jumble's Profile
Supper Club recommendations in Madison WI?
CJ's became a Mexicali Rose, and is now Talula:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/jumble/5423272633/
Before it was bright pink, one outside wall looked like this: http://www.madisonatoz.com/2005/04/cjs_restaurant.html
(with apologies for the self-links)
Supper Club recommendations in Madison WI?
Monch, that's a great idea. I've been wracking my tiny little brain - was it:
East Side Business Club? Not on one-ways, and being on the lake would have been obvious. http://esbma.com/
Smoky's? Also not on one-ways, but University Ave. is a big enough boulevard to seem like it. Also all on one level. http://smokysclub.com/
Stamm House? Not on one-ways, but definitely on a couple levels. More than 10 minutes from Edgewater. Now closed. http://www.delicious.com/madisonatoz/stammhouse
Something in the Von Rutenberg family? http://www.vrv-madison.com/
Supper Club recommendations in Madison WI?
Maybe Tornado? http://tornadosteakhouse.com/
Madison updates, please!
Try the Fountain (122 State St.). Same genre as Coopers, Old Fashioned, etc. but more modest and more personal.
Palmyra (a friendly spinoff of Shish Cafe) is excellent Syrian/Levantine food.
Victory on Atwood for coffee.
Happy holidays!
Wine in Madison, WI???
Barriques Wall of 100 sounds like what you're looking for: http://www.barriquesmarket.com/?page_id=331
WI - Best Overall Restaurants (According to OpenTable)
Yup. "10best"'s #8 (Casbah) has also been closed for some time. In the spirit of talking to-instead-of-about, I reported both those oversights to its editors.
Double yup, I know Isthmus' list (and they know I know it, so this isn't gossip). My advice: always call ahead.
WI - Best Overall Restaurants (According to OpenTable)
Dang. What a gappy list. If that's all the research the hypothetical traveler is doing... sigh, it's an exercise in information literacy.
I'm not up on Milwaukee so much, but for Madison I'd trust this list (that a lobbyist firm robo-tweets every three days) more than that one.
http://www.10best.com/destinations/wisconsin/madison/restaurants/filter/
Madison: house hunting trip eats...
Congrats! Madison Area CSA Coalition is a good place to start: http://www.csacoalition.org - they usually have an "open house" in spring, which is a good time for new sign-ups.
There was a thread not too long ago about CSAs on the local Reddit: http://www.reddit.com/r/madisonwi/comments/exeaq/anyone_have_a_csa_farm_that_they_like/
Madison: house hunting trip eats...
Nostrano's a good call. They might be busy - try a reservation. (When we went service turned from warm to icy between dessert and check. Hopefully that was an isolated incident.)
Madison: house hunting trip eats...
Welcome! First a note about getting around - special event "Ride the Drive" will close some major downtown-ish roads on Sunday 9/25/11. Here's the route:
http://www.cityofmadison.com/transportation/ridethedrive/
Second, I second Monch on Lombardino's. Some ideas of varying degrees of keyed-upness but all very local and veg-friendly, with at least decent (for WI; "excellent" most other places) beer:
Graze http://grazemadison.com/
Greenbush Bar http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/214/1073714/restaurant/Greenbush-Bar-Madison
Osteria Papavero http://www.osteriapapavero.com/
Quivey's Grove http://www.quiveysgrove.com/
Umami Ramen & Dumpling Bar http://www.umamiramen.blogspot.com/
Weary Traveler http://www.wearytravelerfreehouse.com/
For breakfast/lunch:
Bradbury's http://www.bradburyscoffee.com/
Ironworks Cafe http://www.goodmancenter.org/resources/ironworks-cafe
Lazy Jane's Cafe http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/214/1073818/restaurant/Lazy-Janes-Cafe-Bakery-Madison
And if you trade a little veg-friendliness (not much) for more beer/selection:
Ale Asylum http://www.aleasylum.com/
Brasserie V http://www.brasseriev.com/
Old Fashioned http://www.theoldfashioned.com/
Vintage Brewing Co. http://www.vintagemadison.com/
Good luck house hunting and check back!
Madison: where to live for food?
Welcome! GreatRightAngle is right on. If rent/mortgage money is no object, get as close to the isthmus as you can (near East has better restaurants, near West better cook's supplies, IMO).
If you also like being near books and stuff, this Google map (that I made, apologies for the quasi-self-link) of public libraries and restaurants might help you get a feel for what's in the various neighborhoods.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=211413838753321934223.0004a99c80bd039dd53fb&msa=0
Green oil/herb dipping sauce at Magnus in Madison
It was chimichurresque, though I thought I tasted dill and fennel (6 years after the OP). Magnus is closed now but the chef is still in Madison, at 43 North. Dunno if the sauce went with him.
Road trip from St. Paul to Madison, WI on 94- would love foodie sidetrack suggestions! [Moved from Minneapolis-St. Paul Board]
I second the Cheese Factory, Mustard Museum, and Carr Valley suggestions - you might also like to check into Fromagination on Madison's capitol square. Lots of cheese and local/not so local complements (Potter's crackers, Q&A jams, etc.)
I carry a torch for Norske Nook's pies (full disclosure: my family is from Osseo and we've tried all 50+ kinds: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jumble/sets/72157604395229778 ); Heavy Table's comparison is admirably thorough but, if I'm reading their article correctly, the Nook's rating suffered from the methodology employed.
That said, there are some bad pies there. Steer clear of anything with whipped topping. But if you have time to stop and enjoy a fresh slice with meringue (lemon, sour cream raisin, or coconut cream), and it's not a deflatingly humid summer day, you will probably not regret it.
Dulce de Leche in Madison, WI
This list of ethnic groceries from the UW might help: http://uwinternationals.org/madfood.shtml
Of those listed, I also know Los Gemelos and La Hispana Grocery have great snacks (Los Gemelos in back of the store, and La Hispana next door at La Concha Bakery).
If all else fails, Woodman's has everything. http://www.woodmans-food.com/
Looking for recommendations in west-central Wisconsin, Eau Claire to Rice Lake
I lived in Eau Claire a decade ago, but I still pass through there frequently. Here are some ideas - depending what you're in the mood for.
Acoustic Cafe is good for soup/sandwich and coffee/beer: http://www.theacoustic.com/
Chicken Unlimited is the last outpost of a former chain. Excellent fried chicken and a friendly, time-capsule atmosphere: http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/130/902223/restaurant/Chicken-Unlimited-Carry-Out-Eau-Claire
Kim Chi Cafe: Last time I was at Chicken Unlimited (a couple months ago) I was flipping through the local free weekly and saw a story on this new Korean place. I was intrigued...Korean in Eau Claire... I dunno. :) But the American owner studied cooking while teaching English in Korea, so... If you go, please report back. http://www.thekimchicafe.com/index.php
Mike's Smokehouse always got raves from the BBQ fans I knew, but I can't remember much about it myself: http://www.enjoyeauclaire.com/mikes-smokehouse.html
Norske Nook: At least get a slice of fruit or meringue pie at the Northwoods Brewery outpost of this celebrated bakery: http://www.norskenook.com/ I can't speak to the food at Northwoods.
Have a good trip!
Best eats in Wisconsin Dells area?
EatWisconsin has a bead on that in this recent post:
http://eatwisconsin.wordpress.com/2010/08/13/eating-well-in-wisconsin-dells/
I second their Cheese Factory recommendation - be sure to try dessert there. And on the meaty end of the spectrum, while I didn't care for Del-Bar or Kaminski Bros., some folks love them.
Fish Fry in Madison Wisconsin
We just took some WI expats to Sweeney's Oakcrest Tavern (5371 Old Middleton Rd.) for perch and cod and they were very pleased. It's cozy, wood paneling, 5-6 beers on tap, great burgers too.
But there are lots of great choices in Madison - Madison Fish Fry is the best place to start a fish fry search: http://madisonfishfry.com/
Madison favorites
Nope - White Horse closed in July 2006 and the restaurant group that ran it kinda exploded a few months later. The building stood vacant for years but an ad agency recently started renovating it.
http://host.madison.com/business/article_c5b6b945-1b27-505d-9ab2-95af2464b29e.html
LaCrosse WI lunchtime event location??
This was three years ago, but I had a really excellent cashew torte at Hackberry's, the lovely upstairs cafe at the People's Food Co-op - pic: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jumble/2408194655 - lunch was light portions of good stuff.
http://www.peoplesfoodcoop.com/hackberrys.asp
Best chocolate chip cookies in Madison Wi
What fun! I'd recommend:
Madison Sourdough: my personal favorite. Lots of good chocolate and butter, with a chewy texture
http://www.madisonsourdough.com/
Graze: baked-to-order and served warm with a glass of milk
http://grazemadison.com/
King & Mane: more chocolate than cookie, but maybe get it to go and warm it up (unless that's cheating)
http://www.lombardinos.com/kingnmane.html
La Concha: more like a sugar cookie studded with mini chips; the rest of the bakery is great, too
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/214/1073246/restaurant/Madison/La-Concha-Bakery-Fitchburg
Commenters on our blog also like Michelangelo's (not sure where they get theirs, but I think Fair Trade has the same supplier).
Those are just the "traditional" chocolate chip cookies. If you're willing to stretch the definition, I'd suggest looking for Cress Springs Bakery at the Dane County Farmers' Market (www.dcfm.org) for an amazing Chocolate Fire cookie (with cayenne and orange).
Looking forward to hearing about your quest!
Wisconsin Cheese
If you do have time in Madison, please consider a visit to Fromagination or Brennan's (for shopping) or Graze (for excellent cheese board selections):
http://www.fromagination.com/
http://www.brennansmarket.com/
http://grazepub.com/
Wifoodie's Old Fashioned recommendation: seconded. Possibly the most written-about restaurant in Madison: http://www.delicious.com/madisonatoz/oldfashioned
Madison, WI Italian Beef?
Good luck with that! FIBs food cart on Memorial Library Mall (campus end of State St.) is the most frequently cited place for italian beef. There's one on the menu at JB's Italian Grille ( http://www.jbsitaliangrille.com/ ) in Sun Prairie.
Looking for Duck Fat in Madison or Milwaukee, WI
Maybe Artamos Deli on Whitney Way in Madison:
http://artamos.com/
They sometimes have such goodies in their freezer.
Madison sandwich shop for catering a party?
Willy St.! Yes, good call.
Madeleine's bakery is sure to be delicious but I'm not sure what they offer; I'll also go out on a limb and say if "cute" is more important than "good" there's LMNOPies: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jumble/2384628070/
Madison sandwich shop for catering a party?
Milio's is certainly decent and cost-effective (and identical to Jimmy John's, pretty much.) But you won't find sides there. Some more ideas:
http://www.artamos.com/ - Artamos, near west side organic butcher.
http://www.frabonisdeli.com/ - Fraboni's, central (Greenbush neighborhood) institution.
http://www.ginosmadison.com/ - Gino's, west and State St., more Italian classics.
http://www.rubymarie.com/lakeview.htm - Lakeview (downtown) - they do a great individual lunch, not sure about catering.
Happy party!
Madison, Cafe Continental
The spiedini is pretty good. You're right, Cafe Continental doesn't get much press...
Foodie stuff near Madison, Wisconsin
Welcome, rachb and DanaB!
Check out what the REAP Food Group is up to: http://www.reapfoodgroup.org/ . Their Farm Fresh Atlas lists markets, producers (including pick-your-own) and CSAs; they also host events like the upcoming Food for Thought Festival, Sept. 20.
As for good stuff near Cambridge or Lake MIlls, I haven't uncovered any hidden gems there (tho Cafe Carpe in Fort Atkinson was nice, rustic, and folksy/artsy). It's been said the best fried cheese curds in the area can be found at the Door Creek Golf Course Restaurant on the far east side of Madison: http://www.doorcreekgolfcourse.com/ and so far I'm inclined to agree.
breakfast in madison?
Bradbury's for crepes, if it's a small group (space limited): http://bradburyscoffee.com/
