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Madcap

4.5 (443 reviews)
Ultra High-EndNew American, French, Japanese
Closed • Closed
Updated 2 months ago

Madcap Photos

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MADCAP ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Quiet
Intimate
Romantic
Upscale

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Recommended Reviews - Madcap

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SUNSET MAGAZINE article about Madcap - April 2018
Elke M.

i've been here multiple times. And it's always been good, but I have to say this last time I went with my friend. I think it might be the best meal I've had in my life. It was so good! The chef is just amazing and so humble about his skills - not only is the food beautifully prepared, selected and plated, but it tasted amazing. The atmosphere is intimate artsy and really comfortable. All the staff is knowledgeable and explains the courses in detail. They also have a knowledgeable wine person that knows how to recommend the wines that would go with our food.

Wendy A.

What a delightful fusion experience--not only of French and Japanese ethnic cuisines, but also of artistry. Unlike the dictionary definition of "madcap" -- wildly impulsive or chaotic -- the exquisite dining experience at this Michelin-starred restaurant is anything but. My experience was calm, intentional, playful, and deeply refined. After living in the San Francisco Bay Area since 2005, I had just learned about Madcap and was thrilled to celebrate a friend's birthday there. From the moment we were greeted by Kim at the host stand -- warm, poised, and genuinely welcoming -- we felt special. Anticipation built immediately. Our four-course prix fixe menu was printed on artisanal, handmade-feeling paper -- textured, elegant, and thoughtful. With a minimalist design aesthetic, every detail serves a purpose and is beautiful in its restraint. The luxury here is subtle but palpable. Large, colorful, whimsical paintings line the walls -- one even reminded me of Jane Fonda as Barbarella. The chopsticks and flatware are distinctive and sculptural. Nothing feels accidental or unintentional. From a 15-page beverage menu, I selected a 2023 Raventós i Blanc Blanc de Blancs Cava from Conca del Riu Anoia, Catalunya. Crisp, celebratory, and the perfect opening note. If you might assume "small courses" won't satisfy, think again. I left completely full. Welcome Snacks Before the first official course, we were surprised with a small welcoming assortment. I couldn't name each component, but they were colorful, beautifully balanced, and layered in flavor and texture -- playful yet precise. A lovely crescendo into what followed. First Course Nicasio Valley egg, lemongrass spuma, pine nuts. We chose to add the optional Black Périgord truffle. When pierced with my spoon, the bright yellow yolk blended like a brushstroke into the white of the egg. The spuma (an airy, savory foam created by aerating a sauce) added a delicate citrus-herbal lift to the richness of the egg. The pine nuts brought delightful contrast texture. Oh, and that exquisite toast! Elegant and harmonious. The delicately-shaved truffle provided a heavenly mouth-feel. Second Course Winter salad, shima aji, orange olive oil or Sunchoke tortelloni, spinach, shiitake, thyme jus One companion chose the vibrant winter salad -- stunning in color and textures including shima aji, a premium Japanese fish. I chose the sunchoke tortelloni. Although I'm usually not a fan of al dente pasta, here it worked beautifully to contrast the creamy filling. The green-tinged spinach tortelloni were visually striking and balanced by the earthy shiitake and fragrant thyme jus. Third Course Mount Lassen trout, abalone & carrot risotto, lobster cream or Flannery beef ribeye, artichoke, Banyuls, black garlic We all chose the trout. The fish was executed perfectly -- caramelized, crisp exterior, yet it flaked effortlessly into large, tender pieces with the fork. The carrot risotto leaned slightly sweet for my palate, though beautifully textured. The tiny slivers of abalone, however, were surprisingly overcooked and chewy. The lobster cream had a thinner, almost broth-like consistency and didn't meaningfully elevate the dish. For reference, Banyuls (used in the ribeye preparation) is a French fortified wine like port from the Roussillon region that creates deep, slightly sweet reductions that complement richer meats. Fourth Course Shiso panna cotta, pineapple vanilla gelée. The panna cotta was softly set, cool, and subtly sweet -- a lovely, light finish. The Japanese mint herb of shiso was subtle. The crumble beneath added wonderful contrast and texture. A small piece of pineapple was firmer than expected, though the overall composition remained balanced and refreshing. With it, I had a decaf Americano. It was so smooth and flavorful I drank it black -- and enjoyed every sip. Post-dessert course We were pleasantly surprised with a pearlized white box of what appeared to be handmade confections: caramel, a sugar-dusted berry gelée, and a ganache-filled chocolate truffle. The unexpected welcome bites and post-dessert confections made the four-course prix fixe feel even more generous and thoughtfully orchestrated. Madcap is an experience of delightful visual artistry and intentional composition. The overall execution, ambiance, and hospitality created a memorable evening. P.S. While I typically eat gluten- and dairy-free, making those substitutions would have fundamentally changed the menu. For this celebratory evening, I chose not to alter the chef's composition. We visited on 2/26/26.

Stephanie Z.

I came here for a birthday dinner and had a great experience. We were seated promptly and the waiters were super professional and explained each dish well. The interior of the restaurant is also very cozy and friendly despite this being an upscale place. My favorite dishes were the black cod and jidori egg while my boyfriend really liked the ribeye. I didn't think anything was standout amazing, but the freshness of the ingredients paired with solid flavors make this place worth going to. Also, look at the food presentation! Wow.

Slow cooked egg
Jennifer E.

We love to try out fine dining restaurants whenever we celebrate birthdays and since this is our 10th yr anniversary, we decided to go to a Michelin star restaurant. We live in RP so we chose to go closer and found out that MadCap is in San Anselmo. Its 11-course tasting menu! Food is amazing! My favorites are the honey nut squash tortellini, the slow cooked egg and the fish dishes. Service is also amazing but I put 4 stars because I feel like the staff esp in Michelin restaurants can be more a bit enthusiastic about the food and how they can describe it to the guests. Sometimes, having to mention their personal favorite and their knowledge about the food make the guests enticed and excited about what they will eat. The ambiance is warm and cozy but we were seated beside a group of men who were a bit louder so me and my husband, we couldn't really hear each other well. There were more seats for 2 people in a little corner were other couples were and I wished we could have sat there. Its no biggie but I think its good for people to know so they can request it next time. Desserts are amazing as well! I probably will go back to try their next tasting menus in the future.

Ivy C.

This is one of the best places if not the best place to eat in Marin. It's one of those places you come for special occasions. I've been here twice already and can't wait to find another time to visit. Every dish was delicious, creative and very tasty. We are lucky in Marin to have a Michelin rated restaurant like Madcap here!

Shima aji, shiso, citrus emulsion, kaluga caviar supplement ($25)
Lizzie S.

I don't always have a car, but when I do, I like to use it (to go places I wouldn't otherwise go.) I booked Madcap because it was a Michelin star restaurant in the North Bay and I wanted to explore! It was easy to get a reservation a week or two in advance. It was hard to do the week of. Last-minute, I had to change my time to an earlier one so I called and they were very accommodating. Madcap is located on a busy street but they have a free parking lot. When we walked in around 5:15pm, it seemed like the staff were all gathered around each other talking waiting for customers to arrive. We were the first customers there and it slowly and surely filled up with girlfriends and couples. Service was very good and my boyfriend got the wine pairing and I sampled some. One sake came with the pairing as well. We enjoyed some courses more than others--standouts included - Shrimp hasami, tempura and satay - Jidori egg slow cooked topped with toma cheese, black truffle - Caramelized sunchoke tortelloni, thyme jus and broccolini - Seared stonington sea scallop topped with pork belly, trumpet mushroom puree and trumpet mushrooms - Seared Sonoma duck breast, cauliflower puree and purple cauliflower, carrot curry Everything was fresh. There were some unique dishes and some risks were taken--some paid off, but some didn't. There's only 1 bathroom. I like the dark decor. It was good and special but I feel like we've enjoyed other similar meals closer to home in SF.

Amanda U.

Great dining experience. Went here for an anniversary dinner. Shared the wine pairing. Presentation was beautiful for the food. Food tasted great. Would come back again.

Christine G.

My friends and I dined here to celebrate Galentine's Day. Our reservation was at 5:15 pm. At first, we thought they were still closed due to the large curtain by the entrance and dark/dim decor and lighting. However, once we passed the curtains and saw the staff, we were directed to our table quickly. There was an 8-course Valentine's prix fixe menu. I could not eat raw fish or meat, and the staff clarified my dietary restrictions before serving the food, which I greatly appreciated. All the dishes were delicious, but our favorite was the dry-aged flannery ribeye steak. It had a beautiful crust and was perfect medium rare. It was so earthy, and the meat was tender. I could go back here just for their ribeyes. Overall, my friends and I enjoyed our visit to Madcap. Although we spent almost three hours here, it didn't feel that long. The staff was great and friendly throughout our visit.

Evelyn B.

Gonna keep it short and sweet; Best meal I've ever had in my life. Wine pairing was perfect. Service was fantastic. Add the caviar bump!

Nicasio Valley egg, candy cap, pine nut crumble with toasted sesame bread
Lindsay C.

I went to Madcap and had an amazing time. This was my first dining at a restaurant with a Michelin Star and my expectations were met. I loved the close and intimate dining area and the way we were presented with the dishes. All the waiters were kind and professional, answered any questions we had about the dishes and described each dish with much detail. The menu was delicious, fish forward but with the different ways it was prepared and the vast variety of types of fish; it did not feel at all like we were getting an over amount of fish and the same thing over and over again. We decided to add the supplemental course that was California queen caviar, with crème fraîche, macadamia mousse on a cardamom cake. The caviar and the crème fraîche was delicious but, the cardamom cake did over powered the caviar. My favorites were the ayu fish with pickled cucumbers, ice plant, smoked trout roe and haricot verts and the dry aged flannery rib eye, pesto, nectarines and banyuls reduction. I enjoyed that every dish and loved how delicious and different every bite was.

Duck
Toni L.

We have been wanted to try here for a very long time and finally made it to celebrate my sister and aunt birthday. It's a beautiful quaint place with vibrant atmosphere. My family truly loved the experience but I just eaten at 7 Adams the night before and the menu was so similar mad ethe starch contrast of not hitting the mark a bit more obvious. The service was great food was good if you have nothing else to compare it to. Sadly it didn't cut it for an 5 stars exceptional meal, I know my family who live near by will come back but with SF offering of food choices it will be harder for me to say I would want to come back again. Just a bit lack of luster in flavor I gave it a try though and truly appreciate the warm service and the hospitality that the staff offered.

Ian L.

A good restaurant with a variety of dishes. None were bad, but none were good enough that I distinctly remember them. A fun way to spend a few hours, fair value for the price, but for a restaurant of this caliber, I'd love to have something memorable.

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Amazing sushi, Japanese fusion food. Well worth the visit. Service is fantastic. Chef is an artist. Thank you!

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2 years ago

In the 2 years since I last dined here, Madcap has only gotten better. I believe a second Michelin star is warranted!

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Ask the Community - Madcap

When will vegan options be offered?

Hi Mallorie, I don’t see Madcap offer Vegan options in the future.

Is it only prefix or can you order alacarte as well ? How much is it per person? Thank you!

Only a tasting menu. No ala carte. You can go to our website to view a sample menu with prices. Madcapmarin.com

Is Madcap still in business? I was by yesterday (not to dine, just on my way to an errand) and it was shut at prime dinner hour.

Yep! Still in business! We open our doors at 5:30pm Tues, Wed. & Thurs, and 5:00pm on Fri. & Sat. We were open last night!

Hello! Our 20 year anniversary is on April 4 and I am not able to select that date as an option. Do I wait another month to check back?…

Dina, Hello! I'm not sure?....I would call the restaurant and talk to the owner Ron. He seems to be… 

We are vegetarian, is your only option the tasting prix fixe menu?

Yes, but the chef can accommodate you.

Hello is it possible to dine at your place with a newborn? He's usually sleeping during dinner time, thanks!

Yes. Please let the host know in your reservation notes that you will have a baby and stroller with you. That information helps us. Some tables don’t have room for this. Thank you.

Do you have outdoor dining now that winter is over?

No. Only indoors.

Does Madcap offer wine pairings for the tasting menu?

We are not offering wine pairings.

How long does the tasting menu take?

around 1.5h

Do you offer any vegan options?

Hello. Unfortunately we are unable to offer vegan tasting menus at this time. Vegetarian yes, but vegan, no. Kim

Can I bring my 15 year old dachshund for outdoor dining?

Hello, we allow a well behaved dog as long as they are out of the way of foot traffic. Kim

Hello Kim, can I bring my 2 year old daughter with us? She behaves very well and won't disturb your other patrons. Looking forward to visit your restaurant, thanks!

Hello Kenny We are closed for awhile because of the shelter in place order. But when we reopen I’m sure that will be fine. We do not have a high chair or children’s menu.… 

Do they still do the special tasting menu on Mondays? They used to post the menu on Instagram, but they haven't in a few weeks.

Hello. You are referring to the Madcap Monday menu. We post every Monday around 3pm. Kim

Are there vegetarian options for the main course?

Yes, they do modifications

Would we be able to do a walk in for 5 at 5:45?

No, sorry, but you are welcome to call or email me to ask if there is something. Kim@madcapmarin.com

How long is average time for the tasting menu from start to finish? Planning activities before and after so need to plan the timing. Thank you for your responses.

We enjoyed the pace of this dining event over about 2.5 hours. Best not to rush this experience.

Is there a dress code?

Hi Anna, no dress code, but I would say, business casual business casual is the best description for the way most people dress.

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RÊVE - Mint meringue

RÊVE

4.4(466 reviews)
24.9 mi
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Going to say it again...if you want a bit of Paris bistro in Lafayette, this is the place…read more We sat at the bar, and met Jas....our amazing, server/bartender extraordinaire. Ordered the special, which was bone marrow w fig spread, and a half baked garlic clove and crusty toast. Need I say more?! The wine selections were perfectly paired, Pinot Noir and a silky Bordeaux to finish. Desert, fresh peaches picked by the Chef at the local farmers market, poached and served w gelato and fresh whipped almond cream. Don't mess with date night! Just go. Xoxo...Merci, to all the lovely staff.

When Jamie W asked me where I wanted to dine for my birthday, I suggested this spot even though I…read morehad never been here before. I just had a vague recollection of the restaurant's appearance on "Check, Please! Bay Area" several years back, and it had been quite a while since we traveled past the Caldecott Tunnel for a good meal. It turned out to be a charming place, although its suburban strip mall location surprised me. Maybe I'm just a snob. Busy as they were for our 7PM reservation, we were seated in front where everyone coursed through the space. The hurly-burly ambiance reminded me of the bustling Carettes at Place des Vosges in Paris. It was the last night of their summer menu, but since this was our virginal visit, we thought we should try their evergreen signature dishes. First up were a complimentary basket of sliced baguettes (Photo 16) and refreshing libations. Jamie ordered the $14 Gentian Orange Spritz, a non-alcoholic version of an Aperol Spritz, while I went for the $16 Kir Royal, an effervescent mix of crème de cassis and sparkling wine (Photo 4). Our appetizers were well chosen and did not disappoint. We ordered the $36 Chef Paul's "Foie Gras" Torchon. The quotes were intentional as it was made with creamy, unfattened duck liver served with toasted brioche and housemade fig jam (Photo 8). The delightful decadence was offset by the fresh heirloom tomatoes and avocado chunks of the $7.50 Salade de Tomates. Mint, pickled red onion, olive oil, and sherry vinaigrette provided the right finish (Photo 7). I could've gone for seconds. Our individual entrees came next. They were tried-and-true bistro classics, very straightforward in execution. Jamie ordered the $37 Poulet Basquaise, a hearty dish dominated by a braised chicken leg and thigh. Completing the plate were tomato, peppers, onion, and chorizo sausage served over a bed of seared polenta (Photo 5). I went for the very traditional $49 Steak Frites, the 8-oz New York steak with peppercorn sauce, and this was my one slight disappointment as the cut was not as tender as I was hoping. With a paucity of grilled veggies, the plate was sparse (Photo 18), but the pomme frites were excellent, double-fried and tenderly crisped (Photo 11). Dessert brought us back to Paris. I went for the $13 Gateau Opera, a classic layered almond sponge cake with coffee buttercream and chocolate ganache (Photo 10). Jamie was excited to get the $13 Ile Flottante because we had a memorably airy floating island at Bofinger in La Marais (review: https://yelp.to/MdrtH323SU). It wasn't quite that perfect, but the poached meringue, creme anglaise, caramel sauce, and pistachios were lovely (Photo 9). FOOD - 4 stars...the appetizers overshadowed the entrees, but it's all true Gallic bistro fare and Michelin-recognized AMBIANCE - 4 stars...understandably popular, just a bit too loud for us SERVICE - 5 stars...Arleen was quite a fabulous server TOTAL - 4 stars...classy French food for the bridge-and-tunnel crowd RELATED - Exploring Lafayette and Walnut Creek? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://yelp.to/-rS93UnAkn

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RÊVE - Photo 19: Interior

Photo 19: Interior

RÊVE - An absolutely amazing strawberry shortcake

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Photo 14: Interior

Brigitte Bistro - The special. Chicken, duck and pork stuffed with mushrooms, pistachio and herbs wrapped in puff pasty and sliced. OUTSTANDING!

Brigitte Bistro

4.5(226 reviews)
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We have been to Brigitte Bistro twice already and are definitely planning to come back again. The…read morefood is excellent, and they also have a very nice wine selection. So far we have tried a few different dishes. For appetizers, we had PÂTÉ EN CROÛTE AUX CHAMPIGNONS D'HIVER and ESCARGOTS AND MARROW BONE. My husband was a huge fan of the marrow bone. He said it was rich in flavor and had a buttery/creamy texture. For entrees, my husband ordered the WAGYU STEAK FRITES BEARNAISE and I got the Moules-frites featuring steamed mussels served with French fries. The Wagyu steak was slightly more cooked than we would have preferred, but other than that, it was juicy and seasoned well. My Moules-frites were AMAZING! The mussels were sweet, tender, and perfectly cooked, and the broth they were served in was absolutely out of this world. The fries were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Plus, we got some Della Fattoria bread with our meal, which is always a nice touch. For desserts, we tried: CHOCOLATE FONDANT - Brigitte Sea Salt Caramel Ice Cream: a perfect balance between rich chocolate and sweet, salty caramel. PISTACHIO TIRAMISU TABLE SIDE was the best! It was incredibly creamy, with a rich mascarpone filling and a wonderful pistachio flavor. And ILE FLOTTANTE (FLOATING ISLAND): the meringue practically melted in my mouth. It was light, creamy, sweet, and had a salty note that made it perfectly balanced. The service is incredible. Every single employee is welcoming, kind, smiling, and attentive. The owner is always nearby, making sure everything is running smoothly and taking the time to greet and check on guests. The restaurant is pretty small, so I would definitely advise you to make a reservation. It gets packed really quickly, and we have seen multiple parties waiting outside for the next available table. The parking lot is also on the smaller side, so one of the times we were here, we had to park up the street. I would 100% recommend this restaurant. Every time we crave French food, Brigitte Bistro is where we go!

This is the definition of a neighborhood gem. Restaurant is small, so reservations are an absolute…read moremust. The parking lot is small - we had to park across the street - not a big deal. We were warmly greeted by Chef Nick and had the most amazing dinner. Even though it was packed on a Friday evening, everyone on staff was super friendly and attentive. Everything we ordered was cooked to perfection: French onion soup, escargot with bone marrow, moules frites, and wagyu steak frites. Food is rich - go hungry! Wines by the glass did not disappointment. We will absolutely go back when we are craving French food. Thank you Chef Nick!

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Brigitte Bistro - Inside

Inside

Brigitte Bistro - Wagyu Steak Frites Au Poivre. MOUTHWATERING.

Wagyu Steak Frites Au Poivre. MOUTHWATERING.

Brigitte Bistro - Special appetizer of the day that has mushrooms and bone Marrow

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Special appetizer of the day that has mushrooms and bone Marrow

Left Bank Brasserie - Larkspur

Left Bank Brasserie - Larkspur

3.6(817 reviews)
3.0 mi
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Am stunned to see that this excellent brasserie might be closed. It was so good and so cozy, as…read morebrasserie should be. Wife, daughter-in-law, our grandson who has just graduated from eighth grade, and I were there for lunch. Lunch was a celebration of sorts. Atmosphere traditional, bustling waiters, an active bar, tables of elder ladies sipping and a steady flow of goodies coming out of the kitchen. Margaritas ($16), a Manhattan ($16), a Roy Rogers ($5) and a non-spicy margarita ($13) occupied our menu-reading time. I had a very generous prime rib French dip ($30) which I could barely finish. It was very good. A petit burger with added bacon ($16), a salad Lyonnaise ($19), a goat cheese and berry salad ($18) and a side of French fries ($9) rounded out our table. Everything was decorative and delicious. Many smiles. So, along came dessert. An order of Les Profiteroles ($12), a kids sundae ($4) were shared and one cafe Liegeois ($11) settled my tummy nicely. I hope that Left Bank is still in operation, as we will return on our next California visit.

We were very disappointed. My tuna tartar was mostly the avocado bed that it sat on and had too…read moremuch lemon and balsamic on it. Couldn't taste the tuna. My salad was over dressed and the spinach that was added to the frisée was not crisp. I choose thus salad because of the runny egg. It wasn't. My husband said his steak was good. The waiter never asked us if we wanted a second drink. He also came by to see how everything was after we were done. Not the personal attention we expect. A busy Saturday night. Nothing to write home about.

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Left Bank Brasserie - Larkspur
Left Bank Brasserie - Larkspur
Left Bank Brasserie - Larkspur

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Papillon - Dining room

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4.0(1.3k reviews)
41.9 mi
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Without any hesitation, FIVE STARS! Escargot was…read moreperfect with enough garlic butter to consume all of the bread provided. Onion soup as a second course was hidden beneath the light and perfectly browned puff pastry covering. The soup was perhaps 30% cheese and the rest perfectly rendered onions in a wonderful house-made beef broth. (I would have ordered a second bowl if I hadn't ordered an entree). The main course was what we came for: Beef Wellington. Perfectly cooked to order and a luscious and outstandingly tender and flavorful generous selection of filet mignon! I enjoyed my dinner with a house Cabernet which was a perfect match. So far so good. However, the highlight of the dinner was Cherries Jubilee created table side by Owner-Mater'D, Charlie Forman. So you don't have to spent $50 in gas money plus $35-50 for parking to go to any one of the San Francisco first class houses, when the gem of the Bay Area is right in Fremont. (48 years in operation and going strong!)

I really wanted to like it…read more We went on the hottest day (so far) of 2026. They somehow seated everyone in the area in the side room that seems like it was converted from an outdoor area. There was no AC in the room and we were all relying on the little bit of cool air that flows from the main building through the hallway. All the staff were nice, but it felt like that they were a bit understaffed. The main issue we had was the food. Everything was so heavy, and visually, some dishes are not very inviting, for example, the fried forest raviolis. They were underneath a pile of greenish sauce, with 3 tomato halves that kind of didn't need to be there. The French Onion Soup - extremely salty. My kidneys were crying. At the same time, seafood Wellington? Bland, and what's up with the rice???? Why rice??? It doesn't go! I was kind of disappointed and unfortunately, probably won't be visiting again anytime soon.

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Papillon - Green House

Green House

Papillon - Banquet room

Banquet room

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Patio outside dining

Madcap - newamerican - Updated October 2026

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