Too Salty to Recommend—New American’s Common Fault 😣

I gave Heritage Tavern a try, and walking out, there’s only one word to sum it up: salty. Turns out, my hunch is right—new American restaurants in town often go overboard with salt, and this one’s no exception. While a few bites worked, the overwhelming saltiness made it a hard pass. Here’s the full scoop: 🌟 The Small Wins (Rare Bright Spots) Amid the salt, these two stood out—even if one was tiny: “Novelty Egg” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The one dish that lived up to the online hype! It’s creative and tasty, with a runny yolk (or whatever the star element is) that balances well. A nice surprise amid the letdowns. Grilled Calamari ⭐️⭐️⭐️ The squid itself was good—tender, not rubbery, with a subtle char. But the portion? Minuscule. It felt like we got just one small squid cut up—way too little for what we paid. Prosecco & Ice Cream 🍾🍦 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The sparkling Prosecco was crisp and refreshing (shoutout to Italian wines—they never disappoint!). And the ice cream? It was decent on its own, but let’s be real—I was so thirsty from the salt that it tasted extra good. ❌ The Big Problem: Over-the-Top Salt (Nothing Can Fix It) The saltiness ruined most of the meal—no exaggeration: Seafood Soup & Beef Sauce ⭐️ Both were drowning in salt. The seafood soup’s brininess clashed with the added salt, and the beef’s sauce was so salty it made my tongue tingle. There was nothing to cut through it—no bread, no acid, just pure salt overload. “Tiramisu” ⭐️ Calling this tiramisu feels confusing. It barely had coffee or mascarpone notes—more like a generic cream dessert. A total afterthought, even beyond the salt issue. 🤔 A New American Trend? I’ve noticed this with new American spots lately: they seem to equate “flavorful” with “salty.” It’s a shame—under all that salt, the ingredients (like the squid or egg) probably taste great. But until they dial back the salt, I’ll be staying away. 📌 Final Verdict: Skip It Heritage Tavern isn’t worth the trip. The few good bites can’t make up for the overwhelming saltiness, tiny portions, and lackluster “tiramisu.” If you’re craving new American, find a spot that knows how to balance flavor—this one doesn’t. #food #InternationalStudentEats #StudentFoodHunt #BeautifulMeals #FoodDiary #Madison #MadisonFoodHunt #MadisonLife #MadisonFood