Small crowd! -Madison Steak's ultimate cut

Coco’s Picks: Rare Steakhouse – Madison’s Candlelit Gem Worth the Splurge 🍷 Rare flies under the radar on Xiaohongshu, and it’s probably because of its steep prices. Before going, I couldn’t help but wonder: “Is this just overcharging, with prices matching or even exceeding Chicago’s?” But after dining there, I get it—it’s worth every penny. Rare’s price tag is totally justified. 📍 Core Info Name: Rare Steakhouse Address: 14 W Mifflin St, Madison, WI 53703 🌙 Ambiance: Candlelit Intimacy – Perfect for Dates The restaurant intentionally skips overhead lighting—instead, every table is lit only by candles. The result? An atmosphere that’s elegant, secluded, and subtly intimate—ideal for dates. The dim glow softens everything, turning a meal into a cozy, private experience you won’t get at most spots. 🍽️ Must-Orders: Luxury Ingredients That Deliver The food lives up to the price, with standouts that made us forget the cost: Beef Tartare (Pic 1) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Made with American Wagyu, this dish blew us away. The second I took a bite, my boyfriend and I said in unison: “The texture is incredible!” The beef is so fresh it needs no heavy seasoning—just a raw egg yolk, a sprinkle of sea salt, and chives. The tender meat bursts with umami, and the fat melts smoothly on your tongue. Highest recommendation. Foie Gras Mousse (Pic 2) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️At $31, it’s not cheap—but we almost ordered a second plate. The foie gras is silky, like butter mousse made of fat, or truffle chocolate without the bitterness (but with extra sweetness). The accompanying sauce was a surprise: we thought it might be fermented tofu, but it turned out to be apricot jam. It’s the perfect complement—sweet, tangy, and so good we dipped every bite of our steak in the leftover jam. Steak (With Enhancements) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️The steak itself isn’t as showstopping as the appetizers, but it’s still better than most steakhouses in Chicago. What sets Rare apart? It has the most extensive selection of enhancements and sauces I’ve seen in the U.S. We added truffle butter and King Crab Oscar to ours—combining earthy truffle, rich butter, and sweet crab, it’s like a “surf and turf 2.0.” The upgrades took the steak to a whole new level. 📌 Final Verdict: Splurge-Worthy for Atmosphere & Quality Rare isn’t for casual meals, but it’s perfect if you’re celebrating or want a special date night. The candlelit ambiance is unmatched, and the Wagyu tartare and foie gras mousse are worth the splurge. It’s proof that “expensive” doesn’t equal “overpriced”—sometimes you’re paying for ingredients, experience, and magic. ✅ Recommendations: Wagyu Beef Tartare, Foie Gras Mousse, Steak with Truffle Butter & King Crab Oscar #Coco’sPicks #MadisonFood #MadisonLife #ChicagoSurroundings #FineDiningMadison #DateNightMadison #SteakhouseMadison