The college years have become an accepted time for experimentation in all realms of life. From changing hairstyles and significant others to switching majors at a moment's notice, the college experience revolves around trying new things.
This sense of adventure should not end at one's taste buds, as Madison has a plethora of global cuisine to broaden students' horizons. The Daily Cardinal Food staff would like to help with this sensory exploration by previewing a trio of ethnic eateries that serve food from across the world on a single block of State Street.
Husnu's
547 State Street
(608) 256-0900
The moment you leave behind the hustle of State Street and enter Husnu's, you have stepped into a different world'a mellow and elegant one.
Hibiscus plants under the Middle Eastern-style arches, the old Samovar and the Turkish music in the background all contribute to this exotic locale. This restaurant, which offers Turkish, Italian and Middle Eastern cuisine, has been around since 1979 and has a loyal clientele among college students and locals alike.
Once the gracious wait staff seats you, a glass of cold water and fresh bread appears. The menu lists a variety of appetizers ($4.95-6.95) and entrees with exotic names ($5.95-12.95). Vegetarian dishes and sandwiches are also offered, as well as a limited choice of desserts and beverages. The beer and wine list is lengthy and peppered with local as well as imported choices.
The Grilled Lamb Rib Chop on which I feasted one winter afternoon had seasoned rice, green asparagus, red potatoes and lamb chops artfully arranged and garnished with sumac (a Turkish spice). The raisins in the rice added a dash of sweetness and the vegetables were cooked just enough. Though the lamb itself was a little tough, overall the dish was delicious and filling at $7.95.
The exotic Tavuk Dolmasi ($7.95) that my friend chose turned out to be a tender chicken breast stuffed with spinach, mushrooms and feta, topped with a raspberry burgundy sauce. A side order of pita bread for $2 was a good choice. We had a contented smile as we finished the lunch with Turkish coffee ($1.25), strong and heavily sweetened.
With the warm ambiance and the succulent food, Husnu's offers many possibilities. It is the place for a nice evening dinner before games, to bring a date or a gathering place for friends. Whatever your reason for coming may be, you are sure to return after the first encounter.
'Chinthu Udayarajan
Buraka
543 State Street
(608) 255-3646
Walking down State Street, it is easy to overlook some of the unique restaurants hidden among the downtown scene.
One restaurant not to miss is Buraka. Specializing in East African and Ethiopian food, Buraka lies underneath the street; the entrance is only a door at the top of a staircase. Descending into the restaurant, you would never believe there is a busy walkway above.
Open for lunch and dinner, Buraka's menu consists of 'wots,' or stews, and 'tibs,' saut??ed vegetables with spices and a choice of meat. Eating here is a great choice for vegetarians and vegans, with a variety of options to choose from.
The misirwot ($5.25/$7.25) is an excellent choice, consisting of lentils, split peas and potatoes in a spicy tomato sauce.
Other great dishes include the dorowot ($5.95/$7.95), a mildly spicy chicken and carrot dish, or the chicken peanut stew ($5.95/$7.95) consisting of chicken and red potatoes in a brown peanut sauce.
Traditionally, Ethiopian cuisine is eaten with injera bread, a flat, round piece of spongy sourdough. At Buraka, every meal comes with your choice of injera or rice.
They also have a wonderful selection of Ethiopian coffee and espresso drinks, chai tea and a full bar. With affordable prices and a convenient campus location, Buraka is a great place to try something new.
'Molly Crickman
Kabul Restaurant
541 State Street
(608) 256-6322
Kabul has the advantage of having a great spot downtown and the downside of having to compete with many other restaurants. Nevertheless, Kabul, a restaurant serving Afghan and Mediterranean food, has enough assets to convince anyone strolling on State Street to come in.
One of the reasons Kabul is such a popular place is its atmosphere. The comfortable booths, beaded cushions and dimmed lights create an intimate ambience. The feel of the restaurant is conducive to long conversations between friends or romantic dinners.
Kabul's main strength, though, is definitely its cuisine. The food will leave strong impressions on your palate and maybe even inspire your own cuisine. The dishes are made of subtle combinations of flavors, such as meat with a cassis sauce, eggplant with yogurt sauce, or fabulous vegetable dumplings.
Any customer hesitant to try anything too exotic can always order Kabul's delicious classics, such as the many varieties of kabab and couscous.
The detail that tips the scale though is the fluffy bread that comes out warm from the oven and the exquisite dressing that accompanies the salad served with every meal, a secret mix of yogurt sauce and spices.
All the dishes range between $8 and $13 for dinner, which are affordable prices for the pleasurable tastes Kabul provides, leaving its customers with lasting impressions and great memories.
'Iris Brey
Want to set off on your own? There are plenty more places to explore!
Vientiane Palace
Laotian and Thai cuisine
151 Gorham St.
(608) 255-2848
Bandung Restaurant
Indonesian cuisine
600 Williamson St.
(608) 255-6910
Chautara Restaurant
Himalayan cuisine
334 State St.
(608) 251-3626
