| rev:text
| - I have visited Magnus as both a bar and restaurant increasingly frequently in the last year, and it shines on both counts.
As a restaurant, it's not exactly the sort of place to have a casual dinner-- at least not in terms of price. That said, the food is quite good, even if one doesn't care that the beef was raised with tender, loving care by a den of Amish virgins, or whatever the claim may be. The proprietor, Christopher, is usually present and he's quite attentive to patrons, especially to large groups armed with corporate credit cards.
Christopher and his brother started the local Barriques wine store chain, and Magnus' wine selection benefits greatly from that fact. More than a few wines are available by the glass. Appetizers can be a bit lacking if you're not a fan of goat cheeses (served with communion wafer-like crackers) or raw seafood. As for entrees, I recommend the Ahi tuna, the NY steak, and the duck. The desserts are great, regardless of what you choose. Dinner for two with entrees and desert and a medium-priced bottle of wine will cost between $160 and $200.
More often than not, I find myself patronizing Magnus as Madison's classiest live music venue. Though most would consider it a jazz bar, I've heard everything from swing to rockabilly to blues. I would argue that Magnus has the best physical bar in town, and the room evokes a feeling of warmth, class, and good cheer-- the crowd tends to be a little older, but even the college kids are mature and respectful. The drink menu may be a bit sparse on specialty martinis and cocktails, but there is little that the bartenders cannot whip up if you ask them.
Waiter service can be a little on the slow side, but generally there are only two waiters on staff covering both the bar and the restaurant, so delays are somewhat understandable. I recommend a seat at the bar-- the bar staff is attentive and when a band is playing, it's the best place to sit without losing your hearing.
Be warned, most acts will charge you a cover between $5 and $7, unless you arrive at the bar early enough; I'm not sure if the cover still applies if you wander in from dinner, but the staff is watching for those who sneak in under the guise of having late-night dessert . Also, because so much of the bar scene at Magnus revolves around the live music, the bar tends to clear out when the act is over, which is usually around midnight.
Magnus is a great place for a formal dinner or for taking a date out for drinks. Start the night out at the bar here, then make your way down to Natspil on King St or Maduro on Main St afterward.
Ciao!
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