The Coopers Tavern is the new gastropub on the Square, next door to the WI Veterans Museum. Inside, the space is long and narrow, with the standard layout of bar on the left and small tables on the right. There's a cozy, pub-like seating area in the front and a slightly more spacious and formal dining area in the rear. There's supposed to be a snug, but I didn't get a good look at it. The decor is warm and inviting; light oak woodwork, exposed brick and pale walls give a spacious feel. Five of us arrived Friday evening just before 8:00 and the place was packed. Our wait was about an hour. One of the first things you see is the massive chalkboard above the bar, highlighting their impressive tap list and wine selection. The tap list is very nice, with a variety of regional, US and imported craft brews. We started off with drinks. L ordered an Ommegang Hennepin, while I had a Monk's Café Flemish Sour Red Ale, J drank an imported Pilsener I can't recall the name of and D had a Guiness. C went with a Coke. All were served in proper glassware. We came here to try the poutine. That's what all the buzz is about: poutine has Madison a-Twitter. We ordered two plates for the table. The poutine ($7) was good. It's on the appetizer menu so the portion size isn't gut-busting, but definitely enough to share. High quality Belgian frites and a handful of melty cheese curds under a mild brown gravy make for a warm, comforting plate of goodness. I'm not sure it's appropriately an appetizer--it seems more suited to cap off a night of drinking--but it was just the thing to warm our bellies after a long wait in the cold. Our table also shared an order of hot soft pretzels ($4) with a delicious Belgian ale-Irish cheddar cheese sauce. ... See More Main courses arrived just as we finished up appetizers. D and C ate The Coopers Burger ($7) and fresh pub chips with no complaints, but it didn't seem to wow either diner. J and I ordered the fish and chips special ($13). Two perfect pieces of battered cod with slightly sweet (malt?) vinegar slaw and more frites. I would have wanted another piece of fish, had we not gorged on poutine and hot pretzels. The real star of the evening was L's Reuben ($8). Thick slices of tender, corned beef with kraut that had been marinated in Lake Louie Warped Speed Scotch Ale. Best Reuben we've had. The service was attentive and general manager Peter McElvanna stopped by our table to check on us more than once. All added up to a lovely evening out and we are more than eager to go back to try new dishes as they're added to the menu--though L will be hard pressed to order anything but the Reuben!