Nook

Nook has some of the best cuisine Madison has to offer. Their tasting menu consists of about 14 courses. The chef walks you through each of the courses before you begin to eat. The chef had a great personality and he made it seem like I was visiting an old friend with his charm and hospitality. The seating is communal style for 12 people, so you better get ready to socialize a bit at this dinner. I am vegetarian and Nook created a separate tasting menu for me. The food was delicious and innovative. Some of the dishes were so unique that I had never heard of them before. My favorite was a pesto pasta created from heart of palms. I even bought some heart of palms the day after to try and recreate this masterpiece of a dish. I went on my birthday and I even got a small “cake” made of chocolate ganache with a candle on it. I would definitely eat here all the time if the price was lower, but there is no doubt I will return for another meal the next time I get a chance.

This was such a great experience! Starting with tiny persistent bubbles all the way through to a tasty cookie bite, the food and paired drinks did not disappoint. Reservations are hard to come by, but it's worth the effort and wait. Shout out to CC, Major and the party of 8 we shared our experience with, y'all were great dinner companions. I can't want to return to Nook again and again!

The food is incredible, of course, but what sets Nook apart from other fine dining establishments is the atmosphere. With a single communal table with only 12 seats, right next to the kitchen, you are truly dining in the chef-owners’ “nook.” It felt almost like a dinner party with friends, but with the service and quality of a fine dining establishment. My water never ran dry, the dishes came out at a perfect pace, and the drinks were solid. Frankly, $100 for 13 courses is a steal compared to what you’d pay in a larger city. I went with a single wine a la carte but the pairing looked like a great deal too with 9 half-pours for $50. Chefs and servers were lively and friendly, and I dug the music (mostly 90s hip-hop and R&B). Make your reservations well in advance! They were booked 2 months out and we only got in because of the waitlist.