Nostrano

I have been looking for a great Italian restaurant in Madison, which is why I chose Nostrano for dinner. We started with two appetizers, the salumi board and the bruschetta. We enjoyed both, and they came out pretty promptly. For entrees, we chose the whole wheat pappardelle in a pesto sauce and the shellfish bucatini. These took quite a bit longer to come out, to the point of impatience. The pappardelle was delicious and I ate every bite, but the shellfish bucatini was really unimpressive. The sauce sounded awesome as it included lobster, fennel and oregano, but I found it very bland. It needed a little spice or something to make it more interesting, but it fell flat and I wished I had ordered something else. We ordered desserts, which also took a while to come out. Both the Meyer lemon mousse and the baked chocolate ganache were flavorful and beautifully crafted.
All and all, the food itself probably earned four stars, but I was not very impressed with the service. It was a long, drawn out meal (more so than your average nice meal), and though our server was nice, we had to point out that we needed refills on our beverages more than once.

I must start this review by noting that it is ever so slightly bizarre that they keep their door locked even a few minutes after opening hour. We had a reservation for a little bit after their opening hour, but we had to knock and wait a minute before we were actually allowed in. Not a huge turnoff, but it made for an awkward start as we stood there for a while wondering if we had the wrong location.
Nostrano has a really nice, earthy/​all-​natural kind of ambience that isn’t repeatedly shoved in your face like in some other places (OK, we GET it, it’s «farm-​to-​fork», like basically any other respectable expensive restaurant). It felt comfortable and classy, but not overwhelming.
Our server was everything you’d want in an upscale restaurant (except for servers who might bring extra free food!) – attentive but not too overbearing, extremely kind, knowledgeable, and overall pleasant to be around.
We started off the meal with a salami appetizer that was sort of just an explosive amalgam of very different flavors. I can’t remember for the life of me which ones were which, but some of the salami was pretty classic (still better than high-​quality store-​bought stuff), and some of the salami had no resemblance to anything I had tasted before in my life. Some of the pickled vegetables on the plate were odd, but some were quite good. Was it an interesting experience for my palette? Yes. Would I get it again? For $ 21? Absolutely not.
For the main course, I got their sausage-​stuffed roasted quail with broccolini while my girlfriend opted for the goat cheese risotto. She loved her risotto with the small critique that she wished it had a bit more goat cheese. Personally, this being my risotto devirginization (how can I be a foodie without having ever eaten risotto??), I found it perfectly creamy and richly flavored.
The quail was decent, but I don’t think I would get it again. For one, it was $ 26 for a very small quail. In comparison to the game hen at 43 North, this was smaller, not as tasty, and more expensive. Additionally, the sausage stuffing was good/​okay, but detracted a bit texturally from the quail. I’m not sure I particularly enjoyed having in one bite both the stringy, delicate quail and the meaty, ground pork consistency sausage – there have got to be better flavor combinations out there. Finally, for me the main redeeming factor for poultry is the crispy, fatty skin, which this quail unfortunately lacked. So it was still good, just not a stellar dish that I would pay $ 26 at an upscale restaurant for.
I must say that the dessert was incredible, especially the affogato dessert. It was pretty simple-​looking (basically donuts dipped in expresso and some caramel gelato), but somehow everything comes together in a gooey foodgasm of cold, warm, creamy, and soft textures. I am honestly not a dessert person at all, but I feel like I absolutely HAVE to try this at home.
Overall, I think the experience was a bit overpriced for what it was, but still quite tasty. I would’ve given 3.5 stars if given the ability to, but I rounded up to 4. The dessert, service, risotto, and ambience were all very nice. I would definitely come again if given the opportunity to splurge and try something else, like the pasta.

Great dinner. The charcuterie board was excellent. The roasted quail was the best I’ve ever had. I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a casual dinner with excellent food.

Last time I was in Madison, I truly enjoyed the dining experience here. I remembered that I had the risotto dish that was heavenly. When I would think about Madison, I would think about that dish.
With my most recent visit, I made it a point to come back here to get the risotto! About the restaurant, it’s a tiny space at the corner near the Capitol building. It’s got about 12 small tables, and some bar seats. It’s a great place to have one of those intimate-​conversation type of place. I ordered the risotto again, but it wasn’t the same as what I had last time. I had a cheesier variety last time. This time, it was as creamy, and melt-​in-​your-​mouth as last time, but it had potatoes and tiny little flowers in it. Interesting. I prefer the other variety I had, but oh well.
The dessert was the best part of dinner. It was a really dense block of chocolate ganache, with seared marshmallow, on a river of caramel (that’s what I think it is, at least), some graham cracker crumbs, and some kind of gelato. This description is not doing it any justice. It was so good though! I would definitely come here again when I’m in town!

We visited Nostrano on a recent Friday night. I don’t understand why this place doesn’t have a line waiting at the door. It was fantastic!
We were seated promptly. The décor is clean, comfortable, and tasteful. There was a beautiful bottle display we admired from across the room. Our server was fun, knowledgeable, and seemed to really enjoy her job.
I started with the Jackman Punch which was not only delicious but fun to look at. It included bright red ice-​cubes made with hibiscus tea. For an appetizer we went with the sourdough rye which was a delicious chewy loaf of sourdough bread. Perfectly crisp crust with a chewy middle. It was served with venison salami, pears, and chicory greens. I would definitely order this again. My entrée was the quail which was stuffed with sausage. It included large navy beans, broccoli and salsa verde. Everything was perfectly cooked. Not just the flavors, but textures and temperatures were all spot on.
I really struggle to determine why this place was not packed. There’s a ramp to park which is only a block away. It is on the pricey side but well worth it. The entire experience was just about perfect.

This is the best food we have had in Madison thus far. The kitchen knows how to put flavor combinations together perfectly, the drinks are amazing and the service was perfect.

The wine list is fabulous! We shared the duck pappardelle as an entrée because a peek at the dessert list made us know that we would be having dessert. The duck was delicious and the homemade whole wheat pasta did not disappoint. Flavors were perfect. We shared the affagato (doughnuts, expresso and caramel gelato) and the chocolate ganache; both dishes were highlighted with homemade sorbets. Dessert was so outstanding that we walked back in sub zero temperatures the next night to try 2 more desserts.
Diane

Very pleased with Nostrano and would place it among Sardine, Forequarter, and Pig in a Fur Coat as top spots for special occasion dinners. The service is attentive without being overbearing (four stars to our server Tiffany!), the menu covers a lot of bases, and the food delivers. We had the focaccia and olives to start, followed by risotto and quail, with baked ganache and bombolini/​affogato for dessert. All the flavors were great and matched excellently. The wine and cocktail lists were some of the best for comparable restaurants in Madison: a range of options and prices, and not too long and overwhelming. The desserts were large, to my delight and satisfaction. (Doughnut lovers: go for the affogato. If the espresso will keep you up, get ready to pop a sleeping pill. It’s worth it.) Nothing occasioned one of those revelatory moments where you want to drop to your knees and bow to the dish, but everything was tasty. My only real qualm is that the 90s alt/​grunge playlist brings me back to my college dorm, which isn’t what I want when I’m dropping some hard earned dollars at a fine restaurant. The casual décor is a nice break from restaurants that take themselves too seriously, but it verges on feeling TOO casual. In other words, not the place for dudes looking to make a dramatic wedding proposal to pop the question.

I was very excited to check out Nostrano and did so for the first time during restaurant week (RW). Not sure if they were having an off night or if it was the syndrome of not putting your best foot forward for the RW masses but I just wasn’t impressed. First the good: very friendly and attentive staff. The hot apple toddy was five stars. Most excellent. It smelled much stronger than it was (a good thing) and was delicious. Perfect for the chilly winter evening. It was served in an adorable little metal pitcher.
We started with the olives and focaccia (not part of the RW deal) which was good but nothing special. First courses were decent and my lamb terrine was easily the highlight. Something about the farro tabbouleh just fell flat. It lacked any real flavor. Second course was super disappointing. I had the winter squash risotto which lacked any flavor and the risotto was not well cooked. It was just a bowl of orange goo. Very odd. Sadly the walnuts accompanying that dish were the highlight. The bf had the cavatelli which just kinda tasted odd. The pasta was chewy and the sauce was blah.
Dessert was just okay as well. I’m super bummed. And very surprised. I left feeling like Nostrano was capable of so much more. I have a feeling it was the RW syndrome but nothing really made me excited to come back.

A consistently excellent dining experience over many visits. If you aren’t ordering a dish, staring at it a while, then taking your good sweet time enjoying every bite, or sip, you are really missing out. Everything is really a small work of art.

Came in with a group and had the wait staff jump to get all of our tables together immediately so we could sit right by the beautiful window view. Then, without having to blink, our server came to our side to have drinks and appetizers ordered within ten minutes. We had the salami board which was enough to fed six people and the sourdough board. My dinner was the cavatelli which had huge chunks of lamb marinated to perfection. I would definitely recommend to a friend.

A wonderful place for an anniversary dinner. While we made reservations, it surprisingly didn’t appear needed on a Friday night around 8pm. I would’ve preferred a table further in the back where the setting is a little more intimate and not as cramped near the door, but still not a terrible table considering.
The bar service was fabulous. If you’re a whiskey fan, don’t hesitate to try one of their bourbon cocktails.
The food — in presentation, quantity, and quality — was incredible. I ordered the Bruschetta appetizer and an on-​special creamy, pesto pork dinner (apologies the name escapes me). It couldn’t have been done better. Dessert was a raspberry-​drizzled, chocolate slice of «ohmygod.» The menu can be a little intimidating as some of the items are likely less familiar, but don’t be afraid to ask (or google). The only downfall was the «no substitutions» in any manner — to add in or take off. I found that a bit off-​putting, but nonetheless ordered a dish much to my liking without needing any special instruction.
While the seat option for a reservation table wasn’t the best, the partially-​intimate setting was still beautiful. I would’ve personally preferred a server with a little more salesmanship, but she did a fine job.
Most definitely looking forward to a return visit. Check out their page to see their specials, both dining and cocktails, as they rotate frequently.

We had a very enjoyable meal this past weekend at Nostrano. After being wait listed at several Capital Sq restaurants, we stumbled upon this lovely establishment. It was busy but there was no wait on a Friday night around 7:30.
Service was good, they did not rush you, and they spaced the courses appropriately. To start, we got the carrot salad and crab bruschetta. Both were unbelievable and started the meal off on a wonderful note.
For our main course, we got the halibut and Fish broth soup (forgetting the exact name). Both dishes were tasty, however, extremely salty.
The dessert was really the highlight. We got the goat cheese cheesecake with a nut brittle and Rosemary ice cream. It was spectacular and unique. Not too heavy.

Nostrano brings an interesting and innovative take of Mediterranean food to the table. Easily, Nostrano belongs on any list of «must try good eats» in the Madison area.
My wife and I visited Nostrano during restaurant week. We had made reservations so we were seated immediately upon arrival. The atmosphere was very modern and well decorated. It provided a relaxing atmosphere compared to the hustle of the city outside.
Service was slow at times, but it wasn’t horrible. I definitely do wish that our server had been slightly more attentive during the visit. Our main dish felt like it took forever to arrive, which was strange since the menu was shortened for restaurant week. I feel that the kitchen should have been really moving along considering.
For an appetizer I had the gamebird terrine, which is essentially fancy bologna. It was very well prepared, and it paired nicely with the pine nuts and jam. I just wish there was more jam and crackers!
My main course was halibut served over leek gnocchi with a mushroom broth. All things considered, the fish was cooked perfectly and the broth was delicious. I do feel that there were not nearly enough gnocchi under the fish. I think there were at most 8 tiny gnocchi.
For dessert I had the affogato. There’s not much to say here because the dish was executed classically and well. If you love your espresso with a touch of dessert, this dish is your pick.

I used to love this place but I think the food has gone downhill or the prices have gone too high for Madison. I had the soft shell crab appetizer for $ 17 and the asparagus risotto for $ 23. The appetizer was a bruschetta with a strong sauce but nothing to write home about. The risotto sauce was too creamy and the risotto was lacking melted cheese (which I consider the number one ingredient for Risotto). Something was definitely off but I can’t pinpoint what it was.
I hope the owners of this place check more often on the quality of the dishes because it’s a nice and trendy little gem. Maybe I ordered the wrong items. However, at these prices everything should be good.
I know for a fact the desserts are spectacular here but I did not order any because I was already down because my selections did not meet my expectations.

I have been to Nostrano many times, as their menu changes seasonally. On my last visit, we ordered the salumi board and olives to start. Both were delicious, but the salumi was outstanding. So many combinations of meat/​mustard/​garnishes to create both sweet and savory bites, depending on what pleases your palate.
For dinner, I ordered the rigatoncini (lamb ragu sauce). The sauce was deeply savory, but the pasta was lackluster — it sat backseat to the sauce rather than being a strong part of the dish.
Both of my parents ordered the pork and loved it. I tried a couple bites and wish I could have had more. The dish is well thought out and each component contributes to the overall flavor of the dish.

Returned to Nostrano last night with part of the ladies progressive dinner. I picked Nostrano because of the excellent experience that I had before. This time, I was embarrassed that I suggested the place. While the dessert was as good as I remembered it, the service was odd and occasionally downright rude.
Our server did not know the menu and all we were having was dessert and drinks. He couldn’t answer questions about drinks, such as «What is this?» He recommended a drink for another in our party and described it as smooth and extremely palatable. When it arrived, it was anything but smooth, instead it was extremely medicinal and sharp. This is fine if that’s what you were expecting but she was not.
We also had people in our party that has some dietary restrictions and they were really unaccommodating. For example, I ordered the Affogato and asked to go easy on the espresso as I’m pregnant. He told me flat out no. I asked him if he was serious and he said yes. He did offer to serve it on the side, however I was just stunned. For such a lovely establishment to be so unaccommodating. It was more like the service that you would get a Dick’s Last Resort. You know, where you pay them to be mean to you.
When I have been to Nostrano on a weekend night, when they are much busier, I have received exceptional service. It seemed as if they have their B squad out on week nights. I’m still disappointed thinking about it. In short, I felt like an inconvenience the entire time I was there and like they don’t want my business.

Great, intimate space. The food is inspired American/​Italian-​fusion and very delicious. The cocktails are fantastic and the wine list is well-​curated. The staff is always friendly and helpful.
Unfortunately, the menu does not seem to change in the few years its been open. There are specials, but it’s still essentially the same menu. If that changed, I would give them 5 stars.
Oh, and one last thing: please, turn down the lights at dinner. It’s such a great space but the lights are SO. BRIGHT. I’ve had to ask on several occasions because the light is almost blinding (to which they have always obliged) but I feel like it’s just one of those things that should be obvious to an upscale, trendy restaurant on the square.
Overall, love it, though.

Truly a fine dining experience here every visit. Madison is fortunate to have such a lovely restaurant.
Locally sourced ingredients, and a nice balance of interesting dishes that include rarity items like wild game sausage. I love that they make every dish a unique blend of ingredients.
Really, though, don’t we all visit here for the desserts? I’ve read the chefs are married and the better half of this dynamic duo is baking her amazing creations downstairs while he runs the main kitchen, which you can catch glimpses of from the bar.
I have but one complaint, which is they do not have decaf espresso. I realize this is an oxymoron for many who may read this review, but there is a famous dessert with caramel gelato, swimming in espresso, in which I would love to indulge, but the caffeine would put me over the edge. My server says many patrons request decaf. It is unfortunate they cannot oblige.
Oh, and we also visit for the clever craft cocktails and creative mixologists.
A recent visit during Madison Restaurant Week, winter 2015, proved to be a lovely way to spend part of a dreary afternoon enjoying a 3-​course, perfectly portioned lunch, for only $ 15.
Finally, I will mention some folks will find the menu a bit intimidating. I admit I usually Google at least one listed ingredient during each visit. I suggest jumping into the menu with both feet. You will not be disappointed!

Not impressed, look toward any of Madison’s other establishments.
The best thing about Nostrano was our friendly host and his effort to get us a table on an otherwise double-​booked Saturday night. We promised him to order and dine quickly so they could have the table for the next party. We ordered 3 dishes and it took an hour for them to come out and they were warm rather than hot. The dishes were the Rabbit Boudin blanc and confit, Snapper brodetto, and Rigatoncini. They were just ok while the rabbit boudin tasted bland. I visited Pig in a Fur Coat earlier and ordered more dishes for a dollar less and left very happy and satisfied. To top it off our waitress had the personality of April in Parks and Recreation and although they apologized they didn’t take anything off our bill. At first I overlooked our wait because the host said they were double booked but after noticing a few empty tables I wasn’t very understanding.
I hate to say this but I had a better time getting burgers at Dotty’s for a fraction of the price.