Graze Restaurant — Restaurant in Madison

When you go out to eat, there are expectations. To start, a tasty meal that will delight is certainly one of them. But if you start having thoughts about how much the meal you cooked the other night tasted so much better, then what's the point of eating out?

Our meal at Graze sadly did not delight, as it used to in the past. The cheese curds were much too salty and too greasy. They were also nearly impossible to eat. The curds were all melted into one big cheese curd, and the tiny portion of ranch dressing lacked a fresh taste and it just did not add. The Bibimbap was dry and greasy at the same time. The pork was completely covered with a grainy texture of spices and was tasteless. There was an unexpected fried egg on the top when the soft-boiled egg that's typical to the dish was sorrily missed. The dish is served in a hot bowl - that was unnecessarily hot. I could feel the heat of the bowl as it dangerously made its way past my cheek to the table. I was afraid to turn my head and be scarred for life. (This might have been because of the dim lighting - see below.) The Smashburger was mushy even though it had Panko breadcrumbs. It also fell flat with no flavor. Even the fries were lacking.

The menu is very meat-heavy. Despite having a hamburger on the menu, no veggie option is offered. To add insult, the burger is served on a "duck fat bun." Hello? Why the overload? What's wrong with a normal bun? If you were not up for duck fat in your hamburger bun, there were no other options. The only thing the duck fat added was more tasteless grease. There was one vegetarian option on the menu and one vegan if you got the Bibimbap with no Kimchi - and that was it. It takes great skill to cook delicious vegetables, that even a meat eater can enjoy. It's easier to cook meat - and even this didn't pass the test. Missing was the list of local farms where the ingredients are from. This makes me think the ingredients are not local anymore, as they certainly were not fresh-tasting.

When we first approached Graze, we thought they were closed because the dining room was dark. But because we have often tried to go to Graze, and it looked like they were closed - this time we persevered. How can they always be closed every time we try to go there to eat? As we got closer, we could see that they were indeed open by the tiny flickering candle lights on the tables. Candlelight is fine until it isn't anymore and you can't see what you're eating.

The service was weird. My partner's water glass was constantly filled, while mine wasn't. I couldn't figure out why, and it was starting to be insulting.

There was no love last night for our meal. The love is not there anymore. I don't think we'll be coming back,...

A night at Graze isn't just a meal, it's an experience. My recent visit was a symphony of exquisite flavors, attentive service, and a warm, inviting atmosphere that left me utterly smitten.

The Thai Style Kohlrabi Salad was a refreshing contrast, with the crunchy kohlrabi and long beans mingling with the juicy sea scallops and sweet cherry tomatoes. The tamarind vinaigrette added a tangy twist, making every mouthful burst with color and flavor.

And then there was the Spiced Delicata Squash. Roasted to perfection, its sweetness was enhanced by the cranberry gastrique and the creamy Gran Cru Gruyère. The Thai basil meringue added a touch of unexpected intrigue, making this dish a true standout.

We delved into the Butter Mountain Potatoes next. Creamy whipped potatoes embraced braised lamb, the richness of the meat perfectly complemented by the celeriac puree and roasted vegetables. Each forkful was a delightful textural interplay, smooth and fluffy one moment, tender and crisp the next.

The Graze burger is a symphony of juicy perfection. Three-meat patty, caramelized onions, and melty Swiss compound butter come nestled in a sesame duck fat bun, a masterpiece in every bite. And the fries? Oh, the fries! Crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside, seasoned to perfection, I could not stop eating them.

Graze's pavlova soars, a crisp meringue nest cradling bursts of cherry sorbet, almond cream, and tangy lemon curd. Almond brittle adds the perfect crunch, making each bite a symphony of sweet, tart, and delightful. This isn't dessert, it's an edible masterpiece.

Throughout the night, the service at Graze was impeccable. Our server was attentive and knowledgeable, offering insightful recommendations and ensuring our every need was met. They made us feel welcome and comfortable, adding to the overall enjoyable experience.

Graze exceeded every expectation. From the innovative dishes to the impeccable service, the entire evening was a celebration of culinary artistry. It's a restaurant that knows how to weave a tapestry of flavors and textures, leaving you wanting to come...

Our 10 person group was celebrating a birthday so we decided we would try a nice restaurant on the square/downtown. We put our name in at 7:45 and grabbed a few drinks at the Old Fashioned since there was a 60-90 minute wait time. After a duration a 80 minutes, we were told that our table would be ready in 20 minutes. We arrived at the 90 minute mark, but then waited another 30 minutes (2 hours total). We were rather disappointed with the whole experience.

The environment of the room is nice and the drink menu is large, there were a few options for every one at our table. The food menu was limited and price points for being limited are off putting. We had 2 waiters since our group was so large. I was not able to have my drink at the same time as those in my group since I asked for a moment to decide but did not see the wait staff until the drinks came. Then the wait staff forgot to ask for my choice of drink for the appetizer ordering even though I had tried to let them know that I made a choice. When they came back to get entree orders I had given up on my first drink and asked for a pairing that was not wine with my dinner. The pairing was poor, but the drink was stiff, which was needed after a long day. I had the soy braised short ribs. The dish was tasty, but not worth the price. Those of the group that had the Graze burger were rather disappointed that a $21 burger was not better. They all agreed that the price for that should be $15 or 16. Two people had the trout and were pleasantly surprised. One person tried the mussels and greatly enjoyed them. Another tried the pork tenderloin and enjoyed it. Another tried the pub burger (bacon cheese burger) and she thought it was great especially for the price of $13.

All in all the food was good, but not worth the...