Check out a new-and-improved fish stick dish, shake up your morning beverage routine and cheer on your local sports overshadowed by basketball fever. We have, and now we're recommending them to you in this week's OnMilwaukee.com Recommends.

Almond-crusted catfish sticks from St. Francis Brewery and Restaurant – Recently, while interviewing a bartender for an upcoming profile, I ordered the catfish sticks appetizer, which comes six per order, because I thought they would pair deliciously with my my amber ale. Turns out, they exceeded my expectations being that they were very crispy outside and yet really moist on the inside.The breading had a twinge of sweetness, thanks to the almonds, and the sides of coleslaw and chipotle aioli were both good, too. I liked that they were more "strips" than "sticks" and that they weren't too fishy tasting. It's rare that I indulge in fried food, and often when I do I'm disappointed and feel like it was a waste of a splurge. These, however, did not disappoint. – Molly Snyder

Milwaukee sports – Well, the Final Four starts next weekend, but at this point there isn't much left to watch. That said, you can get through the "dead" period here before baseball starts with a week full of home games for Milwaukee teams. If you've got a few bucks in your pocket, you could see the Bucks on Tuesday, Admirals on Wednesday, the Mustangs home opener on Thursday, the Admirals again on Friday and the Bucks on Saturday. What makes this so exciting is that the Bucks and Admirals have been on the road quite a bit for the month, and both teams are involved in heated playoff races. – Jim Owczarski

MasterWriter – The MasterWriter software program, crammed full of reference dictionaries and writing tools is perfect for dabblers, amateurs and seasoned pros. There are two versions of MasterWriter: one for creative writers and another for poets/songwriters. The features are basically the same on both programs with the exception of a very handy "Songuard" feature on the Songwriter version, which is an online, date-of-creation song registration service. This element allows songwriters to send their songs and audio tracks to MasterWriter and get a date stamp and digital signature should a user become involved in a legal dispute over authorship of a song. MasterWriter then can provide this documentation to the writer for a fee. I have been using the free trial of the Creative Version available online. The program feels like an interactive writing workshop with features that stimulate thoughts and push you beyond your encapsulated ideas into new inspirational territory. Check out the demo to see for yourself and become a ... MasterWriter! – Lindsay Garric

The Muppets – The new Muppets movie is now available for downloading and on DVD, and I'm highly recommending that you see it. I reviewed it when it was released, and can't wait to see it again.  The plot’s built around the reset of the Muppet franchise and even if you don’t know the characters, it’s fine viewing for kids and adults.  Just sit back, in the comfort of your home, and bask in the simplicity and silliness of Kermit and company. – Jeff Sherman

Lakefront Brewery Fuel Cafe Stout – Combining the alcoholic joy of beer and the flavorful bite of coffee, Lakefront's Fuel Cafe is my latest rediscovered favorite. It's great all on its own, but the complements are endless if you're drinking it with a meal. Try one with breakfast when a Bloody Mary just won't do, or enjoy one alongside dessert after dinner. Even better, get creative and make this rich brew its own dessert (Fuel Cafe floats, anyone?). – Renee Lorenz 

Smoked salmon on a stick – Snacking is important to maintaining a healthy life. But healthy snacking that also tastes good does not come easy. That's why the St. Paul Fish Market in the Public Market downtown has become a must-stop place on my travels. They offer a wonderful smoked salmon on a stick that is the perfect snack. The salmon doesn't chew up easily so you've got to keep chewing awhile, a must for a great snack. They come in three flavors, smoked, cajun and my favorite, teryaki. They are a tad pricy at $3.95 per stick, but you don't eat nearly as many of these as you do of Cheetos, so it's well worth it. A great snack that tastes good and is healthy. Can't be beat. – Dave Begel