Reviews
Dagu Rice Noodle specializes in Crossing the Bridge noodle soup
The soup comes to the table as a steaming bowl of pork-based broth, with uncooked ingredients on a tray; it’s like a single-serving hot-pot. Read more
Jul 7, 2023
A sense of history runs side-by-side with modernity at Turn Key
1344 East Washington Avenue has been home to a number of restaurants, most recently a Pasqual’s, but Turn Key manages to combine old and new in a way that may fit in better than the Tex-Mex mini-chain. Read more
Jun 2, 2023
Tacos El Capi in the old People’s Bakery is a go-to taqueria
Tacos El Capi, which opened in the former People’s Bakery on East Washington Avenue late in 2022, has a winner with its rich birria tacos. Read more
May 5, 2023
Amara transforms the former Pasqual’s Cantina at Hilldale
Amara is the third restaurant from the group that brought Madison Merchant and Lucille. Its Amalfi Coast aesthetic — think bright, acidic and seafood-centric — unlocks a menu not found in many area kitchens. Read more
Apr 7, 2023
Lovely Middle Eastern interlude at Madison's Petra
Petra opened in 2021 in the Odana Road storefront where The Nile was in business for about a decade. Its spacious dining room is often underpopulated, but the food was legitimately lovely every time. Read more
Mar 10, 2023
North Shore Pizza and Subs brings a touch of Boston to Monona
The three-way roast beef sandwich is the kind of ultra-local specialty that you should eat before it disappears. Read more
Feb 3, 2023
Fairchild is having fun
L’Etoile’s influence is evident at Fairchild — the resumes of chefs Itaru Nagano and Andy Kroeger and co-owner Patrick Sierra all list L’Etoile — but the vibe is more casual; service is purposeful and un-rushed. Read more
Dec 2, 2022
8:00 AM
It’s Friday somewhere
The Friday fish fry has spilled over into the Wednesday special menu at some very popular local eateries. Who’s serving and where’s the best fish? Read more
Nov 8, 2022
8:00 AM
Bandit Tacos & Coffee is a fast casual hotspot
Bandit Tacos & Coffee is one of the few places making its tortillas in-house, daily — and with corn sourced from Mexican farms. But don’t skip the tostadas, either. Read more
Oct 7, 2022
12:00 PM
Branch + Daughter makes specialty pizzas loaded with quality toppings
Branch + Daughter is a toppings place. The strength of the pizzas comes from the quality of the toppings and the kitchen’s inventive combos. Read more
Sep 4, 2022
8:00 AM
Madison’s barbecue champ
Our reviewer has long held that barbecue in a region without a local style of its own should still pick one and not try to do everything. But City Barbeque changed everything. Read more
Aug 5, 2022
8:00 AM
Madison's Jacknife embraces an of-the-moment approach to fast-casual sushi rolls, bowls and salads
Jacknife is the fast-casual sibling of Red, one of the more innovative Japanese restaurants in town. So expectations were high when it opened in March. Read more
Jul 8, 2022
8:00 AM
Latest Food & Drink Stories
Bready, tart, oaky and smoky
Beers from Karben4, Starkweather Brewing, The Great Dane and Working Draft are all over the map —in the best way. Read more
Madison Black Restaurant Week turns 8 years old
“There’s a lot of magic that happens around Black Restaurant Week,” says Madison Black Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Camille Carter, recalling creating the idea with the late Milele Chikasa Anana in 2016. Read more
Beyond the pandemic loaf
New bakeries devoted to pastries, breads, cakes and cookies have popped up in Madison since the pandemic. Is there a reason Madison is home to so many new baking businesses? And what does the pandemic have to do with it? Read more
Herbiery expands its tap list of hopless beers, Mikerphone extends its reach in Madison
Herbiery Brewing opened a taproom at 2015 Winnebago St. in late June. It becomes part of a concentrated craft beer area around Schenk’s Corners and Atwood Avenue. Plus: Mikerphone wants to be a Badger. Read more
The Borough Beer Co. & Kitchen’s comfort food menu
Borough’s cautious start with its brewing program seems to have given them license to really put the kitchen to the test, and with more than a few clear successes. Read more