tempest Oyster Bar has quickly become one of my favorite spots in Madison, and I can't recommend it…read moreenough. From the moment you step inside, the atmosphere is perfectly sophisticated yet welcoming, with a classy, nautical vibe that feels upscale without being stuffy. The historic building (with its cool backstory) adds a unique charm, and whether you're at the bar, in the Boat Room, or on the patio during happy hour, it just feels special. The drinks are top-notch. Their cocktail menu is creative and well-executed think perfectly balanced classics and inventive options that pair beautifully with seafood. The wine and beer selection is solid too, with plenty of crisp whites that complement the menu. But the real stars are the oysters and crab legs. The oysters are incredibly fresh (they boast daily shipments), briny, and perfectly shucked some of the best I've had anywhere. We ordered a mix from the raw bar and couldn't stop. The crab legs? Outstanding huge, sweet, and steamed to perfection, with just the right amount of seasoning so the natural flavor shines through. Paired with their drawn butter, it was pure indulgence. Service was attentive and knowledgeable, the portions generous, and everything felt thoughtfully prepared. If you're craving excellent seafood in a great setting, make a reservation at Tempest you won't be disappointed!

Unfortunately I had to give this restaurant two stars although the oysters were absolutely amazing…read morebecause my meal was not very good. I ordered the shrimp and grits which also included pork belly. The pork belly was pure fat with no pork. The grits were more of a cream than actual grits. The scalloped potatoes tasted like milk. It was expensive and the food i ordered was not worth it. They also ran out of bread and the service was slow.

Service is wonderful and the ambiance is cozy. The menu is really cool too, it has some familiar…read moreItalian comfort foods but every once and a while something crazy will pop up. One time they even had ostrich filets!

The staff is very friendly and helpful. They were quick to grab our order and keep our drinks…read morefilled. All of the food was great: we can't decide what is the best, but their pudding was pretty incredible. We came during winter during the day, but I'm guessing summer nights with the windows open is simply divine. As a piece of history, I overheard this restaurant has been open for twenty years.

This was my first time in Madison and I saw that they sold SEAFOOD BOIL and immediately booked it…read morethere. We got there in the middle of their lunch rush but still we're sat in a timely matter. I got half a pound of head on shrimp and got combo D with shrimp and crab. The flavor and heat were perfect! The bags came with loads of sauce and we're definitely 10/10 Sharlina was very sweet and attentive despite being busy with the rush :) Will definitely be back out next visit down here.

The food here is extremely mid and service wasn't the best either. I suggest raging Cajun seafood…read moreboiler cheaper, better quality, bigger portions

This place is always amazing. I love the spare ribs and the lobster was good. Our waiter went above…read moreand beyond expectations.

The food is top notch , appetizers and wine , service is great , our waiter recommended additional…read morething added to our order and it worked out greatly . The view is absolutely the best overlooking the capitol building . The bad , I'll have to sell my children now because the prices are ridiculous, I'm sure you are paying for quality but still think it's way too high price to bring the rating down one star.

We came for regular brunch menu on Easter Sunday. The ambience is open, airy, and inviting. Service…read morewas prompt and accurate. However, our server wasn't super familiar with the menu and didn't know what was in certain dishes. We ordered a variety of dishes. Overall, everyone liked their meals. The flavors were great. Love the Korean fusion. However... despite that we were the first ones in the door, they did not have the chicken that was on the menu. That seemed strange to all of us that they didn't plan ahead for a holiday weekend. A solid restaurant would usually have their menu items well stocked prior to a holiday weekend. Overall, still a good expertise if you're willing to be flexible.

I know most people like it here, but everytime I've been here over the years something has gone…read moreastray. This time we went to Sunday brunch with a group, including some kids. We had reservations, so we were seated right away which was a plus. Also, I will say I don't think any of the issues we had were because of our waitress. She was super friendly and quick enough to take our orders on a day when there restaurant seemed full enough, but manageable. We got our drink orders in and our food at the same time to speed up the process for getting little kids food, and the waitress even took note of that. We also ordered an appetizer to help during the wait. It took a while for the drinks to come out, but they were all rather tasty. I think my apple cider mocktail was the best and refreshing since it was getting hot in the restaurant with the sun beating in. Our food however took forever and the kids meals did not come out any earlier than everyone else. One person in our group also initially didn't get his meal, which the waitress apologized and said there was a mixup in the kitchen. That's fine, it happens, but then the staff running meals tried to bring him the wrong order 3 times. The rest of us were all finished eating by the time he finally got his food. Overall, the food was fine. I got the eggs benedict which was a little underdone on the eggs for me as the whites were too runny for me. The kids chicken nuggets were pretty tasty with a flaky breading. I heard decent reviews of the breakfast burger, but the thing that was the best to us was the breakfast sandwich. It was quite messy, but the messiness of the sauce was worth it. We also got an appetizer of the cinnamon roll. I feel like it's a little mislabeled though, as it was more like a morning bun with some frosting/glaze over the top. Tasted pretty good and helped keep kids entertained for a while. Overall, the food was fine, but the experience wasn't great. With the multiple mixups in orders and getting a little green house effect going with the sun shining in, there wsnt a great feeling when leaving. Again, I don't think it was our waitresses fault, so not sure what was going on in the kitchen.

I don't even like seafood but this fish themed bar was a blast! We saw the good reviews and…read moredecided to try it out. On a busy Saturday we couldn't even get a reservation til 9:30. We arrived at 9 and tried to frt seated early. No dice. But we sat the bar and had spritzers and appetizers. Not bad! Lots of local brews and ciders, plus plenty of open sparkling wine. The signature sardines were imported and served in the tin. What, you thought they came from lake Monona? It's across the parking lot, but these were from Spain. I'm told they were good. Let my take a moment to mention how friendly the service was. At the bar and all the helpers, I can't believe how kind and friendly they were. Order a little or a lot they were there to serve. By the time we got a table we were well on our way. Our server was excellent. Super nice, and knowledgeable about the menu He talk to us about the menu and took our orders from memory. We ordered everything from his suggestions. It was good move. We had the special scallops. They were 10U size, meaning 10 her pound. Each plate came with three peices. Th hey were good. We also ordered the lamb chops. Seated with a burnt crust. I think wrapped in bacon. Wow we really enjoyed it too. Dessert almost got skipped we're so full from a weekend of eating. He highly recommended the butterscotch pudding. It was like a big cup of pudding. It was amazing, highly recommend. We also shared a standard vanilla crème brûlée, which was merely very good. Light fluffy and perfectly crusted. Yes the food was good. The vibe was energetic. But what really made it enjoyable me was the friendly service and knowledge of the food.

Located in the Machinery Row Building at the large intersection of Williamson Street and John Nolen…read moreDrive, Sardine is a local, modern and elevated spot serving up fresh and creative dishes with a menu rooted in local and sustainable dishes, especially of the seafood variety! We found our way to Sardine after their recent nod in the NY Times, so we made a reservation for a Thursday evening and off we went! The location is stellar, not only is the space expertly curated to give a slightly elevated vibe, but it also provides a fish house-y feeling as the colors, decor, lighting and wood throughout lend themselves to a spot known for seafood. In addition to the interior, they are located right on the lakefront, which creates calming and gorgeous views from inside or outside! Before diving into the food, we landed on a few cocktails to start the night off with. The cocktail menu was well laid out with house and classic cocktails along with a section solely dedicated to tableside served Absinthe! We went with a classic and house cocktail respectively. I seemed to enjoy my Pimms Cup a bit more than my buddy enjoyed his Old Fashioned, but he made a pivot to a beer for his second drink, so all was saved! Food wise, as noted, they are seafood forward, but have a few other offerings for those land dwellers! The menu is not expansive, but it is robust in the areas of offerings from apps to oysters, salads to sides and of course entrees. For our starter, we went with the warm goat cheese, because I am currently obsessed with warm fancy cheese dip style dishes, no shame! The cheese came with grilled bread, however the bread was a bit hard and made enjoying the creamy texture and feel of the goat cheese complicated. I would have much preferred a softer variety of bread or toast, or a less grilled portion. For dinner once of us went seafood, the other steak. The swordfish was light, well cooked and delightful. The steak frites were a bit heavier with less components, but no less tasty! The mustard sauce served on the side was perfection and a perfect accompaniment. For a fairly plain dish, the simple preparation was good, and the fries were crisp and well seasoned. It was not the best steak frites I have ever had, but it was a steak dish from a seafood spot, so I respect it and still enjoyed it quite a bit! Service was stellar from entry to exit. Getting to the host(ess) stand can be a bit confusing as it is located in the middle of the restaurant, but once there, they take care of you! Our server was kind, friendly, helpful and a joy to interact with. Overall, Sardine was a great evening with a solid meal, good drinks, great service and a uniquely Madison vibe!

Having a kid attending UW Madison we decided to check out a local steak house for Easter this year…read more Once inside we were impressed with the coziness of perfect tables for 2 as well as tables for larger parties. Being fresh bakery bread fans, we enjoyed the bread basket variety served at our table with fresh sweet butter. Our salads, fresh with house made croutons! Steaks cooked as ordered and juicy. I got the largest onion ring I ever seen on my plate. The hash browns the bomb! Came out on our plates crispy the way I like, and the size of large saucers! Needless to say we had no room for deserts. We definitely will return for a special occasion or special holiday.

Classic WI supper club right near the Capitol square. Rustic wood dining room feels like a hunting…read morelodge with white table cloth table settings. We came for dinner Saturday. Brandy Old fashioned to start. Cute table relish centerpiece that looked like a Bloody Mary with no liquids. Dinner was the Prime rib special with smashed baked potato. Bone in Filet, Rack of Lamb. The French onion soup and wedge salad were a wonderful way to start.

We stopped by for dinner after a pretty draining couple of weeks, and I can't say enough about the…read moreexperience. The food was great, but our server, Lily, was incredible. She had no way of knowing we were feeling worn down, but her warmth and genuine care completely turned our evening around. She made the visit feel special in a way that really stuck with us. Lily is a massive asset to the team, and we're beyond grateful for the hospitality. We'll definitely be back.

We came without a reservation for brunch on a cold, snowy Sunday. We got in right away!…read more Favorites: The cinnamon roll was a crowd favorite and the schnitzel was crispy and rich. Service was just fine considering the busyness. Some long gaps every now and then but I rent taken care of.

The Corral Room is perhaps downtown Madison's best kept secret. It's cocktail lounge beneath the…read moreTornado Room that only opens after 9pm. The menu is mostly small plates and drinks. The lighting is intimate and the decor relies heavily on dark corners and draped curtains. The place simply oozes atmosphere and looks like something straight out of a David Lynch movie. It's hard to categorize the Corral Room Bar. It straddles the line of both divy and classy. Both seedy and romantic. If you're on a date and you REALLY want to impress someone, take them to the Corral Room. P.S. I'm pretty sure this is the only place in madison where you can order escargot.

This is no Tornado room...but, it's kitchy and if you're in absolutely no hurry and in the mood to…read morefight for a table and have a small party, what the hell. Give it a try. We ordered the French onion soup, cheese curds (not available on the upstairs menu), scallop appetizer, steak sandwich and the pineapple upside down cake (also not listed on the late night menu but on the upstairs Tornado room menu). Pros: We could get quality cheese curds that weren't normally an option here! They had many of the fav's from the upstairs menu available as a late night late night option. The dessert was amazing, as always! Con: The steak sandwich had been rumored to be a showstopper but ours was thin pieces of tough, chewy steak. Nothing close to what I'd have ever guessed possible for this usually elite steak house on even its worst day. Major disappointment.

Celebrated Mothers Day at Johnny Delmonico's and from start to finish things were an A+. Our…read moreserver Ashton was friendly, knowledgeable of the menu and made great recommendations. He was a consummate professional and was always available without hovering. We started our meal with a couple cocktails, and I have to say the Pear Martini was delish! The guests in my party were equally happy with the Bees Knees and the Gimlet. Very nice drink menu, lots of choices for everyone and all drinks were well made. Food wise, we started with a couple appetizers. The Oysters on Half Shell, the Stuffed Mushroom Caps and the Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes. We also tried the French Onion Soup. Not a complaint to be heard, and we practically licked the plates clean if that gives you an idea of how tasty everything was. Entrees included the Salmon, the Seared Scallops, The Waygu Burger and the Manhattan Surf and Turf with the addition of Marrow Butter. Absolute perfection... each and every one. I would not hesitate to recommend you give it a try, you will NOT be disappointed! Thanks for making my Mothers Day so incredibly special.

A fancier downtown restaurant with coat check and lots of comfortable seating…read more Great steaks, cooked to near perfection. Comes with a starch side. Okay cocktails and large selection of liquors and wines (on the pricey side). Good service. It was a Thursday night and wasn't busy. Server was a bit slow but steaks came out fast after our order was placed.