OT: visiting Madison, WI

[robin3mj]

Heading to Madison this weekend to check things out.

Looking for recommendations for:
- Saturday dinner restaurant- nicer but not over the top pricey...
- lunch/sandwich shop
- coffee/breakfast
- a good place to get a couple growlers filled up
- somewhere along the lake to walk the dog (looks like maybe Warner or Gov Nelson parks, or possibly the green space just north of University Bay?)

Thanks,
Matt

[Too Tall]

Someone will answer. In the meantime...how do you know when you've crossed the border from Illinois into Wisconsin? String cheese to go in the cold case at every convenience store. State law.

[einreb]

Heading to Madison this weekend to check things out.

Looking for recommendations for:
- Saturday dinner restaurant- nicer but not over the top pricey...

Harvest Restaurant :: Madison, Wisconsin :: Welcome

More casual and good beer selection is next door...

Welcome to The Old Fashioned

[Eddie]

Welcome to The Old Fashioned

/\ Do not not miss. I double brauted it with kraut at The Old Fashioned.

[Plum]

Brasserie V on Monroe street for burgers and beers.

Sardine downtown for breakfast upscale, Mickey's Dairy bar by the stadium for good diner fare.

I've not been that impressed by the old fashioned, but also downtown is Graze, the tornado club (steakhouse), muramoto sushi, Great Dane for microbrews (growlers, perhaps).

Plum

[astaft]

Should be a nice weekend

Heading to Madison this weekend to check things out.

Looking for recommendations for:
- Saturday dinner restaurant- nicer but not over the top pricey...
Graze, Harvest,Tornado Room
- lunch/sandwich shop
Brasserie V, Brocoach,Bluephies,Coopers Tavern,Merchant
- coffee/breakfast
Weary Traveler
- a good place to get a couple growlers filled up
Great Dane
- somewhere along the lake to walk the dog (looks like maybe Warner or Gov Nelson parks, or possibly the green space just north of University Bay?)
Picnic Point on the UW campus (lots of trails, look at the map at the entrance.

Thanks,
Matt

[robin3mj]

Nice.
All these places look right up our alley.
Going to have to write them all down for future visits.

Thanks gang.

[soupless]

Oh man, if you feel like indulging, you've GOT to get a steak, or at least a gigantic martini at the Tornado Club. It's so so so so good. One of the few, very few times I've left a steakhouse thinking "I got my money's worth there."

Awesome atmosphere, like they opened the doors in 1955 and nothing's changed since.

[ineff]

I wouldn't recommend the Great Dane for beer. Almost any other brewery in town is a better choice. Just my opinion. So far every recommendation has been great! Monty's blue plate is another good spot for breakfast. Also, don't forget to visit a few bike shops! We, Williamson Bicycle Works, have a big clearance going on right now...

[rphetteplace]

Ian's Pizza is awesome. BBQ steak and fries. (trust me)
Head to Blue Mounds for hiking or sightseeing (or some of the best biking in the state)
New Orleans Take Out if you like creole.
Ocean Grill around the capital is excellent. Have heard good things about Tornado mixed about the Old Fashioned.
Monty's Blue Plate for meatloaf and mashed potatoes
Not a fan of Great Dane as it feels too chain restaurant
Dog park go to Cherokee Marsh on eastside if your dog likes to swim, there is a nice park in Verona if he/she doesn't
As you're coming up I-90 exit 175A (Janesville) Racine Street to Palmer Drive. Head North over the little bridge and the parking lot on the left is my local dog park

Ryan

[Eddie]

Not a fan of Great Dane as it feels too chain restaurant

Completely agree. Definitely not a dining destination. So-so beer.

[rphetteplace]

Completely agree. Definitely not a dining destination. So-so beer.

If beer is your THING. Take the drive down to New Glarus and tour New Glarus Brewery. Enjoy as many of their beers as possible. Pick up several of the wine bottles of their raspberry tart as you can. I don't drink but visiting the birth place of Spotted Cow is cool.

State Street Brats is a college bar BUT THE BEST DAMN RED BRATS I'VE EVER EATEN!

[Eddie]

If beer is your THING. Take the drive down to New Glarus and tour New Glarus Brewery. Enjoy as many of their beers as possible. Pick up several of the wine bottles of their raspberry tart as you can. I don't drink but visiting the birth place of Spotted Cow is cool.

State Street Brats is a college bar BUT THE BEST DAMN RED BRATS I'VE EVER EATEN!

Yes. Never been to the brewery but their product is extremely good.

[robin3mj]

OK. Looks like the Great Dane is out. Their website kinds confirms the recent pans here.

I'm also being told to check out the terrace of the UW student union- may hafta fold that into our walk at Picnic Point, or Cherokee Marsh if it's warm enough to splash in the water.

New Glarus stuff is nice, will probably try and bring back some six-packs of any I haven't seen at Binny's.

[Plum]

OK. Looks like the Great Dane is out. Their website kinds confirms the recent pans here.

I'm also being told to check out the terrace of the UW student union- may hafta fold that into our walk at Picnic Point, or Cherokee Marsh if it's warm enough to splash in the water.

New Glarus stuff is nice, will probably try and bring back some six-packs of any I haven't seen at Binny's.

Union Terrace is under construction right now, not sure how much, if any, is open for service..

Plum

[robin3mj]

Lunchtime yesterday. Single bratted it at The Old Fashioned. Wasn't sure how filling a double brat would be and I've never had cheese curds before, so wanted to save room for my Spotted Cow.
I felt like Joe Pesci. "yeah, I heard of grits. I just never actually seen a grit before"
Got takeout sandwiches from Sardine this morning and ate them by the lake. Then walked out around picnic point. UW is a nice campus. Like JMU but 5x bigger.

Nice town. Thanks for the suggestions, all.

I think we'll go back in the spring, sans dog, con bicicletas.

[rphetteplace]

lunchtime yesterday. Single bratted it at the old fashioned. Wasn't sure how filling a double brat would be and i've never had cheese curds before, so wanted to save room for my spotted cow.
I felt like joe pesci. "yeah, i heard of grits. I just never actually seen a grit before"
got takeout sandwiches from sardine this morning and ate them by the lake. Then walked out around picnic point. Uw is a nice campus. Like jmu but 5x bigger.

Nice town. Thanks for the suggestions, all.

I think we'll go back in the spring, sans dog, con bicicletas.

never had cheese curds??????