Osteria Papavero - Madison

I had the cinghiale and it was spectacular. Unfortunately, the three (vegetarian) pasta dishes my girlfriend wanted to order ran out by 7:30. The kitchen was flexible in preparing something (vegetarian) that wasn’t on the menu which also ended up being spectacular. So while the food was great, the fact that the restaurant ran out of three dishes during peak hours is somewhat inexcusable for a restaurant of this caliber (despite accomodations having been made) hence the four star review.

My meat was not cooked as well as I would have expected, but the sauce was good. Neither of the dishes we got were winners, but were pleasant. Dining room was cramped. Service was friendly.

This restaurant is cozy and conveniently located near the Capitol. Parking may be difficult at times. The service was excellent, and I suggest making a reservation instead of taking a chance on a walk-in. The bar and dining room are both small, allowing the chef to give personal attention to the guests. The food was excellent on a cold day, hot and cooked to perfection. The menu changes frequently, but if you have the opportunity to try the short rib, do not pass it up. It was deliciously seasoned. Be sure to save room for the butterscotch pudding, as it is definitely worth skipping a few last bites if you are getting full.

Everything was exceptional, and the atmosphere was enhanced by the chill music playing in the background. The indie electronic music fit the vibe of the restaurant perfectly.

We were excited to try an Italian cafe with a local, seasonal, daily rotating menu of specials, but unfortunately, we left feeling disappointed. We ordered some happy hour drinks, the gnocchi, and the puffball mushroom. The dishes were technically well-executed, but everything felt lacking. The gnocchi had a nice rich sauce, but the pork needed another complementary flavor. The puffball was fried nicely, but lacked seasoning. The atmosphere was stale and stuffy. Our server attempted to correct the pronunciation of our orders in a ridiculous manner. The restaurant tried to create an elevated vibe, but came off as snobby. It was clear that we were not the target audience.