Owen M.
Google
My friends and I always get together in Madison for a holiday reunion. DelecTable's been on our shortlist for a while. We tried to get in last year, but they were already booked. Apparently, some rock star bartender was doing a residency, and tickets were scarce...anyway. Upon arrival, the parking area was quiet, and the strip mall location, inconspicuous. By now, we've all come to know locations like these tend to hide the most precious gems. It hopefully means the money saved on the space is instead spent on the quality food--and in DelecTable's case, I learned they also use it to pay their staff a livable wage.
I notified them that I was running a few minutes late, which they informed me was no problem. When I entered through the Vom Fass storefront, I still needed a pen to sign my Xmas cards, which they were quick to provide before taking my coat and directing me to my friends. I was pleased that I had only missed the first course, and even more so when they immediately dropped it in front of me so that I could quickly catch up while my friends politely scolded me. I was also greeted with a glass of sparkling wine, which I appreciated but declined, since I don't drink. They took it away, and immediately replaced it with some n/a bubbles that were light, crisp and welcoming. Before I knew it, the top of the dish in front of me was opened with a blowtorch, revealing a few bites of the most delicious (and still warm!) Pumpkin Soup.
A few courses later, came these volcanic rock orbs, filled with two pieces of expertly sliced Tuna Sashimi with a dusting of Ground Ginger and Cantaloupe Microgreens. Our friend from LA commented on how she didn't expect to come to the landlocked Midwest during the winter to find such delicious fresh fish. She didn't immediately put it up there with chef Nozawa's, but she was pleasantly surprised. Course six arrived shortly thereafter. An Oxtail Cavatelli, braised for over 24 hours with al dente pasta made fresh in-house. The table agreed...this dish very well may have been the highlight of the night.
Dessert was a Deconstructed Butterscotch PB&J Custard with a Cinnamon Toast Crunch Touille, served in a small jar coated in Peppermint Marshmallow that was once again torched tableside. I didn’t ask for it, but I also received a small cup of Belgian Cocoa with a dollop of freshly made Whipped Cream and Orange Zest. It felt like liquid velvet, as it passed into my sated belly.
11 courses came and went in just under 2.5 hours (including 15min intermission!). The biggest surprise of all was when we learned that this was the VERY FIRST night of their new Winter Menu. It was the best meal we’ve ever had, and you’re telling me it was the first time they’d ever served it?! Dude, these guys are pros. At no point did the dinner feel rushed. The four-person FOH team moved fluidly, communicated well, never appeared overwhelmed, and seemed to genuinely enjoy what they were doing. I did notice several tables needed their checks revised, but that could’ve been some technical issue.
All in all, we were absolutely blown away. We’ve always kept the tradition of selecting a new, fun Madison establishment for our Holiday dinner, but after our experience at DelecTable, it will remain part of our tradition moving forward. We would put it up there with the best in the Midwest. It’s an Alinea-style experience, with a Wisconsin flair, at a fraction of the price.
Thanks to everyone at DelecTable for making our holiday that much more special.