Natt Spil
211 King St.
Natt Spil, Norwegian for ""night-play,"" is a theatrical restaurant that turns dining into an experience. The unique artwork carved into the wood walls gives an eccentric aura to the place. The restaurant's dark atmosphere and peculiar name hold a sense of mystery that intrigues customers.
Natt Spil is understated from outside appearances and unlisted in phone books. In fact, you might never find it unless a friend introduces you to the place. But, once you have managed to make your way into Natt Spil, you will find yourself in a warm, intimate place lit only by candles on the tables and Chinese lanterns on the ceilings. Chinese motifs representing eternity are embossed on the ceiling tiles as well as on the menu cards. The balmy smell of pizzas, breads and marinated lamb, baked in the Roman-style wood-fired oven, pervades the air.
A DJ sets the mood of every evening by spinning everything from soul to micro-house. If you happen to beat the crowd, you might even get seating in the cozy alcove in the back. The alcove with the tree log benches and the murals on the walls around is a perfect setting for a gathering of friends or family. The bar side seating provides a choice of views—either the bartender mixing the ingredients for exotic cocktails or the chef concocting the mouthwatering entrAce dishes.
Wait staff are attentive and kind; they did not charge my friend for a creamy martini she ordered by mistake. The Forget-Me-Not, ($6) suggested as a replacement, had a good amount of peach-flavored vodka, was garnished with an elegant ring of orange rind and tasted as good as it looked.
The specialty cocktails include the Brazilian Caipirinha ($6) and the Cuban Mojito ($7), priced reasonably.
The imaginative but brief menu includes salads, appetizers, entrees and delectable desserts. Snacks and starters include vegetarian and seafood options ($4-$8), and the wine list is extensive.
The Asian influence also pervades the menu in the form of the three-cup chicken entrAce ($9.50). Three-cup chicken consists of one delectable cup of rice-wine-glazed tender chicken, one cup of steaming hot white rice and one cup of strongly spiced vegetable salad. Vegetarians also have the three-cup tofu option ($9.50).
The delicious thin crust pizzas are baked in the wood-fired oven. A personal favorite is the Greek goddess love nest ($9.50), which comes with roasted red bell peppers, Kalamata olives, artichokes and feta.
The kitchen serves until 1 a.m., and they only accept cash or checks. With its casual, but intimate atmosphere and the inventive menu, Natt Spil lives up to its name. It is just the right place to relax at the end of an evening, or spend an entire night conversing with friends and sampling the delights that Natt Spil has to offer.
—Chinthu Udayarajan
Marigold Kitchen
118 S. Pinckney St.
Marigold Kitchen—known as ""Marigold's"" to its regulars—is one of Madison's best breakfast places because their freshly prepared entrAces feature the full-bodied flavors of seasonal produce and robust herbs. The skillets at Marigold's showcase flavor and culinary creativity—not grease. And their lunches are great, too.
Atmosphere alone in this cozy breakfast nook will boost anyone's spirits. Windows line an entire wall, flooding the restaurant with sunlight. Diners can opt to sit on either traditional chairs or on comfortable pillows that line benches built into the wall while the scent of freshly brewed teas wafts pleasantly about the room.
Marigold's seems to always be busy, probably due to its relatively small size. Even if a line has formed from the door to the order counter, the wait still shouldn't be too long—the staff is quick. I've eaten at Marigold's for a weekday lunch and for a Saturday brunch, and both times I had placed my order, found a seat and received my meal in less than twenty minutes.
Marigold's menu changes somewhat with the seasons because they emphasize using the freshest ingredients. Daily specials and a daily quiche are also available. Marigold's is more likely to serve a quiche with asparagus and Gruyere cheese than a traditional torte of custard, ham, cheddar cheese or spinach. French toast and omelettes are served year-round, however, and should not be missed out on.
The French toast is made from challah, a dense, rich white bread, and laden high with a large serving of fresh berries. The omelettes showcase a little more creative flair. Diners may choose the ingredients they would like to include in an omelette, such as artichokes, salmon and a variety of cheeses. According to Marigold's menu, the eggs used are organic.
All of the entrAces are served with the delicious Marigold potatoes and choice of toast—French rosemary, sourdough or wheat. The one time I had the French rosemary toast, it was flavorful but disappointingly dry. The potatoes, seasoned with a variety of herbs and spices and oven-browned, are much better although the first few bites have a surprising amount of spice.
For lunch, Marigold's offers a fresh departure from greasy burgers and flavorless Lean Cuisine meals. The menu offers a variety of options—everything from Portobello, mushroom-filled, cheese sandwiches to steamed mussels or homemade soups. My personal favorite, however, is a marinated pork tenderloin sandwich.
The average breakfast will cost about $6.50 to $8.00 per entrAce, although granola, fruit, freshly squeezed juices and parfaits are all available for less.
Lunch at Marigold's ranges from $7.50 to $9.00 per entrAce, but the amount and quality of the food, as well as the atmosphere of this homey little diner make the experience well worth the price. Of course, one bite, and you'll be back for more.
—Leann Barden
