I've heard we have more restaurants per capita then anywhere else in the country. I'm not sure if that's true, but I cannot deny we have a foodie culture. My goal when I first moved to Madison was to eat at every restaurant. 5 years later, and I am nowhere near meeting my goal. I am going to attempt to document where I dine in 2009.

• El Pescador (1/5/09) Arguably the best Mexican food in town, especially if you like seafood. The menu goes way beyond the typical tacos and burritos. They have a crab torta that costs $3 and could easily make a filling lunch. I had the torta, seafood enchiladas, horchata, and a margarita. The leftovers heated up nicely. This date was part of an ongoing culinary exploration series that three former, not-so-former, and in between waitresses have been participating in for years. Grade: A. Great prices, great food. I'd like to see margarita options past lime and strawberry, but that's the only flaw (and a tiny one at that.)
• The Casbah (1/10/09) I don't know why I don't come here more often. The place was almost dead on a Saturday, which makes me concerned. The service is fantastic, the hummus is the best I've ever tasted, and the B'stilla (chicken, phyllo dough, almonds, powdered sugar) is the stuff dreams are made of. I went as part of a family birthday party. Everyone loved it. The unusual shared bathroom is the only detractor... and that leads to the places charm. Grade: A. Pricier than some, but well worth it.
• Samba (1/17/09) I've wanted to go here forever. The price is the biggest factor in it taking me so long. The price will be the biggest factor in my not returning anytime soon. That being said, if you can afford it, it's amazing. The salad bar featured asparagus, grilled zucchini, tons of Spanish cheeses, olives, caper berries, artichoke hearts, etc. I'm not sure it can actually be called a salad bar in that it resembles most of them hardly at all. The wine list is over 10 pages long, and was the guilty pleasure of the party. Gauchos bring meat the second you turn the wheel to green, and even when you turn it back to red will often change your mind. The day after, I ate almost nothing because I was still full. Grade: B+. Perfect food, excellent service, terrific wine, but does it really have to cost quite that much? Next time I will fast all day so I can be prepared.
• Laredo's (1/22/09)My Spanish class took a field trip to Guanajuatos and Laredo's. I enjoyed trying to speak only in Spanish at both places. The service at the restaurant was outstanding (probably because our instructor new them so well.) The menu had lots of variety. The food was great, but not in my top 10. Grade: B: Variety is good, but the food tasted like it had been gringoized... a little blander than I enjoy
• Ovations (2/6/09) Rehearsal dinner... amazing. 3 sauces with my chicken, ahi tuna with seaweed salad, lots of free desserts and drinks in the Govenor's club afterwards. The chef has won best of Madison. I refuse to argue with perfection. Grade: A+
• Sardine (2/8/09) A sleepy reunion with college friends after a wedding. Lots of good, black, coffee, a brioche with pastry cream, and salmon in a brandy cream sauce with spinach and mushrooms revived me. Sardine is always wonderful. I can never come up with a single complaint. Grade: A+ The waitress even tolerated our continuously growing table
• Edo (2/10/09) Many sushi choices, very reasonably priced saki, good miso, and edamame. __Grade:B__Service was sullen, but the food and good company made up for it.
• Smoky Jon's (2/11/09) Not a classy restaurant, but exactly what a barbecue joint should be. Cheap, saucy, and giant portions. I'm impressed that a Wisconsin restaurant can win awards for it's sauce in Texas. __ Grade: A__They're "biscuits" (more like doughnuts) are the perfect dessert and can be bought by the pound.
• Broacach (3/1/09) I just had a salad, a drink, and some soup, but it was great. I'd never been to the second floor before. Beautiful view of the Capitol! Great service, especially considering the massive number of stairs the staff has to climb on any given night. Grade:A Good food, and you gotta admire the leg muscles on the help
• The Old Fashioned (3/16/09) This dinner was completely spontaneous. I had eaten before, but wanted the excuse to see a new place with friends. I couldn't try much of what they had to offer, but the hamburger I had was divine. I will return soon to get a better picture.
• _ Cafe Costa Rica_ (3/27/09) This place was authentic in its food offerings, size, and timing. Itty bitty restaurant where I sat on a patio chair snuggled in between husband and friend. Everything took forever, but was phenomenal. The Jamaican Iced Tea and empanadas were especially good. Grade: B The desserts were overpriced, and it's not a good place if you are in a hurry or have to sit by the door when it's cold out. But the food is fantastic and the drinks are better still.
• With a new house, we're eating out less. There's been lots of meals at home or repeat restaurants lately

_ Harvest_ (7/20/09) Julie's birthday was here, so we had to do something special. The food was phenomenal, as was the amount the final bill. Maybe not an all the time place, but of course, totally worth it for a special occasion. Seared sea scallops in pea puree with roasted red tomatoes was nothing short of amazing. And then there was farrotto, which I'm pretty sure is a made up word, meaning farro risotto. It tasted like toffee and was the best. thing. ever. Of course, we had dessert (walnut honey fig cake) and then went to Bellini for another desert.__Grade: A+__ Sometimes, you gotta spoil yourself. Harvest is perfection

• Pasqual's (7/28/09) The intensive part of the graduate program was over, and I needed to celebrate with a mango margarita, chips and guacamole, and a mole enchilada. Everything was excellent, except for the service, which was passable. Spicy food requires beverages, which were slow in coming. Grade:B Worth it for the margaritas and the beautiful patio. The endless chips are also helpful__Grade: B__ It's a little out of my way, and the service wasn't great, but good overall
• _Quivey's Grove_(7/29/09) How have I never eaten here before? It's so cute and historic. The food was fabulous. I had a great salad, turkey and wild rice croquettes, and a godiva sundae for $15. Grade:A Faboo.
• _La Brioche_(7/30/09) Madison Restaurant week had me out to eat two days in a row. It's worth going for the bread they serve you while you wait. The curry crepes were amazing, as was the dessert. Grade: A Baked heaven
• Cafe Costa Rica *8/11/09)I love this place. It's work going for the Jamaican Iced Tea... gingery and full of rum. The Bucky Book made it a little more affordable to pig out. __Grade: A__Outdoor seating is fantastic