NostranoSpecial night out.Our first time here, and the food is very good, if not excellent. The portions were small. My $11.00 salad could have been placed in the palm of my hand. The main course was a little bit more generous, but not much. Wines were $11 to $13 a glass. Deserts.....$11.00 was typical. The interior was nice, but nothing special. Service was good.
If this were New York, Chicago, or L.A, I might be more comfortable with all of this, but it's Madison, WI.
Verdict: For Madison, overpriced, small portions, of for the most part, very good food.6/8/2013 12:00:00 AMFreaking Awesome Cocktails!!Seriously some of the best cocktails I have had. Cudos to the bartender. Our desert, a carmel ice-cream espresso concoction, was also outstanding as were our appetizers, a salumi tray and a grilled octopus offering. I found my entree, a game hen, to be tasty but slightly too salty for my taste, while everyone else in my group seemed super happy with their choices. We were there late and mid-week so it was not very busy and felt quite intimate, but is perhaps quite different during more popular times. Recommended!6/6/2013 12:00:00 AMDelicious, ExcellentEvery part of our meal at Nostrano--from start to sweet, sweet finish--was delicious.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMDining prior to a showWe were shown to our table right away and were asked whether we were heading to the theatre after dinner. We were dining prior to a show and I was very pleased that they were considerate of timing. The ambiance was friendly, the decorating very interesting and the prices were reasonable. The food was great, the dessert was outstanding and the waitress and other staff were very pleasant. The facilities were very clean though a bit dimly lit and though there was a hook for a purse or coat, there was no where to set a strapless handbag in the ladies room.6/1/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food and service,Excellent food and service, and the best drink I have ever been served. Ask for the Fistful of Dollars- you won't be disappointed Perfect for a casual evening out.5/31/2013 12:00:00 AMService was a little slowService was a little slow at lunch. It's a nice place and takes its time, lunch should be a bit quicker in terms of getting orders in.5/30/2013 12:00:00 AMAnother Downtown GemNostrano's menu is small, but focused. The plates are small, so doing an appetizer and an entree would make the average person confortably full. If you are like me, however, you won't be able to pass up the yummy dessert menu, and I would definitely recommend saving a little room for that. I had the braised pancetta, and it was delicious, although it seems like it should belong more on a fall/winter menu, since it's pretty hearty. The cocktails are also wonderful, but pretty pricey for the small size (all are around $10-11). For dessert I did the Baked Ganache, and it was awesome. For two people, with one drink each, appetizer, entree and dessert to share, you can plan to spend around $100.5/30/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful evening outThe specialty cocktails were superb! The ingredients were fresh and the entrees had what seemed like layers of different components that all blended together perfectly.5/25/2013 12:00:00 AMMarvelousMy wife and I stopped in for a quick lunch the other day and were extremely pleased with the quality of the service, the food -- from the homemade rhubarb soda to the near-perfect pasta to the astonishing dessert, and the reasonable price. The menu is small and focused, which is a good thing but will probably wind up limiting our visits if it doesn't rotate often.5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMOKI thought the food was good, but expensive. I would have expected some bread or a small salad at these prices.5/22/2013 12:00:00 AMI'll be backUnique options. Delicious food. Great service. Welcoming yet professional decor. Wine was overpriced, everything else was reasonable. One of my best dining experiences in Madison5/17/2013 12:00:00 AMMadison GemI am not sure how to classify the cuisine. How about modern Italian bistro done with imagination using very high quality ingredients.
All three courses were outstanding in every way. Will return as often as possible, as I live 90 miles away. Nostrano is worthy of a journey or detour.5/16/2013 12:00:00 AMLoved It!My first time at this restaurant and I can't say enough good things about it! Service was great and the food was superb, especially the chocolate ganache dessert with kumquats that was to die for. We'll definitely go back again.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Mother's Day DinnerMy wife and I took a mini-vacation over the weekend and chose Nostrano for a Mother's Day celebration.
Overall, had a great experience and plan on eating there again.
Enjoyed the beer selection, which complimented the food.
The highlight of the evening was the Affogato for dessert.
May even stop in for beer and Affogato next time in town.5/11/2013 12:00:00 AMFantastic!We had a great meal at Nostrano - delicious soup, great charcuterie, and really fabulous pasta. Highly recommended!5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMSuperbCreative, elegant, excitingly unique dishes; relaxed, comfortable ambiance; wonderful wine...can't wait to come again!!5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMOur FIrst ExperienceWe were told by a friend in Chicago about a new place to eat in Madison called Nostrano's. So we decided to try it the next night.
I must say that I have never tasted squash soup that delicious in my life~ even my own! The snapper was amazing as well.
I am not sure why there is not beef on the menu, but left without that as a choice we were just as happy with the fish. If there was a place their menu would improve, it would be in the gluten free selections. I would have ordered something else but it required bread and there was not a gluten free bread offered.The dessert didn't have enough gelato to go with the AWESOME chocolate ! It would be okay with me to skip all that other stuff and give the dish 2 scoops of gelato ! We will be back!5/4/2013 12:00:00 AMOh What a Night!Nostrano may now be my favorite restaurant in Madison. The food was fresh, seasonal, and so delicious! We started with the olives and salumi board - a must! - then shared a refreshing panzanella salad with fava beans, pea shoots, radishes, and a fresh herb dressing. We thoroughly enjoyed our entrees (whole wheat pappardelle with lamb ragu and rabbit boudin blanc and confit with gnocchi). The flavors were rich and complex. The wine, suggested by our waiter to be paired with our entrees, was perfect. We finished with the basque cake - the best! Amazing dinner, start to finish! Can't wait to go back again!4/23/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat cocktails in a veryGreat cocktails in a very nice atmosphere.
The food is great as they combine interesting ingredients together. However, I still think that for the price you pay, the portions are rather small.4/20/2013 12:00:00 AMWe have been to Nostrano moreWe have been to Nostrano more than 6 times, and the food is always excellent! Staff is very attentive and warm.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMWhile we would have appreciatedWhile we would have appreciated a sightly larger menu, we were both more than pleased with our choices. Each dish featured a complex blend of subtle flavors, and they were presented beautifully. Our waitress was helpful and responsive without being intrusive. The noise level was high--but that seems to be the case in every Madison restaurant we go to. (We enjoy conversation as much as food!) Need to make special mention of the coffee: outstanding!4/2/2013 12:00:00 AMExquisite food, some of theExquisite food, some of the best in Madison, and that is saying a lot.3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMFOUND THIS PLACE BY CHANCE,FOUND THIS PLACE BY CHANCE, WHAT A TREAT. THERE WERE FOUR IN OUR GROUP, AND WE ALL COULD NOT SAY ENOUGH GOOD ABOUT IT. QUINN WAS AN EXCEPTIONAL WAITER, FOOD INFORMER....3/30/2013 12:00:00 AMAt first the entree seemedAt first the entree seemed small, but by the end it was quite satisfying thanks to the wine and amazing dessert.3/29/2013 12:00:00 AMAbsolutely love this MadisonAbsolutely love this Madison gem. They need to get off their snooty bar drink attitude and bring me a regular cosmopolitan & drop the egg white.3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMThe meal at Nostrano exceededThe meal at Nostrano exceeded my expectations. Flavor combinations were exquisite and ingredients fresh and unusual. Will definitely return!3/27/2013 12:00:00 AMWe had the best experienceWe had the best experience at Nostrano for our anniversary. Thanks to everyone. It was fantastic.3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMThe menu provided a difficultThe menu provided a difficult choice, as the select dishes that they offer are all really unique and well thought out. Portion sizes are perfect- rich and decadent, while not too filling. Save room for dessert!3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMBoth the salmon and rabbitBoth the salmon and rabbit dish were superb.
The chestnut desert was also memoreable. Great staff as well.3/21/2013 12:00:00 AMThe appetizers and dessertsThe appetizers and desserts were exceptional. I had the Rabbit Boudin Blanc & Confit and must say it was scarce on rabbit...a few shreds and a rather large sausage composed of pork and rabbit, which was really quite bland.3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMI was not able to attend,I was not able to attend, but the other people that did attend said the experience was outstanding. We are all planning to come again. I hope I can attend the next time. Thanks for taking such good care of them. Ruth Ellen3/16/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat view of the Capitol.Great view of the Capitol. It was a little bright inside. The service was terrific and prompt. I had the apple dessert with molasses gelato and it may be the best dessert I have ever had!3/12/2013 12:00:00 AM