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liamdc

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    Madison, WI dining

    in The Heartland: Dining

    Posted

    Isthmus - Madison's newsweekly - recently featured a nice article providing an overview of the city's restaurant scene. Check it out here.

    With a two-year old, we're not getting out as much as we used to, but here are a few random musings based on recent dining experiences:

    - Based on two recent experiences - one during Restaurant Week admittedly - Harvest seems to have slipped a few notches. For its price point, both recent meals did not meet the standard, and the RW meal just wasn't good at all. In contrast, L'Etoile delivered the goods in our most recent visit there.

    - Brasserie V on Monroe St. is dishing up some of the tastiest food in town these days, along with yummy Belgian and Belgian-style brews with which to wash it down. Don't overlook V's periodic specialty dinners.

    - For anyone venturing into Stoughton, check out the Main Street Pour House at 121 E. Main St. It features regional craft beers, tasty appetizers, salads, and burgers, and frequent live music in a beautiful space formerly occupied by a cabaret theater.

    Madison, WI dining

    in The Heartland: Dining

    Posted

    Two comments on Madison:

    (1) I recently dined at Bandung for the first time in several years. I shouldn't have stayed away because the cooking here in wonderful. The menu is primarily Indonesian.

    (2) The Muramoto empire is single-handedly doing tremendously exciting things in the Madison dining scene. The newly relocated, original Restaurant Muramoto is the flagship, Sushi Muramoto has truly brought world-class sushi to Madison for the first time, and Kushi Bar Muramoto has brought Japanese-style tapas to Madison. A very exciting concept, written about in this week's Isthmus.

    Check these places out!

    Madison, WI dining

    in The Heartland: Dining

    Posted

    Hey there -

    I'm hoping that you can help me.  I'm coming to town tomorrow, and was thinking about  dining at Cocoliquot, but I just read in the Isthmus that it is closing soon.  Here's the article:

    http://www.thedailypage.com/eats/article.php?article=19752

    Does anyone know about this?  I read a lot of favorable reviews of it when it opened, have things changed drastically, or should I try it while I still have the chance?

    Thanks!

    Based on my last visit months and months ago, and lots of word of mouth, it is definitely not as good as it used to be, the once interesting menu was reduced and restructured significantly, and the chef departed (I believe).

    I think you can do better in that downtown area. Depending on what you're looking for and at what price point, some possibilities within 2-3 blocks of there would include Muramoto, Sardine, Harvest, L'Etoile, The Old Fashioned, Osteria Papavero, and Tornado Club.

    Madison, WI dining

    in The Heartland: Dining

    Posted

    Hey all--another Philadelphian here--I'm leaving tomorrow to go visit a friend in Madison, and was wondering what coffeehouses you might recommend.  (Or uniquely Madison restaurants.)

    Speaking of which, is Essen Haus worth a visit?

    Thanks for the help!

    Joyce

    This reply may be too late, but here are some coffeehouse ideas for you. Not sure where in Madison you'll be, so here's a sprinkling of ideas around the city.

    Mother Fool's

    Ancora

    EVP

    Barriques Coffee (West Washington Ave. location)

    Fair Trade

    Michelangelo's

    Caffe 608 (at Sundance Cinemas)

    If German stein and ooompah schtick is your thing, then I suppose the Essenhaus is worth a trip. I still haven't recovered from several visits to a similar German place in Montreal years ago--Vieux Munich.

    For uniquely Madison food, I'd recommend Ella's Deli and Michael's Frozen Custard. You might also consider The Old Fashioned and Avenue Bar (especially for its fish fry) as well.

    Madison, WI dining

    in The Heartland: Dining

    Posted

    Sara and I dined at Liliana's, a Cajun restaurant that is a newcomer to the Madison dining scene. It's located in a nicely designed space along County Route PD in Fitchburg.

    Our entrees (crawfish etouffee and jambalaya) and appetizer (BBQ jumbo prawns with heads on) were delicious. Lots of flavor, fresh ingredients, and good spice. We also enjoyed really good French press coffee, but suffered through very poor, undercooked beignets for dessert.

    Overall, Liliana's is superior to Louisianne's in Middleton and New Orleans Take-Out in Madison. It's worth a visit.

    Restaurants in Salem, Oregon

    in Pacific Northwest & Alaska: Dining

    Posted

    To put it generously, choices are slim in Salem.  I rarely have dinner here (I work in Salem and live in Eugene), but my favorite place for lunch is Thai Beer, found in a shopping mall just off I-5 and Hwy. 22.  I'm told that it's just as good at dinner.

    If you're not interested in Thai food, your best bet for dinner might be Bentley's, a standard American hotel restaurant, at the Grand Phoenix, 291 Liberty Street SE, where you'll be staying.

    Good luck!

    Carolyn

    Thanks for the advice.

    Portland is such a wonderful food city. I'm planning on going back to Clyde Common on Friday evening. In Salem, Bentley's will probably do for our purposes and we'll be doing some work in preparation for a meeting on Friday anyway.

    Babies in multi-belled restaurants?

    in Pennsylvania: Dining

    Posted

    I really resent being subjected to the ill-mannered children of others that are not so considerate.

    One does have choices, you know.  If you are afraid of some sort of babysitter horror story, fine.  Don't get one.  Either trade off babysitting chores with another friend, neighbor or relative.

    Or go to a family-style restaurant.

    Or stay home until your children are old enough to properly behave.

    Wow, Jaymes. You sound pretty angry, and rather intolerant. You have my sympathy. Please don't define inconsiderate people as those with children. No doubt there are plenty of non-parents worthy of your scorn as well. In my life, many more adults have ruined a meal than children.

    Thanks for your list of options, but my wife, my son, and I aren't "staying home." We have a 5-month-old and, in fact, recently visited Philly on a 6-day-long business trip. We had to eat out at some point and "trading off babysitting chores" wasn't an option as we live in Madison, Wisconsin. Although it was pretty hot the early part of last week and walking the streets those days wasn't a whole lot of fun, we had to leave the hotel for meals at some point, although I'm guessing you would have preferred that we never left our hotel room in the event that my son might cry once or twice. Please note that downtown Philly doesn't seem to have a whole lot of "family-style restaurants," so that wasn't a very good option either, although takeout sushi did get the job done a couple of evenings. Fortunately, we didn't run into the Intolerance Patrol anywhere (must be down the shore for July) and managed to have a really pleasurable time with our little guy dining out everywhere from Tinto to DeNick's at the Reading Terminal Market. Jaymes, you can breathe a huge sigh of relief because I don't think any diners were disturbed at any establishment we visited. Imagine that! I guess this means that our five-month-old is "old enough to properly behave" although all the baby books say that this isn't a skill they can learn by this stage of development. Hmmm. Quite the riddle wrapped up in a baby blanket.

    Madison, WI dining

    in The Heartland: Dining

    Posted

    Here is the Wisconsin State Journal's 5/16/2007 review of the "exceptional food" at Sushi Muramoto:

    Sara and I ate at Sushi Muramoto last Friday evening. After two and half years in Madison, I have to say it was by far the freshest and most flavorful sashimi/sushi we've had and it features some items--such as toro and aji--that are difficult to find at other area sushi joints. In fact, this restaurant could easily compete with sushi establishments in many larger cities. It also features some really delicious martinis.

    It is located in a very well designed space, with a bar area off to the right side and the sushi bar along the left wall of the restaurant. Indeed, it is located right across the street (really a drive through the Hilldale Mall complex) from the soon-to-open Sundance Cinemas. It is two doors down from the Flattop Grill and about a half-block down from the Great Dane Pub.

    This just in... Muramoto now has a second location, at the revamped Hilldale Mall. Called "Sushi Muramoto" it opened on Wednesday. There is a website but it's not fully operational yet. http://www.muramoto.biz

    We'll be sure to check it out and report back soon!

    Where Would You Live In Madison

    in The Heartland: Cooking & Baking

    Posted

    Thanks again, everyone. I really appreciate the feedback.

    Liam, do you shop at Sentry? I'll have to check it out on the scouting trip, I haven't heard of it until now. I have a funny feeling Shorewood might be out of our range, and lakefront for sure! I have a friend who says you can figure out where you should live based on whether you mow your own lawn or have it done. We always mow our own...

    regards,

    trillium

    We shop at Sentry, Trader Joe's, and to a lesser degree, Whole Foods. And we shop at the farmers markets during the warm seasons for produce as well as meats. Within the next year or so, the Whole Foods will relocate a few blocks down University Ave. to the Hilldale shopping mall complex, tripling in size.

    We definitely live in a lawn mowing neighborhood. Can't speak to Shorewood on that account, but Madison definitely tends to be a do-it-yourself community.

    Where Would You Live In Madison

    in The Heartland: Cooking & Baking

    Posted

    Two of your requirements may be at odds. Living on Campus and off-campus from Gilman Street to Washington Av, a vehicle is not required but there are students. Remember Madison is situated on an ismus between two lakes, Monona and Mendota. One can go West of the Campus, and South. To go East you have to go to the other side of Monona. The campus is now huge, extending from about Gilman Street now to Eagle Heights. Shorewood presents an interesting area because one could easily walk to the Campus Bus and be at the Union in about 10 to 15 minutes depending on the time of day. If I was to live in Madison again. I would live in Shorewood. Shorewood is an older community with a high tax base and the streets are like a rabbits warren. The tax base and housing cost effectively precludes students. Good luck.-Dick

    We live just south of University Ave. and the Shorewood Hills community. Many houses in Shorewood are expensive (for Madison), but moving from the West Coast you may not be in sticker shock at all, unless you're persuing the lakefront homes. Shorewood is within minutes of the Whole Foods, Sentry (locally owned grocery), and the Hilldale farmers markets.

    Madison, WI dining

    in The Heartland: Dining

    Posted

    Sara and I ate at Sushi Muramoto last Friday evening. After two and half years in Madison, I have to say it was by far the freshest and most flavorful sashimi/sushi we've had and it features some items--such as toro and aji--that are difficult to find at other area sushi joints. In fact, this restaurant could easily compete with sushi establishments in many larger cities. It also features some really delicious martinis.

    It is located in a very well designed space, with a bar area off to the right side and the sushi bar along the left wall of the restaurant. Indeed, it is located right across the street (really a drive through the Hilldale Mall complex) from the soon-to-open Sundance Cinemas. It is two doors down from the Flattop Grill and about a half-block down from the Great Dane Pub.

    This just in... Muramoto now has a second location, at the revamped Hilldale Mall. Called "Sushi Muramoto" it opened on Wednesday. There is a website but it's not fully operational yet. http://www.muramoto.biz

    We'll be sure to check it out and report back soon!

    Madison, WI dining

    in The Heartland: Dining

    Posted

    Glad you enjoyed La Querentana. We've found the chorizo, chicharron (pork skin), and carnitas tacos to be among the best ($2 each). The tamales are made fresh in the mornings. We've enjoyed the rajas and mole varieties especially, although we found the verdes to be pretty good as well. At $12 per dozen, it's hard to beat! Why wouldn't anyone ever eat at Taco Bell?

    Hey Liam, thanks for the tip about La Querentana!  We went tonight and had a positive experience overall.  We got the tamales (one veggie, one chicken -- only OK, not great), a chicken quesedilla (excellent -- great texture and especially good with the salsa verde supplied to the table w/the chips), and two tacos -- one carnitas (excellent) and one carne asada (very good but a little tough).  My husband also ordered horchata, which was not on the menu -- he said it was quite good.  It's made in-house. 

    Anyway, we recommend it!  It was empty when we went, so clearly it needs customers.  The decor is also sadly lacking, being of the ugly-strip-mall variety.

    For Vietnamese, we are indeed severely lacking. The best available is Saigon Noodles on Odana. But their pho is somewhat hit or miss and they skimp on the toppings on vermecelli noodles.

    For Mexican, tonight we tried the new Mexican places in Market Sq on Odana (with the mislabeled sign), it was recently written up in the State Journal. Very bare bones cheap taqueria, and the tacos are quite good. Apparently they have great tamales, 12 for $12, available tomorrow morning. I may go and grab some.

    Here is the link to the 3/22/07 Wisconsin State Journal review of both La Queretana (West Side) and Burrito Drive (East Side). The soft tacos and tamales from La Queretana were scrumptious. http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/entertainm...=125464&ntpid=7

    For Vietnamese, Mekong at 600 Willy Street is also a decent choice if you're near downtown or on the East Side. The service there is very friendly.

    Madison, WI dining

    in The Heartland: Dining

    Posted

    For Vietnamese, we are indeed severely lacking. The best available is Saigon Noodles on Odana. But their pho is somewhat hit or miss and they skimp on the toppings on vermecelli noodles.

    For Mexican, tonight we tried the new Mexican places in Market Sq on Odana (with the mislabeled sign), it was recently written up in the State Journal. Very bare bones cheap taqueria, and the tacos are quite good. Apparently they have great tamales, 12 for $12, available tomorrow morning. I may go and grab some.

    Here is the link to the 3/22/07 Wisconsin State Journal review of both La Queretana (West Side) and Burrito Drive (East Side). The soft tacos and tamales from La Queretana were scrumptious. http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/entertainm...=125464&ntpid=7

    For Vietnamese, Mekong at 600 Willy Street is also a decent choice if you're near downtown or on the East Side. The service there is very friendly.

    Upper West Side/Columbus Circle

    in New York: Dining

    Posted

    Do any eGulleteers have some recommendations for a restaurant in the Upper West Side/Columbus Circle neighborhood that would be good for a business dinner next Sunday or Monday evening? I'm thinking of a chef-owned bistro type of place, something middle-to-high end is OK, just nothing too lavish or extravagant. Also willing to consider good ethnic options as well.

    I am staying at the Lucerne Hotel at 201 West 79th Street. Anywhere walkable or a short cab or subway ride would be welcomed. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

    Eastern Standard

    in New England: Dining

    Posted

    Eastern Standard and B Side are both great for cocktails.  I'm also very partial to No 9 Park - their bartenders also really know what they're doing.

    I've never been to Eastern Standard, but I'll second the nomination on No. 9 Park. I can still taste a fabulous pear martini I had there several years ago.

    Southwest Harbor, Maine Dining Suggestions

    in New England: Dining

    Posted

    Has anyone been to the House of M, an Asian restaurant, at 151 Main Street in Northeast Harbor? Sara and I walked by it last week while in town and the menu looked delightful, but we didn't get an opportunity to try it.

    Marche indeed was a solid restaurant and a nice departure from the touristy main drag in downtown Bar Harbor.

    Brunch in Boston

    in New England: Dining

    Posted

    Run, walk, take the T, do whatever you need to do to get to Restaurant L at 234 Berkeley Street. It's an odd location for a restaurant, inside the upscale Louis Boston, but it works. My wife and I ate lunch there back in June and it was wonderful. It's open for lunch from Noon-3:00 Monday through Saturday and lunch items are priced at four levels: $12, $16, $20 and $24. Although I hate the term, I'd characterize the lunch menu as Asian fusion with an emphasis on salads, noodles, seafood, and meats. Food & Wine named chef Pino Maffeo one of the best new chefs in the U.S. in 2006.

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