Reviews of L'Etoile (Restaurant)

Beau Smithback

Food, atmosphere and service are all top notch. Great experience!

Steve Lagman

I have never had a meal at L'Etoille that was not five star in quality of food and of service. It's my favorite restaurant in Madison and compares favorably with Chez Panisse in San Francisco. Pricey but I always get my money's worth.

Jennifer Kallias

FANTASTIC service and food--my boyfriend and I loved everything, and I felt like a pampered princess! Not only was the food tremendous, the servers offered thoughtful suggestions when we were on the fence about what to order, and the sommelier visited our table to personally deliver each glass of the course-by-course wine pairing (well worth the cost) as well as to explain why he chose the wines he did and to offer a description of the region from which the wine came. I can't wait to go back!!!

Peter Van Lone

Can't afford it more than once every few years

Bris Mueller

Everyone should eat at L'Etoile at least once, if not once a year. Despite a couple of hiccups, the overall dining experience was wonderful. After the first course never having arrived (someone else must have enjoyed it early perhaps), the service quickly recovered and made sure we left happy. Nevertheless, not all the food was mind-blowing, a high bar L'Etoile sets for itself by its price and posture. For example, while we were waiting by the bar to be seated, our inquiries on sherry could have been met with more grace from the bartender, and our dessert's overuse of chocolate sauce made it seem amateurish. However, there seems to be considerable effort to attend to all details; the wine pairings, coffee, flat water, and sparkling water were some of the best I've ever had (I am totally serious).

Paul Matthees

My wife and I ate here at her insistence because she is had been following Chef Tori via TV shows like the Wisconsin Foodie. The food was AMAZING and the service was outstanding! My wife cried when we walked in the door, and the smile on her face was worth every penny we spent that night. We even happened to run into Chef Tori on Sunday at his new restaurant Sujeo, which also doesn't disappoint! My wife had the best weekend of her life and I have to say, I did too. Thank You to Johnathan, our server, who allowed us to go into great detail about our flavor experience. He was great, as was the entire staff! Bravo L'Etoile!

Jon Yoon

I will never think of food in the same way again after eating here with my aunt who was visiting from out of town. Yes, the food is pricey over here but it seemed like I was eating art. The plating was absolutely divine and the portions were good enough to savor the taste of each dish while not being overfed. You won't get a feast at L'Etoile if you're looking to fill your empty stomach, but you will be able to eat for pleasure. This was one the most enjoyable meals of my life and I hope you can have the same experience too.

Cyndi Hartly

Really enjoyed the food and surrounding. Very attentive servers. Good location too. Plenty of choices of food items.

Alan Lenz

Okay, it's kind of spooky you have my number. I did eat at l'Étoile, but I did not give you any information during my visit. How did you get my number? Normally I'd like to pay a compliment, but think the unsolicited need for the best restaurant in town to need kudos is beyond the pale. Unless I'm missing something here, this approach is nefarious and I'm not biting your baiting...

Michelle Hoffman

Very elegant. Pretty pricy but food was amazing --we were somewhat frugal and it was about $100 apiece but a beautiful view of the capital, amazing food, fantastic attentive service. Worth a splurge. We were obviouly being budget conscious (it was a business trip to Madison) but our service was just as good as folks who were going all out.

Catherine M

Haven't had this type of well-balanced and thought out dishes outside of Paris. Each dish got an A+ for presentation. The "Tasting" menu had several ingenious combinations. They weren't all winners, but as my husband said, "I didn't eat anything that I was disappointed to have tried." I would add that a few of them were out of this world. A delicious fish tartare with a heavenly buttermilk aioli stands out in my mind as one of those bites that makes you wonder why you bother to shovel other food into your mouth. The view of the Capitol building is quite lovely and the staff here are obsequious but well-informed, and didn't make me feel stupid for not knowing what the notch in the sauce spoon was for. Who knew there was a sauce spoon anyway? I guess it only matters if the sauces are as exquisite as these. You should come here at least once if you live in Madison.

Manan Naik

The service was phenomenal, the attention to detail was great too. As soon as we walked in they look wonderful care. The ambiance is gorgeous. We went with the vegetarian tasting menu. The food was good but not amazing, this maybe because we have been spoiled by the amazing Chicago food scene. We would have liked a little more taste in the food, the presentation was great and creative. We would recommend

Amy Bailey

The best food in the world.

Kevin Wolfe

Spectacular!! That about says it all...

Philip Krause

If you want to experience top grade locally sourced cuisine in the area there are very few other places that come close and even fewer that are as good because of the high quality food selected by the owners from local growers and the amazing cooking !

Mil Lieberthal

On two visits, had excellent meals. On our third and last visit, we were not pleased.

Randall Day

This was a special treat for us during our holiday. I'm a Brit who has been lucky enough to eat at some fancy places; my friend is a Madison local with a passion for farm-to-plate cooking, so we had high expectations which were absolutely met. The tasting menu had echoes of European cuisine, but was bang up to date and was underpinned with excellent local produce. The staff were very professional, and the sommelier in particular was very attentive to our preferences.

Milap Dubal

Exceptional food and service. A great place to celebrate any special occasion. The vegetarian tasting menu was very well constructred and the hen of the woods mushroom dish was to die for.

Hakeem Rakeem

Went here on parents' 35th anniversary. It was great! The bill was almost a thousand dollars but the FOIE GRAS (which I mistakenly pronounced as fooey grass like an idiot) was probably the best thing I have ever had in my lifetime. I wish they had it on the main menu so I could just order a bunch of it instead of the $200+ seven course menu where you are forced to eat the gras with a bunch of other, also very delicious items.

Steve Murawski

Excellent service and very well prepared dishes.

Cosmo Joe

The height of service and food excellence in Madison. Dining here goes beyond food and becomes a culinary experience. Service is outstanding. Servers are far more than simple food-runners; they are knowledgeable, skilled artist, dedicated to your experience. Pairings are excellent and exciting, courses are served at a relaxed pace that allows you to enjoy each flavor. The price is moderately high but worth it. Make sure to include a generous amount as a gratuity to your server.

Amy

I was just here for dessert and it was amazing!

Ian Gatley

I think l'etoile is, for most people, a once a year if that kind of place. I went most recently for my wife's birthday and we had the best dinner we've ever had. And this is coming from a chef. Every time i eat there, which is seldom, I am reminded what real service is. Every server is completely professional. it really impresses me. The food comes out perfectly. It is sourced locally with very few exceptions from what i can tell and it carries through in the final dish. If you like food and are willing to pay the price, than it is a must.

Gabri Marie Marie

My husband and I attempted Sunday brunch at L'Etoile. We walked out after waiting (no joke) 15 minutes with no response from waitstaff other than a glass of water. With such high reviews and our willingness to splurge a little, we definitely didn't expect to feel like we'd have to work to get service. So we didn't. I'm sure the food is great.

Janelle Winter

Lovely spot with high-end food and a view of the capitol. Went for dessert and drinks, which were all exceptional. Only negative was how expensive a glass of wine was (all $15-$20 range), which to me is excessive.

Luke Burkholder

We had a life-changing-ly good dining experience. Can't wait to go back.

Derek Woolley

Best food and service in the area

Henry Makansi

Haute cuisine in Madison. By far the best restaurant in town. It’s not cheap but well worth the price. This restaurant at some point ranked in the top 10 restaurants in the United States

Theresa Washington

One of the best restaurants in Madison, right on the square with a view of the capital. Exquisite French quisine with an extensive wine cellar. Truly exceptional and romantic evening

Daniel Kistle

What can I say that hasn't already been said? These people are stone cold professionals about having a good time.

Chris Stout

Came here for a special occasion and the service was incredible. They loved doing special requests and put a custom message on the menu. Anything to make our night perfect

Jason Willeford Kastrinos

Came here for our first wedding anniversary and it was phenomenal. The food and service was wonderful and they even treated us to a little extra to make sure our anniversary dinner was perfect. Can’t thank the team more! With views of the state capital and a nice welcoming interior, L’Etoile is a really wonderful place.

David Sandra

Amazing service and fantastic food.

Megan Hellenbrand

I could not have had a better experience here! The food was incredible, the wine pairing was emaculate, and the atmosphere was beautiful! The most amazing thing about L'Etoile was that ALL the food used was local! I understand the food and beverages are pricey, but you know that walking through the door. The staff's knowledge of the dishes is impressive, they must study more for work than they did at college! The presentation of the food was not only beautiful, but impressive itself. The chefs skills are amazing. I have never seen a thinner sliced onion in my life! I celebrated an anniversary here and they have us a glass of champagne and delectable bite of the best homemade cracker(?) topped with cheese, which was then topped with an onion jam and decorated with a small chive. I was so impressed! The wine pairing alone was a treat in itself. We did the 4 wine pairings with each meal which included an entree and dessert. I couldn't even hardly eat my entree, and could not finish the shared dessert either, because it was so hard not to eat everything off my plates. I wish I could take all my friends and family here at least once. I also would love to experience this fine dining once per year, but it is just not in the budget. Although, when I need a night out with the significant other and we need a romantic night to ourselves this is will be the place to go. I would also like to add, that they use all their staff. I never saw any person standing in one place for more than a couple minutes. I have never seen a staff work so well together. Everyone was very respectful of one another, and never seemed to make the other staff feel rushed. I thank all the chefs and other staff for a very memorable night.

Neville McNaughton

Too much money, not enough good

Megan Engebretson

I wasn't expecting the price dinner rolls were hard as hell to eat and my hen had too much fat I left starving after spending way too much for my birthday I've had better. The service was amazing all the smiles and education of the food was amazing and it's also very awesome how the staff will make you feel comfortable.

Lily S

The food was spectacular. One of the best dining experiences I have ever had.

Ethan Keller

Lovely time! Excellent cuisine & service. Tried some Calvados ;) Thanks Tory!

Robyn Henke

We have been here numerous times before and are never disappointed. Excellent service and food.

Harry Likely

This is the best restaurant in Madison. Th chef has continued to make this place something special! Tori is the coolest chef around town and nobody does it better. My wife and I come here for a lot of our special occasions. I promise you will have an emotional connection with your food. Also the waitstaff is unparalleled. Keep it up!

T L

This may be the best restaurant I have tried. It was a rare occasion. A friend of mine got a gift card, and she treated me there for my birthday. I had the lamb. I am very critical of my food. I have to admit that it was amazing. The meat was tender and juicy. It was just right, not over or under-cooked. The service was great. They pay attention to the detail. It's a fancy restaurant. So, it's not your everyday choice. If you have a special occasion to celebrate, I'd recommend L'Etoile.

Nick Y

Our server was absolutely wonderful the rest staff was a joy and the wine came with wonderful stories about where they came from and what to expect. Everyone clearly enjoy what they do. The food was amazing and the chef clearly wants everyone to enjoy themselves when eating it. I can't say thank you for a wonderful evening enough.

Devon Adler

Very open and pretty, upscale with great servers and hostesses. Everything as you would expect for the price, except the one thing you actually come for. The food was on par with your typical pub food, with a fancier name and twice the price. The graze burger had so little flavor it felt like there were ingredients missing, the duck cassoulet had a tiny bitesize morsel of duck, and the steak wasn't any better than your typical $15 sirloin. In summary, upscale prices with impressive sounding ingredients, but taste that hardly surpasses your average pub. Only gets 3 stars for location and stellar service.

Nicholas DiPiazza

my fiance and I were looking for somewhere really sexy to go for a hot date night. We chose this place because I remembered going there a few years ago and really liking it. It was just as good as it was before she was so impressed with me that she was talking about it for several days afterwards. Delicious food very classy. There was a bunch of politicians around us to making it really extra sexy it is expensive though

Daniel Jonovic

Wonderful cocktails. They usually serve food at the bar but call ahead if that's your plan because some nights it's drinks only.

Anjan Dutta

Stylish food.

J.D. Kaiser

Overpriced, small portions, food was good.

Kimmy LoveLace

Loved it

Albino Albino

(Translated by Google) The best food with the recipes of chef tory miler (Original) La mejor comida con las recetas de chef tory miler

F K

The service is attentive and helpful. The food is very good, but it's not a revelation. The desserts were too sweet for us, but we like more subtle flavors. Ultimately, it's simply too expensive for what it is. Lake Park Bistro in Milwaukee (the closest comparison I can think of) has better food, better service, and is nearly half as expensive. You even get more choices on the menu there! Unfortunately, if you're looking for high class dining in Madison, there really aren't many other choices. It's a pity.

Luiz Luiz

Maria

kevin maloney

Amazing food

Naomi Griffith

We were greatly welcomed and seated to a large table. Butter and bread were immediately served; oh what a bread! We shared one starter, marinated salmon. The main was red mullet – excellent and well prepared and presented. Desert was spiced tarte Tatin – delicious. We had a fine evening.

Jesus Diaz

The first entree was not my liking but the main course was probably the best steak I've ever had.

Mark Hayward

This is a great place to get non-alcoholic cocktails! They have a bunch of great interesting options, and it's such a classy place. Not cheap though... especially for cocktails with alcohol in them. They're more like NYC prices.

tery russell

Great food, thick juicy hamburgers and tasty shakes. What more could you ask for? The cafeteria-style of ordering your food was super fast and efficient. I liked not having to wait after servers for ordering and serving,

Andrew Boush

Not so much French as modern fine dining. My wife and I were astounded. The Pre Fixe menus are a great value, because you are given the opportunity to taste so many amazing things. Chef Tory Miller combines flavors in delicious and amazing ways. I am usually a bit of a traditionalist, but he really won me over with mind-bending combinations of flavors and textures that were both original and tasty. We'll be back!

D Wad

Dylan E is an elite bartender and the best in Madison. Great vibe

Jacob Moore

Amazing service and great tasting menu. Wine pairings really topped off an already fantastic experience.

Nikolas Adair

An amazing experience as usual! The food was amazing, but my girlfriend and I always share our meals, especially at a place like L'etoile, and when we told our waiter she split each course between the two of us, on separate plates. That's the kind of thing that sets L'etoile apart from other restaurants.

Suzanne Kalra

Michael the waiter having mentioned that he had an open bottle of Chardonnay from France's Jura department in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region abutting Switzerland. The wine is somewhat oxidized, and quite unlike what most people would think of when they contemplate Chardonnay wine. Staff know I'm fond of those wines.

Jasmine N

My husband booked a wonderful anniversary dinner for us here. We got the prefix menu that could be made gluten free. Everything was perfect and the food tasted like summer. You could tell so much thought had been put into every bit. It's expensive but for a night out to celebrate something (heck, even just having a good day) it was worth the cost. Also, get the wine pairing because you'll be surprised. I ended up with a white port cocktail. Yum yum yum!

Courtney Edmund Wiest

The food is not as good for what you pay for. The decor is a little too modern for my taste, but the other people dining are appalling! Discussing inappropriate things during my meal made me sick during my meal. Overall the service is lacking any friendly attitudes. If you have the pocket book money to waste, go for it, but you want a good dining experience, go some where else.

Agnes Zhang

The food here is amazingggg. The chef really pays attention to how to display the plate and balance the taste. Loved!

Samantha Latham

My husband and I went here for a special dinner. Pricey, but worth the cost for a special occasion. The food was incredible and the service was very attentive. Great cocktails and mocktails. Kaitlin, our server, was very helpful and answered all our questions. My husband has food allergies and they were incredibly accommodating when we let them know in advance. He received all the same courses there I did with minor modifications where needed. We'll definitely be returning.

천은파

(Translated by Google) Mood flavor service It is a place where one does not have enough ~ The front glass building is beautiful, and the cooking platter is also beautiful ~! It is a place to be able to join with good people on a special day. I recommend it. (Original) 분위기 맛 서비스 어느 하나 모자람 없는 곳입니다~ 전면 유리로 된 건물도 아름답고 요리 플레이팅도 넘넘 아름다워요~! 특별한 날 좋은 사람들과 함께하기에 부족함 없는 곳입니다. 추천합니다.

Steven Mindel

The food, the service and the drinks are amazing. This is not for the casual dining crowd. L'Etoile could be a shining star in Chicago, Los Angeles or New York. Clearly the class of Madison. This is not your typical Wisconsin big portion restaurant. Each dish is carefully designed both for taste and visual appeal. You have to love Farm to Table. We ordered both a first plate and a second plate and we left very full. They chef has a wonderful prix fix multiple course menu that looked amazing, but after the game we were too tired for a 6 course dinner with wine pairings. The wine menu is complete with a wonderful cross section of wines from the US, Italy, France and South America.

Buzz Yancey

Probably the best meal of my life

Beverly Lopez

This place looks like a run down speakeasy from the outside. Inside it's a nice cozy steak house. My first impression was the menu is limited but after I tasted the filet I realized there's no reason to order anything else. It was a high quality, tender piece, cut thick and cooked perfectly.

Brandon Sciuto

The truth is...I was here on business with a friend who grew up in Madison, WI. He asked me to trust him - I did. People say that you “can’t eat atmosphere” - but if the food is white glove French food with a fusion influence the atmosphere is eaten up 1000%. If you’re in Madison you MUST try it. They have employees that have been there for 30 years!! OMG!

Emilio Dlism

Began with a cocktail they'd added a few years ago at my request. Though it was no longer on the active cocktail list, the bartender was able to consult a library of archived cocktail recipes and make me a fine "Le Fleur Antique," which is based on mezcal and violet liqueur. When I finished the cocktail at the bar, I moved to a table, having already consulted with staff about wine options.

Leonardo Wack

I knew I had to try it for myself. It did not disappoint. As a solo diner on a work trip, I also really appreciated that they sat me at the front by the Window (with floor to ceiling glass), prime seating and the service was excellent. The service here is unmatched from the hostess, to the wait staff, and the sommelier. The only other meal that I have had that comes anywhere close to L'Etoile was Petrus in London (and that place has a Michelin Star).

Michelle Munson

The quality of our meal and service was impeccable!

elizabeth jones

Went for my birthday and tried the beef larvae and Lao bowl cocktail. Could not have had a better night.

Julia Meyer

Best haute cuisine I've ever had (then again, I haven't had much). Takes mighty deep pockets to enjoy it, though.

Maria Yanez

Really good!!!

Peter Adrian

Great, juicy food. Best meal ever. The atmosphere was so grand. Amazing experience. Made my day. Eating dinner here was so memorable.

Mario McCullum

Craft beers, great views, elegant service. Cody the bartender was very professional and met my every need. Perfect for date night. Suit n tie recommended and ladies wear your best heels!

Emily Trombley

With over 20, 000 works of art, it has the state's second largest collection of art. On the first Sunday of every month, it offers a free classic music concert as part of its Sunday Afternoon Live at the Chazen series. There are works by artists like Warhol, Miro, Picasso, Gainsborough and Rothko.

Courtney Robinson

Excellent food and excellent experience! We came here for a celebratory dinner and were not disappointed. The food was beautiful, interesting, sharp, and delicious. Our server was delightful and enthusiastic and a lot of fun to interact with. Her descriptions of the menu items were almost as great as the items themselves. We really felt like we received great value for our money at this restaurant - something important to us when food comes with a hefty pricetag. I highly recommend this restaurant.

Spencer Tinsley

Second time visiting here and doing the chef tasting menu both times. This time they included a surprise course about half way through which was an amazing pretzel bun with carmelized shallot and onion ash butter. The staff are very attentive and friendly. It is pretty pricey but definitely worth it. Be warned, each dish seems small but adds up to a ton of food. I was stuffed when I left.

Jamie W

All sorts of impressively delicious food and drink sourced locally and served in the fanciest of capital square fishbowls

Danny Ludlow

I am the first to talk down about a place likebthis HOWEVER I CANNOT..take it from a meat and potatoes military guy. Eat here. You wont regret it -Danny

Tonya Neumann

Incredible! The food, service, and drinks were all well above and beyond expectations. Everyone from the maître d to the waitstaff to the bartenders were extremely friendly, professional, and attentive. Our server Frank provided impressive descriptions of all the menu offerings; his descriptions and perfectly attentive service were only rivaled by the food itself! We tried the spring soup, burrata, Alaskan halibut, Peterson ribeye, French cruller, and the prix fixe menu -- every bite was amazing! Especially recommend the halibut and ribeye, but I would get every single item again. For drinks I tried the French Antique (or something similar to that name, first cocktail on the menu), which had a lovely light lilac flavor, and the Strawberry Sidecar, which was more sweet but with a spicy undertone that I loved. In addition, the atmosphere here was wonderful! We will definitely be going back, we were very impressed by the quality of the atmosphere, service, staff, and food.

Jon Augelli

The best meal I have ever eaten. The chef is an artist who works with food as other do with marble or oil paints. My girlfriend and I talked about it to everyone who would listen for days afterwards. We did the 7 course tasting menu with the wine pairing. Each course was better than the last, and the wine paired beautifully. The service was unmatched. The atmosphere was elegant. The entire meal was a delightful experience from the first bite to the last sip. My hat is off to the entire staff.

Leon Foerster

Fantastic dinner. I will be back.

Aaron Schafer

Fantastic fine dining, best restaurant I've been to in Madison, one of the best in Wisconsin.

Brennan Schmidt

Amazing restaurant with food so delicious you won't believe your taste buds. Just keep in mind that it's very fancy and prices are high. Worth splurging on for a celebration or something.

Groucho Barks

The best restaurant in Madison. Don't dress like a midwesterner at a supper club though.

Judith Rodriguez

Began with a cocktail they'd added a few years ago at my request. Though it was no longer on the active cocktail list, the bartender was able to consult a library of archived cocktail recipes and make me a fine "Le Fleur Antique," which is based on mezcal and violet liqueur. When I finished the cocktail at the bar, I moved to a table

Amit Israeli

the most expensive restaurant I visit in Madison {if someone offer to pay - GO!}

Evgen Lostrikov

Food was fabulous. All the dishes were very flavorful. Desserts were delicious. Great atmosphere and service.

Jerry W

That L'Etoile doesn't have a Michelin star is a discredit to the rating system

dyther jimenez

(Translated by Google) The (Original) Í

Muhammad Khalifa

This is probably the pinnacle of haute cuisine for Madison in terms of both food and service. The seasonal, technically complex, and flawlessly executed tasting menu was a thing of beauty, but a la carte dining options are also available. If you have a chance, definitely visit "The Star" of Madison.

W M

Compared to most restaurants, 5 stars. Compared to other James Beard Award winning restaurants? 3, at best. My meal was about 6 months after the 2012 James Beard for Best Chef Midwest was awarded to Tory Miller. I have a fairly extensive culinary background, I made the trip to Madison specifically to eat at this location. The wine selections that came with our Prix Fixe menu ( Chefs Tasting Experience I believe it was called? ) was much better than the meal itself. We went with the regular wine pairing and the "reserve" pairing. The regular pairing was ok, but the reserve pairing was spectacular. The food itself wasn't very...inspired. There were several courses, such as a stuffed pasta, that came out cooked just a bit wrong. Nothing horrendous, just not perfect. I think it was $125 for the menu, and $50(?) for the regular wine pairing and $100(?) for the reserve wine pairing at the time. I just remember the cost of the wine pairing and the food costing about the same as the standard menu cost at The French Laundry when I was a stagier there. I'll go there again soon and update the review I left (3 stars) to see if things have been improved.

Phillip Cole

Best swordfish we've ever had. Succulent, unlike the usual dried cardboard. Portion just a tad small. Served in an uplifting architectural room looking directly at the capitol building. Also had the soft shell crab. A tad salty but served on an interesting sauce base. All the food was presented in artistic, elegant arrangements. Just one problem: the restaurant's so dark, it's hard to fully appreciate the craftsmanship without the light from a cell phone. Impeccable service from Emily and especially the sommelier Michael. Knowledgeable and eager to go out of their way to provide helpful information. Wide ranging and eclectic wine list. Might be nice to have parking attendants, but there is a public structure nearby around the corner.

Michael Polk

Hands down the best food!! Every time I go to Madison this is on the to do list. Wonderful, creative, and delicious creations come from this restaurant, it’s a must go!!

Cynthia Griggs

Nice place for a family function...enjoyed the eve..Special thanks for herry...

Joe Platz

Delicious but expensive

Thomas Hiller

Without a doubt, this is Madison's finest restaurant. It would definitely have a Michelin star if it were in a larger city.

Borys Kusyk

Phenomenal. Great service. Knowledgeable.

Mark Douma

Great food

Nancy Ludgus

if you have only one evening in madison, this is the place to eat. emphasis on local and fresh ingredients prpeared with a french flair; great cocktails; lovely open ambience. good value for the price, but that's not the reason to go there. don't miss the pasta dish of the day.

Samantha

We didn’t actually eat here although the menu did look lovely online but we don’t live in Madison and were in town and decided to try and see if we could sneak in to this restaurant and their “host” up front was appalled that we even thought we could walk up to try and get in...” this is a fine dining restaurant...we don’t just let people come in without reservations”...it’s a restaurant..not someone’s doctors appointment. As much as we come back I will NEVER try to go to a restaurant that has no class or couth at the front of their house.

Diane Heidmann

Long overdue review: I would go on a day trip to Chicago to have dinner here. Approachable, delicious food and very attentive, excellent service.

Steven Schaich

Awesome experience n view. Bring some bux tho...

Regina Gomez

Located directly north across the street from the Capitol building in downtown Madison, WI, this very warm and updated space is extremely welcoming. Off to the side of L'Etoile is Graze, a smartly appointed and lively gastropub with a large full service bar. Excellent array of appetizers, including oysters on the half shell, a rainbow trout dip, and a seasoned pickle, just to name a few. Exciting and varied entrees such as a brisket, mussels, hot chicken & pickles, and my favorite, locally sourced lamb. Great drink menu. Selection of locally crafted beers. Very knowledgeable staff. Reservations recommended as this is a very popular spot after work and into the evening hours.

J W

Madison's most unique dining experience. Staff was attentive and courteous almost to a fault. We went here for our 5th wedding anniversary, and the server brought menus with "Happy Anniversary" written on them along with 2 glasses of sparkling white wine for the occasion. Small details like that really made the evening feel special, and the food was thoughtful, fresh, clean, and delicious. It's certainly worth the trip. Whether you come away feeling the food and atmosphere was worth the cost or not, you'll have had an experience that is difficult to replicate.

Ed Bradley

Terrific everything and everyone

E.

Who gives L'Etoile 1 star? My goodness that's just silly. This is probably the best restaurant in the state. It's very expensive, of course, but in this instance, you get what you pay for. Chef Tory is wonderful.

Trina Weaver

PHENOMENAL! This isn't just a meal, it's a sensory celebration. The seven-course meal and superb wine pairings brought out the flavors of their one-of-a-kind dishes-- including squab and a squid-inked something that I couldn't believe tasted so good. This wonder-of-the-world restaurant was on our bucket list, but we still have to go back again. With the outstanding food and finest service, it was worth every penny. A triumphant experience!

Margaret Ross

Excellent. Olin and rest of staff provided wonderful service. Food is spectacularly presented. Kudos to chef and his entire staff for beauty and taste of dishes. We're out of state visitors and lucky to have found this restaurant.

Patriot log home Builders

truly fine dining, however never saw one price tag until the end. Menu was missing prices, dinner for four $900.00! seems extreme. Cocktails were over the top innovative and delicious. The atmosphere was divine. Everything was memorable. It was our daughters 21 year old birthday which is on Valentines day so it was special. We did choose the pairing of wine with the 7 course meal. Just believe you have a right to know the cost upfront. We knew it was expensive before we went there, but this style is not cool.

Jon SENDER

Wow. Can't say enough good things about L"Etoile. Food, presentation and service was outstanding. Two in our party ordered the tasting menu with wine pairing. The remainderorded ala carte with wine pairing. The pairings were exceptional. The food was expertly prepared. Pacing through out the evening was excellent. This is a sublime dining experience.

J Mitch

I set up reservations for groups at L'Etoile & they agree it is the best in Madison. However, I am surprised to see the money rating as $$$ out of $$$$. My groups always spend way more than any other place in Madison.

Nemecio Martinez

u.k

Hema Rubinii

Delicious

Mitch

This is THE fanciest restaurant in town. Fancy, seasonal food, drinks, and great, attentive service.

Kelsie Knight

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Jiratt Phonlapat

Excellent wine list.

Jason Mackey

Best restaurant in the area. Been coming here for years

Rob Birse

We came with high expectations and left underwhelmed. The evening started with promise, both the lamb and duck appetizers were good, but both lacked that something that would make them great, however the potential was there. Then disappointment arrived, both the monk fish and the hen failed to impress, the star of the fish dish was the potato croquet and the hen was so dry it must have sat on the pass for an age as surely the chef did not intend it to be so. The service was however excellent, but we will not be returning.

Allan W

Hands down the best restaurant in town. Excellent food drinks and service

Josh Woodward

Ye gods. One of the best meals I've had in my life (and I've had a lot of great meals). The thing that sets L'Etoile apart is the level of detail in their food. Rather than just using the finest ingredients simply, they use them to build layers upon layers of flavor within a single dish, using a huge number of complimentary ingredients. But there's no molecular funny business here - the presentation is simple and elegant, focusing on the freshest local ingredients. One interesting thing I noticed after the meal - I realized that the only meat I'd had was thinly shaved in the bottom of two of my courses - I could have easily eaten it in one bite if I'd been insane. The entree (cheddar beignets) had no meat at all. Fruit, on the other hand, was used in every coarse, and it made sense every time. They never relied on cheap fatty tricks to enhance flavor. The service is impeccable - very attentive without hovering. The room is gorgeous. The whole experience was worth the lofty price of admission.

Rev. Drew Gregory Olson

Tomato tasting menu was perfect. Knowledgeable, kind staff. Location sometimes a little weird with everyone looking in at you but I like looking at the capital during dinner.

Kristina Denney

Went there for my Birthday for cocktails and the tasting menu. It was fantastic and love the atmosphere. Bartenders, wait staff, and chef were all very nice and accommodating. Must go to have the experience.

Bonnie Wood

King crab legs were firm, delicious and worth the price. The service was great. The bar area is a bit small for a "supper" club however all employees made us feel welcome. Definitely will be a spot to return to when we are back in town and can take the time to dine.

Barb Frerker

Incredible 5 star

Monica Mckee

Food was delicious atmosphere welcoming along with the waiters n waitresses all around a wonderful

Aria Hughes

I had a great dinner here. The selections were great. The food was delicious and plentiful.

Ralph Herman

Best French food in town. Best service.

Michelette Richardson

Dining here made for one of the best experiences of my life. We chose the 7 course dinner with the wine pairing. The food was perfect, our sommelier was funny and picked the best wines, and the environment was lovely. I can't wait to come back.

Thomas Yates

It's ok. Not mind blowing. Whatever.

Daniel Zurlo

Amazing dishes. If you're looking for a really unique and fantastic dinner, this is the place.

Daniel Felizardo

A fine dining restaurant with a very nice tasting menu. Keep in mind this place is about fabricating an interesting and varied meal experience and looks to quantity and flavor over quantity. This is probably the most expensive place in Madison but you are paying for quality of the ingredients and the care and effort going into crafting each course. The service was spectacular and our waiter was very kind and answered all of our questions. I was impressed with his knowledge and ability to explain the dishes. I thought the food was very good and there were things which I had never tried before. Overall all of the flavors really worked well together even though each individual piece seemed so odd. The duck and the beef tartare were stand outs for me. This is a great place for a fancy occasion. I enjoyed their cocktails but did not try much of the wine. The dessert wine was very good and went along with the dessert perfectly. This place is very reminiscent of michelen star restaurants focusing on molecular gastronomy except L'Etoile is more on the traditional side. The food had a lot of french inspiration, but they did a good job at locally sourcing a lot of the ingredients which I thought was a great touch.

Roy and Courtney Blanco

Awesome place!

Bill Taft

Best food in Madison

Alejandra GV

(Translated by Google) Very good service but overly expensive and the food is not so good. (Original) Muy buen servicio pero excesivamente caro y la comida no es tan buena.

Ali Khan

Very Very Good

Joe Taylor

Service was excellent, food was ok, price was high.

Michelle Marts

Delicious food. A little overpriced for Madison.

Alyssa Adams

Delicious food and amazing view of the Capitol.

Alyssa Weiland

Beautiful restaurant with a gorgeous view of the states capital. The food was divine and ever dish was more then perfection. I strongly recommend sitting down to this place for whatever you may be celebrating. The service was excellent, our waiter did a beautiful job explaining each dish to it's fullest. For anyone that enjoys fine dinning I highly recommend this establishment. Made for a amazing and memorable first anniversary.

Heidi Uhrig

It had been a few years since we dined at L'Etoile, so we made reservations for our anniversary dinner. Lovely wine selection, delicate and unique food offerings, the service, however, brought me to 3 stars. It was "over-service" to the point of servers/wait-staff constantly interrupting us mid sentence/conversation. I had assumed that the staff would have more insight regarding the flow of a meal and diners wanting to savor a luxurious meal. All in all, disappointed and won't be heading back anytime soon.