Hi All,
My Nephew is graduating from a music school in 2 weeks. The graduation will be held at Monona Terrace in Madison.

We are looking for a place for dinner before or after the graduation. He has only suggested 2 places, Tony Roma's and The Icon on State Street. Talk about opposite ends of the spectrum. I figure there must be more places than this in Madison.

Any suggestions? There will be 7 of us, all adults. Nothing outrageously expensive but maybe something unique? Nothing wrong with chains, but we can get chain restaurants anywhere.

Thanks in advance,
Duane

Which Madison?

I would let the nephew pick the place to celebrate his graduation. (Yes, that recommendation comes from personal experience )

Sorry. Forgot this would look pretty generic on the US Board. I posted it in the Wisconsin board so I didn't think about adding the state. Duh!

Anyway, it is Madison WI.

Thanks for the advice, we will probably let him decide, just wanted more options

Thanks,
Duane

Some suggestions:

Quivey's Grove (15-20 minutes outside downtown): very cute place built in old stable/farmhouse with good Midwestern food. Definitely unique and Wisconsin.

Tornado Club: Old-school downtown steak house (very 1950's). Not cheap, but good value for a steak house.

Great Dane: Probably not what you're looking for this more special meal, but if you have time for another meal or a drink while in town this is a great local brew pub with good food and terrific beer. Right off Capitol Square.

Good luck!

Our only night in Madison ever, (which was about 12 years ago) we were taken by long time residents to a steak house -- rustic, busy, very good, and fun. We were there in early June and it seemed to be a celebratory hangout for graduates. I just googled and found Smokey's but that doesn't really look like it. As I recall this was more on the edge of town and in an old rustic place.
Not fancy, but you said unique -- and I think it was.

Yes, Smokey's is a good, fun steakhouse too. The atmosphere is more casual then Tornado, and unapologetically tacky - think Bucca di Beppo, but authentic.

Paisans is good Italian food, close to Monona Terrace, pretty,nice view and a Madison institution.
http://www.paisansrestaurant.biz/

You are right: do not go to Tony Roma's.
Downtown, yes, Icon is pretty new and is a stylish tapas place on State Street. We like it.
Other nice downtown and campus places: Crave, Cocoliquot (on King Street), the new Samba Brazilian steakhouse, Frida's (on State Street), the Sardine, ElDorado Grill(southwestern) on Williamson Street, the Old Fashioned (on the Square), Johnny Delmonico's, and Fresco, to name a few. Madison is restaurant-rich, so there are more downtown, plus lots of ethnic, pizza, and brat places on or just off State Street. A couple great hamburger places on campus are the Nitty Gritty and Dotty Dumpling's Dowery. You don't have to go to the edges of the city to find outstanding restaurants.

Thanks everyone you gave me some great ideas.
Duane