It has been a while since I've done a restaurant review post, mainly because I have not eaten out at different local places recently. Well, I thought it was time for something a different, so I decided to make my way to "Mado" at 1647 N. Milwaukee.
I find more interesting when a restaurant uses a whole animal instead of the vacuum-packed items which are pre-portioned, and I was not let down with the home-style food at Mado. I started of with the house cured salumi platter that had 3 types of succulent cured pork and a very flavorful rabbit rillettes. I followed it up with a grilled octopus on top of a ceci bean puree that had a light seasoning of lemon juice, but the dish could of used some more salt as well as more flavor from the wood grill.
Then, I followed it up with simple arugula & radish salad that had just the right amount of an intense vinagrette. The main course was a whole roasted trout with a red wine vinegar & bread crumb sauce. The skin of the trout was properly crisp and the flesh of the fish paired well with the sauce, but it could have used a tad more seasoning. Creamy polenta was the starch I chose with the dish but I did not taste any cream, and it had an exceptionally soupy consistency that was a bit unpleasant.
I chose 2 desserts; one was short bread with the other being a paprika seasoned chocolate with tasted bread crumbs. Both of the desserts were very delectable with the short bread on the crumbly side, not that it was a distraction; I just forgot to order coffee with my final selections. The menu is set off with several selections of small plates, which one can order from very cheaply. The main courses were few but sounded very interesting, and yet a limited selection is not bad at all when food is done as well as Mado.
It is a husband & wife establishment that deals with local & seasonal ingredients. Since, they use whole animals in their preparations one should not be surprised when the fish comes to the table with the head still attached. There is no alcohol for sale at the restaurant, but it is BYOB. The have a filtration system with their water where for $1 the diner can choose between still and sparkling purified waters, or the diner can get the tap for free. My recommendation is to go ahead and splurge for the water because the menu is very reasonalbly priced even though the small plates can be small. Except for the polenta, the meal was well prepared but needed more intensity with the seasonings.
I find more interesting when a restaurant uses a whole animal instead of the vacuum-packed items which are pre-portioned, and I was not let down with the home-style food at Mado. I started of with the house cured salumi platter that had 3 types of succulent cured pork and a very flavorful rabbit rillettes. I followed it up with a grilled octopus on top of a ceci bean puree that had a light seasoning of lemon juice, but the dish could of used some more salt as well as more flavor from the wood grill.
Then, I followed it up with simple arugula & radish salad that had just the right amount of an intense vinagrette. The main course was a whole roasted trout with a red wine vinegar & bread crumb sauce. The skin of the trout was properly crisp and the flesh of the fish paired well with the sauce, but it could have used a tad more seasoning. Creamy polenta was the starch I chose with the dish but I did not taste any cream, and it had an exceptionally soupy consistency that was a bit unpleasant.
I chose 2 desserts; one was short bread with the other being a paprika seasoned chocolate with tasted bread crumbs. Both of the desserts were very delectable with the short bread on the crumbly side, not that it was a distraction; I just forgot to order coffee with my final selections. The menu is set off with several selections of small plates, which one can order from very cheaply. The main courses were few but sounded very interesting, and yet a limited selection is not bad at all when food is done as well as Mado.
It is a husband & wife establishment that deals with local & seasonal ingredients. Since, they use whole animals in their preparations one should not be surprised when the fish comes to the table with the head still attached. There is no alcohol for sale at the restaurant, but it is BYOB. The have a filtration system with their water where for $1 the diner can choose between still and sparkling purified waters, or the diner can get the tap for free. My recommendation is to go ahead and splurge for the water because the menu is very reasonalbly priced even though the small plates can be small. Except for the polenta, the meal was well prepared but needed more intensity with the seasonings.
VIEW 3 of 3 COMMENTS
Place sounds good. I like fish and poultry mostly.
i know, looking into tickets today. either way, i'm seeing that movie next friday. lol