Samara Kalk Derby

Reporter at Wisconsin State Journal

Writes restaurant news and reviews for the Wisconsin State Journal

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Articles

Restaurant review: Molten Monkey's Detroit-style pizza is almost perfect

1 week ago | madison.com | Samara Kalk Derby

As co-founder of Ale Asylum brewing, Otto Dilba was a marketing genius. Who can forget Hopalicious, Ambergeddon and Velveteen Habit? Molten Monkey, the Detroit-style pizza place he opened Dec. 13 on East Johnson Street, follows suit with pizzas such as Piggly Figgly and Heatonism Bot. Pair whimsically named menu items with excellent ingredients, recipes and technique, and Dilba’s nailed it. He spent about 18 months perfecting Detroit-style pizza in his home kitchen before opening the restaurant.
Dane County Sheriff's Office identifies man, 25, who drowned in Lake Monona

1 week ago | madison.com | Samara Kalk Derby

The Dane County Sheriff’s Office has identified the man who drowned in Lake Monona on May 16 as 25-year-old Collin Smith. The Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office gave Madison as Smith’s hometown, and a statement from his family said he was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. Smith was one of four boaters sailing in windy weather that Friday evening when their boat overturned, casting all aboard into the water.
Take a look inside the former Smart Studios and the home it is today

1 week ago | madison.com | Samara Kalk Derby

Neka Allen wasn't a big music fan in 2021 when she bought the building that once housed Madison's famed Smart Studios. But that changed after Allen, 39, used her interior design background to overhaul the former recording studio once owned by Butch Vig and Steve Marker of the band Garbage.
Dane County Sheriff's Office identifies man, 25, who drowned in Lake Monona

1 week ago | madison.com | Samara Kalk Derby

The Dane County Sheriff's Office has identified the man who drowned in Lake Monona on May 16 as 25-year-old Collin Smith. The Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office gave Madison as Smith's hometown, but the statement from his family said he was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. Smith was one of four boaters sailing in windy weather that Friday evening when their boat overturned, casting all aboard into the water.
Don't fear The Feiring

2 weeks ago | madison.com | Samara Kalk Derby

Ryan Milton, who opened The Feiring in Stoughton on Dec. 31, is a former high school science teacher with a distinguished history of working in Madison kitchens. He considers Peppino Gargano of the former Peppino’s in Downtown Madison his mentor. “Peppino says, ‘Ryan, my boy, never, ever, ever open a restaurant.’ He said, ‘Ryan, you’re too smart.’” Then he said, “But if you do open a restaurant, make sure you own the building.
Sessions at McPike Park concert series moving to new location this summer

2 weeks ago | madison.com | Samara Kalk Derby

Sessions at McPike Park is moving to the Garver Feed Mill on Madison’s East Side for this summer’s festival, June 19-22. The 12-year-old concert series had its 2020 event at Garver during the pandemic but has otherwise been at McPike on Madison’s Near East Side. Bob Queen started the world music series in 2012 as Central Park Sessions before the park was renamed in 2018 after the late, longtime East High School Principal Milt McPike.
Mail carrier in the 53703 zip code talks about rain, cold, dogs, foot pain

2 weeks ago | madison.com | Samara Kalk Derby

Despite rain, snow, heat, foot pain and biting dogs, Ryan Buske said he’s loved his 20 years as a United States Postal Service carrier. “I was so happy to get the job,” Buske, 48, said.
Search for missing boater on Lake Monona continues

2 weeks ago | madison.com | Samara Kalk Derby

The search for a missing boater continued Sunday on Lake Monona after a sailboat carrying four people overturned in the middle of the lake Friday night. Sgt. Kyle Keller, of the Dane County Sheriff's Office, said the search halted around 7 p.m. with no results. It will resume Monday. Keller said the person they are searching for is an adult male, but he didn't know his age or whether he's from Madison.
One & Only restaurant on Madison's Near West Side closing

3 weeks ago | madison.com | Samara Kalk Derby

One & Only restaurant on Madison's Near West Side is closing after about two years, and its co-owner said he can't understand why it didn't succeed. "I couldn't be more baffled," said Tim Thompson, who owns the upscale restaurant at 1923 Monroe St. with his former wife, Stephani Dalbesio, and three other partners. "It's 100% a demand issue."Thompson, who has four other restaurants in the Madison area and one in Belize, said he wishes he knew why the restaurant couldn't make it.
Ha Long Bay reopens on Williamson Street after a year

3 weeks ago | madison.com | Samara Kalk Derby

Ha Long Bay, the popular southeast Asian restaurant on Madison's Near East Side, has reopened after being closed for about a year. Customers were able to see the restaurant's new look when sisters Jacqueline and Stephanie Le opened the transformed dining room, which is brighter, more modern and airy, and has a new elegant bar in front. The updated look features light green banquettes, blonde wood chairs, natural, but stylish, light fixtures, and cheerful floor tile around the bar.