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play around town Get Outta Town Soup's On! As the weather cools, Habitat for Humanity of Dane County's UW-Madison Chapter is heating things up in the kitchen for Take a closer look at the world behind a Wisconsin tradition Th ere's nothing more Wisconsin than cheese, and there's no better way to enjoy the products of our dairy state than taking a tour of an area cheese factory. Here are four great options to try. Carr Valley Cheese Factory and Retail Store La Valle, Wis. (60 miles from Madison) Enjoy a free, self-guided tour to see a cheddar wheel made the old-fashioned way and much more. Th e best part? Cheese curd samples. Mmm. Visit carrvalleycheese.com. Cedar Grove Cheese Plain, Wis. (about 40 miles from Madison) Th eir tours don't just show you the cheese, they also teach the art and history of its creation and the economics of an industry integral to the state. Visit my.execpc.com/~cgcheese. the 16th year. It's the annual Souper Bowl fundraiser, a chance to sip and slurp your way to helping those in need of a home. For $15, select a handmade soup bowl to take home, but before you leave be sure to fi ll it to the brim with delicious soups and other fi ne foods. It's a feel-good—and good tast- ing—event. Saturday, Feb. 4, 2-8 p.m. Madison West High School, Madison; uwhabitat.org. Great Causes, Great Events On Feb. 4, don't miss the annual Frostiball gala benefi tting Downtown Madison, Inc. (downtownmadison.org). Mid-month, the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County hosts Hearts for Helping, a tasting of Wisconsin wines and cheeses, on Feb. 17 (bgcdc.org). Then wrap it all up Feb. 18 with Green Bay Packers great Bart Starr for the "Get in the Game" gala benefi tting the American Family Children's Hospital (friendsofuwhc.org). Decatur Dairy Brodhead, Wis. (40 miles from Madison) A co-op factory for Beloit-area dairy farmers offers pre-arranged tours to see how award-winning cheeses are produced and get a behind-the-scenes look at a new store opening this spring. Visit decatur- dairy.com. Widmer's Cheese Cellars Theresa, Wis. (60 miles from Madison) You won't fi nd a tour more authentic than this. Join a third-generation cheese maker in exploring the brick-pressed process of creating cheese these artisans have followed since 1922. Visit widmerscheese.com. Bluephies From original creations such as dessert sushi to American classics, you're sure to satisfy your sweet tooth at this upscale café. 2701 Monroe St., Madison; bluephies.com Head Out: Sweeten any evening by stepping out for an after-dinner treat Graze Fresco Drop by to explore a dessert menu offering classics with tasty seasonal twists, includ- ing carrot cake whoopie pie or apple pie crème brulée. 227 State St., Madison; frescomadison.com Chill out with a menu featur- ing cakes and pies topped with homemade ice cream or custard, then warm up with a selection of hot drinks. 1 S. Pinckney St., Madison; grazemadison.com L'Etoile Puddings, sorbets and crèmes take on a new life with fl avorful pairings that almost make a meal in themselves. 1 S. Pinckney St., Madison; letoile-restaurant.com Samba Brazilian Grill A menu full of Brazilian fl air includes fl an, creams and fruits—making an after- dinner experience not to be missed. 240 W. Gilman St., Madison; sambabraziliangrill.com 64 BRAVA Magazine February 2012