★ 4

Cute and intimate spot that reminds me of an updated industrial space from an art-deco period. The server we had was super friendly and helpful, but she seemed taxed and we had significant wait periods between drink orders, food orders, food delivery, and getting the check. We ended up almost missing our subsequent show due to the delay, despite our reservation being two hours before the show start time.

The food was cooked amazingly; it was possibly the best piece of fish I've ever had. My main issue was with all the sauces. My fish entree had two sauces, and the brussel sprouts we ordered were sitting in balsamic vinegar. Everything was cooked well and already tasted great, and I found the sauces to be quite distracting, and in some cases outright undesirable.

With a full house on a Friday during dinner, it was so loud I had a hard time holding a conversation at our table, which was toward the back-left of the building. While I may be more sensitive to this than others, I find it distracting to hear the tables next to me clearly and struggle to hear the person sitting across from me.

The cocktails we ordered were unique and fun, and overall the experience was great. Had we not been pressed for time we possibly would have enjoyed the time more.

_______________

Update (2025): I returned recently and had a wonderful experience. The food was excellently prepared, and the service was outstanding. I’d definitely recommend this as one of the top 10 spots in the area for a nice dining experience in the area.

Source: Google

★ 5

Thank you Mary for your lovely service!! Not to miss: Wonka’s Harvest beets, Delicata squash, Bolognese pasta, and bread pudding!! Kudos to the friendly, attentive staff, the 2 James Beard Award Winning chefs, and all those who provide the wonderful produce, fruits and meats!! Thank you ! Monica

Source: Google

★ 5

This is currently the best restaurant in Madison. The chefs here do something that is so simple, yet so rare: they put their ego aside and let the ingredients SHINE. A side squash dish, with just a few fresh ingredients, really stood out to me as one of the most memorable plates of my lifetime. Service is impeccable. The food is simply perfect. No notes. 10/10

Source: Google

★ 5

We visit as regularly as we can, and although the menu can change seasonally, the service and the quality are always the highest. They always aim to delight and it amazing. Best restaurant in Madison

Source: Google

★ 5

If you want a great overall experience in Madison you need to make Fairchild the place. Amazing food, staff, and drinks!

Source: Google

★ 5

For a birthday celebration, my husband and I finally stopped by Fairchild. He's been eyeing Fairchild since the chefs received the James Beard awards. We went in with high expectations and we were both blown away. The service was spectacular. Our server, Summer, was friendly, knowledgeable, and made some great recommendations. The food was truly something special. The ingredients were so fresh and seemed like they were hand picked for their taste and appearance. Each item in a dish was clearly intentional. There weren't sauces or little embellishments just to make the plate look nice. Every part of the dish was meant to create a whole experience, and that really made each dish really fantastic. I loved how many vegetable dishes they offered. I loved each plate but the vegetable dishes really shone the brightest. The menu changes based on what ingredients are in season, but we ordered: the Alsum Farm chilled corn soup, Maikake Tempura, Seven Seeds Organics pork trotter, Alaskan Halibut, Peterson New York strip, Green Barn charred brocolli, and Savory Accents shishito peppers. Each plate was absolutely delicious. The halibut was cooked to perfection and was the best fish I've ever had. We ordered the Brown Butter Financier - and I don't have the words to describe how unbelievable it was. Everything about it was perfect. We were given Barnard Door County Cherry Ice Cream as a birthday gift. So nice! And also insanely delish. The Fairchild hype is completely earned and legit. It's hands down the best fine dining restaurant in Madison. I can't wait until my birthday to my birthday celebration at Fairchild.

Source: Google

★ 5

Top notch

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★ 4

Good food. Pastas are $32,$34 & $38. Not that good.

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★ 5

Another 5 stars! Our absolute favorite restaurant in Madison. Make sure to go during the warmer seasons when local produce is abundant!

Source: Google

★ 5

We went for my wife’s birthday. Shoutout to all of the employees! The kitchen staff killed it, and the ravioli was especially good. The drinks were phenomenal, and our waiter, Morgan, was a paragon of service. Could not have asked for a better all around experience.

Source: Google

★ 4

Great new dining option for Madison. This is a 4.5 rating. Good vine selection, the bottle we had was divine. Every dish we picked met and some exceeded our expectations. Service is prompt and friendly. They do need to figure out how to accommodate people splitting some of the dishes; we had to ask for extra plates and plates that came were too tiny, so we ate off of the main serving plate.

The atmosphere is ok and can be improved; the layout of the place is problematic. Bar area is great and we preferred to dine there - they serve full menu. Reasonable prices, on par with similar restaurants in the area. Parking in the street or adjacent parking lots works. Overall, can’t wait to go back and try a few more items on the menu. Enjoy!!

Update: years in and still going strong on high standards in food and service. Hard to get reservation so I recommend looking in advance and grant a spot.

Source: Google

★ 5

This was the only "fine dining" restaurant we visited in Madison, and it was super worth it. We ordered mocktails, the salmon entree, and pasta. Although the portions were somewhat small, they make up for it in flavor. The salmon was particularly delicious. I don't order seafood often, but I'm glad I did. I loved the decor of the place as well.

Source: Google

★ 5

so delicious. everything we ate and drank. truly- just delicious.

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★ 5

It’s an incredible culinary experience every. Single. Time!

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★ 5

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★ 5

Truly truly so incredible. I had a little celebration for my birthday last weekend and I can’t stop thinking about the food.

The food was so yummy the monkfish was so tender and the rich pesto flavor was delicious.

Aside from the food the servers were phenomenal. I am someone who often gets a pitcher of water just brought to them because I just drink that much water.

Source: Google

★ 5

Perfection.

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★ 2

I wish I enjoyed this place more, but food was just average and given how pricey it was, we were really disappointed. Flavors were just really bland. Positives were the sear on the fish, and presentation. Also were very accommodating to dietary restrictions.

Source: Google

★ 5

Fairchild is a reminder of what is truly the Best of Madison cuisine. Flavors so bright and alive, dishes as beautiful to look at as they are to eat.

Starters of Maitake Tempura with lemon aioli — one of those dishes that is so light and satisfying that the rest of the meal is already a success when the appetizers are this complex and delicious.

Perfectly prepared Sea Scallops are a reminder of how far the right preparation can go and the Burrata filled Triangoli — are both on par with the finest culinary dining anywhere in Madison. Parsnips with olive tampanade was one of the finest side shows we’ve seen or tasted.

To finish, the toffee pudding with figs topped with coffee ice cream and the burnt Dreamfarm goat cheese cake with golden raisins and Cesar Florido Moscatel Pasas melted our hearts and in our mouths.

One of the best dishes is not on the menu . . . it’s the service. The finest food is almost nothing in a restaurant setting without equally high caliber service — some fine restaurants miss the mark entirely or don’t take care of their waitstaff. At Fairchild, the quality and attention of the staff was one of the finest and most satisfying aspects of the meal and made for the perfect compliment to elevated cuisine.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Best restaurant in Madison hands down. The Midwest agricultural scene is brilliantly highlighted in every menu, which changes often with the seasons. In addition, it’s always nice to see a restaurant run by chef-owners, especially ones as masterful as these two. I’d strongly recommend starters like the Hiramasa/Hamachi and the Foie Gras, whjch coincidentally are menu staples (but the accompaniments with the dish change seasonally). The foie has been the only escalope—a slice off the whole lobe—that I’ve tried in the US, and it’s seared excellently and melts in your mouth with that distinct foie flavor. I’d also recommend any pasta, as they’re made in house, especially the Parisienne gnocchi or (forms of) ravioli. The gnocchi has a wonderful char & crisp to the outside, giving way to the pillowy soft inside that just soaks up the flavor from the jus. It’s one of my favorite dishes, and I’m not even the biggest fan of kale (and it’s still on the menu at the time of writing this review). There’s just the slightest hint of Italian influence in Fairchild’s pasta, sitting in the shadow of familiar but expertly curated Midwestern ingredients. Overall, I’d strongly recommend Fairchild especially if you’re new to the Midwest dining scene. Fairchild has a near genius level of not only exceptional flavors but also a unique and very intentional innovation.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

This is by far the best restaurant in Madison. It’s the only restaurant that I can trust to do every single dish perfectly, nearly every time. The staff are fantastic.

Source: Google

★ 5

Phenomenal! Such a special treat. They even had complimentary champagne for our anniversary. Everything was delicious and thoughtful

Source: Google

★ 5

What a beautiful evening we shared at Fairchild. The service was astounding. Our water glasses were never empty and our wine was perfectly chilled. The beet gazpacho was one of the best things I have had in quite some time and I hesitated in ordering it but so glad I did. The chicken and morel dish was legendary!! We had rhubarb bread pudding and a chocolate badino for dessert…. Both were outstanding!! I wish I lived closer but I would drive 5 hours to eat here again.

Source: Google

★ 5

OMG... We have eaten at Fairchild before. But tonight was extra special. All I will say is "wow". Everything, I really mean everything was wonderful - food, service, cocktails. We really, really appreciate how much locally-sourced ingredients are used by the chefs at Fairchild. (We are very fortunate to have wonderful local bakeries, vegetables, cheeses, meats, even spirits, here in Madison.) A great time all around.

Source: Google

★ 2

In my opinion the food was fine, not great, nothing really stood out. The dessert was a very notable low point, it seemed to be something you could get from Sysco. Everything was very expensive naturally. The staff weren't particularly attentive and were more interested in chatting with a group (friends or off shift employees perhaps?) sitting nearby.

Overall I just wasn't impressed. For the (unnecessarily high) price I can't see myself going back to give it another shot.

Source: Google

★ 5

Seriously exceptional. Unbelievable food and the vibe strikes the perfect balance between classy and unpretentious.

Source: Google

★ 5

If there’s one place in Madison where you can always count on a dining experience that leaves you deeply satisfied, it’s Fairchild. This unpretentious spot continues to redefine what it means to eat with intention and takes care to honor ingredients that shine in their simplicity and quality. For us, Fairchild always feels like a love letter to seasonal cooking, boldly confirming the importance of the relationship between a chef and their community, and a very intentional commitment to doing things right because it matters.

Once inside, there’s a palpable warmth—sun shines through the windows and the busy neighborhood wanders by outside. The staff greets you like old friends and there’s no pretense, just a welcoming that confirms you’ve arrived somewhere special. And I guess you probably want to know about the food—oh, the food. Each season, with every new dish, we feel deeply that what’s in front of us has been constructed with care and purpose. The owners—both phenomenal chefs in their own right—clearly pour their hearts into this place, making sure every ingredient is picked with reverence and prepared intentionally.

We visited tonight to try the spring menu and each dish was a tribute to the season. Ramps, asparagus, strawberries, and rhubarb stole the show. At the end of the day, it’s really not just the flavors that make Fairchild stand out. The beauty is in the details—the way each dish is plated thoughtfully, each element chosen to show off its best qualities.

I think what always stands out most to us is that Fairchild doesn’t feel like it’s trying to be anything it’s not. It’s not stuffy, pretentious, or sterile. It’s a spot where you’re always met with a level of service that feels personal and kind—a unique experience crafted just for you. It’s a reminder that real hospitality comes not from being flashy, but from being authentic, warm, and attentive.

Fairchild isn’t a place that shows off—they show up. They spend the right energy in the right places and hold a care for their community at the heart of everything they do. You feel it with every dish in front of you. In this world of trend chasing, Fairchild feels like a place grounded in the philosophy that good food, made with care, speaks louder than anything else— and in a city full of many dining spots, Fairchild is one that never misses. It’s the place you can count on to deliver something exceptional every time. Thank you as always for having us!

Source: Google

★ 5

This is the closest thing you will find to perfection in Madison.

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★ 5

Fairchild is absolutely the best restaurant in Madison. Phenomenal food, amazing front staff, fantastic venue. Kudos tout autour

Source: Google

★ 1

Incredibly disappointing meal, from the apps straight through to the dessert. Brought friends and family and was embarrassed to have done so!

Source: Google

★ 5

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★ 5

Edit: Still without exception, the best restaurant I have visited in Madison to date, and yes, I have been to Harvey House.

My wife and I visited here for the first time for our anniversary, and, goodness, were we spoiled. We ordered a bottle of Pinot Noir that we soon found out was an exclusive selection from a small production of only 200 cases from a California vineyard -- the product of a wine curator who really has connections. This complemented perfectly the Pork Rillette, a savory, salty, yet bright "snack" that really was exactly that: a snack that teased us until the main meal.

We each ordered pasta after our server described to us how he personally has hand-made pasta for over 7 years. The Pasta Bolognese and the Agnolotti dishes did not disappoint. The each were packed with flavor, yet simple enough to let the pasta really shine. Finally, we finished with the Rhubarb Cake, a bright and smart dessert that just felt like a taste of summer.

These people clearly know what they're doing and are darn good at doing it. Props to everyone at Fairchild from front of house to the back. They manage to offer excellently elevated food options, while not even remotely coming off as pretentious or pretending. I wish I would have had even more of an appetite to have been able to try more food. Regardless, we will certainly be back again!

Source: Google

★ 5

The food and presentation were excellent. Some of our favorites were the Hiramasa, Tetsukabuto soup, Spanish Octopus, Blue Cheese Panna Cotta, King Salmon, Cappellacci, Sunchokes, and spinach. Topped off with a Budino for dessert.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Fairchild made our anniversary truly special! My husband and I celebrated our anniversary here, and the service was exceptional from start to finish. The staff made us feel so welcomed, even surprising us with a drink upon arrival. The food was absolutely delicious, and every detail of our experience was perfect. We highly recommend Fairchild for a special occasion or a fantastic dining experience!

Source: Google

★ 5

Everything that we ate or drank here had a story from presentation to consumption. Just fantastic from start to finish.

THE STAFF!!!!!!

Cherish the staff here - our server, fantastic.

And what went above and beyond is when we were standing outside waiting for our ride, the time got pushed back and it was freezing — we went back inside and without even hardly saying anything, the staff were clearing two seats for us to sit and wait in the warm.

Owner, whoever is reading this — please please do whatever it takes to keep these people — keep telling stories through the food and keep the people happy who make your customers happy!

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 4

데빌드 에그: 마요네즈 맛이 강한데 고급스러운 느낌은 아니었고 평범.
토끼 파스타는 한방같은 구수한 국물이 매력이 있었지만 간이 살짝 부족한 느낌. 아내가 토끼뼈를 씹어서 아쉬웠음.
탈리아텔레는 라구소스가 카라멜 향이 나는게 독특하고 맛있긴했으나 특별한 느낌은 아니었고 면도 좁아서 링귀니같았음.
사이드로 시킨 reduced squash 이건 진짜 맛있었음. 달짝지근하면서도 부드러움과 바삭함이 다 느껴지고 간도 완벽하고 위에 다시마 같은 가니쉬도 잘어울렸음. 아주아주 맛있었음.

기대보다는 살짝 아쉬웠으나 마지막 사이드메뉴가 너무 맛있어서 우리가 메뉴를 좀 잘못시켰나 하는 생각이 들었다. 다시 와서 다른 메뉴들을 시도해보고 싶다.

Source: Google

★ 1

Source: Google

★ 1

We were so disappointed by the tiny size food and stink lamb. Never come again…

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★ 5

Simply amazing food. Bravo chef!

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★ 4

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★ 5

The food was excellent. The cocktails were imaginative. The service was good.

Source: Google

★ 5

one of the best, if not the best restaurant in Madison.

Source: Google

★ 5

It’s my boyfriend’s favorite restaurant in town and he wanted to take me there for my birthday. I had not been before, but also fell in love!
The food was amazing, the service was unmatched and atmosphere is very cozy and welcoming.
We ordered the beets appetizer - I can’t begin to tell you how flavorful they were. At first, I thought they were just a sweet tasting batch, then I realized it’s the infusion they were prepared in.
I had the butternut squash pasta, my boyfriend had the halibut and we had Brussels sprouts with figs as a side dish and the Japanese chocolate pudding for dessert.
Again - everything tasted amazing.
Our waitress was very polite and professional. The other staff seemed to act the same way. Our water glasses (which were rather small) were refilled almost instantaneously as they went past the 1/2 point, at least 5-6 times trough out dinner.
I can’t recommend enough - just know - you have to be a foodie. And they change their menu very frequently.
We will be back!!!

Source: Google

★ 5

Amazing. Love the gnocchi. Tartare was small and not what i expected though. Maiitake tempura was unreal.

Source: Google

★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

Hands down the best restaurant in Madison. The food is consistently superb and the service is top notch. Madison has plenty of excellent restaurants, but Fairchild stands out as the best of the bunch. If you're looking for a special occasion restaurant, I highly encourage you to give Fairchild a try.

Source: Google

★ 5

Fairchild raises the bar of fine dining in Madison. I’ve never ordered anything which is not exceptional.

Source: Google

★ 5

Fairchild provided fantastic fare and a great time! Always ask about their seasonal special. Must see in Madison.

Source: Google

★ 5

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★ 3

This place is overpriced. My duck ragu was excellent, and so was the lobster bisque. But the steak was just so-so -- not very tender or flavorful -- and for $54 it should be more than so-so. The Brussels sprouts were tasty, but nothing we couldn't make at home. Excellent service and a nice place. Just not worth the high prices.

Source: Google

★ 5

Great food in a casual atmosphere, but excessively expensive for what you get. It feels like a place that should be a neighborhood restaurant but has become a special destination dining experience due to it's fame and James Beard recognition.

Source: Google

★ 5

I ordered maitake tempura, striped bass, and Japanese purin (custard) for dessert. Everything was amazing! The maitake mushrooms (also known as hen of the woods) were incredibly aromatic. A quick check on iNaturalist told me they could grow in the woods next to the restaurant. Talk about hyper-local food. The harissa paste under the striped bass was delicate and flavorful. Verdeca white wine was also very good. And the strawberries on top of the purin smelled like real strawberries, not the kind you buy at the grocery store. My waiter told me that the chef found a farmer who still had a patch and delivered strawberries in November! Overall, a memorable dining experience at a James Beard Award winning restaurant.

Source: Google

★ 5

Very relaxing. Very nice bourbon selection at reasonable prices. Food was excellent.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

We had heard so much about this place that we decided to stop into Madison on our way back from DC just to get dinner here, and I am so glad we did. The restaurant is smaller than I expected, but very welcoming and put together. The staff were very friendly, attentive, and helpful. We started off with cocktails and they were both delicious. The Chalet Soirre was a fun riff on a last word replacing the chartreuse with genepy and adding absinthe for a nice herbal note. My wife had the Pear Couverture which was such a delicious cocktail to fit the fall season and I would love to recreate at home. I ordered the maitake tempura and was in love followed by the beef short rib ravioli. The mustard sauce was a nice acidic complement to the beef and different from the normal sauces you usually have with pasta. My wife took a different approach and ordered multiple snacks and apps for her dinner. She ordered the beef tartar, lobster bisque, and her favorite was the Ela Orchard moon glow pear, which was a PB&J with foie gras. A super fun combination. For dessert, the budino with port was fantastic. Overall, we had a lovely time and the food of superb. Will definitely have to stop by again if ever in Madison.

Source: Google

★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

This place came highly recommended from a friend. It didn’t disappoint. The deviled eggs… who knew they could taste so good. The Lobster Bisque, I don’t even have words. Unexpected and absolutely amazing. Had the Duck as an entree and it was, to say the least, untraditionally spectacular. You get what you pay for, and while you’ll spend some money at Fairchild, you won’t be disappointed. Maybe the best food in Madison.

Source: Google

★ 5

Delectable from start to finish!

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★ 5

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★ 4

Savory food was mostly excellent, desserts could use a little more love, the place is very loud.

Maybe restaurants make it loud on purpose so that you won’t stay very long, but it sure makes for a hostile experience.

Source: Google

★ 4

Overall, this was definitely one of the better dining experiences we have had in Madison. Our server was wonderful and took time to answer our questions about the food and offered us a glass of complimentary prosecco to start, so that was nice. My wife had the deviled eggs which were solid. I had the Hiramasa which was wonderful - the acidity of the dish was perfectly balanced with the salt and the peppers gave it a nice texture. Again, a good start. It took a while for our shared salad to come and this is when it started going downhill a bit. The salad was way too acidic, someone in the kitchen went too heavy on the vinegar in the dressing. The presentation was nice with the avocado base and the combination of the sweet corn, tomatoes, and lardon pieces were all good ... but overpowered by the acid in the dish. My entree was the monkfish which was really well cooked, but the fish itself lacked flavor (more salt maybe?). The base of the dish was a pureed butternut squash which added a nice color to the plate, but was also a bit bland. So flavorless fish and bland base made it a disappointing entree. My wife had the veggie pasta ... it was very colorful with eggplant pieces, but she said it was too much food and didn't rave about it (I didn't try it so don't have much to add). The restaurant is very noisy! The bar area is right next to the dining area and we could barely hear our server. The tables are right next to each other so there is a lot of cross talk. I am curious enough to come back and try more dishes.

Source: Google

★ 5

Pasta was fantastic (duck ragu and beef short rib ravioli). The pumpkin mezcal cocktail was also amazing. Cauliflower side and oysters were the only dishes that didn’t blow us away.

Source: Google

★ 5

Always Amazing. We eat here pretty frequently (every 8-10 weeks) and are never disappointed (which isn't something I can say for any other Madison restaurant). Food options are alway diverse but not overwhelming. The wine list is great as well - we typically do Italian reds here since we always do the pasta dishes; we have found some producers that we have only seen otherwise when in Italy. On our last visit, there were some more options that are a bit more budget friendly (< $100 bottles) which is appreciated. We travel frequently for food/wine experiences, since Madison is usually lacking, but Fairchild is the exception. Service is also exceptional and consistent.

Source: Google

★ 5

Absolutely fabulous food, drinks and service!! Truly made our anniversary special. Our waiter Morgan was fantastic.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Casual but elevated dining. Limited menu concentrated on seasonal best. Shared a plate of Maitake tempura with lemon aioli—we all nearly licked our plates clean. Pastas were stellar — diamond-shaped ravioli stuffed with rabbit confit and ricotta over corn in brown butter; I had campanelle with beef and lamb ragout with pickled carrots and arugula. But the star of all the stars went to blueberry panna cotta with banana ice cream, fresh blueberries, and popcorn. Menu changes nightly!

Source: Google

★ 5

I was finally able to get a reservation at Fairchild July 2024 after missing out in July 2023 when we were in Madison for our annual weeks stay there.
All the hype, and maybe one criticism, was deserved! The service, as soon as my wife and I walked in, was warm and accommodating. We detoured to the bar for a cocktail before heading over to our table. The food…amazing for the most part.
Deviled eggs, simple and tasty.
Maitake tempura, maybe our most talked about dish of the meal. Was it the lightest tempura batter? No, but the flavor and the concept worked. We kept reaching for more even as other dishes arrived. The aioli was hard to reach at the bottom of the bowl when the bowl itself was filled to the brim with the maitake, but we made do.
Beef tartare, maybe the lone underachiever. There was so much shaved cheese that we couldn’t taste the beef.
Oysters, I’m partial to briny oysters and those were tasty.
Hamachi crudo with kohlrabi and blueberries. I looked at it when it first arrived at the table and thought this looks like a dish meant more for show conceptually, but all the elements worked. Surprisingly, I really liked the textural pop and slight tartness of the frozen blueberries.
Pork Trotter, absolutely delicious. Our favorite dish of the night. Not as much skin as I expected, but I can understand why. The texture can throw off some people.
Tagliatelle with shrimp and the gnocchi was very tasty.
The plating on the carrots sorta stuck out in contrast to the other dishes, but they tasted fine. We didn’t order any mains this time because we’ve had a pretty good run of meals this trip, and we had another blowout meal scheduled the next night in Milwaukee.
The service was exemplary. Marlee, our bartender and Nancy, our server, made the meal so much better with their friendly but correct service.

Source: Google

★ 5

We are from NC but were visiting friends in WI and the recommended Fairchild and we loved it! A cozy setting with fantastic service and delicious creative dishes. Fresh ingredients were artfully prepared and we were taken care of like family. I know when we are visiting WI we will be back!

Source: Google

★ 5

Morgan was our server and was an absolute pleasure to have his service. Food was a great experience and loved the ambience.

Source: Google

★ 5

The best combination of flavors you never thought of!

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★ 3

Was so looking forward to our first trip to Fairchild so was sad to be disappointed by the food. The steak was tough and not medium rare as ordered. Goat cheese and salmon are not a good combination. The deviled eggs and salad were good.

Source: Google

★ 5

Excellent food, cocktails, and service!

We tasted our way through a large chunk of the menu, and many of the dishes they split-plated (without us having to ask) when it made things easier for sharing.

Get the "Chilled Alsums Sweet Corn Soup, with crab salad & sai's garden celery" if it's still on the menu when you go -- it was absolutely delicious.

Fairchild was a wonderful place for us to celebrate our special occasion.

Source: Google

★ 5

Source: Google

★ 5

Rabbit ragu was one of the tastiest dishes I’ve ever had

Source: Google

★ 5

By far the best restaurant in Madison. Dishes are more complex and interesting than something like Lalande/Etoille. Every dish is beautifully prepared and the flavors/textures are new. We eat here often and never have we thought that there isn't enough variety on the menu eventhough the menu is a single page.

The Bar is another highlight. The bartender is highly experienced and can spin up complex coctails in minutes with just simple suggestions like "I want something herby and dry, and the bartender conjured up *the* best cocktail I have had". Very premium liquers/whisky and wine offerings at good prices. I would go to the restaurant just for the bar, its that good.

Source: Google

★ 5

The chefs are espectacular, they prepare amazing dishes.
The food is one of the best in the US.
Staff is friendly and welcoming.
Bar tenders are also amazing.

Source: Google

★ 5

Nothing short of a great experience. Welcoming staff, amazing food and atmosphere.

Source: Google

★ 5

Food was amazing. Locally sourced as much as possible. They go to the farmers market on Saturday to get the food so go to dinner on Saturday for extreme fresh.

Bartender was amazing. He made us drinks just by us telling him what we like. Extremely friendly too.

On our way out he gave us a list of coffee, lunch and cocktail spots to try as we are from out of town.

Worth the stop 100%. The gnocchi was out of this world.

Source: Google

★ 5

I wish I would have known about this place sooner. My goodness... Fairchild is comprised of extremely talented chefs that use local produce to push creative boundaries and execute at a very high skill level in a well balanced manner.

Source: Google

★ 1

A very disappointing experience for our first fine dining, James Beard restaurant in Madison celebrating our wedding anniversary. Our halibut was fishy, the side of boiled carrots had no flavor whatsoever and our server was so uncomfortable. Apps came out before drinks and never offered a second beverage throughout the main course service of the meal. I loved the vibe of the place but really missed on service and food all together. I had read all these fantastic reviews and I’m so sad I didn’t get to experience that!

In addition to the adorable atmosphere, I could see my self enjoying a glass of wine and app at the bar.

Source: Google

★ 5

Best dining experience in Madison.

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★ 5

Honestly may have been the best meal I’ve had in the 12 years I’ve lived in Madison. Beautiful presentation, fresh food, and perfectly prepared. In the summer, especially, they change their menu almost daily based on what they can get fresh at the farmers markets around town. Really amazing meal. We started with deviled eggs and maitake tempura both of which were fantastic. I had the halibut which was perfectly poached. Many places overcooked their halibut, but not fairchild. They also had English peas featured in one of their dishes, which are one of my favorites and I asked about doing them as a side, they prepared them with their sugar snap peas on top of a pea purée that was truly amazing. My dining partner had one of the pastas with lamb and he said it was fantastic. We had no room for dessert which was my only regret because they had some seasonal features on their dessert menu that looked amazing. We will definitely be back!

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★ 5

Excellent restaurant. Food was very good. Quiet spot. Will be back!

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★ 5

We went here for our anniversary, and can't recommend the snacks enough! The oysters were our favorite, but the beef tartare and hamachi were also amazing. My husband got the steak, and I got the risotto, both we highly recommend. The cocktails were also fantastic, and the staff were very highly knowledgeable and friendly. We can't wait to come again and to bring friends!

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★ 5

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★ 5

Upscale, chef prepared, two deviled eggs $5 is great start, creamy, flavorful, radish appetizer $18 with whey is an original creation worth experiencing, scallops $42 were brazed golden, mild, well prepared, lamb stuffed pasta $38 is special, Budino dessert $14 was THE best! $134 + tip = $160 for two of us (with no alcohol). Plan accordingly! :) Matt, your service was stellar! Thank you. Dish prices are approximate.

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★ 5

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★ 5

Amazing food and perfect service! Looking forward to next time!

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★ 5

First time diners. Restaurant is welcoming and comfortable. Nice location on monroe street. Beautiful delicious food. Wonderful service. I like that the menu changes daily. I found the food refreshing, satisfying ,filing and beautiful. Drinks very good as well. Cant wait to come back

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

Tonight we celebrated my daughter’s birthday at Fairchild’s. I have developed many food intolerances in the last few years and was worried about enjoying such rich food. The food was amazing, thank you for such talent and finesse. I have never had gnocchi that was so light and fluffy.
It was worth the 2 hour drive back to Chicago, that should say a lot!

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★ 1

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

One of the best meals and experiences we’ve ever had. The food is top notch, and somehow the service still outdid it. Sophie was our waitress for the night and was phenomenal. We dined at Fairchild for our 10-year wedding anniversary and she made it a big deal.
She mentioned to us that some people will split the entrees/pasta dishes into two shared courses which was perfect.
We started with the unbelievable hamachi and mushroom tempura. Both were unreal. You can feel the precision in the kitchen.
Then we got the Riso Nero (this is a guess on the spelling) and each piece of seafood was perfectly melted-in-the-mouth delicious.
Next was the steak, which paired nicely with the truffles and other items that they put on the plate. We enjoyed it with the Brussels sprout side and fava bean side with the steak course as well. The Brussels sprouts were good but the fava beans outshined it. The herbs they are cooked with take it to another level.
We finished off with the pumpkin panna cotta dessert and it truly could go toe-to-toe with some of the best desserts that exist.
What a wonderful experience and we can’t wait for another opportunity to go back!

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★ 5

Although I have been to Fairchild several times, some recent “fine” dining experiences while traveling have reminded me how truly exceptional this restaurant is. The award-winning chefs create culinary magic that balances the innovative and the traditional with subtle influences from various cuisines. The menu is consistently excellent across the board, but the mains, which change regularly, are especially worth considering. The cocktails likewise are exceptional. Fairchild would shine in any major city of the world, and in Madison, it is truly the crown jewel of an outstanding restaurant scene.

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★ 5

This is one of my absolute favorite places in Madison. We stayed until closing and hung around with the staff for a few minutes afterward - it was some of the best food and fun I've had in a long time.

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 1

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★ 1

Terrible experience. Made a reservation, received a confirmation email but upon arriving I was simply told that it is not in their system? The cioppino I ordered has a lot of sand in their clams which r clearly not properly cleaned. When I reflected on the clam they simply said “sandy?” and didn’t even gave me a explanation or inform the kitchen. The waiter handed my check from BEHIND MY BACK. In addition the waitress spilled a significant amount of water on the table twice without saying anything. I ended up still giving a 20% tip since they did removed the sandy cioppino off my check but this is really my WORST fine dining experience ever! To the point that it is kind of funny, like a Dhar man episode of terrible customer service. And the food was as well incredibly mid.

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★ 5

This was the first time that my fiancee and I visited Fairchild but it definitely won't be the last!

Morgan offered impeccable service and he ensured that we had a wonderful and seamless dining experience. He was very friendly, professional, and knowledgeable about the menu and food.

The food was absolutely delicious. For a starter, we had the hickory smoked sturgeon, which was beautifully presented and had great flavors from the sturgeon, radicchio, and creme fraiche.

I ordered the New York strip, which was very tender and cooked perfectly and came with a piece of beef short rib that just melted in the mouth. The braised chestnuts had great flavor and wonderful texture as well.

My fiancee ordered the riso nero which had lobster, scallop, shrimp, clam, and black rice in a rich, delicious broth. The combined flavor of the seafood with the broth was fantastic, and it came with a few slices of baguette which we happily enjoyed with the flavorful broth.

For dessert, we opted for the pumpkin panna cotta - beautifully smooth and creamy with a delicate pumpkin flavor and just the right amount of sweetness.

Overall, we had an incredible experience at Fairchild and we look forward to going back soon!

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★ 5

Top 3 must eat places in Madison! Ora King Salmon Mi Cuit - melts in your mouth. Vialone Nano Rice!
lobster, scallop, shrimp, manila clam,
sundried tomato, prosciutto broth - nuff said, get reservations and enjoy your experience.

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

Take two James Beard award winning chefs, mix with an old school store front on Monroe Street in Madison, and fold in an ultra casual but totally layered menu featuring some of the most delicious food happening in Wisconsin right now and you get Fairchild. This place has it all! Not pretentious in any way, as you are immediately hit with a very chill and friendly vibe from the staff. Attentive, funny, and knowledgeable all come to mind when the service staff were around us. We weren't able to try everything on the menu, but I can not imagine anything off track from the stupendous selection we had. Deviled eggs: smooth, delectable, and so satisfying a bite. I challenge you to find better prepared deviled eggs in Wisconsin. Beef tartar, prepared with a potato pavé and bandaged aged cheddar... the pavé was still warm and just melted the cheddar when it mingled with the beef... utterly delightful. The Foie Gras had to be one of the best preparations we have ever had. Squash puree, coconut milk foam, and a mango sorbet? You wouldn't think in a million years these things belong together on a plate with Foie Gras, but they intermingle beautifully and elevate an already melt in your mouth bite. Agnolotti was one of my favorite plates of pasta I have ever had with butternut squash stuffed into bites of pasta and surrounded by bits of blue cheese, brown butter, and topped with hazelnuts. A-maz-ing! The Rainbow Trout en Croute was a favorite of my wife's. The combination of beet and mushroom earthiness with the sweetness of the trout made it an almost plate licking experience! Let's not forget about the sides, either. French Navy beans are perfectly cooked with a touch of sweetness from the leeks and acid from the vinaigrette. Wonderfully steaming hot creamed spinach that somehow did not lose its crunch as it sat in a pool of cream, shallots, and garlic. And roasted brussell sprouts with a bit of a kick from a chili aioli really paired well overall with our entrées. This is a must for any foodie as it can take you on a terrific food journey! Kudos to the entire staff for a memorable experience!

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★ 5

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★ 5

Enjoyed an incredible meal. The oysters, trout entree and dessert were incredible. Great service.

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★ 5

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★ 5

One of the best meals ever! Enough said.

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★ 5

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★ 5

Exceptional meal! Service from the entire staff was superb and they made this a very special birthday celebration! Our waiter Morgan was an expert in the menu and helped us create the best dining experience. Pictured are the Scallop & Clam Tart, Hudson Valley Foie Gras, and Seven Seeds Pork Trotter. True works of art! The handmade agnolotti with butternut squash and smoked blue cheese were cooked to perfection! Can't wait to return!

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★ 5

Fairchild is every bit as good as you’ve read. Truly lives up to all of its accolades including their James Beard award for best in the Midwest. The space is cozy and the decor is beautiful.

We started our night with a cocktail. I had a manhattan and my wife a lemon drop. We would come back just for the drinks! Every bite of the night was perfect. My wife and I shared the oysters as a snack. What a perfect opening. We followed with the scallop and crab tart and the foie. The foie was melt in your mouth heaven and the tart had a beautiful crunch under the delicate fresh seafood.

For her entree my wife chose the pork cutlet. The pork was juicy and well flavored. The accompanying shrimp was unexpectedly large. What a nice touch. I had the Pappardelle Bolognese. My wife, a former general manager of an Italian restaurant chain, commented how perfectly the pasta was done. The meat sauce was beyond my expectations. Rich but not too much. It was a perfectly balanced dish.

When dessert was brought up I said I would pass but my wife insisted we share the stick toffee pudding. I do not regret that choice. Outstanding.

All in all a perfect match. We’ve found our new fine dining home.

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★ 5

We had dinner here for the first time on NYE. It was a fabulous night. Service was great, the food was amazing. Love the vibe of the place. Definitely understand why they won the James Beard award, everything was perfect.

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★ 5

Best Food and Best Chef in Madison!!! We had an amazing experience tonight at Fairchild!!!

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★ 5

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★ 5

The food was delicious. The service was great. And a welcoming atmosphere.

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

Great place with delicious and nice quaint atmosphere. Everything was delicious. We will be back each season to try every seasonal dish

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★ 5

This is the new spot in town to get some of the best fine dining food madison has to offer. Wonderful pasta and the dishes are constantly changing with the seasons and availability. Hard to get a reservation but totally worth the experience.

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★ 5

Refined, delicate, delicious.

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★ 5

Lovely experience through and through. Nice cocktail and wine selection. The food and service were both excellent. The James Beard award is well deserved based on all the items we ordered. Would absolutely come back.

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★ 5

Probably the best meal I’ve had in Madison. Absolutely worth the money. If you’re worried about portion size always order the pasta. We take home leftover pasta every time.

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★ 5

Lived up to the hype!!! Excellent.

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★ 4

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★ 5

Mary was quite possibly the best server I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. She was incredibly knowledgeable, full of emotional social intelligence, and obviously took great pride in her work. She communicated my love of the various dishes to the chef and came back with comments and extra details. My wife and I went there for our anniversary in October. It was my first time going. Honestly, it is my new favorite place. The food was brilliant with excellent use of citrus and acids to counter the rich fats from meat. Everything was perfectly seasoned, and all of the unique flavor pairings were brilliant. Both chefs have their expertise in the restaurant, and it shows. Considering that we had the best cocktails, best wine, and food the cost was actually quite reasonable. Especially considering that the quality of food and customer service was up there with Rare Steakhouse, at half the price. This is my new favorite restaurant. I would go there even if the food wasn’t amazing because of how my family and I were treated there. I felt seen and included. I could not recommend this experience more.

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★ 5

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★ 5

With tin ceiling (which aesthetically is great), it's noisy and conversation can be a bit difficult.

Food and service were excellent!

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★ 5

Wife and I finished a meeting and popped in for a glass of wine. Ended up being completely overwhelmed with the quality of the service, food, and presentation. Two hours later, after grazing through the menu, we left so impressed. I'm a culinary grad with over 40 years as a Chef all over the country. I'm rarely surprised. This was in my top ten best dining experiences in my life.

Thank you, Sophie, for making room for us and for making our evening so wonderful.

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★ 5

Lovely restaurant, great food, great drinks, and good atmosphere. We got the tagliatelle and the honeynut squash soup. The chicken and pork meatballs in the tagliatelle were incredible and the sauce was rich without being overbearing. The cheddar was surprisingly complimentary and the most stereotypically Wisconsin addition. The soup was very nice and the sweetness and acidity from the cranberries was a perfect addition.

For drinks we split the Pentland Hills and the Mezcal Hardshake. Both incorporated interesting flavors and foam in an interesting way. Both hid the spirits, depends on your personal preference is that is a positive or negative.

All of the owners have backgrounds at James Beard restaurants and it shows. Very little food and cocktail offerings on the menu are simple. Everything we had clearly was imagined and cooked with attention to detail.

We are usually indifferent on service, but they went above and beyond. I stupidly booked our reservations a week in advance and they easily accommodated us. The bartender was helpful at answering all of the questions at the bar and talking about the drinks.

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★ 5

This was a really great experience, fine dining quality food in a more casual atmosphere. Our server was very friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable about the food. Out of all of the things we ordered, I would say that the stand-outs were the beef tartare, the sweet potato side, the monkfish, and the drink called 'shiso'. Those were all pretty special and definitely worth trying. The deviled eggs and the desserts were just fine, by no means bad, but I wouldn't order them again. This was a good place to celebrate a special occasion and I'd definitely come again!

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★ 5

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★ 4

The service was stellar. Our server Sophie was very professional, attentive, and friendly. My favorite dish was the carrots with hollandaise and sarvecchio. Nice unusual flavors. The room gets loud as it fills up. Very nice overall.

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★ 5

Phenomenal dining experience! Gracious staff, beautiful food. The foie gras was one of the best preparations I've had. Pairing it with pear was beautiful. The monkish was delightful - the balsamic while superb overwhelmed the fish a tad bit still a glorious dish. The cocktails were delicious. The atmosphere is cozy yet refined- my only complaint is the noise level. Old school, I enjoy fine dining with hushed tones. Overall thoroughly marvelous experience.

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★ 5

One of the best spots in the city

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★ 1

Heard great things about this restaurant.
Very disappointing. My chicken was completely raw in the middle.
Very small plates for the price point. Don't come hungry

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★ 5

It definitely met expectations!

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★ 5

Absolutely blown away by the food and drinks. The server knew everything well and explained each dish. Absolutely excellent experience. Highly recommend.

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★ 3

When you charge NYC prices you better deliver NYC excellence.
Offering a Maitake Tempura obviously conjures up Japanese cooking. Light coating, crispy without the sense of being deep fried. This dish fails miserably. More to do with Chicken Nuggets than Japanese cooking. Mars and scars an otherwise acceptable meal.

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

Always amazing in every way! Matt is the best server in Madison, and the food is so creative and delicious. The absolute #1 restaurant in Madison!

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★ 5

Delicious Food!! Great service!!! Acoustics are not good, my husband and I find it difficult to hear each other.

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★ 5

Wow, what a great restaurant ! The food was amazing. The pork trotter, the pappardelle bolognese and the foie gras were exceptionally above and beyond delicious.The cocktails were also impeccable The service team were simply made of stardust; such friendliness and food & beverage knowledge! We also felt very comfortable with our 3 year old child; every member of the staff were very sweet to her. We were so impressed by the whole experience that we went again the next night. Long story short, don’t hesitate to visit this gem and have a great time !

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★ 4

The food was tasty. Unfortunately there was only one server for the entire restaurant. Portion sizes were questionable, depends what you ordered. The NY Strip, was just the tips, literally missing 90% of the NY Strip. If you're only offering NY Strip Tips, then they should change the menu to state this, along with the price. Other than this, we had fun and an enjoyable dinner.

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★ 3

Loud and overpriced, small portions. I tried it and don't get the high reviews. Fine dining prices without anything close to being fine dining. Not my kind of place.

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★ 5

We had a very pleasant date at Fairchild. They have unique food offerings that are a nice break from the norm. We enjoyed the flavor combinations of all of the different components in each dish. We will keep Fairchild in the rotation of special occasions restaurants. The only negative experience during our meal was the noise level. It is a relatively small restaurant and doesn't have much by way of sound absorption, so it got rather loud. Besides that, our servers were very attentive and made the experience very pleasant.

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★ 5

Love this place! Such a great cute neighborhood fine dining restaurant. James Beard award winners and the food did not disappoint! We got a bottle of the cote de Rhône blend and it was delicious! Our food consisted of the green barn pan a cotta ( AMAZING), deviled eggs, shishito peppers, rigatoni bolognese, pork loin and the door county cherry cobbler. LOVED EVERYTHING! Super delicious and definitely one of the best restaurants in Madison by far. Service was spectacular and felt very welcomed. Definitely will be back!

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★ 5

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★ 4

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★ 5

Best restaurant in Madison!

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★ 5

Fairchild lives up to all of the hype! I was greeted by an extremely friendly host who seated us quickly. We were then talked through the menu by our server. She was thorough and made great suggestions. My boyfriend and I ordered the deviled eggs, Maitake, beef tartare, agnolotti & pappardelle. The beef tartare was the single best bite of food I’ve had in 2023. Not one dish disappointed us. I also was rather impressed that our water glasses were never empty. We finished off our meal with the cobbler topped off with pistachio ice cream. Probably the greatest dining experience I’ve had in Madison thus far.

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★ 2

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★ 5

Phenomenal. Wow. Pork trotter with fermented pea sorbet was an amazing combo of flavors and textures. Agnolotti pillow pasta with goat cheese filling was the best of all. All of the cocktails were ridiculously good. Need to get back here soon.

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★ 5

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★ 5

The service here was excellent. My cup was never empty and constantly refilled. The food was exceptional. Be careful with the small plates because you'll want everything and it's all worth it.

I can't wait to go back and try more. Everything was perfectly cooked and tasted exceptional. You cannot go wrong with anything on the menu. Definitely give it a try, you won't be disappointed.

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★ 5

Absolutely phenomenal meal from start to finish. Each dish is crafted with such care and creativity, it really is a wonderful experience

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

Amazing meal and excellent service. The gazpacho gelee was divine, inspired by bursting local produce and rainbow trout entree left me more than satisfied but still looking forward to my next visit. Thank you Fairchild!

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★ 5

Best restaurant, perfectly cooked food and service in US, I have experienced so far.

We had Salmon that was perfectly prepared with perfectly supplementing garnish, hamachi slices that can be compared to highest class sushi place in Japan. This was unexpected, and a totally pleasant experience in dining in US.

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★ 5

Amazing staff, amazing drinks, amazing food. I can't wait to go back.

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★ 5

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Fairchild with my wife, and we were both blown away by the food. As you can see from the pictures, we had a full course meal.

The service at Fairchild was also top-notch. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu and made excellent recommendations. She was also attentive and friendly, making sure that we had everything we needed.

Overall, we had an outstanding dining experience at Fairchild. The food was incredible, the service was excellent, and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. We highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a special dining experience in Madison.

This place definitely lives up to it’s name and 100% deserves the award. Bravo!

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★ 5

Best restaurant in Madison! Servers and bartenders clearly knew what they were doing. Great recommendations. Hats go off to the chefs. Truly inspired dishes. I recommend the deviled eggs and beef tartare to start. The bone marrow and morel mushroom appetizer was incredible.

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★ 5

This was absolutely the most delectable food I’ve eaten in years. High quality, wonderfully flavorful, beautifully prepared. Cool, cozy, down to earth atmosphere.

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★ 4

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★ 5

Fairchild was a glorious experience - I’ve lived in Madison for years but this was my first time at Fairchild! The service was very personable and attentive, and the menu seems small but really has something for everyone both in food and in drinks.

The oysters and deviled eggs are “classics” for a reason - they’re delicious and the perfect amuse-bouche.

Entrees spanned variety so all palates at my table found something to be excited about, and everyone enjoyed! I had the pasta which was thick and rich, a perfect pairing with all the cocktails and my glass of red, which the staff recommended well.

The atmosphere is like a neighborhood cafe - soft dark blue walls with a lot of hardwood and plants, and with large bay windows in the front. I knocked off a star only because we were seated at a little high table behind the host stand and between the bar and a wall divider on the way into the kitchen - so we were constantly getting passed by staff in/out of the kitchen and felt sort of “squeezed in”. It seems like all the other seats in the house are better!

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★ 5

Fantastic food and pleasant service. This laid back restaurant was on our list to dine at because of the Chefs' recent awards (James Beard). The food didn't disappoint. There was creative use of common and unique ingredients which made some of the dishes very memorable.

We later found the person serving us was one of the chefs so my only disappointment is that I couldn't properly thank him for the experience.

One downside not worth reducing a star: the dining area is well done, but we came at the time of day where the sun was in our eyes. Be wary of hightop tables in the front during certain times of day.

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★ 5

Impeccable food. I can see why they just won a James Beard award. Lived up to the hype! Service was fantastic as well!

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★ 5

Wow! This was a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable experience. Fine dining in an unpretentious atmosphere, with top notch food and service. Drinks were great, too! (Espresso martinis were on point)
For what you get, I also think this is a great value. I'd consider this one of the best meals I've ever had, and it was not nearly as expensive as some other fine dining establishments I've been to. The atmosphere is casual and cozy - you'd be at home in a dress or jeans, I think. Some of our dishes were truly outstanding, and will go down in the food memory hall of fame (looking at you, Flyte Farm Tomato). Don't miss this place! (but get reservations in advance)

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★ 5

Dined the evening of July 8. 8:15 reservation nabbed after the James Beard announcement. Comfortable, cozy modern supper club type atmosphere. Our table was ready when expected. I asked the bartender for a classic gin martini with a twist and the drink was great! Spouse ordered a rose, and then we proceeded to order the small bite beef tartar, the heirloom tomato app with goat cheese and gazpacho gelee. That was a beautiful and delicious plate! Entrees were the pappardelle Bolognese and the char su pork loin, paired with an Italian red and a pinot noir. For dessert, we had the berries with a custard type base.

Several of the courses were served by chef Andrew Kroeger, who has a true hospitality ethic. We sensed that he was really interested in hearing feedback on the food and is a genuinely nice person (as opposed to the typical angry TV chef.) Our server was also really consultative and helped us choose from all the delicious possibilities. And at the end, spouse was very surprised at how reasonable the tab was for a top end experience. Wish we lived closer. Wish the entire staff all the best for ongoing success!

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★ 5

Wow... Madison has joined the big leagues! Easily the "best" restaurant in Madison now. I will get to what I mean by "best" in a moment. We went for my wife's birthday. I made the reservation after reading about the James Beard award. I was skeptical that anything in Madison could play with the likes of Michelin star food in Chicago. However, I am happy to report that my skepticism was ill founded. If I had to summarize the entire experience in one word it would be "finesse." Many so-called fancy restaurants hide behind incredibly luxurious ingredients. However, if you are a chef and you serve a grain finished USDA prime fillet and it is anything BUT amazing you need to find a new job. No, what the chefs at Fairchild do is far more impressive. We had the mushroom tempura to start, my wife had the roasted trout with salmon and I had the capellini with smoked shrimp and we shared the side of bok choy.

To begin with the service was beyond exceptional. I do not mean that they came to the table every 3 seconds to refill our water. What I mean was that our waitress was the consummate professional. She knew the food inside and out. She anticipated our needs rather than us asking for anything. I simply can't praise the service enough.

On to the food. A bit of a warning here. The menu is intimidating. I consider myself a fairly diehard foodie and even I had trouble imagining what dishes would be like. You just have to sit back and trust that they know what they are doing....because they do. My biggest concern for this restaurant is that they do not have any truly "safe" option on the menu if you bring your (uncle/grandpa) and he is a good 'ol boy from Wisconsin. While the entrées were excellent the dish that cemented my good opinion was the bok choy. What a humble green and yet this was without a shadow of a doubt the best vegetable I have had in as long as I can remember. It was served with a warm Thai vinaigrette and it was balanced and savory and a true star. If you can take a simple head of bok choy and serve that a la carte and completely rock my world that is when you know you are dealing with a serious chef.

Neither of us drink but we had two exceptional mocktails that again showed finesse and real thought.

Were there any negatives? I guess if I had to be super picky it would be the atmosphere. I think I understand the vibe they are going for but honestly food like that deserves to be in a much more special setting. The chairs were rather hard and uncomfortable but again this is just nitpicking.

Overall, Fairchild has taken the crown of best in Madison and we will be going back soon!

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★ 5

So. Very. Good.

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★ 5

Best restaurant in Madison, hands down. Best service, best drinks, best staff. The quality and attention to detail rivals some of the best restaurants in the US.

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★ 5

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★ 5

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★ 5

Fantastic dinner from the rich mushroom soup appetizer big enough to share to the NY strip and gnocchi dinners and the creamy polenta. Nancy and team made our date night something to remember. For sure going to be back!

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★ 5

What a great experience. This was a nice chance for an upscale meal with some unique blending of tastes and textures. We had the Trout and the Pork Loin as well as the Oysters, Beats, and Deviled Eggs. Definitely worth a visit.

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★ 3

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★ 5

Fantastic food!! The best in Madison. We made a reservation ahead of time which is needed, especially on a Saturday evening. Great service, did not feel rushed at all. Drinks were delicious as well. Didn’t feel too upscale like other nice restaurants though food is outstanding!!! We had the beet salad, halibut, pasta filled with goat cheese, polenta and carrots. This is truly a 5 star restaurant!

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★ 5

Great service, food was amazing. The Gnocchi was just so good

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★ 5

Superb food and drink, excellent support in wine pairing. Very nicely paced meal -no rush! Staff split our meals in two so we could share every thing: cocktail, 2 different glasses of wine, a pasta course (the morrel dish was expensive but worth every penny), the pork loin (with very original fermented mash potatoes) and the picked rhubarb / Panna Cotta dessert. Nice informal small restaurant vibe where we could congratulate Andrew on their recent James Beard award. It may have been the best meal I've eaten in Madison. I hope my ~30% tip was distributed among the entire staff, not just our server.

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★ 5

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★ 5

We had a phenomenal anniversary dinner here. The dishes have exciting flavor combinations, are made with peak ingredients, and are nostalgic and comforting. Everything exceeded what I had desired of it. The service and ambience enhanced the already stellar food. It is nice to know that I can still feel such surprise.

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★ 5

Fantastic Madison, WI restaurant. Small plate appetizers and tasty entrees. The menu changes daily and is focused but with enough variety to satisfy most people. I’ve eaten here since the pandemic and must complement them in how well they maintain the quality of their menu, the variety and delicious food during a time when many other restaurants experienced a significant drop in quality or breadth.
The desserts are quite tasty.
One thing to look for are the non-alcoholic mock tails. They are creative flavorful and pleasantly redolent.
The environment is cozy with a limited number of tables and a lovely bar against one wall. This is a good place to visit with friends or good for a night out.

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★ 5

Incredible food, cocktails and service. Highly recommend!
It's tiny, so make reservations.

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★ 4

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