{"id":521279,"date":"2026-03-13T14:24:07","date_gmt":"2026-03-13T14:24:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/521279\/"},"modified":"2026-03-13T14:24:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-13T14:24:07","slug":"pasquals-in-verona-closing-easter-treats-and-a-new-nba-record-entertainment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/521279\/","title":{"rendered":"Pasqual’s in Verona closing, Easter treats, and a new NBA record | Entertainment"},"content":{"rendered":"

Editor’s note: Below is the Thursday, March 12 edition of the Food & Culture newsletter, though without the “Dinner for Two” restaurant review feature, which is exclusive to the newsletter.\u00a0If you want to receive it in your email inbox every Thursday (it’s free!), subscribe at\u00a0captimes.com\/newsletters<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A historic night<\/p>\n

By Ashley Rodriguez<\/a>, features reporter<\/p>\n

Hello!\u00a0<\/p>\n

I know every time I take over this newsletter for Lindsay \u2014 she\u2019s in Atlanta this weekend on vacation \u2014 I talk about basketball. This week, I promised myself, \u201cNo basketball talk.\u201d (It helps that the Bucks stink right now.)<\/p>\n

And then Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo scored 83 points in a game on Tuesday against the Washington Wizards. He now holds the second-highest record for points scored in a game, second only to Wilt Chamberlain.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard not to be charmed by this accomplishment. Along with being absolutely astounding (some 15-person teams don\u2019t score 83 points collectively in a game), in attendance were Adebayo\u2019s mom and his girlfriend, A\u2019ja Wilson, a four-time WNBA MVP and one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Here\u2019s a supercut of every basket he scored<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Wizards<\/p>\n

Bam Adebayo, right, of the Miami Heat scored 83 points in a game against the Washington Wizards on March 10. He now holds the record for the second-highest scoring game after Wilt Chamberlain.<\/p>\n

Rebecca Blackwell \/ AP News<\/p>\n

But what\u2019s especially charming to me is the picture players traditionally take after a high-scoring game. Chamberlain\u2019s game wasn\u2019t recorded, so the picture of him holding a paper with \u201c100\u201d written on it has become the signature image of his historic game. Players mimic this photo style after an unusually high-scoring game, and I\u2019m obsessed with Adebayo\u2019s snap<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been thinking a lot about accomplishments, especially after writing a piece on Porta Bella<\/a>, one of Madison\u2019s oldest Italian restaurants. The spot closed on Feb. 28, and was the site of many dates, proposals and marriages.<\/p>\n

Even though its doors are closed, the space meant a lot to people in Madison and became a city institution, an accomplishment in its own right. I got a bevy of emails asking what would happen to many of the beautiful items inside. The restaurant posted information about an auction of key items on its Facebook page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve been glued to my television for every mixed doubles wheelchair curling match because two of the players, Steve Emt and Laura Dwyer, practice at the Madison Curling Club. I profiled the duo last month<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Steve<\/p>\n

Laura Dwyer steadies wheelchair curling partner Steve Emt as he prepares to throw a stone during a practice game in February at the Madison Curling Club.\u00a0<\/p>\n

ASHLEY RODRIGUEZ<\/p>\n

These two are captivating to watch. They\u2019re mic-ed up for most games and are known for being incredibly direct with each other, a trait Emt said makes them great partners. They reached the semifinals and just missed out on a bronze medal in a thrilling game that went into an extra end against Latvia. They already have their focus set on the 2030 Games<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This weekend, I\u2019m going to try to go to Milwaukee and go thrift shopping. My corner of Madison on the east side has become a haven for thrift stores<\/a>, but I\u2019m excited to take a day trip and get out of the city.<\/p>\n

What we’re reading<\/p>\n

Weekly reading recommendations from Lindsay Christians<\/a> and\u00a0Beck Henreckson<\/a><\/p>\n

A literary scholar in 2113 Britain looks back on a pivotal literary dinner party in Ian McEwan\u2019s 2025 novel, \u201cWhat We Can Know.\u201d It\u2019s been slow getting into this novel, set between times as it is, with a focus on a type of poem called a corona. I\u2019ve been told this gets juicier, and I\u2019m ready for it. \u2014 Lindsay<\/a><\/p>\n

Sick at home cuddling with my cat seemed like the perfect time to read \u201cIf Cats Disappeared from the World,\u201d by Japanese author Genki Kawamura. Featuring a devil who wears Hawaiian shirts, a kitty named Cabbage, and a terminally ill protagonist who can extend his life only by choosing one thing to permanently remove from the world each day he remains in it, this 2012 novel is unexpectedly thoughtful and heartfelt. \u2014\u00a0Beck<\/a><\/p>\n

Restaurant news<\/p>\n

The Cross Plains location of Vintage Brewing Co. has announced that it will close on March 29 after being open about 18 months. \u201cAs Vintage continues to grow and new opportunities take shape, we need to focus our time, energy and team on the next chapter of our company,\u201d the restaurant posted on Instagram<\/a>. Vintage has locations in Sauk City, on Whitney Way on Madison\u2019s west side and East Washington Avenue.<\/p>\n

\"Vintage<\/p>\n

Vintage Brewing Company.<\/p>\n

JOHN HART<\/p>\n

After 23 years, Pasqual\u2019s Cantina in Verona is closing, owner Ben Roberts announced on Instagram on Thursday<\/a>. \u201cAs I inch closer to \u2018retirement\u2019 from the restaurant business, I have made the decision to close the doors of Pasqual\u2019s in Verona,\u201d Roberts wrote. The restaurant\u2019s last day will be March 19, but Roberts encouraged people to keep visiting the Middleton location.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Recent obsessions<\/p>\n

The Milwaukee Art Museum is so much better than it needs to be. I have favorite pieces I like to visit, like Beth Lipman\u2019s table full of welded, melded glass<\/a> and a blurry beauty called \u201cBreath<\/a> (Atem)\u201d by Gerhard Richter. I\u2019m also drawn to the furniture. On a recent trip, I learned that many Tiffany lamps were designed by a woman, Clara Discroll, who didn\u2019t receive credit for her contributions until decades after she died. \u2014 Lindsay<\/p>\n

\"_X5A0367.jpg\"<\/p>\n

At Double 10 Mini Hot Pot, menus are laminated, and you use a dry-erase marker to check off your choices, including add-ons.<\/p>\n

ASHLEY RODRIGUEZ<\/p>\n

It\u2019s time to preorder sweets for Easter Sunday, if you celebrate. I\u2019m eyeing this chocolate peanut butter freezer tart from Bloom Bake Shop. I also just had a fantastic opera cake at Le Reve P\u00e2tisserie & Caf\u00e9 in Wauwatosa, and I love that classic coffee\/chocolate combo. If you have a confirmed lead on opera cake in Madison, share it? \u2014 Lindsay<\/p>\n

Ashley Rodriguez<\/a> is the Madison culture reporter for the Cap Times. Ashley covers entertainment, cultural events, public art, restaurants, unique local businesses, neighborhoods and trends, among other features. Email story ideas and tips to adrodriguez@captimes.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Please consider supporting Ahsley’s work by becoming a\u00a0Cap Times member<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0sponsor<\/a>. Sustaining local journalism in Madison depends on readers like you.<\/p>\n