I had grilled fish on grape leaves at this restaurant in Madison!

Coco’s Picks: Otto's – Madison’s Underrated Mediterranean Gem (No Hype, Just Flavor) 🍇 Most Madison restaurants with $50+ per capita price tags are all over Xiaohongshu—but Otto’s Restaurant & Bar, a fantastic upscale Mediterranean spot, flies totally under the radar. Don’t let its Google Maps label “fine dining” scare you off: you can just order a main dish (priced $20–$40, check the last few pics for the main menu), and they’ll throw in a free salad or soup. It’s way more affordable than it sounds. 📍 Core Info Name: Otto's Restaurant & Bar Address: 6405 Mineral Point Rd, Madison, WI 53705 💰 The Best Part: Upscale Taste, Approachable Price Forget the “fine dining” stereotype—Otto’s keeps it accessible. A single main dish covers most of your meal, plus the complimentary starter (salad or soup) adds extra value. No need to splurge on a multi-course meal to enjoy great Mediterranean food here. 🌟 Must-Order Mains: The Stars of the Show The “house specialties” are where Otto’s truly shines—especially dishes you’ll rarely find elsewhere: Stuffed Grape Leaf & Pine Nut Grilled Fish ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️I’d never even heard of this dish before, let alone tried it—and it’s now one of my favorite meals in Madison. The grilled grape leaves are a revelation: the outer layer is crispy and charred (almost like nori), while the layer touching the fish stays soft, retaining its fresh, herbaceous aroma. This brightness pairs perfectly with the tender, fatty fish (I usually don’t love grilled salmon fillets, but this won me over). The grape leaf cuts through the salmon’s richness, making the whole dish indulgent yet light. Pine nuts add a nutty crunch that takes the texture to another level—pure genius. Duck Leg & Breast ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Equally impressive: the duck is tender and juicy, with crackling crisp skin. It’s served with a raisin-infused sauce that’s sweet and savory in all the right ways—“sweet-savory perpetual motion” at its best! Every bite balances the richness of the duck with the sauce’s brightness. 🥣 Starters: Free Soup > Salad Every main comes with a free choice of salad or soup—go for the tomato soup. It’s (rich) with tomato flavor, so hearty that one bowl feels like it checks off three days’ worth of vitamin C. The salad, by comparison, is a bit plain and underwhelming. 🥢 Skip the Appetizers The starters don’t live up to the mains. The mezze platter was dry, and the $12 crab cake tasted almost like falafel—still dry, with little crab flavor. Save your appetite (and money) for mains and dessert. 🌿 Ambiance: Elegant Villa with a Dreamy Patio Otto’s is housed in a two-story villa with a lovely patio. When booking, ask for a patio table—sitting outside with a light breeze and stars above is incredibly cozy and (pleasant). The interior is tasteful too, but the patio takes the experience up a notch. 📌 Final Verdict: A Hidden Gem for Mediterranean Lovers Otto’s is Madison’s best-kept Mediterranean secret—no overhyped social media posts, just great food at a fair price. Skip the appetizers, order the grape leaf fish or duck, pair it with tomato soup, and grab a patio seat if you can. It’s proof that some of the best spots are the ones no one’s talking about. ✅ Recommendations: Stuffed Grape Leaf & Pine Nut Grilled Fish, Duck Leg & Breast, Tomato Soup #Coco’sPicks #MadisonFood #MadisonMustEat #MadisonEats #UnderratedRestaurants #MediterraneanFoodMadison #UWMadisonFoodie