Madison: What are some nice restaurants by the capital?

[ryne100]

Like real nice. Saturday's going to be one of the last nice days of the year, so something by the capital where I could walk by the lake afterward would be great.

[burniebrewer]

Do you live in Madison or are you spending the night somewhere? What kind of food?

 

There are so many restaurants near the square and all of them are an easy walk down State St. to the Union terrace where you can relax and enjoy the lakefront.

[Beerambassador]

Specifically on the square, the Old Fashioned is nice. Reasonably priced, good Wisconsin comfort food. Amazing beer selection if that's your thing.

[burniebrewer]

I went to the Old Fashioned recently just to have an old fashioned. Very tasty. It's supposed to have a Wisconsin supper club feel to it. I cannot verify this as I was there after dinner service.

[burniebrewer]

Here are a couple of links I've dug up that may require some further research:

 

Link

 

Link

[ryne100]

I'm thinking proposal night nice. I live in Madison.

[homer]

There's a restaurant called L'Etoile. Never been there but have heard great things:

 

http://www.letoile-restaurant.com/

[thevaccinator27]

Can't go wrong with Harvest or L'etoile. Been to both. Both very nice.

 

IIRC, L'etoile kept getting voted best reatuarant in the midwest for a couple straight years by the Chicago Tribune, or something lke that. Really peaved the Chicago restaurants.

[ryne100]

How is Samba? I know it's not up by the Capital but it's kinda close to the lake.

[lodiness]

I've heard Samba is really good. Also, the Restraunt on top of the Overture Center is really cool, and good food. Nice view of the city. Little pricey, but if it's a special night, worth it.

[owbc]

Harvest is awesome, my fiance loved it. I think our bill for two was about $125 (including tip).

[jjkoestler]

There's a restaurant called L'Etoile. Never been there but have heard great things:

 

http://www.letoile-restaurant.com/

 

I second L'Etoile. It is an amazing restaurant.

[chadomac]

As soon as I saw the title to this thread I thought... "The Old Fashioned". Outstanding restaurant... and easily the BEST fried cheese curds I have ever had. Ever.

[brucrustu]

My sister has an outright obsession with L'Etoile. I don't know the location, but she goes on and on about it.

[TooLiveBrew]

L'Etoile & Harvest are awesome choices. The Old Fashioned is not (for your intended purposes, ryne100).

 

Good food at slightly less $$ would be Tutto Pasta on King St., & Muramoto (also on King).

 

Johnny Delmonico's is a steakhouse on Pinkney St. Would be pricier, but very nice as well. Another steakhouse is the Capitol Chophouse -- I've only been there once, but the food was good. It's the restaurant in the downtown Hilton.

 

If I think of any more, I'll try to post them in time. Hope you find the kind of place you're after, and I'd strongly recommend checking online reviews on any recommendations you get... though it's not necessary for L'Etoile & Harvest http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

[NeedMoreFans]

TLB, how could you forget Magnus? You lived right next to it! I have heard great things about Magnus...a very nice place. Sardine is also pretty nice. Not on the square, but a wonderful place.

[TooLiveBrew]

Hah! Of course. I knew I was forgetting one. I've never been to Magnus either, though. It's another pricey one, but like NMF said, its reputation is that it's well worth it.

 

Natt Spil is a great little night-spot, too. It's also on King St., just south of the Great Dane. It's really a little hole in the wall (name isn't even on the building), but they always have good music & the food is incredible for such a small place. They have a wood-fired oven, & know how to use it. If you like mussels, theirs are simply amazing... the pizzas typically are, too.

[ryne100]

I'm thinking fresco. She likes Madison a lot so I think the view would be cool.

[Buckylovesbeer]

Fresco caters for weddings at the Overture Center. They handled my wedding this summer. Good stuff. Their in-house menu is a little unusual, but it was very good the couple of times we ate there. Pricey, but everything down there is.

 

The view is great. Pick a clear night and have fun. You would be making a good choice!

[SenatorShriv]

I would have recommended Magnus. One of the best chefs in Madison, nice atmosphere, close to the capitol, etc...

 

Hope it went well.

[dragoon84]

I've walked by the Afghani restaurant a thousand times in Madtown, anyone ever been there? What does Afghani food entail?

[ryne100]

So we went to fresco and since it was super nice we walked down by the capital and down to the terrace and I proposed there. Everything was awesome. Thanks for the idea lodiness!

[TooLiveBrew]

Congrats! (I assume the answer was, 'Yes')

[lodiness]

Congrats on the engagement.

 

Dragoon, are you talking about Kabul's? If you are, it's really good, you should try it. Afgan food is a lot of lamb and chicken, with different curries. Very similar to Indian food in my opinion. Kabul's is really good for a fair price. Have the Turkish Coffee at the end of the meal, delicious.

[TooLiveBrew]

Yeah, Kabul's has excellent food. If you're feeling overwhelmed or clueless when you look at the menu, just ask for recommendations. You'd have a hard time finding a bad dish there.