Linda Falkenstein
A sixth area Barriques coffee and wine location opened earlier this month in the former Atomic Interiors building at 961 S. Park Street, located at the intersection with Fish Hatchery Road.
If you're driving by, you'll likely notice the bright avocado paint job and the big black-and-white Barriques sign. What you might not be able to see from behind the wheel is the modest parking area behind the building, accessible from Parr Street (the short street at the building's side that runs from South Park to Monona Bay).
The location has been in the works since the beginning of the year; in an earlier interview, co-owner Matt Weygandt had hoped for a spring opening. The time has been spent totally revamping the space, which now has the dark, steampunk-inflected look of the other locations, with awnings and detailing by Madison metal artist Erika Koivunen, who studied with renowned outsider scrap metal artist Dr. Evermor. The dominant motif here is old bicycle parts.
The cafe opens at 6 a.m. weekdays for coffee (6:30 a.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. Sundays). Lunches include eight sandwiches and three salads, as are served at other Barriques. "Snacks" include a cheese board, spinach artichoke dip with veggies and pita, and the Mediterranean Experience dip and vegetable sampler.
Wine is sold by the glass or bottle. Three beers are on tap and will change up probably every month or so; currently, it's Great Lakes Burning River Pale Ale, Capital Kloster Weizen and Lake Louie Tommy's Porter. Wi-fi is free.
