10/10 would absolutely recommend checking out Fairchild. The low lighting and the snug size of the restaurant makes the ambiance quite intimate. The service was wonderful as the servers were welcoming and helpful on selecting the best wine for our preferred tastes. Our waiter was so kind and attentive to our needs during this culinary experience. In addition, my compliments must go to the chef for creating a meal that kept us full for almost 24 hours! Next time I'm in Madison I will absolutely be coming back!

Food 5/5 Service 4/5 Ambiance 5/5 This was my third time at Fairchild. Every time, the food has been a 10/10. Prior to my last visit, I would have given a full 5 stars easily. Here's what keeping me from rating 5 stars: In the past I've always had a reservation, and always arrived on time. This time was no different. We arrived for our 7pm reservation exactly at 7pm, and they sat us at the bar saying our table wasn't ready quite ready yet. We didn't get properly seated until 7:20. This usually wouldn't be a big deal if we didn't have a reservation, or if we were late, but given that we reserved a month in advance, and we're about to spend a decent amount for dinner, I thought we would at least have our reservation honored on time. Aside from our initial service when we walked in, everything else was fine. Nothing spectacular. Our server was nice. Here's everything that went well: Food was spectacular as always. We get the steak tartar and pork trotter every time. The pork trotter is prepared differently every season (I think it's every season?) and this time it was Vietnamese inspired. The Vietnamese flavors came through very well and the pork was crispy and tender as always. We got the maitake tempura for the first time and I have to make sure we get it next time as well. The lemon aioli it comes with was my favorite. The lemon flavor was fresh and strong but not overpowering. The maitake was crispy but not greasy which is my biggest critique when it comes to fried food. We shared the NY strip and the cappelletti. The steak was perfectly medium rare, and the sides it comes with accompanied it perfectly as well. Anytime we see oxtail on a menu, we have to get it. The oxtail in the cappelletti was delicious. Usually the oxtail dishes we order are super rich, but the oxtail pasta was surprisingly light and easy to eat. I cannot say enough good things about the food. The atmosphere was same as always. It's a smaller dining area so it's nice and intimate. I wish we got a chance to try the dessert; we were so full by the end of the night. Overall, I was rubbed the wrong way at the beginning over having to wait for a table that we reserved so far in advance, but all my sour feelings went away by the time we started eating. It's a great place to dine for special occasions or a date night. Easily some of the best food in Madison. Here's our total order and cost: Beef tartar Maitake tempura Trotter NY Strip Cappelletti Por Que No (watermelon agua fresca tequila cocktail) $162.46

Visited on a Saturday around 6pm solo, was able to snag a seat at the bar without a reservation. The restaurant was fairly busy, most guests had a reservation and a slight wait before their table was ready, if coming as a group would recommend booking a spot but there were seats at the bar available for the majority of the evening. Drinks: sumac lemonade - really light and refreshing a great cocktail to start the meal, tart and tangy with a slight sweetness, throughly enjoyed Food: PEI mussels - delicious, creamy rich lightly spiced saffron broth with savory meaty chunks of chorizo, mussels were well clean and cooked, potatoes added a little bit of heartiness, came with a slice of grilled bread to soak up the broth wish there was more bread for this Shishito peppers with yuzu kosho mayo - a nice veggie option, pepper were lightly sauteed with a slight char, served on a bed of the mayo which added a subtle citrus spice, would have preferred to dip personally but still enjoyed this overall Serving was great, really attentive staff dispute how busy the restaurant and bar was. Friendly, warm and welcoming, water was refilled regularly and staff checked in throughout the meal. Overall a great spot for a more upscale dinner in Madison, menu is new American with some global influences, if the mussels are on the menu menu order them!

I should have looked more into Fairchild before we went. I was way overdressed for a Friday evening dinner. This is a casual eatery or maybe that's just Madison. The service was prompt and courteous but I could not hear what the food runners said as they laid plates. They spoke quickly and quietly then skedaddled, barely any eye contact. The food was great. We enjoyed the peas, oysters, trotter and especially the foie gras...so much we had it a second time for dessert. My only complaints: A cocktail on the menu was not available. This happens but we were an early res on a Friday evening. It was a watermelon based drink... there's no shortage of watermelon now. Perhaps they ran out of a liqueur but I doubt. At least come up with a backup drink. The Money Runner really lacked bourbon flavor it seemed the choice was to try and push the peach notes forward but this wasn't all that successful. As for food, the ribeye was very well cooked but there were several bites that had connective tissue that was a huge distraction from what was otherwise a well executed dish. At $50+ and a small serving size we should expect easy eating meat. For Madison it's tough to get a better meal but can't quite give the 5 stars. I'm not sure that's what they're shooting for. After tip we were in at about $400. I've had better meals for less and worse meals for more. So there you go.

My husband and I recently celebrated our anniversary in Madison, and we ended the day at Fairchild. We both agreed it was the best meal of 2024 so far. The freshness of Fairchild's offerings and the seasonal flavors were truly delightful. To start, Fairchild welcomed us with two glasses of bubbles to celebrate. They recommended a dish from each category, but we decided to freestyle our choices. Here's what we ordered, in order of our favorites: Hudson Valley Foie Gras: I am still thinking about this dish--a taste of heaven. The foie gras ice cream was chef's kiss! Seven Seeds Pork Trotter: Please give me the recipe for the nuoc cham! Excellent balance of flavors and so savory. Hamachi: Refreshing and perfectly balanced. Peterman Craftsman Steak Tartare: A fun bite, though I think I prefer the traditional serving. Strawberry Rhubarb Panna Cotta: The perfect light yet flavorful ending. Grilled Pink Moon Oysters: One word--plump. Triangoli: I was yearning for more of that bone marrow flavor, but overall, a safe dish. We left this very memorable dinner feeling comfortable and happy. I can't wait to bring my girlfriends here for our next UW Madison reunion!

Incredible value, creative and delicious food, lovely experience. Champagne for 2 - 5/5. Lovely way to start the meal. Delicious champagne. Hamachi - 5/5. Perfect dish. Right amount of Jalapeno, coldness from blueberry, crunch from kohlrabi. Grilled Pink Moon Oyster - 4.5/5. Really fun combination to have gin and oysters. Chilled Carrot Soup - 4.5/5. Incredible soup, rich curry flavor. Great little bread. Risotto - 4.5/5. Homey. Could eat this over and over. Halibut - 4/5. Flakey perfect cook.

Went for anniversary dinner with my wife. Went to Fairchild tonight for our anniversary dinner. Didn't want to post prior to eliminate influence on what I thought looked good. 8.5/10 would be my rating. Food was absolutely delicious. That said, there are A LOT of places that have delicious food around Madison. But, and I preface this by saying I'm a huge Top Chef, Masterchef, Hell's Kitchen fan, I've never had food that was plated so beautifully. It changed the way I ate the dish. We both left feeling satisfied, but not "full" and feeling like we can't eat anymore. We probably would have opted for an appetizer instead of the two "snacks" next time....but I can see why the menu is built the way it is and how a couple could spend $300 EASY there. Also should note while making the reservation, they ask if there is an occasion being celebrated; birthday, anniversary, etc. of which I stated it was. We never got even a "Happy Anniversary" from the server, which was also the bus boy. Little disappointing in that sense. If you're going to have customers inform you it's a special day for them, at least verbalize a congratulations or something. Our selections: "Por Que No" and "pink matter" cocktails, oysters, beef tartare, Halibut, Sea Scallops

Returned here recently after a while away. Food and service were top notch. Creative fresh flavorful dishes.

This is a small expensive restaurant. I took out dinner from here on a Saturday evening. This place is not supposed to be a take out place. People generally dress up and come in to have a relaxed meal. So I was the exception. I went for a Cappelletti. It was a flavorful pasta. But the quantity was super small. May be it was enough as a snack.

I finally made it to Fairchild. After the chefs won Best Chef Midwest region for James Beard awards in June 2023, it was tough to get a table. I ordered the Hamachi and Beef Tartare from the Snacks section, and the Bone Marrow and Pork Trotter from the Appetizers secrion. Every dish was beautifully plated. The Hamachi was a refreshing dish with nice flavors and texture. The Beef Tartare was served on top of potato pave, which was soft and thick making the dish a bit one dimensional. I also didn't get much flavor from the tartare, which should have been the star. Maybe too much shaved cheddar? Anyway the Beef Tartare makes this a 4.5 star review, even though that isn't an option. The Bone Marrow was fantastic! Topped with braised beef shortrib, goat cheese, chanterelles and a bit of blueberry. The star of the dinner was the Pork Trotter! Crispy pork belly, sunny side up egg, thai vinaigrette, and cilantro make up the ingredients, but the flavors and textures make it seem like there is much more to the dish, not to mention the stunning plating! This wasn't just the best dish I had here, it was one of the best dishes I've ever had anywhere! I ordered the Via Ferrate cocktail made with Whistlepig 6 yr rye, and it was refreshing and delicious. The other highlight was my server, Sophie. She was a total rockstar! I hope to get back here soon!