"Expensive Ceiling" Fairchild

Madison’s Fine Dining Crown | Fairchild Review: Crispy Beef Tartare Steals the Show, These Are Must-Orders 🥩 Fairchild needs no introduction—it’s hailed as “Madison’s premium dining (tiānhuābǎn, meaning 'pinnacle')” on nearly every food review platform. I first visited when I moved to Madison a year ago, and this time, my boyfriend and I went all out—we tried almost every appetizer on the menu (menu and photos attached for reference). Below is my honest review based on personal taste: 📍 Key Info Name: Fairchild Address: 2611 Monroe St, Madison, WI 53711 🌟 Highly Recommended: 4 Must-Orders (No Misses!) These dishes truly live up to its “pinnacle” status—every bite justifies the price: Beef Tartare ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Deservedly their signature dish! A golden, crispy potato tower pairs with silky raw beef, topped with Wisconsin’s secret weapon—creamy, melty cheese shavings. It nails both texture and flavor: a perfect collision of crunch, softness, creaminess, and savoriness. It’s not greasy at all—you’ll keep coming back for more. Mushroom Tempura ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️I had zero expectations when my boyfriend ordered this, but it blew me away. The mushrooms are coated in an ultra-thin, crisp batter—golden and shatteringly crunchy on the outside, yet juicy and tender inside. The mushroom’s umami bursts the second you bite into it. The accompanying sauce is insane—I scraped every last drop with other veggies, not wanting to waste a bit. Morel Mushroom Side ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Same ingredient, totally different approach, equally amazing. The chef uses French-style beef seasoning techniques on the morel mushrooms, making their earthy flavor rich and layered. It’s served with creamy polenta (cornmeal porridge) that’s smooth and subtly sweet with corn notes. The two complement each other perfectly—pure bliss in every bite. Wellington Pork Chop (Main Course) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Who knew Wellington and pork chops would pair so well? Admittedly, it doesn’t quite match the Wellington at Coquette in Chicago, but the pork chop itself is incredibly tender—no dryness at all when you cut into it, with robust meat flavor. It’s way better than the monkfish I ordered on my last visit (let’s be real, Madison isn’t great for seafood—I haven’t had a decent fish dish here yet). 🥘 Less Impressive: Skip These The rest of the dishes didn’t stand out, especially the Foie Gras with PB&J—it’s creative, but the flavors clash horribly. The cloying peanut butter and rich foie gras just don’t work together. Total letdown. A quick note: The overall flavor profile is on the saltier side, so it’s perfect for salt lovers. If you prefer milder food, you’ll want extra drinks to cut through the salt. 📌 Verdict: Worth the Splurge for Salt Lovers! Fairchild lives up to its “premium dining” reputation. The appetizers and recommended mains are (jīngzhì, meaning "exquisite") in both ingredients and seasoning. While a few creative dishes miss the mark, the signature items more than make up for it. If you have the budget, love salty flavors, and want to experience Madison’s top-tier dining, blind order the recommended dishes—you won’t regret it! #MadisonFood #MadisonMustEat #FairchildMadison #MadisonFineDining #UWMadisonFood #MadisonEats