I have often wondered why the majority of coffee shops in Madison seem to have so little interest in producing truly excellent coffee. While I still wonder, Johnson Public House runs contrary to this current in most every way. Their barristas understand the importance of each shot, of producing the perfect place between foam and hot milk which is the basis of every good cappuccino. Their beans could be used in the best of NW coffee shops and the owners are in the finest tradition of unpretentious Wisconsin. Their food smells and looks excellent, but it has yet to reach my palette.
The bottom line: their coffee is the best I have yet to have in Madison. They best Ancora without thinking about it. I feel like I am home in Portland, OR when I step inside.