This restaurant was a lucky find using Google maps for "Italian restaurants near me" while we were traveling home from the Dells. By appearances, this restaurant doesn't look like much but they live up to their Google description of a busy, comfortable bistro with generous portions.
We may have arrived to an empty restaurant but before we left, all the tables were full. It is definitely a local favorite and off the beaten path for most tourists. The only complaint was about the shrimp basket: Both the fries and the shrimp were overcooked. My chicken marsala was heavy on the garlic, but I love it that way and it was served properly over pasta. Some restaurants serve marsala with spaghetti marinara on the side which is just wrong, IMHO.
Soft drinks are served in cans; a little weird when fountains are the norm but it's one of those quirks that just makes you adore the homey character of the cafe.
We saved room for dessert, because who can pass up tiramisu? This was the perfect finish to our meal.
I wish I lived closer, but this place will be on my radar the next time I travel through Madison.