Bottle Hill Tavern — Restaurant in Madison

3 1/2 stars

The 2022 culinary adventures got off to an uneven start. My intrepid chums and I decided to visit Bottle Hill for a post First of the Year hike lunch - I automatically gave points for them being open in the first place when a lot of establishments were sleeping off the prior night's festivities. There's a lot to like here, but also some clear areas for improvement.

Although two of our attendees were very familiar with the area (Drew grads), I've been in the downtown area maybe twice. Even so, it was extremely easy to locate the restaurant and parking. The restaurant itself gave off modern but ye olde vibes at the same time; not quite as comfy/intimate as one of those ancient Revolutionary War era pubs that never upgraded anything, but definitely not unpleasant.

There were two giant positives here that ultimately tipped the scales and made this a recommendation. One, the service was excellent. We were seated and served promptly, and our waitress Ann Marie was attentive throughout the experience. I generally grade on a bit of a curve when it comes to service in the pandemic era, but there was no need to at all. It's an intangible that every restaurant wants but doesn't always get.

Our table ordered the deviled eggs appetizer, and they were literally the best I've ever had. I'm not typically over the moon about deviled eggs (love eggs, but not crazy about the mustard and/or mayonnaise that often accompany them), but these were great, an opinion shared by everyone. They were also "high," which you can see in the accompany photo, so the portion was plentiful. A second course of them was promptly ordered and consumed.

For the main course, I went with the blackened Atlantic salmon, along with mac and cheese and waffle fries for the two accompanying sides. Initially, I requested that one of the sides be the mashed potatoes with gravy, but was told that was only available for dinner. If that's always the case, I think they should mention that on the menu. Not a big deal though. The salmon was good, not great - it had a strong cajun flavor, but it wasn't evenly distributed on top of the filet, so some bites were overwhelming, some not at all. It was appropriately flaky, but a little dry. The sides were not good at all - I think it's something that could be easily corrected, but I would stick with apps right now. Both the mac and cheese and the waffle fries were flavorless and definitely needed salt.

The other entrees were more warmly received on the whole. One chum had a cheeseburger and enjoyed it, commenting that you don't always taste the cheese, but you definitely could in this instance. Another had the buffalo chicken wrap ("fine", with large chicken pieces). That same chum ordered a fig sour off the seasonal cocktail menu - every restaurant should have a seasonal cocktail menu, so bonus points there as well - and declared it delightful. I had water because I didn't want to be naughty on the first day of the year, but if I return later on in 2022 dot dot dot. Another attendee had the buffalo wings app with a side of roasted brussels. The brussels were apparently not good at all, and certainly didn't look roasted from my vantage point, so another ding on the reputation of the sides, unfortunately. Our Honorary Young Pup had the chicken fingers and steak fries from the kids' menu. Her proclamation - "the food was good." She's not a Yelper yet, but there's still plenty of time.

We wrapped up this endeavor by splitting the brownie ala mode, which was very good, no complaints. It was also a total stunner to see that it only cost $4, which is probably less than half what I would have guessed. The other prices were pretty normal/standard for the area.

I suspect everyone in my party would come back but would avoid ordering any sides. Regardless, there's plenty of decent options and I think the potential is certainly there for this to be closer to a five-star experience with a few tweaks in...

My wife and I recently stopped in for happy hour at Bottle Hill Tavern, and from the moment we walked in, we could tell this place had something special. We were immediately greeted by a warm and genuinely friendly female host who didn’t just “seat” us — she made us feel welcome. She led us to a high-top near the bar, which gave us the perfect vantage point to enjoy the energy of the room. The décor is fantastic — a mix of cozy, homey comfort with a touch of historic charm. You can feel the thought put into the space, from the lighting to the textures, and it strikes the perfect balance between casual neighborhood tavern and classy dining spot.

Not long after sitting down, our bartender (whose name, to my regret, I can’t recall) came over with a big smile and a professional, respectful demeanor. He clearly knew his stuff, and it was obvious he takes pride in both the drinks he serves and the experience he provides.

For my drink, I ordered the Bottle Hill Long Days Helles Lager, which I learned is brewed specifically for the tavern by United Brewing in New Providence. This wasn’t just a good beer — it was outstanding. Crisp, smooth, and incredibly refreshing, it’s the kind of beer you want on a hot summer day, sitting in the backyard with friends. It had a clean, easy-drinking profile that made it feel light yet flavorful, with none of the heavier malty notes some lagers have. It’s absolutely the perfect summer beer, and knowing it’s brewed exclusively for them makes it even more of a treat.

My wife went with a Titos Spiked Lemonade, and it was a winner from the first sip. It wasn’t overly sweet like some lemonades can be — instead, it was bright, tangy, and perfectly balanced with the vodka. The fresh citrus flavor came through beautifully, and it was the kind of drink you can enjoy slowly or sip on the patio in warmer months. She mentioned more than once that it was one of the better vodka lemonades she’s had in a restaurant setting.

For food, we decided to share three appetizers, and honestly, there wasn’t a single weak link.

Fried Pickles – These were perfection. Lightly breaded, fried to a crisp golden brown, and served hot enough that the first bite let out that satisfying crunch. The briny tang of the pickles paired perfectly with the breading, and the dipping sauce (which I think was ranch) tied it all together. Not greasy, not soggy — just right.

Honey Buffalo Wings – These wings were everything you want in a good plate of tavern wings. Juicy, meaty, and cooked so the skin had just enough crisp before being tossed in a sauce that hit the sweet and spicy balance dead-on. The honey added a smooth sweetness, while the buffalo sauce brought the right amount of heat without overpowering the flavor. They were messy in the best way possible, the kind that makes you glad you grabbed extra napkins.

House Bruschetta – A refreshing contrast to the heavier apps, the bruschetta was bright and bursting with fresh flavor. The tomatoes were clearly fresh and well-seasoned, with a drizzle of balsamic glaze adding a touch of tangy sweetness. The bread was toasted to the perfect crunch, sturdy enough to hold the toppings without getting soggy. A classic done exactly how it should be.

By the end of our visit, my wife and I both agreed Bottle Hill Tavern had absolutely nailed it — from service to atmosphere to food and drink quality. It’s rare to find a spot that feels this welcoming while also delivering on the finer details. Whether you’re looking for a laid-back happy hour, a place to watch the game, or a spot to enjoy great craft beer and thoughtfully prepared food, this tavern should be on your short list.

We’ll 100% be back — and next time, I’m ordering another Long Days Helles...

ABSOLUTELY order the Loaded Waffle Fries. It's their take on a Jersey staple. Waffle Fries topped with melted Mozzarella Cheese and their amazing house Mushroom Gravy.

A bite of West Orange nostalgia. In my hometown of West Orange, there was a restaurant in town called Pals Cabin that made great food and famous for their Cream of Mushroom Soup. The owners eventually sold it for its prime location. I've missed it since then, but was told from friend who formerly worked there that one of the owners opened Bottle Hill Tavern. We were happy to see some of the great menu items from Pals brought over. We even learned some former staff and chefs from Pals were there too.

The place tends to be busy, and it's not surprising why. They have a great happy hour special from 3pm to 6pm on Mondays through Friday. The bar has local beer on tap along with $10 Specially Cocktails. We had some New York Sours, some Autumn Ciders, and a few draft beers.

To start we ordered the Loaded Waffle Fries I mentioned above and an order of Buffalo Wings. Before our entrees we got a bowl of French Onion and a bowl of the Cream of Mushroom. It was the same recipe as the soups Pals was famous for. While waiting for a table earlier, a server passed by with someone's Burger order and it smelled delicious so I knew what I was gonna order. I ordered a "Build A Burger". A nice 10 ounce Burger made perfectly to order (I ordered mine Medium). Along with the usual Lettuce, Tomatoes, I topped my Burger with Pepper Jack Cheese, Sauteed Onions, Applewood Bacon.

We got to try the majority of the desserts (see photos). The Chocolate Chip Cookie, The S'mores, Coconut Creme Pie In a jar, and a flight of cupcakes.

We left do full and satisfied. Our server and Danny from the staff were great. I'm looking forward to coming...