Madison, Wisconsin, is the home of government and the University of Wisconsin. Everything revolves around these two institutions. This means that businesses are geared to serve their tastes. In terms of restaurants, there are many chain foods, pubs, and steak joints. If you are a foodie you need to get out of the peninsula and into the neighborhoods. One in particular is in Schenk-Atwood called Mint Mark. I found out about it on a good restaurant review website. We went to Resy to make reservations but could not, and they were booked a month out. I asked if they would take walk-ins, and they said yes. First, my two-word review is "fucking incredible." Okay, now that I got that out of my system, here are the details. This is a storefront restaurant on a lonely stretch of Winnebago Street. When you walk in, there is a beautiful bar awaiting you with incredible cocktails. You can sit at the bar, or there is a small dining area with well-crafted wood benches and chairs. The service is great. We ordered two cocktails : The Pumpkin Spice Barbie and a rotating cocktail with blackberry, lime, and other well--crafted ingredients. The menu is imaginative and primarily vegetarian. The plates are small, so you must order four for two people. We ordered the Friday Fish Fry (hey, this is Wisconsin), A Biscuit (with cultured butter and garlic honey); The Ravioli (with ricotta, pleasant ridge fontina, bandaged cheddar, and truffle oil); Schitzel(milked poached celery root, caper currant ravigote and lemon), and the Burrata (sweet potato latke, calabrian chili, and sherry maple syrup). Each dish was incredible and I was blown away by the craft and flavor profiles. We were tempted to get the Carrot Cake dessert, but we were full. When we got the bill ($108.00) it did not have additional fees. This was a fair bill for the service, great cocktails, and cuisine. I have been to hundreds of restaurants. Mint Mark is in the top 1% of a very competitive list. read more

There was one salad on the menu but it had a peanut dressing. I'm allergic to nuts so I asked for a different dressing. They refused giving multiple reasons. First that the chef had prepared each dish with care and didn't want to change the ingredients ( this was a salad with greens and radishes only). Second they didn't have another dressing ( they had a vinaigrette which came with a sausage and greens) . Etc. The lack of flexibility in the face of an allergy and the weak rationales led to my one star review. read more

Always delicious. This review is just for drinks tho. The bartenders are always top notch, with amazing skills but also great suggestions. They are knowledgeable about every ingredient and quick with the service too. Now if only they'd bring back martini lunch Friday's ::Ahem::. Anyway, the food is also amazing but I'll do a follow up review with pictures for that. read more

Mint Mark - Rise and Rind. A delicious watermelony cocktail. Sooo refreshing! - Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

This place is always packed, but it is so worth the wait for a table. The bar is first come, first serve for drinks only. And their drinks are amazing! My favorite is the golden sun; it's a cocktail made with sesame, and it is savory and tart. I came yesterday with my mom, and she had the mango sangrita and I had the rise & rind. The rise & rind was also savory and a touch spicy; I loved it. The ambiance is relaxed and romantic, and the location is close to late night bars. This is my go to spot for a fun night out! read more

Mint Mark - Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Service was great. Our server was super helpful, attentive but not intrusive. The small plates were the perfect size for two to share. Awesome vibe. Will definitely be back! read more

Really nice looking restaurant but food was poor and pacing was not well executed. Not worth going returning.

Probably my favorite spot in Madison. Every time I go, I like it more. The drinks are fantastic, the food is incredible, service and atmosphere are spot on. Great vibes. I love that the menu changes frequently so you get to try new things. But the staples (biscuits, skillet cookie) are always a must. Highly recommend. This is a Madison must. read more

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I can't get enough of the spicy, gingery sangrita made with a changing, seasonal fruit. Also If you haven't enjoyed the best buttery, crispy biscuit from Mint Mark yet..please do yourself a favor and go get one! These are definitely two of my very favorites in Madison and with this dreamy interior, dare you to name a better spot read more

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We only went for a nightcap, but wow I am happy we did! This reminds me of a tiki bar for millennials - which is a compliment I assure you. Our bartender was knowledgeable and helpful I'm making our drink selections. The Koala Tail is exactly what I enjoy in a cocktail (Smokey, herbal, and just a hint of sweet). We will be back next time we are in Madison! read more

Mint Mark - Koala Tail and Brandy Old Fashioned - Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

You may think this review is biased because where else would you get dinner at 11pm after getting off a plane in Madison, WI but even if there had been 10 places to eat at, Mint mark would win! Their food was outstanding: inventive yet tasty. Sometimes inventive food has too many flavors added together resulting in a muddy overly spiced dish but here, the chef's flavor profile while left of center was balanced and simplified. We had the signature biscuit with honey: we had to order another one, the first went so fast! We also had ricotta and spinach ravioli in a balsamic buerre blanc sauce with pine nuts which was more sweet than sour and very very tasty. We also had the homemade sausage over hash browns which was quite "porky" by itself but sublime when eaten with the hash browns. For dessert we had the favorite: chocolate chip blondie la mode (not sure the actual name of the dish). Highly suggest you order that if you go: counter decide which was better - the silky vanilla ice cream or the melt in your mouth cookie! If there was a downside, it would be the portions were a bit small for the price. The flavor was worth the e tea money though! I also had a mescal cocktail with a liquor I can't even spell - It was also creative AND tasty. Our server was Allison and she was delightful! On point and friendly :) read more

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Overall we had a good time at Mint Mark. Their new space is a lot larger and very beautifully done. We had a party of 3 come around 7:20 PM on a Monday to get a table and was told it would be a 45 minute wait. Longer than we expected, but there's a bar with indoor and outdoor seating so we got some drinks while we waited. The cocktails were delicious and fairly priced. The bartender who served us was super friendly as well. We ended up waiting at the bar for 1.5 hours and was really disappointed because it was double the time we were told and if we would have known we wouldn't get seated til 9 PM we would have dined somewhere else. The standout dishes were the cauliflower, radiatore, and pizzetta. We were pleasantly surprised by all the unique combination of flavors. I thought the biscuit was great as well, but it was definitely sweet & salty so only order that if you are ok with the combo. The dishes and service were all great but the wait ruined our night. Wish they still took reservations so we could have avoided this issue. read more

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My boyfriend and I keep a running list of "adventure spots". Mint Mark has been on that list for months and we finally got a chance to visit. First off- this place is cuuuuuuuuute. The decor is really nice and I especially love the picture of Anthony Bourdain by the kitchen. We started with cocktails and there are so many great ones to choose from. I had a Manhattan and my SO one of their draft cocktails. Both were really tasty! The menu is small but it means that everything they offer, has to be really good. My SO ordered the cheeseburger and said it's probably the best burger he's ever had. His was served with a side of fries. I ordered the agnolotti which is so, so good- but such a small portion! I swear there were 6 or 7 bites of agnolotti total. We had to catch a show at 6:30 so I didn't have time to order anything else; I definitely left the restaurant hungry. My SO had a full meal so that wasn't the case for him. Haha. Our food came out at different times (burger first, pasta second) which was outside the norm but not a big deal. We will definitely come back to sit at the swanky bar and enjoy more cocktails. I would also like to explore their menu a bit more. The biscuit and cauliflower served at another table looked amazing. read more

Mint Mark - Agnolotti - Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Mint Mark is an absolute gem with a vibe so unique, you'll wonder if you've wandered into a chic art gallery that just happens to serve incredible food. First off, the biscuit? Fluffier than a cloud that's had a great nap. And the cauliflower? So good it'll make you feel healthier just by looking at it. The flatbread with eggplant dip was *chef's kiss*--so divine, I'm convinced it was sent from heaven. The pasta dishes? Let's just say they didn't last long on the table. And the service? Our bartender was like a cocktail wizard, making drinks and making our night. If you want great food and a side of good vibes, get yourself to Mint Mark--just don't blame me if you end up dreaming about that cauliflower. read more

Mint Mark - Bar area - Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Mint Mark has become a staple for me in the Madison food scene. Although dishes are small plates, they are pack with big flavor. You can't go wrong during brunch of dinner. They've kept the decor up since the beginning and it's still stunning! My focus on this re-review is dinner - big 5/5. Even with a limited menu, we found enough items to choose from for a full meal. We started with the cauliflower which is roasted to perfection, broiled with parmesan on top, and then coated with a light citrusy sauce to balance everything out. Absolutely delicious. Additionally, the pasta here is prepared spot on - al dente and the sauce is so smooth. There is usually 1 or 2 pasta items on the menu, and to not miss out, just get both. Last honorable mention is the biscuit. Seems so simple, but Mint Mark has transformed it to something special. The biscuit is nice and flaky, with a layer of honey sauce on top and then eaten with the whipped butter - YUM! Oh and last last thing, don't forget to get a cocktail or five! I've haven't had one during brunch or dinner that I didn't like! Need to give this place a try! read more

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When I lived in Madison a few years ago MM's service and drinks were top notch, noteworthy even. The food was always pretty hit and miss. I'm not sure if my experience last night was indicative of post-pandemic reverberations or just a crew ready to call it a night but the drinks were not balanced. I'm on a Caribbean kick at the moment so went with rum cocktails on the menu. Both were far too sweet, no rum flavor punching through. You'd hope for top quality at these prices... I'm thinking Foundation (Milwaukee) level taste...not even close. We got there late-ish (10:15)...took 5 minutes for someone to even acknowledge us and there was no line and the bar was not crowded. We were made well aware of our lateness. I read that they're leaving this space and moving on to bigger/better...if the food and drinks don't improve this place won't swim. I drove by the Standard...it looks...ummm...Standard... hopefully MM pulls it together but they're going out on a limb. My experience coming back to Madison is that many folks working at places like this and Mickey's are so impressed with themselves that they can't be bothered to just be kind and do their jobs well. Maybe they're trained to act this way...who knows. read more

Mint Mark is our favorite spot to eat in Madison for so many reasons. Their seasonal food and cocktail menus shine, no matter what time of year! They have a very vegetable-forward menu but don't be fooled, bc. their steak tartar is to.die.for. They have plenty of gluten-friendly options as well. We love their cauliflower dish, summertime green bean dish with fresh herbs and egg & their friday fish fry is awesome!! The homemade fries, tartar and unique coleslaw make the fish fry far from ordinary. Their cocktail menu is ever-changing & delicious. They also have a great natural wine-focused wine list. The service is top-notch. Both times we dined in we sat at the bar and Belle was our bartender and server. She is awesome! Vibe and atmosphere are also 10/10. This will always be a Madison must! read more

Beautiful interior design with both indoor and outdoor seating options. Bar area with plenty of nonalcoholic options is available while you wait for a table (no reservations). All of the small plates are delicious, but the French Eggplant dip is a must have. Our waitress was absolutely hilarious and extremely knowledgeable about all of the menu options. Highly recommend! read more

A perfect brunch. Potatoes are a must very good. New location is great vibe. Il be back for sure. read more

Mint Mark - Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Grabbed drinks and tapas with a friend for dinner last Thursday evening and was completely wowed by everything! They have ~6 tables outside, half of which are for a party of 2, and we were able to snag a small table in the alley to the side of the restaurant. I'll start off with our waitress, who was an absolute delight. I'm kicking myself for not remembering her name, but she was so nice, attentive, and at times felt like a guest at our dinner date, ha! The menus are small but mighty. The cocktails sounded amazing, but I was personally a huge fan of the mocktails! I'm a lightweight when it comes to alcohol, so it's difficult for me to grab a quick drink and some food before driving home. Having an extensive offering of mocktails was perfect for me to be able to "set the mood" for a girls date while still being responsible. :) I really enjoyed the Hopper, which was the perfect mix of sweet, tropical, and bitter. We shared the cauliflower (one of only two dishes that are permanently on their menu), sweet corn fritters, musk melon, sungold sugo, and pear crisp. It's only been 10 days since I ate there, but the majority of their menu has changed. My favorites were the cauliflower (super flavorful but a little too oily) and the pear crisp. My friend really enjoyed the sweet corn fritters (super sweet) and the sungold sugo (the gold tomato sauce was absolutely divine). All in all, it was a delicious meal, and we had a great time! However, I would recommend against going here if you're feeling very hungry. We split 2 drinks and 5 dishes between 2 people (for a total of $80 pre-tip), but I was hungry again just a couple hours later. I'll definitely continue visiting in the future for drinks and snacks with friends though. read more

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Our new Madison go to restaurant. So far the best plate was cabbage with smoked trout roe. But everything we had was amazing. The drink were another thing that will bring us back as well. Very hip, cool atmosphere as well. The service was great as well. read more

Lovely drinks, lovely tapas and a wonderful dinner (outside). The menu seems small but it is packed with goodness. Draft cocktails and even the NA cocktails were inventive and great. For food, the biscuit was fantastic, and squash fritter was quite good too. We also liked the cauliflower and the burger, and the skillet cookie was made special with the rye chocolate chips for a small savory note. The pork ragu (Malfatti) was the weakest link but even that was tasty. Service is pretty fast, efficient and friendly. Can get busy so probably best to grab a reservation (which are definitely available at least as of sept 21). read more

Everything about Mint Mark was fantastic!! My brother & sister in law took my husband & I here for dinner on our visit with them(we're from UT) The food was was very creative & every dish we had hit the spot!! We went last summer so I don't really remember all the food we had. But everything we ordered as a group was delicious. Sadly I can't recommend any of the dishes...well dessert was amazing Chocolate Cake. But not your usual run of the mill cake. This one has it's own category! Drinks were the same very good & all had an interesting twist on them. Service was top notch, we didn't have to ask for a thing our server was always at the ready to get us anything. Inside the restaurant was beautiful as well. As you can tell by now I loved this spot! So go & enjoy your experience as much as I did! read more

I went there with high hopes but was disappointed. I checked "OK" but it wasn't really that good. The demographic was people younger than 40. We asked to be seated outside, which turned out to be the better option as it was HORRIBLY loud when we walked through the inside. The music outside made it hard to hear one another, though neither of us is hard of hearing. We had to gesture to the waiter several times for service because he seemed to be social chatting with other diners. We wondered if being older helped explain the lack of attentiveness. The portions were very small and though we were encouraged to share, which worked for us, the portions were too small for normal appetites to share. The food was tasty but nothing special. Will not go back. read more

We had an exceptional experience dining at Mint Mark. Our group of 6 had reservations (PS make reservations or you'll be sitting at the bar) and were promptly seated at a corner table. Our server was kind and fun, and very attentive. And made sure we had Brandy Old Fashions in hand in short order. They recommended ordering multiple dishes to share, so naturally we ordered one of almost everything on the menu. Sadly, they were already out of the pork schnitzel. However, there wasn't a bad thing on the menu! You must order the house biscuits (one biscuit per order). It was so delicious we ordered two more for the table! The cauliflower dish was fantastic, the gnocchi was made in house, the bok choy was really unique. The beans and toast were great. We were happy, not just with the number of vegetarian dishes but with the quality of time as well! Because the menu changes often and is seasonal, I can't wait to come back! read more

Every single plate that came out was delicious. We had the biscuit with the honey garlic and wow. We also had the cauliflower with the crispy cheese, which is basically how I would like my cauliflower done from now on. The raviolo was just like, if not better, than the one at Davanti (rip) on Taylor St in Chicago. Even the side of fries was fried just right. If I lived here, I'd go here a lot. Service was excellent. Jennifer saved me from myself by suggesting I wait to see if I really would want dessert at the end. (I didn't because we ate everything.) The only thing I wasn't into was my cocktail. I had the X Marks the Spot. Just didn't come together for me. My husband drank most of it. However, the food was so good I'm still giving it five stars. read more

This was our first visit to Mint Mark for an anniversary dinner. Everything was perfect. The garage is right next to the restaurant and has lots of diabled parking spaces. The place is very pleasant but could be a bit loud if full. Our drinks and food were great.. The service was another great plus - friendly and efficient. We will certainly return. read more

Am I crazy? I thought the coffee was terrible, and so did my friends. Best cinnamon roll in town and the rest of the brunch was decent but the coffee... damn shame. read more

Mint Mark lives up to the hype. Their food is soo weird, unique and the flavors just work. We loved every dish and tried to rank them from favorite to least favorite- but struggled! The cocktails were delicious, my husband had an elderberry Tito's cocktail which was refreshing. I had the sangrita- which had tequila. Yummy, but I preferred his. I loved the honey biscuit, it's a must try. You'll want to lick your plate. The cauliflower had a unique sauce, but incredible. The cauliflower was cooked perfectly and the raisins on it were great. The sausage plate was also yummy, it was on top of cheesy hashbrowns- not sure how anyone could dislike this one. My personal fave was the pierogis- crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside- the slaw and sauce complemented it perfectly. Finally, we tried the cookie skillet- it came up sizzling and was incredible!! My husband was obsessed. We talked about how we wanted to come back and try all the items we missed- it was so good. Losing a star because there was no air conditioning and it was 95° outside. We would have loved to be a bit more comfortable inside. read more

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Great food and drinks. They never disappoint. Get the biscuits, no matter if you think you don't want them--order them

We have been to their old location several times - and it had been at the top of our lists. First time at the new one - it's bigger, airier, different vibe - but there are several things that can be considered a downgrade. 1) The food just isn't that memorable compared to the old menu. Besides cocktails, we ordered deviled eggs, charred zucchini, duck fingers, pierogi and biscuit. Quantity was fine. Really struggled to find any creativity or technique that was a hallmark of the old menu. Nothing that left us trying to google the dishes to try and figure out how the heck they made it so delicious. 2) They are understaffed for peak times. The frazzled bar staff and empty tables make it pretty obvious. Our server did the best they could. 3) No reservations. Long and still wildly inaccurate wait times. Backed up bar and loud/crowded patio. These things together add up. 4) Parking is $5 an hour. The website says they validate up to 2 hours, which we didn't know and there was no mention of it. So we paid for 3 hours of which two was wait time. The new place is about 6 week in? So maybe they will work on some of this, but it'll probably be a while before we give it another try. Madison just has too many excellent options. Good luck if you go and make sure you bring your parking ticket! read more

This has been my third time here and will keep coming back. Everything was beyond amazing... I'm not sure if Lauren is the owner, host, or sever, but she's pretty amazing. *even handled the pretentious fake foodies with grace. read more

Absolutely brilliant food and cocktails. The best food I've had in Madison, period, and exceptional service as well. Stunningly good. Go here, you will not regret it. read more

Mint Mark- one of those places where you go to eat and it sits and resonates in your heart after you dine in. Unfortunately, I have found that since the move and menu expansion, they have missed the mark with some of their dishes. The biscuit is still however amazing- crispy outside with garlic honey butter creating the most sweet savory bite that is sure to be even a dessert. The deviled eggs- interesting; the yolk mixture was seasoned perfectly with a rich Dijon flavor and a smoky trout roe finish. The sausage dish- a classic cheddar sausage in a mustard herb sauce? Overall it left the pallet missing some crunchy texture like crispy breadcrumbs. The pierogi was lacking any seasoning, more than likely just needed salt to bring out the flavors of the broth. The cook of the pierogi was poor, the inside gummy and the outside just barely seared. The steak and potatoes- A medium finish with a hooks cheddar and possibly a brown butter sauce gave this dish a very rich bitter taste that wouldn't leave the mouth in a very unpleasant way. The potato salad was very Midwest classic, but the potatoes were underdone. I am most saddened however, on the dessert course. It was called Peaches and Cream- and knowing that Mint Mark has a flair for the creative, I was so interested in trying what could've been the best dish of the night. The top of the dish was a sour peach sorbet which before trying the rest of the dish, could've lended that tart bite against the sweetness of the peaches. However, it bashed against the bitterness of the brown butter and what can only be a sugarless cream and baked peach. The dessert had not a sweet note about it. My culinary connoisseur asked me "Did they taste this dish before it went out?" To my dishmay, I couldn't say yes. At the end of the meal, I was disheartened. I love Mint Mark, and on my list it is one of those places to go for an unforgettable meal. Wanting to share that with my colleague, it was a shame that they didn't enjoy the meal. I hope that with these critiques and expanding the menu, the chefs continue to fine tune the dishes and hopefully create powerful and memorable meals like their previous work. read more

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Amazing dinner, just the way I like it! (Small bites of a little bit of everything). Go with a group so you can try a ton of everything because it's all so good! Great cocktails & atmosphere, too read more

Amazing ambiance and fresh small plates! The server was extremely knowledgeable and had great recommendations. I came with my parents and they loved trying the signature cocktails (they have a ton of yummy options). read more

Mint Mark - Cookie skillet - Bars Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Amazing food and service! Highly recommend to everyone!!! Mind blown! Will definitely go back!

Went here for dinner on a week night. I've heard mixed reviews, so I wasn't sure what to expect of the place. I will say that I really like the decor of the place and the staff was very nice, but I wasn't the biggest fan of the food. Also, the menu wasn't very descriptive with what the dishes actually were. First we ordered the biscuit with garlic honey. I really like the presentation in the cast iron pan, but wasn't sold on the taste. It tasted very salty to me and the garlic and honey seemed to both overpower each other, which was odd to me because I like both of those ingredients and put garlic on almost all of my food. Weirdly, my friend said that the taste was better if you added the butter that came with the biscuit. We also ordered the pierogi which had fermented potato, gruyere, and savoy cabbage. We didn't really understand what the fermenting did for the potato. Also for a dumpling, it was more greasy than we thought it would be. The standout flavor in the dish was the fermented potato, which we weren't the biggest fans of. It also seemed slightly overpriced for what we got. Finally we ordered the tajarin, this is where my comment of not knowing what we were getting based off of the menu comes in, I suppose we could have looked it up online or asked though. This was my favorite thing that we ordered. It had the boldest and most balanced flavor. We were just kind of sad at the portion size for the price. Overall, this place seems a little overpriced for the size of portions. That being said they are clearly talented and know a lot of cooking techniques. It just feels like they may have missed the mark the night we were there. I might have to go back and try them for brunch however, as I have heard good things. read more

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Since I got to Madison first, people have been egging me to go here. For the hype, I was somewhat surprised at the size of the place. Limited and small seating gives you far bigger city vibes where real estate is scarce. Huddled on barstools facing a rainy window we sat between two couples as they laughed with first date awkwardness. When they talk about intimate dining I'm not sure it's supposed to be with people you didn't bring but what do I know? The cocktails were great, and unique, with unusual flavor profiles and copious amounts of alcohol. Peeking around I was alerted to the fact that it's all basically small plates. A handy thing to know for hungry people that is. The food tastes good but is portioned in the hope that the richness would satiate you more than the substance. Which works for a bit but then you get home and feel silly. The cauliflower is raved about often here, which by all means you should get if you don't cook it at home. Otherwise, it's just fried cauliflower I mean no clue what you were expecting... The pasta was fresh and zesty, and I think we had some fritters that frittered away too fast for me to recall what they tasted like. To be wowed here I think you want to spend generously and get a whole bunch of things and then be left wondering for all this money, this ambiance, this cramped seating.. hmm I guess this is the price of relevance. Or you know go back home and eat yesterday's leftovers afterward (moms are always right). read more

For the first time visit: 3.5 out of 5 The space is quaint and cozy. It started flooding in with people around 8pm on a Wednesday night. We had selected the pierogi, Brussels sprouts, biscuits, terrine and chicken liver mousse. Dishes were served almost immediately! Taste testing: pierogi was nice and crispy with the creamy gruyere inside. Cabbage added the perfect salt touch. I loved the biscuits! They were sweet. The Brussels sprouts were also a fan favorite. The bottom pieces/leaves end up being very vinegary as a heads up. We ordered the terrine not knowing it'd be like a chunky pate. By itself it was good, lots of texture and not oversalted. The mustard that was served was INCREDIBLY smoky. The chicken liver mousse was okay. It was served with a sweet bread and watercress. I felt that the bread was overpowering the mousse flavor. The mousse itself was light, buttery and not too salty! There were components I liked in each shareable plate, but not all together. Service was great! I'm not sure if I understand the hype around this place. Is it more the beverage selection or food? It definitely has its quirks-just a few kinks to sort out on the food. I'm really itching to give it a 4 but I would have to come back to try another round of their changing menu. read more

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I would give a five for the vibe - the place is super cute. It's was got me in the door after seeing pics on Yelp when planning my visit from Texas. Biscuits and drinks were amazing. I would've liked more options for entrees - which is what got me to the four. Overall, great place to try. read more