence: Return AIG donations
(Politico)
Politico - House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence is urging politicians from both parties to strongly consider returning campaign contributions from AIG.
..Search Shepherd Express
Top Stories
AIG head shares US anger of bonuses but backs them
(AP)
AP - The chief executive officer of failed insurance conglomerate AIG acknowledged Wednesday that the company's multimillion-dollar bonuses were "distasteful" to many and had provoked a firestorm of wrath. "I share that anger," Edward Liddy, chairman and CEO of the American International Group Inc., said in testimony prepared for Congress.
Obama seeks greater rein on financial institutions
(AP)
AP - President Barack Obama says he wants Congress to pass legislation giving the government greater regulatory authority over financial institutions like American International Group.
Consumer prices rise by largest amount in 7 months
(AP)
AP - Consumer prices rose in February by the largest amount in seven months as gasoline prices surged again and clothing costs jumped the most in nearly two decades.
Crude
