1. Drinks were delicious! They were perfectly balanced and easy to go down. 2. The beef tartare bites were amazing! The base was a potato and it was so crispy. This bite packed a punch! 3. The sunchoke and chestnut soup was soo good. I love the slight sweetness from the sunchoke. It was so flavorful. 4. The scallops were perfectly cooked. There was a nice sear on it and I loved the flavors. 5. The chicken sausage in the orecchiette pasta was slightly spicy and it paired well with the ricotta. The duck stuffed pasta was definitely the star though! The meat was tender and the pasta was perfectly al dente. Our server gave fantastic recommendations. She recommended a good amount of dishes, and we left feeling perfectly satisfied. The place is dimly lit with candles on the tables making it super nice for a date night. It wasn't too loud either! They change their menu frequently so I'm already looking forward to coming back! read more

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We have stopped in a few times for carryout (due to COVID) and hope Fairchild can weather the storm. The food is absolutely phenomenal. Whether its a side, an entree, a pasta-every dish is perfectly balanced, well seasoned and expertly prepared. One of my favorites have been the carrot side dish. Roasted in beef fat, the carrots come with honey and moody blue cheese that is outstanding. Price points are on the high side but the food is definitely deserving. We will continue to carry out through the crisis and look forward to the day we can dine in. read more

Fantastic food, service, and always changing menu. Now that they have won an award, the reservations fill up much sooner- for good reason!!

A very nice date night kind of place, strongly recommend! The food was amazing and the menu has a wide enough variety to please anyone. read more

Fairchild - Seafood Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Fairchild is the best restaurant in Madison. We have been at least 20 times since their opening and they have been nothing but consistent with service and food quality. Their staff is friendly and always welcomes you into their calming atmosphere with big smiles and endless kindness. It has been incredible to see their consistency and growth over the years - they're at the top of their culinary game and were recently announced as a James Beard semi-finalist. Go here. Indulge. Take your friends and family and enjoy their ability to transform local ingredients into high-end fare. You'll come to love it as much as we do. read more

Fairchild - Black Bass Crudo with yuzu ponzu, shiitake, shisho - Seafood Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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We've been twice now and both times have been such a delight. The menus change according to what's in season and the duo introduces you to levels of flavor and depth that cannot be repeated at home. I recommend sharing plates to experience as much as possible! The staff is so knowledgeable in the product and shows a passion for it and the space is small yet bustling, a great energy. read more

One of the best restaurants in Madison. The table service and bar is wonderful--the front of the house team knows how to be helpful, attentive and craft great cocktails. The food is outstanding. I could rave about a dozen different items, but bottom line there is nothing I wouldn't order again and again (I have to say that the grilled octopus is phenomenal). **Make sure you follow them on FB and IG for notification of special menus and events like their Henriot champagne pairing dinner, which was an amazing experience).** read more

Well, lots of hype over the past year or so and it, without a doubt lives up to the hype. Was able to make a reservation on short notice and got right in. Very cool little vibe/cool bar and all that. Very friendly staff explained the menu concept. Think farm to table but maybe more - this is the freshest and best product so here we go. Went with a duck ragu pasta that was incredible, my wife had a green barn corn pannacotta. Also split the blue moon mixed greens. All ridiculous in flavor and freshness. Do not miss the dessert list. Oh, did I mention the service was absolutely top notch? We will be back. Do not miss this place. read more

Food was unbelievably good. Our table was sat far past our reservation time, but the food and service made up for it. We tried almost everything on the menu. Very cute inside. read more

Fairchild - Seafood Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

A James Beard Award winner in walking distance for me? So lucky. Killer first - but not last meal here! Wow!

Service is excellent. The person showed us to an outside sitting by the road and we asked for something inside and she made it happen. The Food is excellent with the starter Butternut squash soup which we shared and they brought us two bowls and garnished both with additional squash grilled bits and a delightful vinaigrette sauce which had maple syrup in it pretty sure. My bf had the grilled pork entree and I had the Lamb pasta which was spicy and tasty. We also had the grilled eggplant to share. The menu changes so check online for tonight's dinner menu but all would be delicious. My date made it Five stars read more

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Every time I step into Fairchild I am blown away by the incredible food, inventive cocktails, & friendly staff. The ambiance is intimate, filled with fresh flowers and plants hanging from the ceiling. The menu is rotating often with what's in season, utilizing a lot of local produce. Dishes are extremely fresh and full of flavor. I'd highly recommend it! read more

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An excellent restaurant with deliciously inventive food, fun cocktails and impeccable service. We've twice eaten at Fairchild and both were lovely visits. The staff, waiters and bartenders, are friendly without being obtrusive. The cocktails are imaginative and unique. The food is outstanding - not just some of the best in Madison, but some of the best we've eaten anywhere. While traveling, we've splurged on some Michelin Star rated restaurants. Fairchild deserves to be mentioned among the best. Given the quality and inventiveness of the food, Fairchild is a relative bargain. That being said, it's not inexpensive. A couple of drinks, an entree, a side and an appetizer will set you back $100. Their excellent staff deserves at least 20%, so you're looking at $120 per person. A more restrained visit, perhaps one drink, a main, and a side, will probably have you at $75. Though, be warned, after downing one excellent drink it's hard to resist ordering another - it's just another $15. The menu is extensive without being overwhelming. It's also very seasonal. Importantly, it's an accommodating menu. Your omnivores, flexitarians, vegetarians, pescatarians and probably even vegans, will all find something novel and delicious. Thankfully, the portions are reasonable, too. Though everything is exquisitely plated, it's all approachable and none of the food is dainty. Your well-spent money will leave you satiated and fulfilled. I can't gush on Fairchild enough. We feel fortunate to have a world class restaurant in Madison that allows us to indulge ourselves a few times a year. read more

I've been here a few times now and love the atmosphere, and their food is phenomenal!!! I love how they can get so creative with seasonal ingredients, and also, the chef, uniquely embraces Japanese food in his dish! read more

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We have been in Madison a little over six months and have truly been enjoying the food scene here after doing the same in New England and DC. We stepped into Fairchild Saturday night expecting a good meal, but the experience far exceeded our expectations. First of all, the ambience was just incredibly warm and comfortable. You could tell the other diners were just relaxed and totally into their meals. The team that served us, led by Matt, was right on point with cocktail and wine recommendations and always ensuring our table and we were prepared for what was coming from the kitchen next! Before we hit that "golden wall" of "not another bite"....we tried many golden nuggets from our perspective. The foie gras with mango, coconut and Thai basil was the first dish out. With restraint, we were able to share it equitably. We've already decided that next time we are each getting our own. These were followed by the salt cod, sablefish and beef tartare. Not a crumb of anything was left on the plates and the perfectly executed bites of sablefish and beef tartare were not only beautiful and delicious, but the mouth feel of the differing ingredients was perfect! After living on the New England shore for 4 years, we were set to be salt cod snobs...nope...not here! How many times can I use the word perfect....crunchy on the outside and light as air on the inside. Next we shared warm velvety sunchoke and chestnut soup. I roast every sunchoke I can put my hands on and love them. Every bite had that incredible flavor throughout. With all the fabulousness, the highlight of our meal was to try something we have never had, hence the Pork Trotter. Hands down one of the best pork dishes I have ever had. Matt explained how it was prepared and it sounded like it was going to be something special and it was! I hope it doesn't disappear off the menu too soon. We likely should have stopped there, but didn't. We decided to share the Chitarra with clams, the polenta with figs and the carrots with goat cheese. We made it about a third of the way through and they were packed to travel with us. Guess what was delicious left over yesterday!! We had a #1 in Madison that has now become our #2 as Fairchild is most definitely our newest favorite place for all the right reasons!! My friend from DC and I share our birthday week meal together every year we can. She is coming here....guess where we are going! read more

I'm still scratching my head about the discrepancy between the reviews here and my own experience. The food just wasn't interesting. The ingredients were high quality but the meal just didn't add up, and the prices were a bit excessive. A very expensive and unsatisfying meal. I won't be back. read more

Delicious, creative and unique food. Cute and comfortable space. Excellent service. Highly recommend!

I went back in February for date night and everything on the menu was tasty. I love that the menu is focused and short. It makes decision process easy. The menu changes based on what's in season but I love the variety. You can't go wrong here. read more

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Update, have now visited for dinner and it was everything. We had to order two corn dishes of course. I cannot say enough good things about the delicious food and the incredible range of flavors. read more

Fairchild - Seafood Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Great food, incredible cocktails and spot on service. One of the best spots in Madison.

Food was fabulous. Picture perfect presentation. Service was very attentive. Highly recommended. read more

This was the best meal and restaurant experience we have had in Madison. The food was incredible, delicious, huge portions. Drink menu is amazing. Ambience is fantastic! Highly recommend. Must try. read more

For our last night of anniversary dinners in Madison we went to Fairchild. We were hoping for the innovative, farm-to-table approach we used to get at L'Etoile or Forequarter. We were not disappointed! Maitake tempura with aioli! Sunchokes with foam! Salsify in red wine sauce! Papardelle with two meats plus foie gras! Blue Cheese polenta! Good cocktails and strange desserts! We loved it. Sarah was an informative guide to the experience. It was way too loud and active inside but it was a beautiful evening and we could sit out front. read more

This place is an amazing find. Everything was delicious, from the small bites (deviled egg, shrimp croquettes and sturgeon mousse) to the entrees (rainbow trout, agnolotti and tagliatelle carbonara). I'm sure the dessert was delicious as well, but too full to try it. Best meal we've had in Madison. Can't wait to return. Kudos to the chef. read more

We love good food and were excited to try this highly-rated restaurant, having made our reservation weeks in advance to get a good time. The room was very noisy, making conversation a little difficult, but that's sort of the nature of many dining venues and to be expected. What was less okay was one of the seats at our table being directly above an air conditioning vent blasting cold air. Cocktails were okay. The Monkey Business was overly-sweet, but the (NA) Cucumber was well-balanced and fresh. Our appetizers took a long time to come, but were good, if not great. The heirloom tomato was tasty - gazpacho gelée element was odd, but the goat cheese on it very flavorful. The cured hamachi had only a tiny amount of the mentioned roe, and the deviled eggs were a little runny and one had gotten squashed somewhat before getting to our table, but everyone really enjoyed the maitake tempura. One of our party ordered the pork loin entree. When it arrived it was gorgeously-presented, almost a work of art, but the meat itself was borderline-inedible - so tough that you had to saw at it with a steak knife for an extended period just to cut off a bite-sized piece. It took some time to get the attention of our waiter, but once we did she offered to take it back to the kitchen and have them cook it longer. Since by that point everyone else at the table had finished their meal, we declined, and she said the (uneaten) entree would be taken off the bill. We received the bill, and the pork was still on there. As it was the most expensive item, we (eventually) got her attention again and asked that it be removed, and it was taken off. Throughout this whole process our waiter was polite but seemed dubious about our concerns and a little irritated. Overall not a great experience - we're unlikely to return. read more

Had a bday dinner here with my spouse last week. Good but not great especially given the prices. $340 for a dinner for 2 and a bottle of wine. Good service but not prompt. Nicely prepared food but very small portions (yes I know it is 'gourmet'). We started with a 'Snack' appetizer. So small it's hard to discern what you're eating. Then an appetizer, then entrees, then dessert. My entree was pork with a side of mashed potatoes. Pork was excellent but the side of potatoes was the size of a quarter (as in a coin) and despite the fancy name it tasted like mashed potatoes. Dessert was the low point but they kindly removed it from the bill. Large wine list...most bottles are well over $100. Our Cabernet was $120. Decent atmosphere, cozy but noisy. So, it ekes out a 4 rating. read more

Beautiful food presentation and some of the best drinks ive ever had. We can't wait to go back to Madison and come back here.

Went for our first time to a preset meal with several courses and wine parings. Wasn't a huge fan of the wine options, but impressed with the staff and the food. Had some Pigeon, so that'll be memorable. read more

Fairchild has some of the best Old Fashioned's in Madison. The service is excellent and the ambiance in the restaurant is wonderful. My husband and I love going! Would highly recommend. read more

Fairchild - Seafood Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

BEST FRENCH TOAST IN MADISON... (My post is too short so I have to add filler per yelp guidelines. The omelette was also pretty solid as was the bloody mary.) read more

Amazing food and wonderful, attentive service. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone

Best restaurant in Madison by far! Would recommend to anyone for a special occasion. Don't skip dessert!

Everything was amazing. Staff and service is incredible. The food is phenomenal. Bartender was also amazing. read more

Fairchild - Seafood Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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I waited until I have eaten here several times before posting a review. My husband and I have now dined here 5 times. All I can say is Wow!! It is that good. First of all, the restaurant is beautiful. I love the tin ceiling, the cozy atmosphere and the classic bar. But the real star here is the food. We have had pastas, pork, seafood, vegetables......All of it just incredible. The wine list is interesting with a selection of both wine by the glass and bottle. Cocktails are also interesting and tasty!! I love how often the menu changes. Try it out - you will enjoy it! read more

Fantastic food, comfortable ambiance, intriguing variations in the menu and cocktails. Will certainly return, and would highly recommend.

One of the best true simple flavor food I have ever had in my life, and I am from NYC and from the hospitality/FandB business. Stay true to your food and simplicity. read more

The food was so delicious that we filled up on sides before our entrees cane out. Every dish on the table was a winner. How rare is that! We stuffed ourselves silly. Went home with full & happy bellies. They were careful with our diet restrictions. Although they do fresh hand-made pasta in the kitchen daily, so Celiacs may have issues with the flour in the air. The dining room was extremely loud, we couldn't hear each other at a table for 6. A smaller party would be better. I'll definitely go back with my spouse or another couple. read more

Went to dinner on a random Wednesday night with my wife, got there half an hour before reservations and had a drink at the bar; very friendly staff. Our drinks Vodka on the rocks could have been a bit more generous, let's cover the ice. We order deviled eggs, it is promoted as a snack, only one egg, would have felt better with 2 eggs, 4 halves, very good. The octopus appetizer was awesome. My wife's pork dish was very favorable and my goat cheese stuffed pasta was one of the best ever. Will be coming back again and highly recommend this restaurant. read more

Fairchild is a definition of a hidden gem! And what could one expect from the team that used to work at L'Etoile (the most expensive fine dining restaurant in Madison area)? Basically you get Michelin start level service combined with inventive and delicious dishes presented in a way that makes each plate look like an exquisite jewelry set-BUT for a much more affordable price! They have a great outside patio as well that makes the whole experience feel safe and comfortable. Highly recommended! read more

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We just had a lovely meal here. We're in from Los Angeles, and this place is both charming and exquisite. The service was superior and friendly. The food was very, very rich and delicious. Rachel went out of her way to serve us. Her coworker (sorry, we forgot his name) suggested they could make us a specialty cocktail. Being the designated driver, I wanted one without alcohol. Olin the bartender invented one for us, with orange juice, cream, and a few other delicious flavors. It was spectacular. When in town, we plan to come here again. read more