rev:text
| - Oliver's is the place I take someone for a nice upscale meal when I don't feel like driving downtown. They have a nice rotating menu based on seasonal ingredients, and I really appreciate that they take care to let the ingredients express themselves rather than conform to cuisine orthodoxy. When I come here, I somehow end up gravitating to their fish entrees, and despite Madison's distance to the ocean, their seafood is pretty fresh. The veggies work with the meat, and the sauce adds a layer of flavor without overpowering the expression of the other parts of the dish. The things just work well, without trying too hard.
While their wines by the glass never impressed me, their drinks are fantastic. The bartender there is passionate about what he's doing, and it shows in the care he puts in each drink. For example, the tonic used in their gin and tonic is made in-house, infused with aromatics and herbs like ginger, anise, and thyme. A gin and tonic with that tonic creates such a much more complex and interesting drink experience. And that's just the start - every drink is made with care and forethought. The bar holds its own as much as the kitchen, and it might be worth coming here just for drinks.
In short, Oliver's, alongside Lombardino's, is a great food opportunity located on the West side. Definitely check it out.
|