Before leaving Madison for the long drive back to Minneapolis, my wife and I had lunch at the Great Dane. Truth is, we planned our weekend so that it's the last thing we'd do before leaving Mad City.
Part of our enthusiasm for this restaurant is the patio dining. So we were counting on nice weather. The weather cooperated, and we had a nice, comfortable table in the cool, shady patio. The ambiance is so pleasant that we just couldn't identify a Minneapolis restaurant that even compares. The closest would be Black Forest on Nicollet. But we don't like the food as well.
This is a brew pub. So we both ordered a midday tap. She had a Scotch ale. I had a Pilsner. Great brews! You also can get four sampler glasses for $6. Nice way to try several of their specialties.
For lunch, she had a burger and loved it. I couldn't resist the fish and chips. They were delicious. The menu is very extensive and creative. Lots of traditional pub items, plus a great selection of other specialty items.
Some reviewers have complained that the place gets over-crowded. A co-worker and her husband were in Madison the same time as my wife and me. They went for a late dinner after arriving in town on Thursday. It was crowded. But for her, the energy and ambiance was appealing. So to each his own, I guess.
The trouble with a place like this is, we can't imagine a trip to Madison without a visit to Great Dane.