Ah, the allure of fine dining, where you’re served grandiose dishes by tuxedoed waitstaff on white tablecloths, with a wine list any sommelier would be proud of. Who doesn’t love to indulge the palate with bite-sized morsels of exotic cuisine artfully arranged by a first-rate chef? Whether it’s a special occasion or a romantic meal for two, splurge on dinner at these top four upscale restaurants in Madison.
Samba Brazilian Grill
Samba’s is an upscale Brazilian eatery with a twist, where authentic Brazilian cowboys called gauchos slice churrasco-style meat right at your table. Sample the highly acclaimed sugar-and-cinnamon pineapple skewers, then visit the capacious salad and appetizer bar with more than 30 delectable items.
Have a Caipirinha or Mojito while you wait for the first course of house-made salads, roasted vegetables, and artisan cheeses. Using a pillar with red and green lights, signal the gauchos that you’re ready to start on the next course — rodizio meat. Located at 240 W. Gilman St., Samba’s Grill is open Monday through Saturday from 5–10 p.m. and Sunday from 9:30 a.m.–9 p.m.
Tornado Steak House
Experience your premier downtown steakhouse, Tornado’s at 116 S. Hamilton St., where white-linen dining meets a timeless supper-club vibe. Try one of Tornado’s award-winning house specialties, including the locally sourced, grass-fed steaks such as the peppercorn encrusted Filet au Poivre or a naturally raised, pan-fried breaded rabbit.
Tornado serves their dinner menu from 5–10 p.m., and their late night menu until 1 a.m. in the Corral Room bar.
A Pig in a Fur Coat
You’re in for a sumptuous treat when you dine at A Pig in a Fur Coat on 940 Williamson St. Start your meal with a delicious appetizer, such as duck fat fries, then move on to a small plate of lamb carpaccio with Parmigiano. If you’re hungry for more, venture on to a large plate instead, featuring a wagyu ribeye with bone marrow. Cleanse your palate with a sugary treat from their trendy dessert menu. Our favorite is the chocolate and orange Sicilian sfingi.
A Pig focuses on communal seating, which offers unique appeal, and likely means you’ll sit with new friends at a shared table. They’re open Monday through Thursday from 4–10 p.m., Friday and Saturday until 11 p.m., and closed Sundays.
L’Etoile Restaurant
A phenomenal experience awaits you at L’Etoile Restaurant on 1 S. Pinckney St. with Owner/Chef Tory Miller, winner of the Iron Chef Showdown this January. L’Etoile offers an elegant atmosphere that’s perfect for a romantic rendezvous.
Pamper yourself with the seven-course Chef’s tasting menu, including excellent farm to table choices such as veal sweetbreads, aged lamb, and Alaskan halibut in a bacon broth. Chef Miller is serious about his cheeses, and sources only the fresh chèvres, and cave-aged cheeses from artisan cheesemakers.
L’Etoile Restaurant is open Monday through Friday from 5:30–9 p.m., and Saturday from 5–10 p.m., but closed on Sundays.
No matter what you’re celebrating, splurge on dinner at these top three upscale Madison, WI restaurants, sure to please even the most finicky gourmand.
“Samba Grill Brazilian Churrascaria Food Sampling” via Flickr by Prayitno. Used with permission via CC BY 2.0 / cropped from original
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