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    Fairchild

    4.7 (167 reviews)
    PriceySeafood, Bars, Italian
    Closed 4:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated 1 week ago

    Fairchild Photos

    Business Info

    FAIRCHILD ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Classy
    Upscale
    Dressy

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    Recommended Reviews - Fairchild

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    Emily B.

    We had good service, the vibe was fun, and the food was good. They went above and beyond to help my friend with food allergies know what she could order. The cappaletti was really flavorful but could have been hotter. My friend absolutely loved the flavor of the risotto but didn't enjoy the rabbit as much (it was fairly dry). Everything was good, but with how highly rated and recommended they are, I think I was expecting to be more wowed. a

    Monkfish and shrimp with corn
    Andrea G.

    First time at Fairchild and it blew our minds! Our server was great and helpful with helping us choose what to order. All the food was spectacular, this is a must stop in Madison.

    Salmon
    Olivia M.

    Love the ambiance of Fairchild. Lighting is perfect and this restaurant's interior nails something so many restaurants simply don't in the Madison area. It's an enjoyable, cozy atmosphere to settle into for an evening of great food. Came here for my birthday dinner last November and it was amazing. Still thinking about it! Server was incredibly knowledgeable of the menu, cooking methods, and ingredients used. Highly recommend any of the shareable items. Oysters were delicious. Salmon was perfectly cooked, as were the accompanying seasonal vegetables. I think we ordered one each of the desserts -- which were also all very good. Budino and apple pie were very good.

    Rhoda S.

    The food was good. The flavor was interesting. I had never had swordfish but it was tasty with the toppings. Bathroom floor was a little sus. It was such a small place that the noise level was high. However, I enjoyed my time.

    Stuffed morel mushroom

    Food was incredible. Like, one of the best restaurants I've been to lately. We had the crudo, stuffed morels, cappelletti, and cucumbers side. Everything was stunning. On top of it, the service was great. No rush, clean plates, and much consideration. Would go again and again.

    Fettuccine with clams
    MaryDan H.

    Loved the menu options around Christmas: Lobster Bisque and Fettuccine with Clams. Both were done extremely well--creamy and rich with fresh morsels of seafood. So very satisfying. Yum!

    Sam S.

    Small cozy atmosphere. The staff was very attentive and kind! All of the food we tried was great and portions were good with the exception of the tartare. It was one bite each, but very very tasty! We went for our anniversary and would definitely come back

    Apple cake for 2
    Laura M.

    I've been wanting to come here for a while, and I'm glad my sister and I finally made the trip. This restaurant certainly earns its reputation, and you'll definitely need a reservation. There is a great wine list to choose from, and although I went with wine, their cocktail list also looked fantastic. I ordered the New York strip, which was cooked perfectly and was delicious. Although it did come with a side, I also ordered the green barn broccoli, which was superb. My sister got the 7 seeds chicken, which she thought was excellent. We opted for dessert to share - the apple cake, which is served on a skillet with ice cream atop. It was amazing! I wish I hadn't been so full from the rest of the meal, because this was simply delightful and a plentiful portion. Overall, the price is on the higher side, but for the quality of food and service, it makes sense. This restaurant would make for a perfect date spot. Our server was very friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. I definitely hope to come back.

    Salmon
    Johanna E.

    Went here for a birthday and had a great experience. The service was attentive and the atmosphere was perfect for a celebration. The Snowdrift and Manhattan were both excellent. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The broccolini paired well with the salmon and the steak with potatoes and onion was full of flavor. We also tried a special appetizer that was unique and made for some great bites. Overall, a wonderful spot for a special night out.

    Beef tartare
    Ellena K.

    Fairchild always exceeds my expectations! As soon as you step inside, the cozy lighting and modern decor set the perfect vibe for a nice night out. The menu is a showcase of creativity, beautifully presented and delicious. The Shishido peppers and beef tartare are my favorite. The drinks were great too! We loved the old fashioned. Equally noteworthy was the quality of the service. Our server was attentive without being intrusive, and made our birthday celebration wonderful. I already can't wait to go back! Highly recommend taking an out-of-town visitor to give them a taste of Madison's dining and locally sourced ingredients

    Current menu
    Christine L.

    In Madison for a conference and was reading the Madison magazine and they suggested I check out the Fairchild. It had a couple lines to describe the place but the words James Beard award sold me quick. So at 5pm next day I headed over without a reservation. It's a cozy place and all tables were reserved for a Thursday and but I planned to sit at the bar anyways. No problem I had the counter to myself. I was just amazed that I could even do that for such an establishment here. As for selecting my dinner it was hard to choose because I could have eaten anything everything sounded very delicious so I ended up getting 2 appetizers and the broccoli so I can have space for dessert. The beef tartar was great and had a nice balance of crunch from the potatoes on the bottom. I got the pork trotter because I never heard of that before and was intrigued. A satisfying dish with crispy pork around the perimeter with diced watery sweet watermelon on top. Ended the night with the brown butter financier. Lemon poppyseed ice cream? Wow and all made in-house. Loved every part: the blueberry sauce, the cake, ice cream... and together it's fantastic. Even though I was by myself I had the lovely company of bartender-wife of chef Marlee around to talk. I wish I had something like this in my neighborhood: a nice low-key establishment that makes high quality food that's familiar (yet different) and approachable. I am still floored that I was able to walk in and eat there without a reservation. Are Madisonians so used to this level of cuisine it's not a big deal? Lol I'm starting to believe this unpretentious town is a foodie paradise.

    Beverage menu July 2024
    Andrea Z.

    Visited on a Saturday around 6pm solo, was able to snag a seat at the bar without a reservation. The restaurant was fairly busy, most guests had a reservation and a slight wait before their table was ready, if coming as a group would recommend booking a spot but there were seats at the bar available for the majority of the evening. Drinks: sumac lemonade - really light and refreshing a great cocktail to start the meal, tart and tangy with a slight sweetness, throughly enjoyed Food: PEI mussels - delicious, creamy rich lightly spiced saffron broth with savory meaty chunks of chorizo, mussels were well clean and cooked, potatoes added a little bit of heartiness, came with a slice of grilled bread to soak up the broth wish there was more bread for this Shishito peppers with yuzu kosho mayo - a nice veggie option, pepper were lightly sauteed with a slight char, served on a bed of the mayo which added a subtle citrus spice, would have preferred to dip personally but still enjoyed this overall Serving was great, really attentive staff dispute how busy the restaurant and bar was. Friendly, warm and welcoming, water was refilled regularly and staff checked in throughout the meal. Overall a great spot for a more upscale dinner in Madison, menu is new American with some global influences, if the mussels are on the menu menu order them!

    Grilled pink moon oysters
    Sandy N.

    My husband and I recently celebrated our anniversary in Madison, and we ended the day at Fairchild. We both agreed it was the best meal of 2024 so far. The freshness of Fairchild's offerings and the seasonal flavors were truly delightful. To start, Fairchild welcomed us with two glasses of bubbles to celebrate. They recommended a dish from each category, but we decided to freestyle our choices. Here's what we ordered, in order of our favorites: Hudson Valley Foie Gras: I am still thinking about this dish--a taste of heaven. The foie gras ice cream was chef's kiss! Seven Seeds Pork Trotter: Please give me the recipe for the nuoc cham! Excellent balance of flavors and so savory. Hamachi: Refreshing and perfectly balanced. Peterman Craftsman Steak Tartare: A fun bite, though I think I prefer the traditional serving. Strawberry Rhubarb Panna Cotta: The perfect light yet flavorful ending. Grilled Pink Moon Oysters: One word--plump. Triangoli: I was yearning for more of that bone marrow flavor, but overall, a safe dish. We left this very memorable dinner feeling comfortable and happy. I can't wait to bring my girlfriends here for our next UW Madison reunion!

    Pork Trotter (one of the best dishes I've EVER had anywhere!)

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    Ask the Community - Fairchild

    Do they ever have vegan options?

    Definitely vegetarian, not sure about vegan

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    Sgd Dubu

    Sgd Dubu

    4.1
    (15 reviews)
    2.1 mi

    What a great taste of Korean food. Is it the absolute best you're ever going to have, no, but is it…read morethe best in Madison, very likely. I grew up with alot of Korean friends and frequented their homes for after school dinner and it may be that I've been in Madison too long, but this brought me back to it. The aesthetic of the space, the cleanliness, the attentiveness of the employees and honestly, the simplicity of the menu. Here is what we do, we're going to do it well and you're going to be full at the end, which is what I got. I think the prices are fair and you can easily go home with leftovers. Personally, I got an order of the Kimchi with Beef spicy tofu soup with a side of Kalguksu noodles - which is a must. The banchans (complementary side dishes) came out quickly and were fresh and flavorful. It could have used a little more sesame oil in my opinion, but overall was a great start. The tofu soup came out shortly after with a large heaping of noodles. It was boiling hot so I added my egg, which cooked while the dish also cooled down. Once cooled, my first bite was exactly what I wanted. Spicy, flavorful, umami broth with lots of strips of beef and tofu. Adding in some noodles or using chopsticks to dip and eat was prime and this meal hit the spot. I finished about half of the soup and noodles, then packaged it to eat for lunch the next day, which protip, sometimes makes the broth even more flavorful and better to eat. I think this is a great taste of Korean food, the best in Madison and will definitely be back on a cold day. Happy Eating!

    Gave this place a try after the hype that I have heard and was not disappointed. Their Soondubu…read moreJjigae is definitely a must-try. I enjoyed the soft tofu and flavors from it, and honestly each dish had its own unique character to it. My only wishes would be that the Seafood Pancake to have a more crispy texture and for the Bibimbap (Beef) to have a little more meat to it. The staff members were very kind and made sure our table was well taken care of. The restaurant was very clean, but the only other complaint I would have is that there was no A/C on, and the door was left open to allow for airflow, causing a lot of smoke from outside to come into the restaurant (tobacco smell). Otherwise, I was satisfied with everything else. Each dish was full of impactful flavor, and I can understand why SGD has its hype!

    Photos
    Beautiful space.
    Beautiful space.
    Beef bulgogi bento box
    Beef bulgogi bento box
    Fried dumplings

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    Fried dumplings
    Cadre Restaurant

    Cadre Restaurant

    4.4
    (110 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    I am from out of town and was recommended this restaurant by two different sets of people. It did…read morenot disappoint! I made a reservation on a Thursday evening but it ended up not being too busy. My server was amazing and she explained that they have a mandatory service fee of 20% added on to the total, to ensure their staff gets a fair wage. They split it between front-of-house and back-of-house, and anything extra you choose to tip goes straight to your server. I ordered the beef bourguignon, and it was divine. Hearty without being too heavy. Highly recommend!

    We loved the ambiance, but unfortunately the rest of the experience fell short…read more We chose to sit at the bar and told the bartender it was our first time dining there. We were hoping for a little guidance or enthusiasm about the menu, but she never really talked about the food. When we asked what she recommended, her response was simply, "Snapper." Every question we asked was met with very short, one word answers. She wasn't busy. She just seemed completely uninterested. Having worked in restaurants for most of my life, I know hospitality is about creating an experience. Bartenders are representing the restaurant and helping guests feel excited about the menu. If this were my restaurant, I would be disappointed by that level of service. The food itself was just okay. The presentation was beautiful and definitely deserving of five stars, but the flavor did not live up to how impressive it looked. After reading other Yelp reviews, we also realized a 20% gratuity had already been added for our party of two. We did not notice it at the time and tipped on top of it. While that was our oversight, it made the experience even more disappointing given the lackluster service. This was our first meal on our first visit to Madison, and we were really looking forward to it. Sadly, the overall experience did not meet our expectations. I will say that our first encounter was with the hostess, and she was very friendly. She welcomed us warmly, thanked us for coming, and even made a point to tell us goodbye on our way out. She was a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing experience. Great dining is about more than just the food. It is about the entire experience, and this one missed the mark.

    Photos
    View from the bar
    View from the bar
    Daube - Beef
    Daube - Beef
    Front desk is far into the restaurant

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    Front desk is far into the restaurant
    Gates & Brovi

    Gates & Brovi

    3.9
    (324 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$

    We had a great early dinner here. We started with 2 cups of soup- carrot and ginger purée. These…read moresoups were warm and satisfying with just the right amount of ginger. For our main plates we had the hamburger on the menu that was perfect. It included no side plates, but we chose to add on the string beans side that were also excellent. We also split their special for the evening that was a shredded braised pork, that was well prepared and we thoroughly enjoyed it We split 2 desserts - their homemade peach almond ice cream and an almond cake with door county cherry compote. These were also great. The server brought us a sample of a sweet corn, honey ice cream that we were curious to try but glad we went with the peach ice cream. The atmosphere was loud and clangy, but pleasant enough. The service was also excellent. We would happily come back here.

    We stopped by for a small dinner Saturday night around 5 and were seated right away. The hostess at…read morethe front was super friendly and we watched her interact with all the children who came in after us which was super adorable. The bar area is super cute and the cocktail menu looked delicious, although we settled on having two beers. For food we had a half dozen oysters, the clam chowder, Caesar salad, and cheese curds. The oysters and salad were amazing, while the chowder and curds were just fine. I'll be back to try more of the menu as I love the relaxing atmosphere. Street parking was fine for us.

    Photos
    Dining area
    Dining area
    Gates & Brovi
    Gates & Brovi

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    Lombardinos Italian Restaurant and Bar

    Lombardinos Italian Restaurant and Bar

    4.0
    (317 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$

    They were super busy, so service was a little bit slower. Our server was super friendly and got all…read moreof our orders correct. The mushroom pasta dish (tagliatelle) was definitely the stand out of our meal. While the budino was delicious, I didn't get the butterscotch flavors as it was noted in the menu. It almost tasted more like pumpkin and cinnamon. Warm fresh bread and the traditional cesear salad were delicious. I really liked my white sangria but my husband didn't care for his barrel aged Negroni. Love the tiles behind the bar and the history of this classic place.

    The service here is wonderful. Everyone is kind and talkative, so my reduced star is really because…read morethe food was kind of hit or miss for me. My boyfriend's family and I came for a Sunday dinner and despite being a larger group, we were able to snag a table immediately. Don't let that fool you though - this place is popular and we seem to have gotten one of the last tables available. When it came to food and drinks, I got a white wine sangria, which I really liked, but it only came with an orange wedge on the side of the rim. I was disappointed because I was expecting fruit in the sangria. It wasn't a big deal, and was an okay drink. When it came to food, Lombardinos had a couple specials, one of which was a wood grilled broccoli and cauliflower appetizer, and their blueberry salad. We also got the calamari and olives. Overall, I really enjoyed all of the appetizers. We then all got our own entrées - unfortunately they were out of the veal entrée for some of our family members. I ended up getting the scallops which I thought were overcooked, and I didn't like the couscous that came with. It was too acidic and the roasted tomatoes that came with the couscous didn't help with the acidity levels. However, my boyfriend did share some of his crab and clam linguine. I really liked that dish, but they were out of clams as well, so it really was only a crab pasta. I hope they are able to offer their full menu in the future, because I think I would come back, but only if they had some of those dishes available.

    Photos
    Bar area. Note: I edited out anyone who I could see their faces so some areas of the photo look a little strange.
    Bar area. Note: I edited out anyone who I could see their faces so some areas of the photo look a little strange.
    Eggplant Napoletana
    Eggplant Napoletana
    Special gin drink

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    Special gin drink

    Fairchild - seafood - Updated August 2026

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