It has been a long while since my last visit to Madison. My husband graduated from UW and has not been back for more than 10 years now. So.....we were thinking of going back to our favourite places.

So far....we are definitely going to the following

Himal Chuli, Husnus, Cornish Pasty on state st, Ginos (loved the veg lasagna)

Any other suggestions? We love all ethnic cuisine. I rememer the having great falafel pita sandwiches from the outdoor stall located near the UW bookstore. I wonder whether that is still there?

Thanks

The Great Dane has good food and beer and also a great garden patio to eat in. If you like italian, Tutto Pasta is nice. If you want to go somewhere trendy ($$$$) for dinner Johnny Delmonicos has excelent steaks. Frida's is a new mexican restaurant on upper state st. as well.

Any other suggestions? I am heading to Madison for Labor Day weekend. I would like to try some local specialties/favorites.

I'm interested also. In November, I will be spending several days at a convention at the Madison Concourse Hotel, and would like to know of good restaurants within walking distance.

Keitb

Jolly Bob's on Willy Street - funky, fun Caribbean rest. with a very cool outdoor patio complete with tiki lights. Also, a Mexican restaurant on Willy Street, I think it's called El Dorado---a little more upscale than your typical taco/burrito Mex. place-----lots of fun margaritas. I like Otto's on Mineral Point, heading out towards West Town. It's Afghani (I think), kinda pricey, but a cool place inside a house----neat bar in the basement. Speaking of basements, Louisianne's is a wonderful cajun restaurant in Middleton. You enter the restaurant below street level. Have fun!

Labor Day weekend (9/3, 2:30-8:00 pm & 9/4, 11:00am-6:00 pm)) is the "Taste of Madison" festival. Sixty Madison restaurants will have booths all around the Capitol Square where you can buy small servings of their specialty dishes. Lots of free live music, too on 4 different stages. The only drawback is that it gets pretty crowded.

Wow, I'd love to be there for a taste of Madison. For ethnic, try the Laotian place on Willie st. I can't remember the name, but it's like Lao Xang something. the only one on Willie, I believe. I agree that Jolly Bob's is fun Jamaican, but I like the food at the more dive-y Jamerica across the street.

For upscale, you ought to go to L'Etoile, or at least go there for a breakfast pastry.