Fairchild

My daughter took me here while visiting from DC/Virginia. Server was fantastic. Burgers were…read moreamazing. Great service with Winconsin hospitality. I'll definitely go back next time I visit!!

Big fan of this place for a hang out spot with friends. It's a classic bar with a great grill and…read morelots of food options. The pours at the bar are HUGE and the food is made to order and can take some time. The clear thing to order is the burger. They have plenty of winning burgers that they showcase but they are layered with a lot. I think the best way to try a place is with a classic. So we for a bacon cheeseburger and a walleye fish fry since it was Friday. The bacon cheese burger came with the most bacon I have ever seen on a burger. Dare I say too much bacon. The burger itself was a little dry but all together kind of worked. The fish fry wasn't very meaty but the coleslaw and fries were good. Overall, solid place but it's not going to be the best food ever. It's a good place to start with friends then head downtown as the prices were super reasonable and the service was top notch. I'd round to a 3.5 if I could.

Bar and food prep

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Pitcher's Pub

3.5(39 reviews)

2.5 mi

So...A time was had the night our family gathered here to celebrate our cousin closing on his first…read morehouse. We throughly enjoyed ourselves. Pitcher's Pub staff were very interactive with our group. Had a few laughs and banter with the Barnstable. Bar food was excellent. I think with so many of us, we practically ordered at least 1 of each item off the menu, but to mention the drink specials. We had 3 pool tables sowed up in this group. Outside smoking area still allowed us to not miss what was going on in the group. Overall we had a blast. Thanks Pitcher's Pub for hosting my family.

I must admit i have passed Pitcher's a million times and never stopped in-until today. Yes, the…read moreexterior isn't the most welcoming but I was completely shocked on how larger the inside is. Chock full with pool tables, dart boards and foosball tables, it is a gamer's paradise. Plenty of seating and the bar itself is expansive. With a small kitchen and grill and a solid tap lis (including swampwaters on tap, t, it checks off all the criteria for a dive bar (which is a good thing). On a recent afternoon, I stopped in for lunch. There were plenty of regulars dining and drinking when I arrived around 12:30. During the week, they have a $7 burger and fry lunch special. It was very good. While not fancy, the 1/4 lb burger was chargrilled and tasty. My beer battered fries hot and crispy. A tremendous bargain. A great bar tucked away in an inconspicuous setting. By the way, the swampwaters pack a punch so go easy on them! I will be back.

All the darts

Tacos Special

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Dont judge a book by its cover

The Mason Lounge

4.5(80 reviews)

1.4 mi•Greenbush

i love the vibes inside this bar. it's retro, quiet, beautiful and playful. they always have a…read moregreat selection of draft beers, and the bartender always offers a tasting beforehand. the price of drinks are on the heftier side but i don't mind it because the ambience is so excellent in there. a nice bar if you like a place that's calmer and quiet so you can have a conversation with your buddies.

I've heard people rave about The Mason, and it took me far too long to finally come in here, and it…read morewas honestly entirely by accident. I was supposed to be meeting a group elsewhere nearby when our original place closed without warning. So we headed to The Mason and it was a delightful experience. It was very busy with one bartender, so it took awhile to get your drinks, but they were still well made and the bartender was very friendly. It's a small place so it can get loud when busy, but our group had a great time and we enjoyed the place. It is a dark, neighborhood type vibe. And the sealing the deal of the 5th star for this place is that they were dog friendly. My pup had a great time getting pets from customers. Great find!

Tamara C and Corey D debating the merits of the #YelpPizzaBracket slicetestants. Photo bomb courtesy of Bryce G.

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Leopold’s Book Bar & Cafe

4.5(101 reviews)

1.2 mi•Greenbush

Hands down one of my favorite coffee shops I've been to, and it's combined with a store selling one…read moreof my favorite pastimes, a book store. The decor is super cool and vibe-y. I wish I had stopped by later in the day for cocktails - but for now, we were here with a desperate need for coffee. There were so many cool options in the menu like the Red Bean Matcha Latte, the Fig Apple Chaider or the Ca Phe Sua Da. But of course, I had to order the Pandan Iced Latte. I absolutely loved the nuttiness of the Pandan in a latte - I'm just surprised more coffee shops don't offer it. And the perfect offset to it was the Ca Phe Sua Da, or Vietnamese Iced Coffee. It wasn't as mind blowing, but still tasty. Next time I'm in Madison, I'm definitely stopping through for some cocktails!

We really enjoy the trendy vibe of Leopoldo's and if you hit em at happy hour they have featured…read moreand discounted craft cocktails. We ordered oyster and cocktails this stop and everything was so delicious. Friendly and attentive service and the aesthetic couldn't be cooler. Who doesn't love a bookstore.

Vietnamese Iced Coffee (Ca Phe Sua Da) and Pandan Iced Latte @tiffhuangry

Unique espresso machine!

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Bookstore

Rustic Tavern

3.7(9 reviews)

1.4 mi•Greenbush

Pleasantly surprised. Read the name and that's exactly what you get. Good sized inside, reasonable…read moredrink prices and the bartender we dealt with was great. We play in a dart league there some nights so while somewhat forced to visit last night I would surely come back. I like the "old" feel it has. It doesn't breach dated, no that's not what I mean by old. Its a nice neighborhood bar. Perfect place to come and just hang out on a weekday after work.

Oh hi, divey small-town Wisconsin bar in the middle of Park Street! Overlooked with its…read morenon-gentrified exterior, it's next to the Pizza Hut and down the street from the Mason Lounge and Falbo Bros. The inside features wood paneling, ESPN-tuned TVs, and a few games. The bar has a small selection of taps, liquor, Old Dutch potato chips, and packs of cigarettes, despite the smoking ban. As would be expected, the drinks are cheap: two Spotted Cows and a PBR tallboy came to $9.25. The bartender, Ben, was great, doling out the appropriate mix of sarcasm and friendliness, and by the end of the night had offered to take me to a Brewers game and invited the entire group over for dinner. Said a friend, "Now THAT is a bartender."

Dart league

The Brown Derby and the Lavender Lemonade at you'd truly ....The Cordial aka the Rustic Tavern

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Classic! (That's startender Jim)

The Robin Room

4.6(82 reviews)

3.1 mi•Tenney - Lapham

Bartenders were very nice and helpful - they accommodated our large party on a Sunday night! Great…read moreambience and great drinks!!

I love ROBIN ROOM! I was on a trip out of the states a few weeks ago, and all I could think about…read moreeach time I ordered a drink abroad, were the artisans behind the bar at RR. Their expertise is unmatched, if you're searching for a well balanced cocktail this is the place. They're knowledgeable, welcoming, and always willing to try something different, which is something I highly value about Robin Room.

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Madison Labor Temple Lounge

4.0(5 reviews)

1.7 mi•Bay Creek

Layla's food here is excellent. We went here for dinner last Saturday and had a wonderful Brazilian…read moreinspired meal. The lamb was really tender and flavorful, the rice and beans were really tasty, the cheese bites were nice and chewy, and the hearts of palm and avocado salad was probably my favorite part of the meal. This is a nice small neighborhood spot for drinks. I love the labor friendly atmosphere. They also have delicious fries and other bar foods available. The drinks are incredibly affordable too and the bartender was really friendly. Will definitely be back for a Friday fish fry!

Came to watch the first gubernatorial debate last week and figured I'd get dinner too since I knew…read moreLayla had taken over as chef and she's kind of a local celebrity. I've read good things about the non-traditional dishes she's introduced here, but the Friday night fish fry that week was a miss. The fish was large but not very tasteful. The beer batter taste was unmistakable but underwhelming. The tartar sauce was also disappointing and fairly bland, not thick and tart. Sadly they didn't have any malt vinegar either. The fries were a bit better but still average at best. Maybe I just had a miss because I remember Layla's Persian Food as not gourmet but home-cooked goodness. If I'm there on a different day, I still plan on trying out something else.

$1 Hamm's and $3 Old Fashioned.

Beer and card playing on a Monday night.

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$2.25 pint of Bud Light. Served with a smile.

Cordial

4.9(29 reviews)

1.4 mi•Greenbush

Cordial is one of my favorite spots in Madison, especially when I want a great drink without the…read morecampus bar scene. I recently tried the Aviation Spritz, made with State Line American Gin, Luxardo, Crème de Violette, lemon, Prosecco, and a fancy cherry. It was refreshing, delicious, and the perfect balance of bright citrus and sweetness. Definitely a drink I would order again. I also love that Cordial is away from campus, which makes it feel a little more relaxed and grown-up. The staff is always great, friendly, and welcoming, and parking has never been an issue, which is a huge plus. Another thing I appreciate is that Cordial isn't a loud bar. You can actually enjoy your drink, have a conversation, and relax without having to yell across the table. Great drinks, great staff, easy parking, and a chill atmosphere.

This spot is quite classy and serves the kinda cocktails that are full of fancy ingredients I…read morebarely recognize! I've been several times and the drinks are always delicious. The bartenders are nice and welcoming! It's a bit pricier than other spots in Madison, but it feels fairly priced since they are doing so much more than just cracking open a can. These bartenders are really more like cocktail artists!

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Lavender lemonade mocktail

The HUB

4.8(4 reviews)

2.9 mi

Great place to grab some food! The Hub restaurant is located inside Marriott South and has a great…read moreselection of food. Anything you order off the menu is delicious. Prices for items on the menu are adequate due to the use of fresh ingredients as well as portion size. Customer service is fantastic here too. I highly recommend coming here if you need to grab a bite.

I stayed here a few nights and every night the bar staff and food was amazing! Surprisingly for a…read morehotel. The bartender were attentive, made great food recommendations and let me customize the order. Last night here I ordered salmon and extra veg instead of the farro I wanted extra veg. The chef Jacob can put to confirm what veg I wanted and knocked it out of the park!!! It was super super super YUM! Thanks Jacob! You can tel you have a passion for food.

Menu as of 2026

Shareables- Tacos are delicious

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Cheese curds

Squirrel's Nest

4.5(49 reviews)

7.6 mi

At first glance, the place presents itself as a neighborhood dive--a worn-in local haunt where the…read moredécor is secondary to the conversation. But the illusion fades the moment a Bloody Mary arrives at the table. This is a bar that takes its craft seriously. The cocktail was thoughtfully prepared and balanced, revealing an attention to detail rarely found in establishments trading on casual charm alone. The atmosphere is equally compelling: lively without being chaotic, welcoming without feeling manufactured. It possesses the kind of authenticity that cannot be designed or replicated. In an era of increasingly curated hospitality, this remains a genuinely local gathering place--unpretentious, distinctive, and unmistakably its own.

We like our walleye and eggs for breakfast, and decided to try out the Squirrel's Nest. It is a…read moresmall establishment with a bar to the left and seating area, to the right, with two smaller tables on the side of the bar. We arrived about 10:00 am, and it was packed. It was very loud with people talking, due to the small space. We sat at our table and waited awhile for a server, but didn't know if we needed to order at the bar. After a while, a waitress arrived to take our order. She was very joyful and friendly. We both ordered the walleye and eggs, which included hashbrowns and toast. My husband added cheese and onions on the hashbrowns at no extra cost. We also ordered a Bloody Mary, which came with a chaser. They arrived with a spear of mozzarella cheese, pimento olive, smoked sausage, and a dill pickle. The walleye had a nice thin crust and the eggs and hashbrowns were cooked perfectly. My better half said that he didn't taste any onions in the hashbrowns and they used American cheese, which made them runny. It was a good breakfast, and we enjoyed our time there. However, due to the loudness, we probably won't go back, as it was hard to have a conversation. Be aware that they only take cash, but they do have an ATM in the building. This establishment definitely had a great atmosphere and service, with friendly staff.

Great Bloody Mary and coffee!!!

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Breakfast menu

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6 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Timmy H.

5 years ago

I've been twice. The first time this place was out of this world amazing. We had the steak for two, fantastic and the service was top notch. We were so impressed we booked for New Year's Eve. The second time on New Year's Eve we were very disappointed. I like the fact the menu changes regularly, that's great but the selection for a New Year's Eve menu was super limited and they were out of the lobster ravioli that I tried to order. They had two main options and three pasta options (only two pasta options because they were out of the ravioli). I was not impressed with the selection, didn't even have a steak on the menu. Duck, salmon or pasta. We had the salmon and it was slightly undercooked (I was okay with that) but for the price it didn't blow us away. We sat at a high top close to the bar, super uncomfortable. I'm being picky but if the bill is over $200 for two people and not including drinks then I do expect top notch service and comfort. The service was slow the second time but that's probably because of news years so I'll give them a pass. We aren't sure if we will go back. The first time was really great and the second time was really disappointing and we wished we had spent news years Eve at a different restaurant. read more

Dan T.

4 years ago

Overpriced food for what you get. They try to serve Michelin star restaurant, but it's just not there. Service is slow and often unattentive even though there aren't that many tables nor were they that busy. Plenty of better options in town (Harvey House/Pig In A Fur Coat/Hone), I wouldn't recommend this place. read more

Shawn M.

1 year ago

"Not as good as Sardine" --Best In Madison, 2025. Everyone: lmao Annual reminder that best in Madison is nothing more than a vote getting social media campaign read more

Erin D.

3 years ago

Food Service ambiance New to Madison and lucked out with this gem! You will not regret! read more

Josh B.

19 days ago

One of the best restaurants in Madison. The food is incredible. It's pricey, but worth it.

Chad O.

2 years ago

Great food and ambiance. A little on the pricey side but great food and great service.

Fairchild - seafood - Updated November 2026

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L'Etoile

4.2

(313 reviews)

•$$$$

Food: 5 Service: 5…read moreUniqueness: 5 ---------------------------------------------- This is my favorite restaurant in Madison. Full stop. I had to leave a review because I'm incensed at how low the rating somehow is. Chef Tori is dope. We've been here twice - both times for our anniversary and each time the meal was 100% memorable. The staff are warm and have a way of making the meal feel like a secret being shared just with us. They had personal recommendations and favorites and the wine pairings were absolutely outstanding. I'm more of a beer guy, but this place might convince me to try some new things. Both times we've been the menus been completely different so you know they're being creative with what's in season. The bites are hard to describe how they can be equal parts comforting and familiar yet wholly unique. Last year they had some sort of white fish ceviche type thing that may have been my best bite of my life. I got a second order because they explained how items don't really repeat because chef tweaks even familiar ingredients as they rotate in. It's a hefty price tag but well worth it for a special occassion.

Hello! L'Etoile was just what we like. Coursed meals and foodie type dishes. Here is our…read moreexperience: As we are new to area we were given a champagne as a welcome gift and it was very nice, then a small treat like a cake crouton with a cheddar and kimchi spread on top with a sparkling Rose, kinda of a savory treat and palate cleanser, then a Amuse Bouche like a deconstructed BLT bite, very tasty and creative! 1st Course: Fluke Crudo, with a drizzle. Had apples, grapes, and cucumber with peanuts something was spicy maybe the drizzle but not a put off ..just a punch I was not expecting ..this was pretty good. For a 6 course meal as the first dish it was quite large. Wine: Dry German Riesling. 2nd Dish: Gorgonzola and pear ravioli, in a sage butter cream sauce ..tasty and good portion. Ravioli was perfect aldente ... Wine: French Vouvray was nice But then they bring you baguette with mushroom butter..I mean kill me with the carbs!! lol the bread was amazing in the sage butter sauce we forgot about mushroom butter . 3rd dish: Alaskan Halibut over an eggplant ragu, although it was very good the eggplant ragu was not my favorite so the fish by itself was a bit salty. But the entire dish in one bite with ragu and sweet relish/paste on top was a balanced bite and I appreciated the flavor balance all together . Wine: Pinot noir: thought it might be strange but paired well with the red sauce and eggplant 4th dish : heirloom Tomato and some poached tomatoes, with a masa topping in a buerre blanc type sauce the sauce was tasty . Seemed like a play on a salted tomato steak, with some greens on top. The masa came off very salty and the dish was very acidic. I understand the play between two savory dishes for the palate..just was not our favorite. The smaller tomatos were delicious. Wine: herbaceous white wine almost poured with green hint , but paired well. 5th dish: ribeye with broccoli, smoked bacon, small potato ball, in a wine reduction . This was pretty good..again certain things individually were over salty..broccoli salty, wondering if steak was dry brined or aged but it was still delicious, bacon by itself pretty smoky. When all of dish together was great flavors. Wine: a leap frog cab: had a very earthy Brettomyacin type yeasty smell and tip of tongue..or it was going bad but I doubt that. They also gave us a small taste of another cab that was more traditional dry and fruit forward cab . This was much appreciated. 5th dish: maple cake ..wife had this but I subbed for basil ice cream...wow basil ice cream was amazing with the wine pairing. The maple cake was a lot for my palate so glad I subbed so i didn't waste a desssrt. Wine: a semi sweet bubbly moscato. Not my favorite usually but balanced well with basil ice cream, although it was paired for maple cake and under why the cake was heavy spiced like apple maple cake..not my palate lover but I got the concept ... Would recommend people who have the funds or adventurous please come visit this place, awesome people, atmosphere, and views of the capital. Overall we give 4 stars : volume of food for money incredible, but smaller portion and pleasurable bites versus not finishing plates and over stuffed would be better value IMO. Service: our host and server were amazing, they were engaging and checked on us often. Only compliments to them well done. The runners of food were awesome also. Summary: really good food, great service, wine pairings and food volume great for people who can eat that much food. At end of day we got 3-5 extra bites, and bread on top of taste menu, a couple dishes were salty but overall we had a great experience ..we will be back thank you very much for a wonderful experience. The place is beautiful and we enjoyed our experience. Thank you L'Etoile

Lombardinos Italian Restaurant and Bar

4.0

(320 reviews)

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.

Nook

4.9

(67 reviews)

•$$$$

We absolutely loved the immersive experience at Nook! The shared dining experience was social but i…read morewas still able to have conversation with the person I came with. We could tell a lot of thought went into the design and flow of the evening. Every dish was beautifully presented, flavorful, and full of creative twists on classic favorites. Like the strawberry tomato soup and the corn blueberry ice cream. The bison and other meat dishes were perfectly done and high quality. t's clear that the chefs take pride in crafting dishes that are both inventive and approachable, with local ingredients. I was also happy to find out they'll box up any courses you can't finish, which is great if you want to plan ahead for what to eat and what to take home. Already hoping I can get a reservation to go back.

I have been WAITING to come here and I was not disappointed. Honestly, if you want to try Nook (and…read moreyou should if you can) I would go in with no expectations and just experience it -- meaning stop reading this review after the first paragraph because it might give some spoilers. To start, reservations. They open a few months in advance at midnight on the first of the month... sucks for anyone not usually up at midnight but worth it. I locked in my reservation date at 12:03am, a coworker was also trying to get a reservation for the same month and it was sold out by 12:06am when he tried. So, know your date ahead of time, click refresh constantly starting at 11:59pm, and Godspeed! Now to my experience. I'm not usually wild about the 12course restaurants you see in Chicago or New York. The space is uppity, the people are obnoxious, and the food is... usually just fine. This is truly a Madison and a Wisconsin spin on that pretentious kind of environment, and it is so down to earth. It's a personal experience with the chef and staff that you can't get in the big city. They explain each meal and often would tell you where the ingredients came from nearby... sometimes the chef's backyard. There is one seating per night at 6:30pm and everyone is sitting together. The plates are served individually to each person, and technically there are six 2-person tables assembled together about 3-4 inches from one another to make a sort of single long table. I'd sort of been picturing one single long table, but this worked just fine. My party of 2 was near the middle, so it was fun to be able to have some inclusion on conversations on both side of the table. And the food. Wow. Continuing the Wisconsin spin on a 12 course (this being 13 course) meal, these are not tiny plates. While each one is not a solo big meal, they are larger than I expected and I was legitimately full after course #4. And we hadn't even gotten to the "mains" at that point! They do box parts of the meal up for you if it's conducive to leftovers. That gave me dinner the next night as well. So pace yourself, and if it's something that would function as leftovers, try it and move on. I did the wine pairing with it, and they were also generous pours (9 of them) -- consider an Uber. I'm not a wine-o, but I figured when in Rome.... go all out. The wines actually did complement each meal really well. This is a unique experience of fine dining you WILL not get at the fancy restaurants. If you are a foodie, this is a must. It's super low key, come as you are. We had people at our table in hooded sweatshirts and people in nice dresses as if they were ready for the symphony. All were welcome and nobody was judged. The chef is hilarious, the staff is so much fun and I was laughing constantly. They are truly part of the experience almost as much as the food itself. If this in in your budget, it is worth the stress of getting a reservation. Bravo. Oh, and if it's not obvious -- yes, the food is incredible.

Palette Bar & Grill

3.9

(80 reviews)

Great service and very accommodating! The happy hour is perfect and so many options. I highly…read morerecommend the cheese curds of course. I love the vibes of the hotel and the restaurant. Outdoor seating is available too. The French 75 is so refreshing and not overly sweet even though it has rhubarb and strawberry. Highly recommend

Date of visit: January 24, 2026…read more We didn't really want to venture out much more than we had to on account of the crazy low temperatures and decided that there were some good options on the menu here and limit the amount of times we had to go outside. We didn't have a reservation but thankfully did not need one and Pablo took good care of us for the most part. I tried a fun mocktail, the Espresso Impression and it was very good if quite small for the price. I understand why a real espresso martini is $12, but not one without any alcohol... I did enjoy it, just would have enjoyed it more if it was say $7 or $8. Pablo recommended the Birria Sandwich and I asked if there was anything else in it besides the meat and cheese and he said no. Well, that wasn't entirely true as there were quite a few onions in the mixture that had I known about, I would have chosen a different option. I scraped them out as best I could and it was good overall, just disappointed about the onions. Guess I should have specifically asked about them. I ended up finishing my husband's Garlic Knot Chicken (definitely do not need to worry about vampires with this sucker!) and side of Au Gratin potatoes and both were quite good. Prices--excepting the mocktail--were quite good considering it was in a hotel and should I stay here again, would definitely give some other menu items a try.

Otto's Restaurant & Bar

3.8

(137 reviews)

•$$$

Otto's was such a wonderful experience! Almost seems like a supper club with a Mediterranean twist!…read more We were searching for a change from the typical downtown scene, and this was exactly what we were looking for. The restaurant is very unassuming but we are so happy we visited! We started with the Mediterranean platter and I will absolutely order this again because the whipped feta was amazing. Most entrees come with a salad or soup so we had the Cesar salad with ours. Dishes were perfect. Proteins were perfectly cooked and the lamb seemed very high quality. I also thought the portions were great for the price. The friendly vibe and incredible staff really put the finishing touches on an awesome night. We decided to sit on the patio and it was such a wonder summer night. Definitely make a reservation for weekends as it does seem to get busy.

I love Otto's happy hour with half price on certain appetizers and they offer a lot of gluten free…read morechoices on their menu but I am not sure I will go for dinner there any more. The prices have just gotten out of control!! We had a bill of $156 for two people which was $186 with a $30 tip. Almost $200 for TWO people!! And it was not even that great. The calamari appetizer was extremely chewy and not good and they served the tentacles, which looked very unappetizing. I had one glass of wine and the person I was with had two, these were $14 each and not a great pour. I had the seafood trio which had exactly two scallops, two shrimp and a small piece of salmon over a bunch of vegetables that did not look made fresh at all and were mushy. The person I was with had the chicken with mashed potatoes, also over what looked like the same vegetables. Everything was just ok, to be honest and the whole thing certainly was not worth $186!!! I am not cheap by any means and will pay good money for great food and appreciate really good food but this was not worth almost $200 at all!! Prices everywhere have just gotten out of hand!

Lallande

4.7

(61 reviews)

Lallande in Madison was one of the most delightful dining experiences I've recently had, and the…read moreservice deserves just as much praise as the food. Our server, Hannah, was absolutely wonderful. Her knowledge of the menu (we needed to some help with gluten free selections) thoughtful explanations, and perfectly paced service made the entire evening feel effortless. Truly top-tier hospitality. We started with an amuse-bouche of a warm autumn soup...lovely welcome to the meal. The salmon tartare with house-made chips had a wonderful balance of flavor and texture. Then came the roasted beets with crème fraîche and toasted hazelnuts, easily one of the standouts of the night. Unbelievably good. We shared two entrées: a medley of mushrooms over cheesy polenta, which was rich, comforting, and delicious, and expertly cooked cod with a creamy sauce that somehow felt both light and decadent. A small house salad rounded out the meal, and the cocktails were refined and every bit as impressive. I cannot wait to come back. If you haven't visited this lovely Madison bistro, please make it part of your dining journey....and hopefully you'll have the pleasure of having Hannah guide you through it.

This is probably my favorite high-end restaurant in Madison. My husband took me here for my…read morebirthday, and I ordered a French 75, cervelle de canut, French onion soup and a halibut that was cooked in pastry with a light gravy (think a halibut hot pocket, lol). Service was perfect and the ambience is somewhat understated but romantic. I was absolutely blown away and would return for future special occasions.

Rare Steakhouse

3.8

(397 reviews)

•$$$$

We love coming to Rare for a special date night. The restaurant is so beautiful with dark woods,…read moredark ceiling and ultra-cozy booths. We discovered their wonderful bone-in pork chop on a prior visit, so we ordered one dish to share in addition to soup, salad and sides. We still had pork to take home! Totally recommend the lobster bisque and wedge salad, both were outstanding! The pork chop was fabulous and arrived carved into tender slices. I typically am not a fan of pork, but this dish is truly special. Our two sides of mushrooms and green beans were nice, but probably will skip the mushrooms on future orders. Service is always very good at Rare.

Last night was my first time going to Rare, and wow am I impressed. The great first impression…read morestarted with our table Captain Guinevere; she was very attentive, knowledgeable, and had a wonderful and upbeat attitude. My food was incredible, but the lobster bisque and sweet chili shrimp stole the show. To die for. The ambiance is rich and comfortable, albeit just a tad too dark, making it a little tough to read the menu. I will absolutely go back to Rare again, and will be requesting Guinevere.

Draper Brothers Chophouse

3.7

(52 reviews)

We had never been here so we thought Restaurant Week was a good time to check it out. We do like a…read moregood steak but going to steak houses around the Square in Madison normally requires a lobbyists' expense account. With a reservation in hand on a week night we arrived to a a somewhat busy but not full restaurant. We were seated on the main floor where the bar is located. It is a classy environment. Our waitress was very good. We did not see their regular menu since they were only serving their $50/ person Restaurant Week menu (we did hear somewhat at an adjacent table question where the regular menu was...) We both started with a glass of wine and followed by a pretty small Caesar Salad - small but tasty. For our main we each got the petite filet which actually for us was a good size. It was perfectly done medium rare and very good as were the sides. Since it was our anniversary they gave us each a complimentary flute of sparkling wine which was a nice touch. We tried the tiramisu and the flourless chocolate cake for dessert both were very rich. The only complaint was that it felt a bit rushed - not sure why because they didn't need the seats because there were empty tables the whole time we were dining.

It was a beautiful Friday evening stopping into the Draper Brother's Chophouse! We had a…read morereservation for 8:30 pm but, we were able to get in about 30 minutes prior. We were coming from the Moon over Monona event. The lobster bisque was tasty and flavorful. I loved that there were big chunks in the soup. The waygu pappardelle pasta was just what I was looking for. We did have to have the Cacio e Pepe remade due to the sauce coming out very gray due to the amount of pepper that was added. The waitress was very kind and helpful in having the kitchen remake it.

Osteria Novella

3.9

(26 reviews)

Came here on a Saturday night and was able to sit at the bar after a quick 5 minute wait. Normally…read moreI'm not a fan of dinner at the bar but it was quite comfortable. The bartenders were great and the bar was set up well for dining. Ahi tuna tartare (4/5): not the best visual but man it tasted great. I loved the hazelnuts as it added a fun texture with a hint of that flavor that just balances the dish really well. Knocked a point off because it was a bit salty Funghi pizza (3.5/5): I wish they used different mushrooms that enhances the flavor. I didn't really taste the mushroom in the dish. Also, the fingerling potatoes overpowered the pizza a little bit. On their own; they were delicious potatoes but on the pizza it was a bit too carb heavy. Crust was amazing though and the bartender suggested I add some olive oil to the pizza which really took it to the next level Rigatoni (4/5): loved the fresh pasta. The dish was really good but could have used a touch more salt Overall, I think this is a great restaurant and with a little olive oil and salt we really enjoyed our meal. Also, the portions are VERY generous and we ended up having leftover for a couple of days

This had been on my list to try for awhile now, and I finally got a reservation for a Saturday…read morenight. There is a parking lot but it is shared with the entire strip mall area. That said, even on a Saturday night, we saw two free spaces and not super far down the street there were also plenty of street spots if you're willing to walk a few extra meters. The place has dim lighting and a cozy atmosphere. The staff was super friendly from the hostess to our server and all the other staff members who ended up bringing out some of our courses. We started with the olives and the insalata di cavolo -- both were absolutely enormous and a bit much for one single person. The olives had a lot going on and even seemed to have some olive oil at the bottom of the bowl (is that necessary?) -- all of the flavors mixing together just made the olives get lost. The salad, while huge, was absolutely incredible. It was one of the few dishes that wasn't swarming with ingredients -- it was simple, to the point, and delicious. For main courses we got the rigatoni and the fettuccini scampi. The Bolognese on the rigatoni had almost a watery texture to it, where it made the flavors seem watered down and a bit mushy. It could have benefitted from less liquid and maybe a bit more or thicker tomato/marinara type something. The rigatoni was quite large but somehow seemed to get drowned in the sauce. The scampi had a few too many ingredients that they all blended together and didn't do much for each other. The artichokes were kinda bland but had enough flavor to overpower everything else. A lot of the other pastas seemed to have a lot of ingredients going on, too, which is why I shied away from them. Perhaps a more simple focus on what's going with the pastas wouldn't hurt. The actual pasta itself, however, was cooked to perfection. I didn't love the drink menu, but did try their limoncello plain/neat before our appetizers. It was a nice shot sipper and actually kinda went nicely with my salad. Nothing else looked great on the drink menu, so I asked if they could make me a traditional old fashioned served up (I know, a very un-Wisconsin order), and they did! So yay for that. Overall, it's a cute place, and while I'd come back for the salad, I'm not sure this will make a regular rotation. That said, other reviewers seemed to love it so I'd make a reservation and decide for yourself!

1847 At the Stamm House

3.6

(238 reviews)