As a freshman, State Street may seem like the most logical choice for non-University Housing food options. However, State Street is only the beginning of what Madison has to offer in terms of restaurants. As proof, Cardinal Food has reviewed four restaurants that all can be found within two blocks of State Street to begin your voyage into the Madison dining scene.
King of Falafel
453 W. Gilman St.
King of Falafel is a jewel in its otherwise bland section of Gilman Street. While located a block off State Street, the extra walk is worth it for some first-class food.
As its name suggests, falafel is the specialty, and it is by far the best falafel to be found in Madison. Stop by for a sit-down lunch or dinner Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.'the tamarind tea is on the house.
The vegetarian platter ($9.95), with falafel, tabouli salad, hummus, pita and yalangi (rice-stuffed grape leaves) is a good choice. Another great dish is the falafel with hummus pita ($4.95), which comes with french fries and tzatziki sauce, and it is a perfect blend of ethnic style and a college budget.
The atmosphere inside is dark and classy, though the attire is dressy casual. However, another option is to walk through the restaurant and order a pita at the small deli in the back.
If you are looking for a quick and inexpensive bite to eat, be sure to try King of Falafel.
'Molly Crickman
Caspian Caf??
610 University Ave.
Amid the strip of bars on University Avenue lies a charming restaurant specializing in Persian cuisine. Caspian Caf?? is a great place for a lunch or dinner date.
Soups, salads, sandwiches, kebabs and rice meals comprise the menu. Daily specials are offered during lunchtime. For a taste of everything, the Caspian Platter ($6.50) consists of falafel, refreshing tabouli, hummus, yogurt sauce with cucumber and warm flatbread.
Desserts include baklava ($1.50) with a vegan option and Persian ice cream ($3.50) with a cool mix of saffron, pistachio and rose water flavoring.
Caspian Caf?? is open Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 3:00 p.m. Customers order at the counter and can choose to sit inside the simply decorated restaurant or at one of the outdoor tables. Meals are served directly to the customers, and the staff makes sure that all needs are met.
'Eunice Abraham
Vientiane Palace
151 W. Gorham St.
Entering the Vientiane Palace is a journey to somewhere far beyond the parking lot. The distinctive Thai music and aromas wafting out from the kitchen take patrons far from Gorham Street. Perhaps not Laos or Thailand, but somewhere close. And pink.
Where other State Street eateries hang prints or paintings, Vientiane displays enormous, elaborately-painted fans, gold-foil trees against its dusk-pink walls. And, where most others offer decent burritos or burgers, the Palace serves up a variety of authentic Lao and Thai food, from the pad lao and thai ($8.50 with meat or tofu, $9.75 with shrimp) to roast duck ($10.75 for a half duck) and the Mekhong River seafood combination with shrimp, scallops, squid, fish balls, crab meat and a variety of vegetables ($11.50).
Each dish, served with never-ending, steaming heaps of rice, can be prepared with meat or tofu, and each dish has five levels of spiciness'from none whatsoever to a level of heat not meant for the faint of heart.
Just off the beaten path, Vientiane offers friendly'though sometimes slow'service, reasonable prices and fantastic food.
Vientiane is open for your enjoyment from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.
'Katy Williams
Amy's Cafe
414 W. Gilman St.
Walking down State Street is a familiar Madison pastime, but sometimes, wandering off Madison's most famous street can lead to hidden treasures.
Tucked away less than a block off State Street is Amy's Caf??, a motley deli-restaurant-bar that can fill all one's dining needs. While known for its broccoli cheese and vegetarian chili soups ($1.95 for a cup, $2.95 for a bowl), Amy's also serves classic American sandwiches, hamburgers, salads and Greek dishes.
In particular, Amy's has a great Texas Burger ($6.95) that uses the classic barbecue and bacon combo, but jazzes the sandwich up with Monterey Jack cheese and fried onion rings on top. Another great sandwich is the King of Clubs ($6.95), which is large enough for even the biggest appetites. Both dishes come with a side of fresh, hot french fries or a Greek-inspired pasta salad.
Though service is sometimes irregular and the labyrinth-like interior can be hard to navigate for newcomers, the casual, modern atmosphere and clean wood-paneled dining and bar area makes the waiting more pleasant. While it may not be the place where everyone knows your name, Amy's Cafe is the perfect place to disappear for a quiet afternoon lunch.
'Kristin Czubkowski
