Madison Summer Restaurant Week
This coming week, in events that get to your heart through your stomach.
Highlights
Saturday, July 23
A feast of sample-sized dishes will be on the menu at the fifth annual Taste of Sun Prairie, served by restaurants and other businesses in the suburban community. Organized as a benefit for is decamping the city for the rolling hills and riverways of the Driftless Region for its annual farm tour. Opening with a visit to the factory and wastewater treatment greenhouse at in Prairie du Sac, and a trek to the organic fruit and vegetable fields of Willy Street Co-op West, 6825 University Ave., 8 a.m.-5 p.m., $25 owners and all others. Call 284-7800 for more info.
Wisconsin's seasonal bounty is likewise at the heart of Day on the Farm, an annual catered picnic and fundraiser for the Buy Fresh Buy Local program. Presented every summer in a different setting of fields and pastures, this year's celebration will be held at Madison Club, Charles Lazzareschi of Dayton Street Grille, and Tim Dahl of Nostrano, and will be accompanied by tours of the farm and talks about its sustainable practices. DreamFarm, 8877 Table Bluff Rd., Cross Plains, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., $20 adults and $12 kids 3-12. Call 310-7836 for more info.
Underground Kitchen closed its doors for the foreseeable future after a devastating June 30 fire gutted the restaurant, adjoining salon, and three stories of apartments above them. The special meal, to be prepared in the kitchen of L'Etoile, will consist of a five-course tasting menu featuring dishes served in and inspired by the Kitchen. Graze, 1 S. Pinckney St., 6 p.m., $50. Purchase tickets online, and call 251-2700 for more info.
Sunday, July 24 - Friday, July 29
Madison diners can indulge in a special visit to one or more of the , a biannual showcase of the city's cuisine. Diners are offered a three-course prix-fixe dinner menu for $25, and a lunch version for $15. The selections are oftentimes house standards, but can also be created by chefs just for the week. Restaurants serving dinner include 43 North, The Blue Marlin, Brocach Irish Pub, Captain Bill's, Daisy Café & Cupcakery, Dayton Street Grille, Delaney's Charcoal Steaks, Eldorado Grill, Flemings Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, Fresco, Graze, Harvest, The Icon, La Brioche True Food, Lombardino's, Mariner's Inn, Nau-Ti-Gal, Quivey's Grove Stone House, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Sa Bai Thong, Samba Brazilian Grill, and Sardine. Both dinner and lunch will be served by Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano, Bluphies Restaurant & Vodkatorium, Bonfyre American Grill, Brickhouse BBQ, Capitol Chophouse, The Continental Fitchburg, Inka Heritage, Johnny Delmonico's, Johnny's Italian Steakhouse, Liliana's, The Melting Pot, Ocean Grill, Osteria Papavero, Quivey's Grove Stable Grill, and Steenbock's on Orchard. Diners are encouraged to make reservations in advance, as seatings will be going quick.
More events this week
Tuesday, July 19
Insects in the Garden: The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly walk and talk, with UW-Extension entomology specialist Phil Pellitteri leading participants through the UW West Madison Agricultural Research Station, 8502 Mineral Point Rd., Verona, 6 p.m., free. Call 262-2257 for more info.
Wednesday, July 20
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, $7 adults and $3 kids 6-11 per day and $15 adults and $6 kids for the season with kids 5 and under free. Call 223-4054 for more info.
Green County Fair, an annual five-day community Columbia County Fair, an annual five-day community Vegetable fermentation class, with instructor Mike Bieser covering the basics of lacto-fermenting veggies and their place in a daily diet. Willy Street Co-op West, 6825 University Ave., 6-8 p.m., $20 owners and $30 all others. Call 284-7800 for more info.
Thursday, July 21
Body Basics: Make Your Own Condiments class, with instructors Teri Klas and Brittany Sandoval covering how to use fresh and fermented ingredients to prepare catsup, mayonnaise, and seasoned salts. Willy Street Co-op West, 6825 University Ave., 6-8 p.m., $8 owners and $18 all others. Call 284-7800 for more info.
Cooking Basics for Teens class, with instructor Hallie Klecker of the blog Willy Street Co-op West, 6825 University Ave., 6-8 p.m., $10 owners and $20 all others. Call 284-7800 for more info.
Cooking Around the World, a gathering for kids ages 5-11 with books around the world and make-your-own tacos. Monona Library, 1000 Nichols Rd., Monona, 10-11:30 a.m. and 12:30-1:30 p.m. Call 222-6127 for more info.
Camp Cooking Basics, a talk introducing the equipment and skills used for cooking while camping. REI, 7483 West Towne Way, 7 p.m., free. Call 833-6680 for more info.
Whole Foods Market, 3313 University Ave., 6-7:30 p.m., $25. Call 233-9566 for more info.
Saturday, July 23
Baraboo Old-Fashioned Festival, an annual community , 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 608-356-3133 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.
Dog Days of Summer, a canine-themed festival and benefit for the Essen Haus, 514 E. Wilson St., 1-6 p.m. Call 255-4674 for more info.
Wisconsin River Ale Trail, a day-long excursion featuring tours and tastings at in Amherst, and dinner at , 11 a.m.-9 p.m., $90. Call 467-5707 for more info.
Barbecue on the Banks, a third-annual gathering hosted by the and picnic showcasing its pork products. Willow Creek Farm, E5293 Ohio Rd., Loganville, 3-7 p.m., $35. Call 257-2424 for more info.
Sunday, July 24
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., $15. Call 233-9566 for more info.
Monday, July 25
CSA Field Day, one of several summer agricultural tours organized by the and talk by proprietors Dale and Cindy Secher about both familiar and uncommon fruits. Carandale Farm, 5683 Lincoln Rd., Oregon, 1-4 p.m., free. Call 226-0300 for more info.
Get Your Salsa On! class, with instructor Hallie Klecker of the blog Willy Street Co-op West, 6825 University Ave., 6-8 p.m., $15 owners and $25 all others. Call 284-7800 for more info.
Save the date
Sunday, August 21
Heirloom Tomato Dinner, with a six-course menu of dishes highlighting tomatoes. Harvest, 21 N. Pinckney St., 6 p.m., $65. Call 255-6075 for more info.