Phoebe Guenzel
The Budino di Caramello at Papavero.
This is the category where we get to drill a little deeper and change things up a bit. Yes, it takes more effort to count the votes, but the results are worth it. Among the many variations of any given dish in the greater Madison area, there emerges quantifiable love for certain specific dishes. The rumors of the superiority of the butterscotch budino (pudding) at Osteria Papavero turn out to be true.
And if we learned one thing from tabulating the results of this year's poll, it's this: If you're going to offer a non-beef burger on a menu, better make sure it has walnuts in it. Walnuts ruled, a key ingredient in all three top finishers.
Favorite Breakfast Sandwich
1. Fried egg with boursin, tomato, green onion and bacon at Marigold Kitchen
Favorite Fish Dish
1. Miso black cod at Restaurant/Sushi Muramoto
2. Walleye sandwich at the Old Fashioned
3. Grilled Norwegian salmon at Sardine
Favorite Non-Beef Burger
1. Walnut burger at Harmony Bar
2. Beet and walnut burger at Graze
3. Walnut burger at Monty's Blue Plate
Favorite Asian Dumpling
1. Pork and chive dumpling at Umami
Favorite French Fries
1. Belgian frites at Brasserie V
3. Matchstick fries at the Old Fashioned
Favorite Salad
2. Build your own salad at Ian's on State
3. Duck confit salad at Sardine
Favorite Dessert
1. Butterscotch budino at Osteria Papavero
2. Cookie dough egg roll at Bluephie's
3. Affogato at Nostrano and vegan cheesecake at the Green Owl Cafe (tie)
Favorite Locally Brewed Beer
1. Spotted Cow from New Glarus Brewing
