I wish I hadn't eaten at L'Etoile; my expectations were set way too high. The food was spotty (tasty egg dishes, overly salty salad, heavy beignets), but it was the service that was most disappointing. The wait staff appeared to have too many tables, as tables weren't turned over quickly, and there were long spells between refills or check-ins. The hostesses were probably the worst though; grossly inaccurate waiting time estimates, fibs about having called cells and a general unfriendly attitude.
If I didn't know for a fact this was related to the best restaurant in town, I wouldn't believe it.
Updated for non locals: when I say related to the best restaurant in town, I am referring to L'Etoile, a Madison institution.