Tornado Steak House
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There’s nothing more quintessentially Wisconsin than a Supper Club. Charmingly described as a working-class answer to country clubs, these establishments are open to everyone of all backgrounds. I joined travel writer @maryinmadisonwis, at the Tornado Steak House and learned more about what makes these dinners so special. Get to know her and more of the awesome people that make Madison a place to love in our latest episode. Just click on @samanthabrowntravels And then click the LINK in my bio. #samanthabrown #placestolove #madisonwi @destinationmadison
samanthabrowntravelssamanthabrowntravels
4.7K103
Tornado Steak House offers an exquisite dining experience that transcends the ordinary, weaving together impeccable service, great culinary creations, and a charming ambiance. Nestled in the heart of Madison, our party of three was whisked into a culinary journey from the moment we stepped through the door. For those new to navigating the streets of Madison, the restaurant's entrance lies discreetly off S. Hamilton Street. Alternatively, the door opening onto W. Main Street grants access directly to the lounge, both pathways leading to the welcoming embrace of the hostess stand. Promptly seated at 7:30 PM, we were greeted with the warmth of hospitality as refreshing as the ice water that immediately graced our table. Freshly baked breads, accompanied by a delightful vegetable sampler and farm-fresh sweet cream butter, were immediately served by Brent, setting the stage for an evening of culinary indulgence. Under the attentive care of Terra, our dining experience unfolded seamlessly. Brent, though his title may belay his prowess, exceeded expectations with his attentiveness, ensuring not a single glass went empty throughout the evening. Their combined efforts elevated our dining experience to new heights. Our taste buds were tantalized from the onset with British Columbia-sourced oysters on the half shell, impeccably fresh and bursting with flavor. Poached scallops, bathed in a decadent cream and white wine sauce, atop a bed of velvety mashed potatoes sitting upon a bed of delicately braised kale chiffonade, were a symphony of delicate flavors that danced across the palate. Whether indulging in the innovative wedge salads or savoring the timeless perfection of the Caesar creation, one thing is abundantly clear—all salads are excellent. Each dish is a celebration of freshness and flavor. The two wedge salads, adorned with a unique combination of house-recommended bleu cheese and French dressing, present a symphony of contrasting flavors. Though unconventional, this pairing proved to be surprisingly delicious, elevating the humble wedge to new heights. The creamy richness of the bleu cheese melds seamlessly with the tangy sweetness of the French dressing, creating a perfect balance that tantalizes the senses with every bite. In contrast, the Caesar salad exudes a timeless elegance, with nicely sized filets of anchovies. Upon approval, these bold additions add depth and complexity to the salad, enhancing the robust flavors of the crisp romaine lettuce and velvety Caesar dressing. The pièce de résistance was undoubtedly the 10 oz. Filet au Poivre, adorned with a luscious Cognac mushroom cream sauce. Cooked to a perfect rare-plus, each 2-inch thick cut of meat was a testament to culinary mastery, accompanied by sides of impeccably prepared asparagus and a baked potato, perfectly complementing the rich flavors of the main course. As the evening drew to a close, we surrendered to the allure of dessert, indulging in a warm pineapple upside-down cake and a chocolate caramel cashew tort. The upside-down cake, served with velvety vanilla ice cream was a harmonious blend of sweetness and warmth, and a perfect conclusion to an unforgettable meal. The torte was equally delicious. The culinary journey culminated in a bill that reflected the quality and excellence of the experience—a testament to the undeniable value of the Tornado Steak House. With two rounds of expertly crafted cocktails, tantalizing starters, fresh salads, sumptuous main courses, and delectable desserts, our evening of gastronomic delight surpassed all expectations, leaving us with memories to cherish and palates yearning for more. At just over $300 for three, the experience was not merely a meal but an investment in unforgettable moments shared with loved ones. Tornado Steak House stands as a beacon of culinary excellence, inviting patrons to indulge in the art of fine dining and creating memories that linger long after the last bite.
Private SenderPrivate Sender
00
At this price you expect things to be really good. But you would also think that this would be a place where you had to be affluent to visit, and that's not the case. Anyone is welcome and there is stuff on the menu at all price points. Even though we bought one of the more expensive steaks on the menu, there is plenty of options and you can walk out of here at $20 a person pretty easy. A steak this large and this thick does need to be cooked with experience, and watching that be served pretty frequently gave me a lot of confidence that it would be cooked exactly as needed. I ordered it medium and then ended up being a mistake. The center was medium but everything else was medium well and the edges were well. I should have ordered it medium rare or almost rare, considering that it wasn't possible for me to eat the whole thing. I would have wanted the edges to be medium and the center to be medium rare, but I did not convey that so it's my fault and not the kitchens, in my opinion. A steak at this price point should not require any seasoning or sauces. It had a char flavor and that was about it, I did expect more beef flavor than I got. I had mostly char, and while the texture was very good and the meat selection was high quality, I also saw a local beef and buy my beef from local ranchers so I'm used to high quality meats that are properly cooked. I typically don't order steaks and restaurants because I think I do a darn good job myself. But I have time to cook a steak and I'm not rushed. In a restaurant, I understand how they're trying to get people in and out and most people aren't willing to wait for a perfectly cooked steak. The atmosphere is awesome and the staff was really friendly and helpful. I would certainly visit again, and I would order their steak again, but I would definitely lean towards rare to medium rare knowing that it is not consistent and I want my edges, which are the best part of a ribeye, to be just medium.
Richard VedvikRichard Vedvik
00
Went here for a nice dinner for someone's birthday, just the two of us, and we left very full, and happy. Started out by getting the parking stall closest to the entrance on West Main Street - nice! Arranged in advance to bring along our own bottle of wine, a "black wine" from Cahors, France. The bread assortment was nice, though for Wisconsin, more butter would have been nice. We were also surprised when one item turned out to be a biscuit, rather than a yeast-raised roll. Our first real edible item was an appetizer consisting of three large scallops atop mashed potatoes as the Tornado version of Coquilles St Jacques - they were really great, and my dining partner deemed them the best part of the meal. Next came a Caesar Salad and French Onion Soup. We shared each, though I ate most of the soup and she had most of the salad. The soup could've had more onions, and an easier to dissemble bread/crouton covering. When there's so much, liquid, even the bread we still had didn't soak up all the soup from the bowl which is too hot to pick up and "drink" from. Frog Legs came next, and they were BIG. I ate half of one and decided that though they were nicely done, they weren't me. My dining partner eagerly enjoyed the rest, and pronounced them fine. Then the main entrées arrived, an 8-oz filet with an onion ring and hash browns for her, and rabbit with brussels sprouts for me. I thoroughly enjoyed both rabbit and beef, but thought Bugs Bunny better than the beef, while my partner enjoyed the beef more, yet still had a couple pieces of rabbit. Everything but the scallops and frog legs went really well with the Cahors Red we brought, and a glass of an Italian Rosé wine was great with the rest. It being Michelle's birthday, she had a slice of "chocolate cake," which was very dense, came with a lit candle, and tasted great. [thanks Byron]
Micheál ÓMicheál Ó
00
I highly recommend Tornado Steakhouse in Madison, Wisconsin, for anyone looking for a delicious steak and a great dining experience. I've been there several times, and I'm always impressed by the quality of the food and the service. The steaks are cooked to perfection, and they're always so juicy and flavorful. I highly recommend the filet mignon or the New York strip steak. In addition to the great steaks, Tornado Steakhouse also has a variety of other delicious dishes on the menu, including seafood, chicken, and pasta dishes. I've tried the lobster ravioli and the crab cakes, and they were both excellent. The atmosphere at Tornado Steakhouse is also very nice. The restaurant is decorated in a classic steakhouse style, with dark wood paneling and a warm and inviting feel. The staff is always friendly and attentive, and they go out of their way to make sure that you have a good time. Overall, I highly recommend Tornado Steakhouse to anyone looking for a great dining experience in Madison, Wisconsin. The steaks are especially delicious, but the other dishes on the menu are also great. The service and atmosphere are also excellent. Here are some specific things I love about Tornado Steakhouse: The steaks are cooked to perfection and are always juicy and flavorful. The service is friendly and attentive. The atmosphere is warm and inviting. The restaurant has a variety of other delicious dishes on the menu, including seafood, chicken, and pasta dishes. The prices are reasonable. If you're looking for a great steak in Madison, Wisconsin, I highly recommend Tornado Steakhouse. You won't be disappointed!
Shawn KellerShawn Keller
00
My wife (Jen) and I were out celebrating my birthday. We arrived around 5:30, with no reservation and we were seated immediately. However, as we were leaving another couple at the Maitre D table was being rejected because they didn't have a reservation. But, what else would expect at 7:00 on a Friday night. Jen looked nice with a nice new blouse but I was in a t-shirt and jeans. I didn't realy feel out of place, even though most people were dressed in Polo shirts or better attire. Our waitress was very attentive to everything and answered all our questions. She was very friendly and knowledgeable about everything from the kitchen being out of frog legs to the brand and flavors of tea available. Even at the end of our meal she noticed Jen didn't eat much of her brussel sprouts and asked if there was something wrong with them. (FYI: Jen thought they were a little under cooked.) The food was amazing, with the exception of Jen's slightly under cook brussel sprouts. The bread plate was warm and fresh. Our salads were very good. The drinks, awesome. I had 2 Kessal Runs and Jen had a Lady In Red. They were very strong. We were still feeling a buzz well after our meals, and took a walk up to the capital before driving home. We started off with the Oysters Rockefeller Jen ordered the Filet Au Poivre with the fore mentioned brussel sprouts and I had the Bone-in Tenderloin with Yorkshire Pudding. The Yorkshire Pudding was nice, but I think I would go with the baked potato or asparagus next time.
Marc VanderPalMarc VanderPal
00
Nearby Attractions Of Tornado Steak House
Overture Center for the Arts
The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club
The Edgewater Hotel
Madison Children's Museum
Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center
Hilton Madison Monona Terrace
Best Western Premier Park Hotel
Hampton Inn & Suites Madison Downtown
Trolley Pub Madison
AC Hotel Madison Downtown

Overture Center for the Arts
4.8
(1.5K)Click for details

The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club
4.5
(1.2K)Click for details

The Edgewater Hotel
4.5
(1.3K)Click for details

Madison Children's Museum
4.7
(1.2K)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Tornado Steak House
The Old Fashioned
Ian’s Pizza Madison | State Street
Dotty Dumpling's Dowry
Lucille
Nitty Gritty-Madison
Sardine
RED
The Coopers Tavern
Eno Vino Downtown
Graze Restaurant

The Old Fashioned
4.5
(2.1K)Click for details

Ian’s Pizza Madison | State Street
4.6
(1.5K)Click for details

Dotty Dumpling's Dowry
4.6
(1.2K)Click for details

Lucille
4.4
(1.1K)Click for details
Basic Info
Address
116 S Hamilton St, Madison, WI 53703
Map
Phone
(608) 256-3570
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Website
tornadosteakhouse.com
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.6
(1.1K reviews)
Ratings & Description
Description
Old-school steakhouse with a rustic, supper-club vibe serving classic chops, seafood & cocktails.
attractions: Overture Center for the Arts, The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club, The Edgewater Hotel, Madison Children's Museum, Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center, Hilton Madison Monona Terrace, Best Western Premier Park Hotel, Hampton Inn & Suites Madison Downtown, Trolley Pub Madison, AC Hotel Madison Downtown, restaurants: The Old Fashioned, Ian’s Pizza Madison | State Street, Dotty Dumpling's Dowry, Lucille, Nitty Gritty-Madison, Sardine, RED, The Coopers Tavern, Eno Vino Downtown, Graze Restaurant
