Archive for November, 2015

Madison Cuisine

Sunday, November 29th, 2015

I’ve heard Madison Cuisine, located in the Lucky building, described as a food court, but it’s actually more of a cafeteria. You grab a tray when you walk in, and then you are met with a sushi bar, Chinese dishes and American dishes (including breakfast).

So, if you’re looking to eat pancakes, General Tso’s chicken and pepperoni pizza in one meal, this is your place.

Note, the layout is weird. For example, the cups and the soda fountain are not located near each other (the former is located by the Chinese food). Meanwhile, you need to flag down a cook to take your order at the American station.

The sushi is made fresh, on the spot, and then put in those to-go containers you see at grocery stores. My Ocean Sampler ($9.99) had two pieces each of salmon, tuna, eel and shrimp. They were super heavy on the rice, and I wish the wasabi was stronger.

The noodle bowls ($8.95) aren’t on the printed menu. You can choose noodles such as rice, thick or ramen, and then top it with meat such as beef or duck. Don’t mistake the broth for pho; this version is basically tasteless, making the noodles bland as well. At least you get a lot of meat, which in my case was tasty pieces of Peking duck.

I fell for the Best Philly Cheesesteak in Madison ($8.95). It’s got some merits–the sandwich is cooked right on the spot, comes with a generous helping of toppings and includes lightly grilled bread. However, the two slices of cheese were inadequate for the size of the sandwich, and the green peppers and onions needed to be sauteed longer.

As I alluded, the rest of the varied menu includes items like burgers, omelettes, French toast, chicken wings and Teriyaki shrimp.

Madison Cuisine is open every day for breakfast, lunch, dinner and carryout. Park in the ramp underneath (enter from Lake Street).

Madison Cuisine Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Where to drink on Thanksgiving

Sunday, November 22nd, 2015

Thanksgiving Eve, aka Blackout Wednesday, is one of my favorite nights of the year to go out. It’s a chance to hang out with old friends in town, and you’re kicking off a four-day weekend if you have Friday off.

This year, both Thanksgiving Eve and Thanksgiving could be big nights to go out, at least in Wisconsin. That’s because the Packers play the Bears at 7:30 p.m. Thursday. If you’ve spent enough time with your family and/or need to get out of the house, here is a running list of bars that are open on Thanksgiving where you can watch the game:

West/Middleton

  • Babes
  • Badger Tavern
  • Hody Bar
  • Legends
  • Quaker Steak

Central

  • Blue Moon
  • Buckingham’s
  • Come Back In
  • Echo Tap

East/Sun Prairie

  • Harmony Bar
  • Varsity Bar
  • Wilson’s

South/Burbs

  • 5100
  • Gray’s Tied House
  • Headquarters
  • Monte’s
  • Tully’s II

Double S BBQ

Sunday, November 15th, 2015

Double S BBQ moved from Cambridge, Wis., to Monroe Street a few months ago, and unfortunately the Madison Plan Commission isn’t allowing an outdoor smoker on premise. As a result, food is cooked off-premise, and because of that, I felt some of the menu items weren’t as good as they could have been.

You can still get a decent meal, though; I recommend you start with the Texas Sausage Dog ($9.25). The giant, delicious link reminded me a bit of a salumi-Chinese sausage hybrid. It’s very filling, too.

The ribs ($13.50 as a one-meat plate, $23.99 as a whole rack) are tender (but not fall-off-the-bone tender) and have a nice, mild-smoky flavor. You can easily eat these ribs as they are (without sauce), though I couldn’t get enough of the regular and spicy BBQ sauces here.

I thought the brisket tamales ($3 each), served on Thursdays, were creative and generous with meat. Unfortunately, my tamale was really dry, and my plastic fork couldn’t cut into it. At least the side of Sriracha sauce helped.

Speaking of dry, the Chuckwagon cornbread ($1.75 for a slice, $12.99 for a pan of eight) was missing the warmth and moistness of what I would consider good cornbread. Other sides on the menu include smoked bacon-wrapped jalapeno poppers ($2 each) and cowboy pinto beans ($2.25).

You also can find a selection of baked potatoes on the menu, including the Texas Two Step ($12.99), which has butter, sour cream, cheese, brisket, beans, corn and hot sauce on top.

Double S BBQ is open every day for lunch, dinner and carryout.

Double S BBQ Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

    Madison Symphony Orchestra Urban Air

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