Reviews
Turkish Kitchen and Silk Road are outstanding Central Asian restaurants
It’s been just over a decade since Hüsnü’s closed. Its departure from the scene left Madison without a Turkish restaurant for years. But recently, Madison has been fortunate to see Central Asian menus again flourishing around town. Read more
Feb 2, 2024
Lallande on Monroe Street highlights the cuisine of the French countryside
This new Monroe Street kitchen, run by the founders of Bloom Bake Shop, clearly doesn’t want you to think of “provincial” as anything close to dull or simple. Read more
Dec 8, 2023
Madison’s The Mediterranean Joint strives to find its niche
A red pepper-inflected baba ghanoush, spicy kofta and beef kebabs are among the dishes to go for. Read more
Nov 9, 2023
Sultan offers a Punjab-focused experience
A kitchen focusing on Punjabi dishes in Madison is news. Punjab is the name of both a state in northwestern India and a province in northeastern Pakistan. You may find familiar dishes on the Sultan menu, but also some intriguing new ones. Read more
Oct 6, 2023
Touch of Ukraine serves national dishes and some American standards
Ukranian refugees have opened a homey eatery in Union Corners. Read more
Sep 9, 2023
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
Aug 4, 2023
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
8:00 AM
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
8:00 AM
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
8:00 AM
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
8:00 AM
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
8:00 AM
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
8:00 AM
Latest Food & Drink Stories
A light-colored coffee beer from The Lone Girl defies convention
Russell’s secret for getting it right is placing whole beans in a steeping bag he hangs inside the fermenter with the beer. Ground beans could introduce darker, stronger coffee flavors, even becoming astringent. Read more
One dish: Cacio e pepe bagel from Mermaid Kitchen
Mermaid Kitchen’s cacio e pepe bagel has a satisfying crunch on the outside and a soft-but-chewy texture. The pickup process is fun and a little clandestine. Read more
Mint, lemon, snap peas
A cocktail as blue as a spring sky? Sign us up. Read more
Campfire smoke in a glass
Among the most interesting current collabs right now is by Madison’s Working Draft Beer Company and Sun Prairie’s Full Mile Beer Company and Kitchen. Read more
Hank’s Burgers & Fish Fry takes indulgence to different areas
The focus is on what some call guilty pleasure food: hamburgers, cheesesteaks, fried chicken sandwiches, and Wisconsin fish fry. Read more