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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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    Pitcher's Pub

    Pitcher's Pub

    3.5
    (37 reviews)
    2.5 mi
    $

    Had a really bad experience here about a year and a half ago. My friends were definitely racially…read moreprofiled in this establishment by the security here. I understand everyone was there late, and that can be irritating if your shift is about to end and you want to go home. But if you state that you are open until 2, people are going to expect to stay until 2 am. We went for a friends birthday, and we were going to start here and make our way downtown to just bar hop and play some games of pool. At about 1:00 the security told everyone last call for drinks and we all got something and headed back to the table we were sitting at. They then proceeded maybe 15 minutes later to say we needed to clear out. Now I would like to add we were not the only people in there. At least 10 other groups of people continuing their games of pool. My friend whose birthday it was went to take his last shot at the 8 ball. Literally our last ball, and the security comes over and starts to harass my friend. Stating it's his business which we understood so we started to pack up because at this point they were clearly uncomfortable by the way he was approached by the security. On the way out the security CONTINUED to talk under his breath about my friend. He did not approach anyone else in that bar except us. The rest of the room continued to play pool until they finished their games. He felt extremely uncomfortable and racially profiled since he was one of three POC in that whole bar, and as a matter of fact those three people were in our group. They all felt some sort of way about how he was approached and we all agreed to never step foot in this establishment ever again. And this is not the first incident I've heard of happening here....

    My mom always talked about frequenting Pitcher's Pub in the 70s, and that her go-to drink was Swamp…read moreWater. I finally stopped in a few months ago, and the drink was delicious! It was SO strong, which had me laughing because my mom is not a drinker! I honestly can't believe that she drank these throughout her 20s. Either way, it was really good, and now I know why it's their signature drink. I was really impressed with how expansive it is inside - lots of pool tables, gambling machines, tv's, and a long bar with plenty of seating. When I went, it was mid-afternoon on a weekday, so I would definitely like to return when the place is hopping! It definitely looks like a super fun place to hang out on a Saturday night.

    Photos
    Lots of dart boards
    Lots of dart boards
    Tacos Special
    Tacos Special
    Party room

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    Party room
    Madison Labor Temple Lounge

    Madison Labor Temple Lounge

    4.0
    (5 reviews)
    1.7 mi
    $

    Layla's food here is excellent. We went here for dinner last Saturday and had a wonderful Brazilian…read moreinspired meal. The lamb was really tender and flavorful, the rice and beans were really tasty, the cheese bites were nice and chewy, and the hearts of palm and avocado salad was probably my favorite part of the meal. This is a nice small neighborhood spot for drinks. I love the labor friendly atmosphere. They also have delicious fries and other bar foods available. The drinks are incredibly affordable too and the bartender was really friendly. Will definitely be back for a Friday fish fry!

    Came to watch the first gubernatorial debate last week and figured I'd get dinner too since I knew…read moreLayla had taken over as chef and she's kind of a local celebrity. I've read good things about the non-traditional dishes she's introduced here, but the Friday night fish fry that week was a miss. The fish was large but not very tasteful. The beer batter taste was unmistakable but underwhelming. The tartar sauce was also disappointing and fairly bland, not thick and tart. Sadly they didn't have any malt vinegar either. The fries were a bit better but still average at best. Maybe I just had a miss because I remember Layla's Persian Food as not gourmet but home-cooked goodness. If I'm there on a different day, I still plan on trying out something else.

    Photos
    $1 Hamm's and $3 Old Fashioned.
    $1 Hamm's and $3 Old Fashioned.
    Beer and card playing on a Monday night.
    Beer and card playing on a Monday night.
    $2.25 pint of Bud Light. Served with a smile.

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    $2.25 pint of Bud Light. Served with a smile.
    Squirrel's Nest

    Squirrel's Nest

    4.5
    (49 reviews)
    7.6 mi
    $

    At first glance, the place presents itself as a neighborhood dive--a worn-in local haunt where the…read moredécor is secondary to the conversation. But the illusion fades the moment a Bloody Mary arrives at the table. This is a bar that takes its craft seriously. The cocktail was thoughtfully prepared and balanced, revealing an attention to detail rarely found in establishments trading on casual charm alone. The atmosphere is equally compelling: lively without being chaotic, welcoming without feeling manufactured. It possesses the kind of authenticity that cannot be designed or replicated. In an era of increasingly curated hospitality, this remains a genuinely local gathering place--unpretentious, distinctive, and unmistakably its own.

    We like our walleye and eggs for breakfast, and decided to try out the Squirrel's Nest. It is a…read moresmall establishment with a bar to the left and seating area, to the right, with two smaller tables on the side of the bar. We arrived about 10:00 am, and it was packed. It was very loud with people talking, due to the small space. We sat at our table and waited awhile for a server, but didn't know if we needed to order at the bar. After a while, a waitress arrived to take our order. She was very joyful and friendly. We both ordered the walleye and eggs, which included hashbrowns and toast. My husband added cheese and onions on the hashbrowns at no extra cost. We also ordered a Bloody Mary, which came with a chaser. They arrived with a spear of mozzarella cheese, pimento olive, smoked sausage, and a dill pickle. The walleye had a nice thin crust and the eggs and hashbrowns were cooked perfectly. My better half said that he didn't taste any onions in the hashbrowns and they used American cheese, which made them runny. It was a good breakfast, and we enjoyed our time there. However, due to the loudness, we probably won't go back, as it was hard to have a conversation. Be aware that they only take cash, but they do have an ATM in the building. This establishment definitely had a great atmosphere and service, with friendly staff.

    Photos
    Great Bloody Mary and coffee!!!
    Great Bloody Mary and coffee!!!
    Squirrel's Nest
    Breakfast menu

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    Breakfast menu

    Fairchild - seafood - Updated August 2026

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