Old Fashioned - Wed., March 15, 2006

Address: 23 N Pinckney St
Phone: (608) 310-4545
Webpage: www.theoldfashioned.com

Our final stop took us around the corner to the Old Fashioned located between L’Etoile and Harvest restaurants right on the Square. While loosely themed after a northern supper club with its old beer signs, stuffed muskies and Blatz on tap, the exposed brick, enormous and posh lit oak back bar and trendy light fixtures make it a lot more like Madison’s (see September 21 review) minus the pretentiousness.

There is a nice sized front seating area that looks out over the north lawn and entrance to the State Capitol for diners as well as several curved booths across from the long bar reserved for groups of 4 or more during the lunch and dinner rush. The long bar has a lot of seating but it’s not a great place to stand around to have a beer because it’s directly in the path to the kitchen. Crowds are common especially around happy hour but there are plenty of bartenders and they do a good job of making sure people get their drinks.

Tap beer selection at the Old Fashioned is excellent and includes Blatz, PBR, Spotted Cow, Harbor City, Wild Ride IPA, Huber Bock, Capital Amber, South Shore Stout, Capital Maibock and Hausman Pale Ale. Casey rated their made from scratch Old Fashioned as better than most. The Old Fashioned has a large menu with a good variety of appetizers, sandwiches, hearty dinners, salads and possibly the best cheese curds we’ve ever tasted. Lightly battered, they almost melt in your mouth.

The Holy Trinity of Blatz on tap, incredible cheese curds and good atmosphere make the Old Fashioned is a great addition to the Square. Most of Bar Tour’s drinkers scored the Old Fashioned a solid B with a few of us giving it a B+.