Flatiron Tavern
update: Flatiron is now the Local.
In a word: Good grub from the pub.
The specs: #0181
Ultimate Madison Bar Tour review.
JM ate the chicken club with clam chowder and a lemonade.
Nichole ate the Flatiron burger with a Coke.
We split an order of nachos.
The bill was $17, or $8.50/person, plus tip with a 2-for-1 coupon (thanks, WPR!)
JM and Nichole both gave Flatiron an A- (see our grading rubric).
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The Flatiron felt to us like quintessential downtown Madison - polished, but comfortable; smoke-free, yet smoky with beefy goodness.
In a festive mood, we split a plate of yummy nachos and didn't regret it. The real cheese, beans, and veggies were an excellent appetizer.
JM's clam chowder had great bits of clam in it, but it was not quite as good as Del-Bar's. He liked that there were lots of menu choices. When his sandwich came, he was happy with the good-sized portion. In the last analysis, the sandwich may not have been superb but was roundly enjoyed.
The vinaigrette on Nichole's spring greens weighed down the salad and was rather too tart, but it complemented the hearty Flatiron burger well.
Bun: toasted, homemade; hearty and mealy, but by the end of the burger, chewing was a challenge.
Meat: great (listed as Angus beef), but not seasoned, and dry.
Cheese: Tangy bleu.
Extras: Mushroom hash was rich and juicy.
Overall: 6.5 out of 10.
There were plenty of other things on the menu Nichole would probably go back for - a roasted beet and granny smith apple salad; avocado and strawberry salad with orange champagne dressing; and several other kinds of tasty burgers. Not to mention the Nueske's bacon BLT, which (according to their web site) is a fixture on their rotating menu.
Since we weren't there at peak time, we cannot conlcude whether the atmosphere and avilable space change when it is full up. We do, however, think that this pub food is well worthy of a trip to downtown (or an early lunch off the square).
Those salads sound really great, and a Nueske's BLT? Heaven!
Love the blog.
Posted by: lavalady | June 29, 2006 at 04:59 PM