Our financial advisors are based in Madison so while we were here they offered to take us out to dinner. They know what foodies we are so they selected Fairchild which they was a trendy restaurant. It was located on Monroe St., not too far from Camp Randall Stadium where we would be attending the Coldplay concert in a couple days.
Restaurant was relatively small and warm and inviting. We went with a few starters to share. We went with the Los Abuelos Fried Squash Blossom, the Seven Seeds Organics Pork Trotter, and the Hudson Valley Foie Gras. We had some squash blossom the previous night at L’Etoile and it was one of my favorite bites of the night so was hoping for more of that. This squash blossom was stuffed with goat cheese and a curry sauce was even better. We ordered the pig trotters because why not…I so rarely have a chance to have them. The trotter was served with a variety of vegetables including turnips from Blue Moon Community farm, cucumber from Flyte Farms, snap peas with a vinaigrette and a light avocado sauce. The foie gras came as a mousse (i would have preferred just seared of course) with some Young Earth strawberries, basil, with a light strawberry sauce and some grilled bread and ice cream on the side. Fruit and foie gras are always a nice combo for me and I love strawberries. The ice cream gave a bit of creaminess to it and it all worked for me.
For our mains, I ordered the Cabbage Wrapped Monkfish, Andrea ordered the Pappardelle. For sides, we ordered the Sue Van Sugar Snap Peas and the Young Earth Braised Fennel. The monkfish came with some broccolini and delicious lobster mousseline. The pappardelle came with sauce with a ragú sauce made with Petersen beef shortrib, tomato, english pea, thin cuts of cooked carrot.
For dessert, we had a raspberry panna cotta and a peanut butter and chocolate budino (hey, can’t go wrong with that combo).
All in all, this was a very enjoyable meal and much better (and less expensive) than L’Etoile.
Leave a Reply