We absolutely loved the immersive experience at Nook! The shared dining experience was social but i was still able to have conversation with the person I came with. We could tell a lot of thought went into the design and flow of the evening. Every dish was beautifully presented, flavorful, and full of creative twists on classic favorites. Like the strawberry tomato soup and the corn blueberry ice cream. The bison and other meat dishes were perfectly done and high quality. t's clear that the chefs take pride in crafting dishes that are both inventive and approachable, with local ingredients. I was also happy to find out they'll box up any courses you can't finish, which is great if you want to plan ahead for what to eat and what to take home. Already hoping I can get a reservation to go back. read more

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I have been WAITING to come here and I was not disappointed. Honestly, if you want to try Nook (and you should if you can) I would go in with no expectations and just experience it -- meaning stop reading this review after the first paragraph because it might give some spoilers. To start, reservations. They open a few months in advance at midnight on the first of the month... sucks for anyone not usually up at midnight but worth it. I locked in my reservation date at 12:03am, a coworker was also trying to get a reservation for the same month and it was sold out by 12:06am when he tried. So, know your date ahead of time, click refresh constantly starting at 11:59pm, and Godspeed! Now to my experience. I'm not usually wild about the 12course restaurants you see in Chicago or New York. The space is uppity, the people are obnoxious, and the food is... usually just fine. This is truly a Madison and a Wisconsin spin on that pretentious kind of environment, and it is so down to earth. It's a personal experience with the chef and staff that you can't get in the big city. They explain each meal and often would tell you where the ingredients came from nearby... sometimes the chef's backyard. There is one seating per night at 6:30pm and everyone is sitting together. The plates are served individually to each person, and technically there are six 2-person tables assembled together about 3-4 inches from one another to make a sort of single long table. I'd sort of been picturing one single long table, but this worked just fine. My party of 2 was near the middle, so it was fun to be able to have some inclusion on conversations on both side of the table.  And the food. Wow. Continuing the Wisconsin spin on a 12 course (this being 13 course) meal, these are not tiny plates. While each one is not a solo big meal, they are larger than I expected and I was legitimately full after course #4. And we hadn't even gotten to the "mains" at that point! They do box parts of the meal up for you if it's conducive to leftovers. That gave me dinner the next night as well. So pace yourself, and if it's something that would function as leftovers, try it and move on. I did the wine pairing with it, and they were also generous pours (9 of them) -- consider an Uber. I'm not a wine-o, but I figured when in Rome.... go all out. The wines actually did complement each meal really well.  This is a unique experience of fine dining you WILL not get at the fancy restaurants. If you are a foodie, this is a must. It's super low key, come as you are. We had people at our table in hooded sweatshirts and people in nice dresses as if they were ready for the symphony. All were welcome and nobody was judged. The chef is hilarious, the staff is so much fun and I was laughing constantly. They are truly part of the experience almost as much as the food itself. If this in in your budget, it is worth the stress of getting a reservation. Bravo. Oh, and if it's not obvious -- yes, the food is incredible. read more

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It took a lot of waiting and hoping to get a reservation, but it was so worth it. The chef and team are wonderful, warm and charismatic. The servers are knowledgeable and welcoming. The food was incredible and the camaraderie of sharing a table with others was a joy in connection and commiseration, as we were all painfully full by the end. I've never had so much fun throughout a meal. We can't hardly wait to go back. read more

Nook - New American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Where do I start? Can I get two additional stars? Great, I rank 7 stars. Everything about this night was amazing. The atmosphere, the food, the tastes, the service - it's truly an experience. Literally one of the best meals of my life in every way. Is it a traditional restaurant? No. You literally have to set your alarm for midnight on the first of the month to get a reservation. And even then, you better be quick on the thumbs. Walk ins? No. Experience -- YES. The whole thing exceeded my expectations. And my expectations were already quite high. The quality and uniqueness of the experience are unmatched. Set your alarm and treat yourself. This is no normal restaurant experience. Shout out to the serving staff - you were wonderful! I hope you are treated well by the owners because you make the experience. read more

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I really wanted to love this place, but it fell short of my expectations. Service: 5/5. Wonderful! The two servers were on top of their game. Recommended some great wine. Not too intrusive on your space. Ambiance: 4.5/5. The atmosphere is definitely quaint seating only 12 people max. The ambiance is intimate to say the least so you might be chatting with other guests. If this isn't your vibe, I probably would avoid this place. The chefs are personable and loved to hear the story behind the dishes. Hip hop/rap was a vibe. Food: 3/5. Given the price we paid, I was underwhelmed. A lot of the dishes on the dinner we partook in were on the tangy side. Interestingly, as much as I dislike olives, their olive soup was tolerable. I really did not enjoy the snail dish-really earthy and there was a bitter aftertaste that lingered. Presentation was stellar but I was hoping for more flavors that melded together to elevate each dish. Portions are "larger" and I was getting full by dish 4 so do pace yourself. We OPTED out of the wjne pairing but the staff seem very knowledgeable about the them. Other: making a reservation can be difficult since time slots are opened at midnight. I was fortunate enough to have someone else snag me the reservation. A long waited dinner turned into a disappointment. read more

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What happens when you combine the best in local seasonal ingredients, high quality global products and put them in the hands of a husband and wife who do what they want? You get one of the most amazing food experiences you will ever had. This 12 seat communal adventure is world class in a laid back fun atmosphere. It is done with love of food and a passion for service. The food here is genuine and honors the ingredients. The secret ingredient is definitely love. I felt at home here. It was more like eating at a friend's house who just happens to be a very talented mad genius with real good ingredients. read more

Incredible is all I can say. It blew my other favorite place in Madison out of the water. It was absolutely worth the wait, and the waitlist, and the waiting. It was not just a dinner, it was an experience. Chef Noah and his wife, along with his entire team do an impeccable job with their dinners. Hand crafted, farm to table, fresh and unique ingredients. Each time you come to dinner it is an adventure and different from the time before. I'll post these pictures to share the creativity that comes out on the plate/served, but it doesn't do it justice. And don't be fooled by the size, 14 courses will absolutely fill you up. I also loved that they had coffee, tea, and 4 courses for dessert. Just wonderful. A fantastic experience. An incredible time. I can't wait to be back. From this meal my favorite dishes were the pea soup, the salad, the cod, and the banana bread. DELISH. Happy eating and spoiling your taste buds read more

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Unbelievable dining experience, like amongst the best in Madison. Amazing flavors and experiments when it came to the food, with a casual atmosphere established by the head chefs/owners and their servers. Being in the same room as the people preparing and serving your food makes for such a unique and memorable experience. Truly a gem and one of the best tasting-style restaurants! read more

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Chef Julie and Noah brought a rare and much needed concept to Madison. On the east side of Madison in the Atwood neighborhood, Nook fits the bill in offering a unique, reasonably priced, tasting menu. The only other place that has consistently done a tasting menu is l'etoile. The chefs are extensively trained and clearly well versed in a variety of cooking techniques as evidenced by their open kitchen that is visible to diners. The restaurant is a bit hidden; a narrow room with dining in front and amazing cooking in the back. The basement showcases the chefs' young kiddo and his quality comic book related artwork. It additionally serves as a small library to cooking books and the restrooms. The food? Excellent really. You are paying a premium but not as much as other tasting menus. The courses start with a snack, followed by a series of vegetarian and meat dishes. I'd emphasize that often times that when one does a tasting menu, they are expecting super premium ingredients. Nook does a variety of things that is unique, sometimes taking a usual, in season ingredient and elevating it with unique imagination, complimenting flavors, and perfect preparation. Taste, texture, and alcoholic pairings are well thought out and perfectly done. The atmosphere is laid back, cozy, and a bit intimate. Given the smaller size of the restaurant, a total of 12 people could dine at six 2 person tables that were nearly adjacent to one another. The layout leads to a communal experience. An important not is that the chefs will allow for the whole restaurant being rented out for an evening if done well in advance. Dietary restrictions are additionally accommodated. I am glad Nook came to Madison and additionally excited to have become a regular here for a reasonably price, delicious, and elevated dining experience. read more

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Nook is the best dinner in Madison. Period. The chefs are mad geniuses and their creative qualities show up in their amazing food, which is eclectic, confusing, provocative, colorful, but most of all, tasty. I opted for the pre-theater dinner, as I had trouble convincing myself that dropping $80 on a dinner in Madison was a good idea. In retrospect though, it would've probably been well worth it. We started off with a fun take on an "amuse bouche:" cruciferous vegetables (broccoli and cauliflower family) with truffle mayo and some cheese curds. A very tasty and refreshing way to begin the meal. The truffle mayo in particular was delicious. Next up was lettuce soup with oyster. The oysters were blended into the soup, but you could still easily distinguish their unique taste. Probably one of the more interesting methods I've ever eaten oyster, but certainly not bad. The soup came with some oyster crackers on top, to put extra emphasis on the oyster theme. After that came Beets! When they use beets, they really mean it. Even the goat cheese that accompanied the dish was beet infused. I'm not a huge fan of beets unfortunately, so this dish was almost destined to be the worst one of the night for me. However, I still finished my plate as it was genuinely a nice interpretation and take on the vegetable. I also loved the hazelnut topping that came with. Our entree arrived next, which was Cod with mushroom and butter. The cod was cooked perfectly and flaked apart easily. There were a variety of mushrooms that the chefs used, but all of them provided a really nice earthiness and nuttiness to the dish. Our final two dishes were dessert-like. The first one can almost be described as a deconstructed Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwich. There were grapes to represent the Jelly, a peanut butter chocolate truffle to represent the butter, and finally pieces of angel food cake to be our "bread." It was finished off with some warm milk as well, poured into the bowl. A very fun and creative desert that I greatly enjoyed. The finale was a piece of Carrot Cake bark served alongside a piece of gelatin made of crab apple. Crab apple has a nasty reputation for being difficult to eat, but our gelatin tasted great! Really fun presentation as well. If you live in Madison and want to have a taste of what the city can offer, Nook should be the first stop on your list. read more

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For my birthday dinner, the girls and I came to Nook, which has been on my list for quite some time. 10/30 was the last day they were offering the 6-course pre-theater menu for $40. In short -- it was amazing. I was the President of the Clean Plate Club this night. The restaurant is small with essentially one long table seating about 12-16 people. They have a nice beer and wine by glass or bottle selection available and on your birthday, you get a beer on the house! The owner prefaces the vibe of the space as casual and they play explicit 90s r&b/hip hop. Nook is owned by this lovely couple and you can tell this is their passion by talking to them and seeing them explain each dish. The dishes are so well thought out to give you an explosion of flavors and textures. 1st course - snack: a dehydrated thin crust pizza - So crispy and the sauce on top is everything what you'd expect on a pizza - tomato sauce, cheese, etc. It was a great starter and foreshadowed all the Gastro elements the next dishes would have. 2nd - parsnip and pear soup with cream - Favorite dish hands down! The soup was creamy and milky in texture but packed with flavor that honestly made you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Then the crunchies on top sealed the deal. Absolutely delicious - could eat this everyday, especially with winter quickly approaching. 3rd - Caesar Salad - the lettuce was super crisp, the dressing had a strong anchovy taste which I liked and then the sprinkled crushed croutons on top gave every bite brought that extra texture to the dish. 5/5 here too. 4th - beef with pumpkin in 2 ways: as a mole and additional sauce and then topped with pumpkin seeds. A seasonal spread indeed! Meat was a nice medium rare, the mole brought a little spicy kick to it and again the pumpkin seeds for that crunch element. Just Yum! 5th - sweet/savory creme brûlée in a deconstructed way. The tomato custard was pretty acidic, so if you have a cut in your mouth, it might feel a little unpleasant, but the basil cream and the sugar top made for a tasty savory bite. 6th - Nook s'mores - it was a tasty dark chocolate bark with some marshmallow pieces. This was served on a little tree, get it?! That was a cute touch. The star for me was the crabapple jelly! It was coated with cinnamon and other spices which bit through that sweet apple and was a yummy combo. Madison doesn't have many coursed restaurants available and Nook is takin the cake on it. What a memorable night. I will be back for the larger course menu that they will be offering from now on! read more

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The Nook is incredible, one of the best restaurants in town. Incredibly unique and weird... the food is superb! From olive soup to snail curry, the dishes are SO (once again) weird, but the fam who runs this business makes every dish work. Plus, you get to jam out to 90's rap. Reservations drop the first of the month and if you want a spot at their 12 person table (one meal a night), you should be booking your reservation that first day. I've been here twice and have loved it both times! The menu is always changing, but the salad and starter asparagus are incredible! Book this place! read more

Nook - Snail curry - New American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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One of the best meals of my life! Had to pace myself to get through all of the courses but every bite was delicious! Lovely people, delicious and creative dishes, and great ambiance. Personal favorite course was the sea buckthorn sorbet. read more

Nook - Sea buckthorn sorbet with smoked whipped topping - New American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

I live the intimacy of 12 person seating per night at one long table. I've been here twice and all the food is thoughtfully prepared and inspired by what is in season locally. 12 courses are served with generous portions, so wear your stretchy pants. Plating on every dish is inventive and beautiful which adds to the value of the experience. Some past favorite dishes were lettuce soup, morels and cream of wheat, and mango tomato soup. The chefs are experts at reimagining classic dishes and adding a fun twist. Plus, they play 90's hip hop which is rad. The only warning would be to book well in advance because space goes fast. I find it best to be on a waitlist, but it is first come, first served to whoever replies fastest to the email alert. This place is a hidden gem in the Atwood neighborhood and we will definitely return! read more

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My husband and I went for our 5th anniversary! Everyone I talked to who had been there spoke so highly of everything about this place! So it was very worth staying up late to get a reservation! The owners put there heart and soul into every dish they serve!! We will be back and I can't wait! read more

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Stopped in last night (a beautiful Tuesday evening) no reservations, but you wouldn't guess based on the treatment. I have not had a more amazing dining experience in recent memory (and that includes before Covid) Our server was very attentive and knowledgeable about the entire (small and exquisitely curated) menu. I had the Lumpa (go for the house made kimchi and corned beef---so yummy) had the Mufungo and that too was lovely. The dessert? Lavender creme brûlée - I had to restrain myself from licking the ramekin. I had their version of a cosmo...I had to make my self stop at two. So excited to return in date night! read more

PROS: Amazing food! CONS: ? I was a bit hesitant when I first heard about this tasting-menu-only place, but was intrigued by the photos of twisted, wirey trees bearing morsels of delicious desserts. All doubts were banished once I tasted the food! The amount of skill and thought put into the composition of each dish is simply amazing. There is no other place quite like this in Madison. I also love the casual, laid back atmosphere! read more

Nook - New American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

You can't put a price on deliciousness! A great quote to live by and so true in relation to Nook. Nook has to be the best overall food experience I have had in Madison. Seriously, check this place out - the multi course meal promises something delicious no matter your taste. It's so unique and creative that it's a perfect spot to treat a significant other or take someone from out of town to show them the best Madison has to offer! Bonus points here for the absolutely amazing team working there, it feels like you are at a family members house getting a specialized meal made with love from a very invested and caring chef. I promise you will not regret this experience in the slightest. Ps: check out their amazing collection of food related books downstairs - great inspiration. read more

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Truly the best meal I have ever had! The creativity and execution was absolutely phenomenal. read more

Nook - New American Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Nook is pushing the boundaries in Madison's food scene and it's doing it right. My experience here reminds me a lot of Lazy Bear in San Francisco (https://bit.ly/2JbRyfp) in that they both have communal seating, a pre fixe menu, the chef introduces each course, and you're taken through a whimsical culinary journey. Nook adds passion and personality. Chefs Noah and his wife Julie are running the whole show on their own which allows their creativity and vision to really shine. They love hip hop, so you're going to be listening to Snoop Dogg while you slurp down your asparagus soup. Chef Noah will award you a gold star if you lick your plate to get every last bit of the maple creme brulee. They show you CAN have fine dining without being all fancy. The food is creative, playful and so f*cken delicious. More importantly, it's personal to Chef Noah and his wife. Many of the dishes are made from plants and trees grown in their own backyard. They handmade many of the the non-edible pieces (e.g. wire trees) used as presentation during the meal. They added little personal touches all over the restaurant like pictures of their 5 year old son. You walk into Nook and you feel like you've entered their home. A home with food that will blow your mind. I'm not going into the details of the dishes because the menu does change. I did the 9 course meal which I highly recommend. It's just enough food where you won't leave feeling hungry or overstuffed. It's all perfect. I can't wait to come back to Madison and visit Nook again. It's worth every penny. read more

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I've had the pleasure of eating at a number of restaurants around the world that have been recognized with stars in the Michelin Guide. If Nook was located in a city that is reviewed, I'm confident it would be a recipient. If you are a true foodie or someone who simply enjoys a great gastronomic experience, make a reservation ASAP. Ambience: Somewhat of a "Chef's Table" vibe with no walls between the kitchen and the patrons who are seated at a communal table. While you enjoy each course there is 90's hip-hop playing in the background. I geeked out on the collection of cookbooks in the basement. Staff: Chef Noah is an outgoing individual with a great sense of humor. He made us feel at home immediately upon being seated. We loved the time he took between each course to describe the background on the course, where the ingredients were sourced from, and even some commentary on their inspiration. He and Chef Julie are supported by a delightful staff who are very attentive to detail. Food: Now to the most important part of the review--the food...Each course is simply, but creatively listed on the menu at your place setting. Their descriptions were spot-on with the course. I was amazed by the small details in each course (for example--tiny squares of butter rolled in curry powder or small cubes of gelatinized gin with a tenderloin dish). These details were aesthetically pleasing and full of flavor that brought each dish to life. When introducing the soup course, Chef Noah joked that it tended to be everyone's favorite, and it was without a doubt my favorite of the night. We did the paring option with dinner and the combination of wine/beer/cinder with each course truly complimented the food and enhanced the experience. Key takeaway--You should run, not walk to Nook and enjoy a great culinary experience! read more

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Loved 10/10 would recommend! Had a great time and the food was phenomenal! Soooooo good! read more

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Another truly perfect meal at nook! 13 courses plus a lively wine pairing and I couldn't have been more pleased by the experience. Every time I go it has been better than the time before. The stand out courses this time were a cod in rhubarb beurre blanc, a seared trout over cashew curry with herbed salad, and a chocolate ricotta cheesecake with cherry compote and pistachios. I couldn't be more thrilled with the experience: it was the perfect graduation dinner that I will cherish the memory of for the rest of my life :) read more

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The BEST restaurant I have ever been to... this place tops James Beard Award Winners and classic places. Large proportions, come hungry. Three of my all time favorite dishes I had with this meal, will definitely never forget!! read more

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Soo amazing. Every dish was unique and the chefs took time to describe them. They really put a lot of thought into their menu and it shows. The staff was also very courteous. Overall a wonderful experience! read more

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A fine dining experience that is communal, unpretentious and redefines Madison's restaurant scene. Our city is fortunate to have this husband-wife team calling Madison home to their first restaurant venture--and I hope it will not be their last. If you appreciate food and service then Nook is worth your time and consideration. The "Performance 9-Course Tasting Menu for $80" is worth every penny. Each dish takes risks to varying degrees, there are puns and irony, gastronomy and French-technique. Textures, colors and tastes will make each bite fun (yes, fun) and thoughtful. Every dish may not be a grand slam, but they will be adventurous, delicious and provoking. The inevitable game of ranking your favorite dishes will be a great conversation--one that rarely happens in this wonderful city. The staff is well-trained, attentive and welcoming. They care about the details but prioritize the diner's enjoyment. The space is intimate yet impactful--Scandinavian meets rustic, the unattainable dining room you see in catalogues that still feels welcoming. Chefs Noah and Julie have taken a big risk betting on Madison and we owe it to them to reward their leap of faith. Try Nook and your eyes and palette will be opened to where food can take you. Diner notables: dress code is casual, respect your reservation time and show up 5-minutes early, reservations require a small deposit and the 9-course dinner will take ~130 minutes but it doesn't feel "long." read more

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I went to nook with some friends for New Years and the food and the staff are amazing! I know it is a late post but better than nothing! read more

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Best restaurant I have EVER been to. 13 course meal with incredible flavors perfectly matched in such perfect and surprising, "Oh my God!" ways! I was there last night and blown away by their artistic and culinary talent. Impecable service and friendliness too. read more

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The best dining experience I've ever had. Certainly a night I'll remember for years to come! The drink pairing might seem dangerous, but it's really delicious and not too much over a couple hours. The pictures of the food on Nook's Instagram speak for itself. I do wish you could view the menu in advance and choose when you want to go (back) based on the selections. But, half of the fun is being surprised! read more

This place was amazing! Only one seating per night for 6 max in these covid times made it extra special. Chef Noah played explicit hip hop tunes in the background while he prepped each course with Chef Julie just a few feet from our table. Before each course (13 tastings for us), he described them to us often with a funny story. I got the drink pairings so had everything from champagne, Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, local cider, Pinot noir, local mead to sweet vermouth. Highly recommend for my adventurous eating friends! read more

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We got lucky and got some reservations from a dear friend (they're hard to get!); we had a wonderful evening full of creative dishes and an interesting wine pairing! The service was excellent, food was creative and beautiful (I especially loved the soup with cream on top), and the whole thing was a very cool experience. They definitely accommodate a range of dietary restrictions seamlessly. I tell everyone in Madison about it! Makes me proud to have a place like this in our city :) read more

Super fun night filled with 12 unique small plates. The experience alone makes the place worth visiting. I love the sense of community between the kitchen, staff, and dinner guests. The restaurant has a very open concept. There is one long table that seats 12 and is opened to the kitchen area. Chef Noah is a riot. He rings a bell at the start of each course and proceeds to explain the contents of each dish. Each course was very unique and unlike anything you would eat anywhere else. I never knew that mini jello cubes made out of gin existed. Cactus ice cream? Highly recommend checking this place out for date night. read more

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Incredible place with incredible owners. Loved the cozy environment, small gathering, and thoughtfully made food. The owners/chefs give so much attention to the food they make. They do a great job of explaining to their guests the details of each dish and their thought process when creating it. We had taken advantage of a special they were running - a 5 course dinner for about $50, which really ended up being 6 courses as they had an additional plate for people to snack on in the beginning. Their menu changes, but all their dishes play with texture, temperature, and methods of cooking/baking. When you do see the menu at first, just know that more or less it will be something different from what you expect. Despite the upscale quality and presentation of the dishes, the owners are still able to keep the environment low-key by encouraging their guests to eat with their hands and playing 90s/early 00s r&b/hip-hop. My friends and I all thought it was a really great experience to eat here, and I will definitely be back! read more

My girlfriends and I went here for a birthday celebration. We tried out their 6-course menu- Definitely worth it!! I could drink a gallon of their parsnip and pear soup. The concepts behind the dishes were also worth the experience. This place is a nice change to your normal farm to table restaurant in Madison. read more

Honest review: one of the best meals i ever had. Ambiance: its cute inside loved all the plants n the grass on the ground its cute perfect for date nites. The music is either early 90s rap or disney music which is really cool. The vibe is that of el ideas or schwa. Service is amazing the chefs are so cool n nice, they clean up after every course n give new utensils. Food: if this was in chicago it would get a michelin star. Food was amazing, creative, and pretty. food was affordable most cheapest tasting menu i ever had. I loved how every dish is different. The food is all about flavor like theres no courses just to show creativity or make a pretty presentation its there cause it tastes good . Cant wait to go back n the desserts were actually good. Wish there was a cocktail menu. Wish they would move to Chicago. Best things: mutton/ chicken soup/ romaine/farina/quail/ shrimp/cheese plate/ all desserts Almonds:it looked n tasted exactly like an olive. they were spicy vinegary salty n just was a fresh n the nuts gave it a nutty flavor. The only thing was the nuts were hard to eat with the until given. Mutton, horseradish, radish: amazing never had mutton it has so much flavor. Mutton was tender n really flavorful radishes added crunch n freshness to cut through the richness n the horseradish added creaminess n heat complimented the mutton perfectly. Chicken soup, cream, herbs, croutons, mustard seeds. One of the best soups i ever bad. The supper was complex n the cream has a cooling affect. The mustard cuts through the richness, then the crutons add crunch. Loved the herbs to lighten the dish. Romaine, allium, garlic, onions: amazing. Best salad i ever had. The romaine was supper crunchy n fresh. Sauce was rich yet acidic n the onions n garlic gave it a fresh spicy flavor. Loved the fried onions. Farina,mushroom, honey, blue cheese: one of the best dishes i ever had. The farina was perfect texturally like a risotto n it had the perfect amount of blue cheese it wasnt like in ur face which i liked.the honey with mushroom was the best combo it had such a deep rich honey flavor. Then the raw mushrooms on top added freshness. My only complaint needs something crunchy Quail: amazing. The pate was so rich n flavorful n smooth n not gamey. The quail was cooked perfectly just wish there was a bigger piece. The pate went perfectly with the beats n the rhubarb cut through the richness. Shrimp curry:this was the best curry i ever had. The curry was supper complex n flavorful just add more sauce its kinda chunky. The banana with the sunflowers really worked together. The banana made it sweet n spicy. Loved the hot sauce it was really spicy bottle it n sell it plz Cheese plate: this was amazing. Cheese wasnt funky but was really flavorful. The jello was flavorful n was the perfect balance of sweeet n acidity. Loved the bread it was really crunchy my only Complaint was a little to acidic. Smores: one of the best desserts i ever had. The brownie was so moist n chocolatey. The strawberry with smoked paprika n chipotle was amazing the spice with the chocolate was a great combo. Loved the crumble it added great texture. The meringue was amazing best one i ever had. After meal desserts: flower chocolate bar/ pate de fruit, white chocolate n potato chip bar: the chocolate bar was amazing crispy n not bitter. N its really floral loved it. Loved it was really acidic n the sugar made it sweet. White chocolate was amazing perfect combo of sweet n savory read more

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An amazing experience! The setup was fantastic and you feel like you have new friends but the time you're done. The food is so creative and truly some of the best food we've had. Excellent wine pairings as well and the chefs and wait staff make the experience fun and luxurious. Can't wait to go again! read more

Place is very nice and unique! The price point is now $125/dinner and $60/wine pairing (and $6/coffee too), so the reduced star reflects in part whether the experience is worth ~$250 for one or close to $500 for a couple (more if paying for babysitting etc). It seemed to me that the chefs rely on "boatloads" (in their words) of salt/butter/cream, which can be tasty but a bit less impressive to me. I thought that the food was good (not out of this world by any means) and creative. The couple next to us was sneezing and coughing a fair bit so that was a bit stressful too (tight seating)-- the reservations are hard to get so maybe they didn't want to give it up even if sick. Dishes were good but whole environment and experience not premier enough to warrant the price point for us. Clearly people very much love the place though, so if you're in doubt it's worth trying! read more

Just incredible. Unquestionably the best dining experience that we've had in Madison in quite a while. From the start, being told that it's okay to lick your plate if you want, and the ambience of 90s era hip hop playing in the corner, I knew that we were in for a treat. The flavors of all of their dishes are familiar, but the presentation and texture of said flavors was mind-blowing. Highlights for me: a caprese soup with a preserved smoked tomato broth that was unquestionably one of the best things I've ever put in my mouth. I'm genuinely looking forward to what they are going to come up with next. Definitely do not let the price of a seating dissuade you; Nook is worth every single penny. read more

Just wow. The details, the presentation, the flavor. Everything was amazing. A must try if you're in the area. I did the 9 course ($80) because I thought the 5 course ($40) would be too small? Don't know what came over me but I couldn't move by the 6th plate. Everything was so tasty and fresh. They harvest a lot of their own fruits and veggies! Even their hot tea was a delight! And the decor is so cute - the family did it all themselves! Tip: There is a small free parking lot across the street. Arrive 5 min early. Come hungry. read more

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We had dinner here last night- and it was a very enjoyable change to the somewhat tired Madison restaurant landscape. The concept is very different and very unique. There are only 12 seats, and the menu is set (with any dietary restrictions as required). There were 9 very inventive and varied courses...everything was delicious but they prob could have used a few lighter choices as we were very full by the end. We chose the wine pairings and I will admit that to me, this was the weakest link. This option was relatively inexpensive and it showed. The wines were mostly young and not as nicely paired as we would have hoped. Music was 90's hip hop- def with an edge so beware if that's not your thing! All in all though, a very welcome change and an interesting experience. We want to come back in summer! read more