Madison Magazine
Summer Restaurant Week
This coming week, in events that get to your heart through your stomach.
Highlights
Friday, July 20
Some State Street restaurants bring their fare outdoors to help feed the onslaught of bargain hunters who come annually to Maxwell Street Days, the no-holds-barred sidewalk sale that closes down the entirety of the already-bus-and-bike-only pedestrian mall. Over the three-day restaurants that line the street. State Street, between the Capitol Square and Library Mall, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Call 255-1008 for more info.
Sunday, July 22 - Friday, July 27
Make your reservations now for your favorite restaurants in the summer 2012 edition of participating in the week, up by a dozen over last year. Each offers a prix fixe menu with 3 courses and 3 options of each course for just $25. And seats fill up fast at the most popular venues. If you need more chances to tryout a new spot, some restaurants offer a similar deal for $15 for lunch. Try a new restaurant, or try new entrees at your favorites. Restaurants serving dinner include 43 North, The Blue Marlin, Brocach, Brocach Monroe, Daisy Cafe & Cupcakery, Dayton Street Grille, Delaney's Charcoal Steaks, Eldorado Grill, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Fresco, Graze, Harvest, La Brioche True Food, Lombardino's, Mariner's Inn, The Melting Pot, Nau-Ti-Gal, Quivey's Grove Stone House, Restaurant Muramoto, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Samba Brazilian Grill, Sardine, Smokey's, Tuscany Grill, Veranda Restaurant and Wine Bar, Villa Dolce, and The Wise. Both lunch and dinner will be served by The Avenue Bar, The Bayou, Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano, Bluephie's Restaurant & Vodkatorium, Bonfyre American Grille, Brickhouse BBQ, Buck & Honey's, Captain Bill's, Capitol Chophouse, Capital Tap Haus, DeBroux's Diner, Francesca's al Lago, Inka Heritage, Johnny Delmonico's, Johnny's Italian Steakhouse, Liliana's Restaurant, Luigi's, Nostrano, Osteria Papavero, Quivey's Grove Stable Grill, Steenbock's on Orchard, and Vintage Brewing. See the Eating in Madison A to Z "pathfinder" for a collection of links about Restaurant Week and its participants. Salivating is encouraged, but optional.
More events this week
Tuesday, July 17
Whole Foods Market, 3313 University Ave., 6-7:30 p.m., $25. Call 233-9566 for more info.
Wednesday, July 18
Green County Fair, an annual five-day community Facebook, and call 608-325-9159 for more info.
Dane County Fair, an annual five-day community food vendors and a beer tent, a carnival, animal exhibits, acrobatics and magic shows, live music, children's activities, and more. Alliant Energy Center, 1919 Energy Center Way, 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday, $8 adults and $3 kids 6-11 per day and $20 adults and $6 kids for the season with kids 5 and under free. See Facebook, and call 223-4054 for more info.
Victory Gardening, a session for kids to learn about the origins of the Victory Garden and its contemporary meaning. Madison Children's Museum, 100 N. Hamilton St., 1:30 p.m., free with $8 admission. Call 256-6445 for more info.
Farm Fresh Mixology, the first in a series of four and Nostrano using fresh and local ingredients to create seasonal cocktails. Death's Door Distillery, 2220 Eagle Dr., Middleton, 6:30-8 p.m., $18 per person or $30 per pair and $65 for a single full series or $100 for a pair full series. Purchase tickets online, and call 226-0300 for more info.
Thursday, July 19
Discovery Days: Make a Dream Big Sundae, with participants designing and creating a sundae with vanilla ice cream and topping options that include hot fudge sauce, caramel, whipped cream, crushed nuts, wafer biscuits, bananas and cherries, and sprinkles. Monona Library, 1000 Nichols Rd., Monona, 1:30 p.m, free. Please RSVP, and call 222-6127 for more info.
Madison Meet & Eat, the second in a series of four food cart gatherings in the Meadowood neighborhood, with vendors including Banzo, Caracas Empanadas, Electric Earth, Ernie's Kettle Corn, FIBs, Hibachi Hut, Luangprabang, Natural Juice, Tea Garden, Teriyaki Samurai, and Wei's Food to Go. Meadowood Shopping Center, 5800 Raymond Rd., 5:30-7:30 p.m. Call 266-4611 for more info.
City Chickens 101 class, with instructor Alicia Rheal of Willy Street Co-op East, 1221 Williamson St., 6-8 p.m., $15 owners and $25 all others. Call 251-6776 for more info.
Dehydrating Fruits, Veggies & Herbs class on a preservation method for produce, one in a , with instructors covering multiple methods for dehydration and uses for these preserved foods. Willy Street Co-op West, 6825 University Ave., 6-8 p.m., $15. Call 226-0300 for more info.
Friday, July 20
Edgerton Tobacco Heritage Days, an annual three-day community Gus Macker 3-on-3 Basketball, a two-day tournament and benefit in support of the Madson College - Truax Campus, 3550 Anderson St., 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, free admission for spectators. Call 250-2257 for more info.
Mount Horeb Art Fair, a two-day community festival, featuring more than 150 exhibitors, the Sons of Norway Kaffe Stue, a Norwegian buffet, outdoor dining, live music, children's activities, and more. Lake Mills Arts Festival, an annual community festival, featuring food vendors, a juried show, live music, children's activities, and more. Lake Mills Commons Park, 100 Main St., Lake Mills, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., free admission. Call 920-648-6721 for more info.
Free community meal prepared by volunteers. Wil-Mar Center, 953 Jenifer St., 11:15 a.m., free. Call 257-4576 for more info.
Have a Steak for Patients' Sake!, a lunch and benefit in support of VFW Post 8483, 5737 Hwy. CV, noon-5 p.m., $3-8. Call 661-0443 for more info.
Middleton Fire Department Festival, an annual community celebration and fundraiser, featuring food from Capital Brewery, 7734 Terrace Ave., Middleton, noon-10 p.m., $7 and $5 advance. See Facebook, and call 827-1090 for more info.
Barbecue on the Banks, the fourth annual gathering hosted by the and picnic showcasing its dairy products. Cedar Grove Cheese, E5904 Mill Road, Plain, 2-5 p.m., $35 and free kids 12 and under. Call 257-2424 for more info.
Sunday, July 22
Savory Sunday, with volunteers need to prepare and serve a fresh, hot meal for the hungry. Lutheran Campus Center, 325 N. Mills St., 11 a.m. Call 233-6967 for more info.
Whole Foods Market, 3313 University Ave., 2-3:30 p.m., $20. Call 233-9566 for more info.
Monday, July 23
Teen Cooking Camp, a week-long series of classes with instructor Jennifer Jones covering basic cooking techniques and the use of seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, culminating with participants preparing original dishes and a collaborative cookbook. Willy Street Co-op West, 6825 University Ave., 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Friday, $50 owners and $60 all others. Call 284-7800 for more info.
Whole Foods Market, 3313 University Ave., 4:30-6 p.m., $10. Call 233-9566 for more info.
Northwoods League All-Star Game Banquet, hosted by the Northwoods League All-Star Game, featuring a steak and lobster dinner, and a talk by Milwaukee Brewers President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Doug Melvin in advance of the game on Tuesday. Warner Park Duck Pond, 2920 N. Sherman Ave., 6 p.m., $35. Call 246-4277 for more info.
Preservation: Jams, Jellies & Butters class, with instructor Lee Davenport covering canning basics and preparing blueberry jam, red currant jelly, and plum butter. Willy Street Co-op East, 1221 Williamson St., 6-8 p.m., $15 owners and $25 all others. Call 251-6776 for more info.
Save the date
Saturday, July 28
Mindful Eating with Lhundup Chodon, a gathering hosted by , 752 E. Gorham St., 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., $20 Slow Food members and $30 all others. Call 616-0736 for more info.
Sunday, August 19
Heirloom Tomato Dinner, with a six-course menu of dishes highlighting tomatoes and wine pairings. Harvest, 21 N. Pinckney St., 6 p.m., $65. Call 255-6075 for more info.
Friday-Saturday, November 9-10
dinners that Madison restaurants with Wisconsin cheesemakers, including Bruce Workman of Edelweiss Creamery at the Admiralty Dining Room, Katie Hedrich of LaClare Farms Specialties at the Blue Marlin, Bob Wills of Cedar Grove Cheese and Clock Shadow Creamery at Bonfyre Grill, Brenda Jensen of Hidden Springs Creamery at Bunky's Café, Robert Frie of Emmi Roth USA at Daisy Cafe & Cupcakery, Sid Cook of Carr Valley Cheese at Delaney's, Mike Matucheski of Sartori at Liliana's Restaurant, Chris Roelli of Roelli Cheese at Lombardino's, Joe Widmer of Widmer's Cheese Cellars at Nau-Ti-Gal, and Gerald Heimerl of Saxon Creamery at Quivey's Grove. Monona Terrace, 1 John Nolen Dr., Friday-Saturday, $29-115. Call 358-7837 for more info.
