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| - The new Cafe Hollander at Hilldale does not disappoint. If one is in the mood for casual gastropub fare with an excellent extensive drink menu tailored to individually complement each menu item, then you will want to give Hollander a try.
I've happened upon this location four times since their soft open, but since I've eaten at restaurants before, I thought it might be smart to try dinner after the rush (eg: 7pm) and brunch before the rush (before 9am). Turns out, my decision to do so left me without any of the complaints found in other reviews regarding wait times or staffing. The sprawling staff has been nothing but courteous and attentive, even when my visits included unusual requests for the toddlers in my party.
As this location harkens back to the original architecture of the Milwaukee location, it is a beautiful space to get quality comfort food for a decent price. The burgers are solid; the salads are hearty. Some innovative twists on classic fare, and plenty of creative options for vegetarians. Don't like the cheese curds? Ok. You probably weren't going to like them anyway, because every person I've met in Madison has a slightly different opinion of which globs of fried cheese are the best. C'est la vie.
Seeing comparisons to Brasserie V and Great Dane (or even Freiburg), I really can't see the similarities. Also, if you're one of ten people in town who might want a meal without a hundred big screen TVs in your face, Hollander can accommodate (though their little Bier Den would be a fine place to watch the Packers if so inclined).
To avoid appearing sycophantic, the mgmt probably do need to work on training and coordinating such a massive staff in such a large space. That said, I've only had pleasant experiences with team members, and don't think you can really judge a restaurant based on one person forgetting some silverware one night.
This is another solid offering from the Lowlands Group, and a worthy additional to an impressive culinary landscape in Madison. 4 Stars because there is always room to improve.
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