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Fairchild

4.7 (170 reviews)
PriceySeafood, Bars, Italian
Open • 4:00 pm - 9:00 PM
Updated 3 months ago

Fairchild Photos

Business Info

FAIRCHILD ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Trendy
Classy
Upscale
Dressy

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Recommended Reviews - Fairchild

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Reviews With Photos

Delicious white fish
Jamie F.

This was one of the best dining experiences I have had in Madison! Fantastic atmosphere Exceptional service Amazing food Highly accommodating for dietary needs They went above and beyond to make this a special occasion to celebrate my wife's birthday. Well worth every penny!!! The trumpet mushroom appetizer= chef kiss! I had no idea you could make mushrooms taste so absolutely delicious. I have been dreaming about them now for weeks. James Beard award winning chefs. Yeah, I can see why! Oh, I can't forget to mention the deviled eggs are simple but some of the best I have had. They are just done to perfection. Well done

Bar Menu
Eric B.

Great experience - there were for of dining so we had two different past a dishes, swordfish, and pork tenderloin... as well as several sides. This was by far one of the best fine-dining experiences I've had in Madison. The attention to detail from service to taster to presentation was outstanding. I'm generally hesitant to order swordfish in the Midwest, if even at all as if it's not properly prepared or fresh it can be off-putting. This was perfectly cooked, moist and tender. The bold flavors accompanying the fish were not at all overpowering, rather very much enhancing and complimentary. My understanding is they have a rotating menu and I look forward to my next visit.

Salmon
Olivia M.

Love the ambiance of Fairchild. Lighting is perfect and this restaurant's interior nails something so many restaurants simply don't in the Madison area. It's an enjoyable, cozy atmosphere to settle into for an evening of great food. Came here for my birthday dinner last November and it was amazing. Still thinking about it! Server was incredibly knowledgeable of the menu, cooking methods, and ingredients used. Highly recommend any of the shareable items. Oysters were delicious. Salmon was perfectly cooked, as were the accompanying seasonal vegetables. I think we ordered one each of the desserts -- which were also all very good. Budino and apple pie were very good.

Cocktails - Dragon's Knees & Heat Wave
Mitchell V.

- Waitress was attentive, other staff was great at supporting - Appetizer portions were sized for two people, entree portion sizes were good - Smaller interior than expected, but made it feel more intimate - Great for date nights

Rhoda S.

The food was good. The flavor was interesting. I had never had swordfish but it was tasty with the toppings. Bathroom floor was a little sus. It was such a small place that the noise level was high. However, I enjoyed my time.

Fettuccine with clams
MaryDan H.

Loved the menu options around Christmas: Lobster Bisque and Fettuccine with Clams. Both were done extremely well--creamy and rich with fresh morsels of seafood. So very satisfying. Yum!

Apple cake for 2
Laura M.

I've been wanting to come here for a while, and I'm glad my sister and I finally made the trip. This restaurant certainly earns its reputation, and you'll definitely need a reservation. There is a great wine list to choose from, and although I went with wine, their cocktail list also looked fantastic. I ordered the New York strip, which was cooked perfectly and was delicious. Although it did come with a side, I also ordered the green barn broccoli, which was superb. My sister got the 7 seeds chicken, which she thought was excellent. We opted for dessert to share - the apple cake, which is served on a skillet with ice cream atop. It was amazing! I wish I hadn't been so full from the rest of the meal, because this was simply delightful and a plentiful portion. Overall, the price is on the higher side, but for the quality of food and service, it makes sense. This restaurant would make for a perfect date spot. Our server was very friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. I definitely hope to come back.

Sam S.

Small cozy atmosphere. The staff was very attentive and kind! All of the food we tried was great and portions were good with the exception of the tartare. It was one bite each, but very very tasty! We went for our anniversary and would definitely come back

Salmon
Johanna E.

Went here for a birthday and had a great experience. The service was attentive and the atmosphere was perfect for a celebration. The Snowdrift and Manhattan were both excellent. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The broccolini paired well with the salmon and the steak with potatoes and onion was full of flavor. We also tried a special appetizer that was unique and made for some great bites. Overall, a wonderful spot for a special night out.

Stuffed morel mushroom

Food was incredible. Like, one of the best restaurants I've been to lately. We had the crudo, stuffed morels, cappelletti, and cucumbers side. Everything was stunning. On top of it, the service was great. No rush, clean plates, and much consideration. Would go again and again.

Beef tartare
Ellena K.

Fairchild always exceeds my expectations! As soon as you step inside, the cozy lighting and modern decor set the perfect vibe for a nice night out. The menu is a showcase of creativity, beautifully presented and delicious. The Shishido peppers and beef tartare are my favorite. The drinks were great too! We loved the old fashioned. Equally noteworthy was the quality of the service. Our server was attentive without being intrusive, and made our birthday celebration wonderful. I already can't wait to go back! Highly recommend taking an out-of-town visitor to give them a taste of Madison's dining and locally sourced ingredients

Beverage menu July 2024
Andrea Z.

Visited on a Saturday around 6pm solo, was able to snag a seat at the bar without a reservation. The restaurant was fairly busy, most guests had a reservation and a slight wait before their table was ready, if coming as a group would recommend booking a spot but there were seats at the bar available for the majority of the evening. Drinks: sumac lemonade - really light and refreshing a great cocktail to start the meal, tart and tangy with a slight sweetness, throughly enjoyed Food: PEI mussels - delicious, creamy rich lightly spiced saffron broth with savory meaty chunks of chorizo, mussels were well clean and cooked, potatoes added a little bit of heartiness, came with a slice of grilled bread to soak up the broth wish there was more bread for this Shishito peppers with yuzu kosho mayo - a nice veggie option, pepper were lightly sauteed with a slight char, served on a bed of the mayo which added a subtle citrus spice, would have preferred to dip personally but still enjoyed this overall Serving was great, really attentive staff dispute how busy the restaurant and bar was. Friendly, warm and welcoming, water was refilled regularly and staff checked in throughout the meal. Overall a great spot for a more upscale dinner in Madison, menu is new American with some global influences, if the mussels are on the menu menu order them!

Grilled pink moon oysters
Sandy N.

My husband and I recently celebrated our anniversary in Madison, and we ended the day at Fairchild. We both agreed it was the best meal of 2024 so far. The freshness of Fairchild's offerings and the seasonal flavors were truly delightful. To start, Fairchild welcomed us with two glasses of bubbles to celebrate. They recommended a dish from each category, but we decided to freestyle our choices. Here's what we ordered, in order of our favorites: Hudson Valley Foie Gras: I am still thinking about this dish--a taste of heaven. The foie gras ice cream was chef's kiss! Seven Seeds Pork Trotter: Please give me the recipe for the nuoc cham! Excellent balance of flavors and so savory. Hamachi: Refreshing and perfectly balanced. Peterman Craftsman Steak Tartare: A fun bite, though I think I prefer the traditional serving. Strawberry Rhubarb Panna Cotta: The perfect light yet flavorful ending. Grilled Pink Moon Oysters: One word--plump. Triangoli: I was yearning for more of that bone marrow flavor, but overall, a safe dish. We left this very memorable dinner feeling comfortable and happy. I can't wait to bring my girlfriends here for our next UW Madison reunion!

Current menu

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1 year ago

Wonderful service and creative food, celebrated our son's wedding there and could not have chosen a more special place.

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Ask the Community - Fairchild

Do they ever have vegan options?

Definitely vegetarian, not sure about vegan

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Sgd Dubu - Beef Bulgogi

Sgd Dubu

4.1(16 reviews)
2.1 mi•State-Langdon, Capitol

What a great taste of Korean food. Is it the absolute best you're ever going to have, no, but is it…read morethe best in Madison, very likely. I grew up with alot of Korean friends and frequented their homes for after school dinner and it may be that I've been in Madison too long, but this brought me back to it. The aesthetic of the space, the cleanliness, the attentiveness of the employees and honestly, the simplicity of the menu. Here is what we do, we're going to do it well and you're going to be full at the end, which is what I got. I think the prices are fair and you can easily go home with leftovers. Personally, I got an order of the Kimchi with Beef spicy tofu soup with a side of Kalguksu noodles - which is a must. The banchans (complementary side dishes) came out quickly and were fresh and flavorful. It could have used a little more sesame oil in my opinion, but overall was a great start. The tofu soup came out shortly after with a large heaping of noodles. It was boiling hot so I added my egg, which cooked while the dish also cooled down. Once cooled, my first bite was exactly what I wanted. Spicy, flavorful, umami broth with lots of strips of beef and tofu. Adding in some noodles or using chopsticks to dip and eat was prime and this meal hit the spot. I finished about half of the soup and noodles, then packaged it to eat for lunch the next day, which protip, sometimes makes the broth even more flavorful and better to eat. I think this is a great taste of Korean food, the best in Madison and will definitely be back on a cold day. Happy Eating!

Gave this place a try after the hype that I have heard and was not disappointed. Their Soondubu…read moreJjigae is definitely a must-try. I enjoyed the soft tofu and flavors from it, and honestly each dish had its own unique character to it. My only wishes would be that the Seafood Pancake to have a more crispy texture and for the Bibimbap (Beef) to have a little more meat to it. The staff members were very kind and made sure our table was well taken care of. The restaurant was very clean, but the only other complaint I would have is that there was no A/C on, and the door was left open to allow for airflow, causing a lot of smoke from outside to come into the restaurant (tobacco smell). Otherwise, I was satisfied with everything else. Each dish was full of impactful flavor, and I can understand why SGD has its hype!

Photos
Sgd Dubu - Beautiful space.

Beautiful space.

Sgd Dubu - Beef bulgogi bento box

Beef bulgogi bento box

Sgd Dubu - Fried dumplings

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Fried dumplings

Cadre Restaurant - Beef Bourguignon

Cadre Restaurant

4.4(112 reviews)
1.0 mi•Regent
•$$

Creative French food, rotating between regions, really done perfectly. Amazing happy hour, great…read morebeer & cocktail selections. Nice outdoor patio!

We loved the ambiance, but unfortunately the rest of the experience fell short…read more We chose to sit at the bar and told the bartender it was our first time dining there. We were hoping for a little guidance or enthusiasm about the menu, but she never really talked about the food. When we asked what she recommended, her response was simply, "Snapper." Every question we asked was met with very short, one word answers. She wasn't busy. She just seemed completely uninterested. Having worked in restaurants for most of my life, I know hospitality is about creating an experience. Bartenders are representing the restaurant and helping guests feel excited about the menu. If this were my restaurant, I would be disappointed by that level of service. The food itself was just okay. The presentation was beautiful and definitely deserving of five stars, but the flavor did not live up to how impressive it looked. After reading other Yelp reviews, we also realized a 20% gratuity had already been added for our party of two. We did not notice it at the time and tipped on top of it. While that was our oversight, it made the experience even more disappointing given the lackluster service. This was our first meal on our first visit to Madison, and we were really looking forward to it. Sadly, the overall experience did not meet our expectations. I will say that our first encounter was with the hostess, and she was very friendly. She welcomed us warmly, thanked us for coming, and even made a point to tell us goodbye on our way out. She was a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing experience. Great dining is about more than just the food. It is about the entire experience, and this one missed the mark.

Photos
Cadre Restaurant - View from the bar

View from the bar

Cadre Restaurant
Cadre Restaurant - Front desk is far into the restaurant

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Front desk is far into the restaurant

Lombardinos Italian Restaurant and Bar - Pizza

Lombardinos Italian Restaurant and Bar

4.0(320 reviews)
1.0 mi•Regent
•$$

I can't say enough good things about this experience…read more We have wanted to try Lombardinos Italian Restaurant ever since moving to the Madison area decades ago. Can't believe we put it off this long--what an amazing treat we've been missing all those years! This was one of those rare restaurant experiences that was truly excellent from start to finish. --Cocktails (Negroni and bourbon old fashioned)--YUM! Exactly what we want in an authentic Italian restaurant. REAL drinks, no fruity watered-down imitation cocktails here. --Appetizer (local beet salad, a special that night)--great, and we don't even usually love beets, but this salad was just right. --Entrees (half chicken Al Mattone, pappardelle with ragu toscano)--both excellent. The chicken was tender and juicy and had a wonderful seasoning (not exactly sure what all was in it, but it was delicious). The pasta and sauce were excellent, tasty and filling but not overly heavy. --Dessert (which we don't usually get; chocolate nemesis cake, butterscotch pudding)--both amazing. I don't think I've ever had a better chocolate dessert, and believe me, that's saying something (I love chocolate)! --The glass of red wine I had with dinner was a new one to me and was very tasty (Corvina, Cabernet and Merlot blend "Alanero"- Zenato 2022, Venuto). --Servers were all friendly, helpful with great recommendations, prompt but did not rush us at all, despite the place being packed by 5:30pm. --The atmosphere is authentic, feels "old school," cozy and welcoming. --One caution--get there early. They don't take reservations. We got there around 5:10pm on a Friday and were seated right away, but every table was completely full by 5:30pm. Also, parking is a bit limited (small lot beside the building), so you may have to park on the street and walk a block or two. But it will be WELL worth the walk and any wait you have (get one of their amazing cocktails and wait at the beautiful wooden bar)! Again, I can't say enough good things about this experience. It took us decades to finally get here, but we'll be back very soon.

They were super busy, so service was a little bit slower. Our server was super friendly and got all…read moreof our orders correct. The mushroom pasta dish (tagliatelle) was definitely the stand out of our meal. While the budino was delicious, I didn't get the butterscotch flavors as it was noted in the menu. It almost tasted more like pumpkin and cinnamon. Warm fresh bread and the traditional cesear salad were delicious. I really liked my white sangria but my husband didn't care for his barrel aged Negroni. Love the tiles behind the bar and the history of this classic place.

Photos
Lombardinos Italian Restaurant and Bar - Bar area. Note: I edited out anyone who I could see their faces so some areas of the photo look a little strange.

Bar area. Note: I edited out anyone who I could see their faces so some areas of the photo look a little strange.

Lombardinos Italian Restaurant and Bar - Eggplant Napoletana

Eggplant Napoletana

Lombardinos Italian Restaurant and Bar - Special gin drink

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Special gin drink

Fairchild - seafood - Updated November 2026

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