Amara · Madison
From Amara Madison, WI
Name of restaurant:
Amara - Madison, WI
670 N Midvale Blvd
Madison, WI 53705
608-716-7989
Amara (website with menus, locations, hours, etc)
Follow on IG: @amaramadisonwi
Follow on FB: https://www.facebook.com/amaramadisonwi
Date of visit: Tuesday, November 15th @ 7:00pm
Star rating: 4 Tails (out of 5)
This week’s Tails Up Tuesday had us heading to the stunningly beautiful brand new Amara at Hilldale. This place was absolutely gorgeous, they left absolutely no detail to chance. The way the restaurant and bar flowed, the lighting, you name it, they did it well. When we arrived there was a bit of confusion about our reservation but not to worry, they gave us an A+ spot in the bar area where we could see the whole operation, and the folks outside could watch us live. It was such fun!
Now, we knew this place was brand new, so we *wanted* to give them a little time to get their bearings, but then the rumors started flooding in about their upcoming mocktail menu and…..let’s just say, we waited as long as we could, and then we had to go for it. And boy were we happy that we did.
First: They did the drink menu perfectly. An entire ‘Free Spirited” section on the same menu as the rest of their cocktails, and, several of them. Not just one NA beer.
B. They executed the drinks flawlessly. Perfect glasses, exactly the same, whether it was a cocktail or mocktail.
3. They had an entire menu section dedicated to the Negroni. Be still my heart.
Bridget went hard on the Negroni section, started with the Negroni sour and then fell truly, madly, deeply in love with the Blouevardier. A Negroni cocktail made up of Limousine Rye, Ramassotti Amaro, Campari, and all the bitters.
Katy on the other hand had more adventure in her. First we found out that the NA Rosé she really digs was ALREADY SOLD OUT! That is a fabulous problem to have because that tells us that these NA options are really gaining popularity and we are so excited that establishments are offering them and customers are drinking them up. This is also the first place we’ve been that offered an actual Alcohol-Free wine, not just bubbly. Of course she started with the standard clubbie and lime, just to see how they do it. Spoiler, they nailed it. Then they had on the NA menu an option called “Bartender’s Choice” and this is where her adventurers spirit soared for the rest of the evening. Letting the professionals behind the bar concoct whatever their heart’s desired with minimal input from the buyer. She enjoyed all of them.
In addition to the drinks, we did actually make time and room for some food. We started with the Angry Shrimp Spiedini and oh my goodness was this good. It was actually super hard to narrow down which of the starter menu options we wanted because they all looked incredible. If any of them are even half as good as that one, you won’t go wrong. From there Katy had and incredible Broiled Baja Striped Bass, and Bridget secretly wished she’d gotten it too. Not that her Crispy Porchetta wasn’t great, but Katy’s bass was that good. We intend to go back and try some more of the starters and perhaps see what their pasta is all about. Plus, since they were out of the NA Rose, we HAVE to go back.
The whole experience was great. The place was absolutely packed, on a dark and snowy Tuesday no less! Such a great sign as they start their venture, and while the staff are getting their legs under them, in that fast-paced atmosphere, we had a fabulous time and will absolutely return. It’s so fun to have bartenders who know how to make the drink great for the patron, irrespective of the alcohol content. We had exactly the same experience, regardless of what was in our glass, and that’s all we dream of for everyone else. Thank you, Amara! You’re gorgeous and we can’t wait to send folks your way.
Drinks: Perfect
Food: Great
Service: Great
