Taj

As the locals say- you can't swing a dead cat in Madison without hitting 4-5 Indian restaurants. The Taj is the closest to us- tucked in between...well, basically nothing. It's this odd strip mall and it's the only thing in it.

We love Indian food and the Taj is no exception. The big story about the Taj is not really the food, it's the atmosphere and ambiance. The food is good- we almost always get naan to start (the ginger and garlic varieties are our favorites) and then I get a mango lassi (ALWAYS get mango lassis at Indian restaurants). We have tried several things on the menu like the mango chicken, aloo chole, channa masala, and many of the lamb dishes. The portions are kind of big and we usually take some home with us- which really isn't a bad thing.

As I said, the big story at the Taj is the ambiance. It's decorated for many of the Christian holidays which is kind of amusing- but regardless of the holiday a big disco ball hangs in the bar area. Oooookkkkk. Also, there is never less than 10-15 staff working in a restaurant that we have never seen with more than 4 other people. This means that "attentive" is an understatement. They fill your water glass immediately after one sip, someone different brings each course, someone else comes to light your candle, etc. The rest of the staff stand around at the front of the restaurant looking fairly unhappy. It's so bizarre.

But, this means it's not only a meal it's entertainment.

Flat Top Grill

I'm not feeling very verbose about Flat Top Grill. It's a create-your-own stir fry restaurant. Not sure what else to say. You go in, you get the 411 on the system, you go up and fill your bowl with tasty stir fry makings. Vegetables, beef, chicken, tofu, sauces, spices, etc. Then you drop it off to the cooks with a little flag in it with your name or table or something. You can throw in plenty of other flags to indicate other kinds of add ons. I do like the system- it's clever and there is no shortage of vegetables and sauces. It's a little overwhelming- but if you want something on your stir fry- you got it!

The thing is- it's kind of a fun experience but I'M the one cooking. Kind of defeats the purpose of going out. My stir-fry is pretty good but I want GREAT stir fry. Throw me a bone here people!

It's worth checking out- plus it's in swanky Hilldale so you can rub elbows with Madison's elite after you're finished.

The Great Dane

I have eaten at the Great Dane so many many times. It's right across from work; and it's a popular lunch spot for me and my colleagues.

The food is good, served quickly, reasonably priced, and if you are lucky to go during non working hours, the beer list is great (it's a micro-brewery; need I say more?). It's pretty typical pub food- sandwiches, salads, wraps, soups and what not. I have quite a few favorites:

chicken caesar wrap

mayan chicken wrap

wisconsin style cheddar mac

west african peanut stew

hot soft pretzels

I just really enjoy eating here. It's a fun atmosphere (at night too- lots of pool tables and rowdiness), friendly staff and a fabulous outdoor seating area called the Garden. I've gone there for working lunches, for happy hours, for drinks, for dinner with friends; it's a quality all around kind of place. I think if I never worried about my cholesterol I would get the cheddar mac each and every time- mostly for the crispy sourdough crumbs on top and the side of hot soft pretzel. But since I DO worry, or at least care, I usually opt for a wrap in the summer and a soup in the winter.

The Hilldale location is rumored to have a great weekend brunch; but I have yet to check it out. However, I'm really satisfied with the near by-I'd-go-there-everyday-if-I-wasn't-poor-and-afraid-to-be-judged 'dane.

La Baguette

Have you been to France? Well, the good news is you don't have to go anymore. Instead, you can go to La Baguette. Take it from someone who HAS been to France- this place is authentic. Not only do the staff speak French, but other french people hang out there, the "feel" is french, the food is french, and they don't have a website- how quaint. I absolutely love it and am immediately transported back to a Paris cafe as soon as I walk in the door. A Paris cafe here in Madison, Wisconsin. Not too shabby.

It's pretty easy to miss this place- it's in a strip mall out by West Towne Mall. We drove by for years not really noticing it until some friends mentioned the divine-ness of it. So we checked it out. The ONLY downside (and it's so so small) is that it's cash only and I never have cash. Oh well, the ATM search is worth it.

The portion sizes are more American-like but the flavors and options are very european. Always fresh quiche, amazing artisan tarts and pastries, croissants, and of course, fresh baguettes. There is coffee and cappuccino and once you order and sit down a waitress brings you your food on a cute little tray.

We have only been for breakfast but as that is the most important meal of the day I don't see a problem with this. We usually each get a cappuccino, a piece of quiche and then split an irresistible tart- usually one with strawberries. If I can scrounge up the money, I like to leave with a baguette- it just seems right. The place is just plain relaxing and any francophile would feel right at home.

Having said all that, the food isn't really what makes this place so great. The food is good, really good (especially the bread), but the best part about La Baguette is how truly representative of France it really is.

Mediterranean Cafe

Arabic tea. I almost feel as though I can stop with this review right now. The Arabic tea is THAT GOOD. Man, I wish I had some right now. I don't even care that it's summer or 85 degrees. And if you knew me; that's saying something.

Anyway, while the Arabic tea is amazing (and I still haven't found a recipe online that satisfies me) the restaurant is pretty great too. The first thing that really strikes you is the all the postcards when you walk in. People all over the world send postcards to Med Cafe to say hi. Pretty friendly place. You order first, sit down second and the line is almost always out the door. If you're going for lunch, go early. There are very few seats and very many options on the menu.

Whatever I order comes with hummus; whether it be chicken, lamb, or falafel, and the warm pita bread is pretty amazing. The falafel plate is spicy and will be sure to please vegetarians. Of course, the lamb hummus plate will NOT please vegetarians but is good anyway. I do wish they accepted credit cards (I never have cash on me...warming to you potential muggers) and it would be nice to have a little more room. But the food is really worth it- and the decor. Feels very european. Though, if you don't like to hang out with students (it's near campus and quite a favorite) I would avoid going during....waking hours.

Cooper's Tavern

Small (or perhaps big?) disclaimer. I know and work with one of the owner's of this place. And she is amazing. But, let's be serious. So is the food. The ambiance. The beer and wine list. The snug.

Cooper's opened back in January and I'm proud to say I'm working my way through the menu pretty well. Several lunches, many dinners, a few happy hours. It's a warm inviting place with beautiful wood paneling and bar top. The staff is friendly and the owner is often there, welcoming guests with a pretty charming irish accent.

My favorite: the turkey sandwich. It has a heavenly pear slaw that we have tried to recreate on our own. I dream about that stuff. Other dreams are full of frites and yummy soup in a shot glass. Bob says great things about the reuben and each and every salad was fresh and flavorful (amy's salad probably took the cake for me). So finding something to eat is not exactly difficult. The menu is not overwhelming or too big- and it has a nice balance of local ingredients (and local favorites).

Want someplace to hang out? Watch a soccer game? Get a drink? Enjoy outdoor eating on the capital square? Go to Cooper's. Be happy. We were!!

Daisy Cafe and Cupcakery

Happy Birthday to me! Everyone should celebrate their birthday at Daisy Cafe. Mostly because it's a cupcakery! That's right. A cupcakery. A place dedicated to cupcakes. AKA heaven.

Apparently they serve actual food and apparently it's good. But the cupcakes? Are just amazing. Recently they sold their 100,000th cupcake since opening in May 2009, and I am proud to have be a part of 4 of those. (only two were mine, in my defense- Bob also ate two).

The cupcakes are different daily (I like to imagine that it's all based on the whim of a Keri Russell-like from Waitress) and are fruity, chocolately, lemony, cheesecakey, and the list goes on. They are all made in house, of course, and besides being delicious, they are beautiful! Artistic, delicate, almost too good to eat. Almost.

Barriques

Barriques- not just for coffee anymore. There's wine, lots of wine, sandwiches, pastries, and a cozy space with steamy windows.

We really like Barriques- for many reasons. At first, it was their Wall of 100- 100 wines under $10. GOOD wines. It was there I discovered the most incredible Malbec. It's not only fun to just browse around and try out some new vintages from time to time, it's a GREAT place for gift shopping. Gifts for weddings, for Christmas, for "thank-yous-for-watching-our-dog,", etc. It feels especially rewarding to get such a good wine for such a good price.

Anyway, after our success with the wine- we went on to their coffee, chai and steamers. It was always fun to stop in (it's just a couple blocks from home) for a drink to warm up and chat. The baristas know what they're doing.

But one time, it was time for lunch and we found ourselves on Monroe Street. It was a hit! The sandwiches were good- the soups were excellent- and the hot beverages, as usual, were delicious. It's pretty impressive that a little coffee shop can cater to so many types- the students with their laptops and books, the ladies night outs- with their bottles of wine, and the families with their kids and cookies.

Besides the fact that once our car was towed while we were inside (we had driven with Bob's parents to get a couple of cases of wine) it has always been a great experience.

Lao Laan-Xang

It's very difficult to say what my favorite restaurant is here in Madison. It's much easier to say X is my favorite "african restaurant" or Y is my favorite "mediterranean restaurant" or even Z is my favorite "asian fusion restaurant." But FAVORITE favorite restaurant? So tough. But I really think Lao Laan-Xang is up there. Perhaps it's the fact that I had never eaten Laotian food before moving to Madison. And I really like the fact that if ever I had a craving for Laotion food I could get some in about 10 minutes. Madison is pretty amazing like that.

Granted I do not have other Laotion food to compare this to, but I can say that the food is fantastic. I usually get the pineapple curry and I swear, it's heavenly. It's SO flavorful-with a complexity that doesn't really confuse me just satisfies me-and the perfect combination of spicy and sweet. Usually I find it impossible to get off the fruit train when I'm there so I also get mango juice and for dessert- sticky rice with fresh mango. WHAT?! Amazing. Bob tends to go much more adventurous (the spicy ratings are timid, careful, adventurous, and native Lao) and has tried various soups (which people rave about) and the duck. All had high praise. Bob has a pretty high tolerance for spicy food and usually the spicier the better but even he has topped off at "adventurous" so be warned if you're trying to decide how hot to order your food. And if you get "native Lao" good luck to you and godspeed.

We have heard complaints of slow service but have not really noticed. But then again, we're rarely in a hurry. So if you are, get take out, it's much quicker, but otherwise, just relax already.

Finally- my recommendation is this. Next time you order tickets to a show at the Barrymore get there early and stop in for some dinner. It's popular on show nights so watch your timing as there might be more of a crowd, but it's such a nice way to start or end an evening on Atwood Ave.

Cafe Costa Rica

It's never a wasted trip going to see the Mango Man at Cafe Costa Rica. It's a tiny little place with a very tiny "dining room" and some rickety outdoor seating. The specials are always tasty so if you go, don't be put off by the simple and small menu- get the special.

Here's the thing. I had no idea what Costa Rican food was like before this place. I figured it was Mexican with a twist. I was wrong. And yet, I was a little right. Costan Rican food is...more...well...tropical. Seriously, it tastes more tropical than Mexican food- but you get the usual tacos, burritos and what not. Except they are not usual! They are delicious.

Now, it's not the most vegetarian friendly place- but you can get pretty full on spinach empanadas. Which by the way, are my absolute favorite thing on the menu. Well, that and the cheese empanadas. And the potato empanadas. Ok, fine, it's a tie.

While you may refer to it as a hole in the wall, it's got good food and winning specials (though I think most things are overpiced so be warned!). So why not go and enjoy the Mango Man and his delicious cooking. And get dessert- I've never had dessert and I really want to know what it's like.

Crema Cafe

Bob here.

I cannot walk to the Crema Cafe from my house. It would even be a longish bikeride, along not-necessarily bike friendly roads. This separates it from most restaurants in Madison. But aside from proximity to my house, Crema distinguishes itself with delicious, delicious sandwiches. You can check out their menu online, but I had the aptly named ArtiMelt. It's true, it contains artichokes, but it's also artisan, in the sense that it's crafted by skilled sandwich artists.

But hold the phone, you say, there's so much else on the menu. There's breakfast and "supper," deserts, and coffee. All true. And while I've only tried the ArtiMelt, the breadth of the food contributes to the informal atmosphere, where Glenn Beck and Kieth Olbermann can both find exactly what they want. Then they can sit down outside across from Lake Menona, and scream past each other while John Stewart orders dessert and takes notes.