Fratelli's

Fratelli’s Trattoria

Fratelli's Trattoria is a cozy Italian restaurant and bar in Monona that feels like it's been around for decades, even though it opened a few years ago (in the former Angelo's space) ...
Great Taste of the Midwest

The Weekend Ahead Aug. 7-9, 2026

Here's a curated list of the major Madison, WI events happening this weekend ...
GM Banh Mi

GM Banh Mi

On a busy stretch of W. Johnson Street sits GM Banh Mi, which opened last fall. It can be tough to find parking nearby, but the bread is worth the effort ...
The Great Gatsby

The Weekend Ahead July 31-Aug. 2, 2026

Here's a curated list of the major Madison, WI events happening this weekend ...

Beware happy hour prices

December 7th, 2009
I went to Tutto Pasta on State Street for happy hour recently, and I was stunned when I saw my tab. (The special is 2-for-1 rails, by the way.) For six drinks (three free), I was charged $17. A regular-priced screwdriver rail and vodka-cranberry rail are both a whopping $6 each! And a whiskey-cola was $5!

This is Madison, not Chicago. The happy hour special simply brought the prices down to normal (e.g. $3 each instead of $6) for this area. In fact, I cannot think of any other bar in the city that charges that much for rail drinks. So lesson learned: not every special is as “special” as it claims to be.

(While we’re on the subject of this restaurant … Tutto doesn’t allow you to get their happy hour rates if you sit outside–another ridiculous rule on their part. Shame on Tutto for screwing their customers.)

Three new Mexican restaurants

December 1st, 2009

It’s interesting that in downtown Madison, Las Cazuelas just opened by Capital Fitness, and La Mestiza (former Subway shop) and Taco Heaven (former Le Chardonnay location) will soon open. That’s three new Mexican restaurants that are essentially walking distance of each other.

In this vicinity, they join Frida, Taco Bell, La Hacienda, Eldorado, Qdoba and Chipotle. To see a list of all the Mexican restaurants in the area, use the “Mexican” search option on the EAT page of www.EatDrinkMadison.com.

Opera party

November 8th, 2009

I went to see the Madison Opera’s sold-out performance of Carmen Friday night at the Overture Center. Before the show, the Gialamas Co. played host to a pre-party for young professionals (about 30 people) on the second floor of the rotunda area. It was great to mingle with so many other YPs while enjoying some fabulous food and drinks. According to the Madison Opera executive director, opera has the youngest demographic of any of the performing arts.

I want to again express my appreciation to the Gialamas Co. for throwing such a fun event. And Carmen was fantastic, by the way. Too bad the Madison Opera only did two shows.

    Madison Symphony Orchestra Urban Air

  • Blog Home

    You are currently browsing the EatDrinkMadison.com blog archives.

  • Archives

  • Categories