Where We’ve Been Eating: November 2024 Edition
So many restaurants, so little time! In the November 2024 edition of Where We’ve Been Eating, our food tour guides explored four Eastside restaurants we’ve been looking forward to trying. Looking for more great food recommendations? Book a food tour and get recs from an experienced local food guide!
Niji Asian Cuisine
4323 E Towne Blvd.
https://www.nijiasiancuisine.com
Located in what appears to be an old chain restaurant space outside of East Towne Mall, Niji Asian Cuisine brings an experienced restaurateur Amanda Chen (Takumi and Fugu) to East Towne. Even on a Tuesday night visit, the parking lot was completely full, and the restaurant was full of customers — great indications of a delicious local restaurant!
Niji’s hibachi-style seating, elegant atmosphere, and tempting smells welcome guests into the new space. With a wide variety of signature rolls, sashimi, hibachi grill entrees, and happy hour specials, there’s plenty of tasty options to choose from.
Over at the hibachi grill, the hibachi chef was flinging pieces of perfectly cooked chicken into the mouths of excited children. That type of restaurant experience is priceless. Take the trip out to East Towne for a great sushi option that offers and much food as it does entertainment.
AMA Kitchen
809 Williamson Street
AMA kitchen just opened on Willy Street, serving Nepali food with a mix of “American” dishes thrown in.
AMA Kitchen is in a beautiful space set back from Willy St. It is a beautiful renovation that pays homage to beloved Dobhan, which owner Rajan ran on Atwood Ave for 15 years. It is named (and dedicated to all moms) after his mom who ran another favorite local restaurant, Himal Chuli.
The menu is delicious! I went on a Friday and tried the fish fry (a mix of cod and perch, so light and crunchy with a homemade preserved lemon tartar sauce), the Mediterranean platter and the dosa, which you must try. Rajan made the dosa to order, on a griddle in the open kitchen, pouring the thin batter and filling it with a savory mix of potatoes and spices. The dosa was served with three dipping sauces and was big enough to share! Word has it that he plans to open a window near the kitchen for walk up dosa service soon.
Many of the herbs come from the small garden outside, and they work with a local farm for much of the produce. There is lots of seating and even a space for larger parties.
Hank’s Burgers & Fish Fry
4102 Monona Dr., Madison, WI 53716
https://hanks-101119.square.site
Hank’s Hardware, located inside the Muskellounge on Monona Dr., is serving up some great food with iconic ambiance. The atmosphere in the Muskellounge pays homage to the more rural Wisconsin taverns where you are hugged by wood panel walls, taxidermy, and vintage beer signs. You can shoot darts, shoot wild game with Big Buck Hunter, or shoot the breeze with someone at the full bar.
The food is unpretentious and just downright delicious. The menu is small but that’s no problem when what you make is done right. Both the Hank Burger and the Shrimp Po’Boy were great on soft, fluffy buns. The Chili Cheese Fries were also so good and full of flavor.
Monona Bakery and Eatery
4544 Monona Dr, Monona, WI
Most will drive past Monona Bakery and Eatery and think that it’s a normal bakery with maybe a few items. Not the case here. Stop in and try out all of their delicious Honduran and Mexican baked goods and prepared food items, including Honduran baleadas, Mexican tacos, and pupusas, along with all day breakfast dishes.
Monona Bakery, as the name suggests, also has incredible baked goods, with a worldview of tastes and styles. Hot tip: Get the day old surprise baked good bag. There’s so much to enjoy, you’ll definitely be back for a second trip.
Find your next favorite restaurant on a local food tour!
Food tours are a great way to try new restaurants and explore diverse food cultures in your city. At Madison Eats Food Tours, we offer an array of local food tours for all tastes and interests. Book your tour today!
Published on Nov 04 2024
Categories: Local Restaurants