Tornado Steak House — Restaurant in Madison

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...

A while back, I loved going to Tornado Room and looked forward to taking my friends to do the late night menu when it was lesser known.

Now, I suggest avoiding it because of my experiences with the waitstaff. Either there is something going on with management or just poor waitstaff training.

About 5ish years ago, I had a birthday dinner with my parents during normal service. My mom had asked a simple question regarding a menu item, and the waiter answered in a very condescending and rude way. From there, it soured our dinner and was an unpleasant experience.

I haven't gone to Tornado Room since then, but a few weeks ago I decided to give them another chance. So I tried late night with my friends. I was shocked to see the whole restaurant was open for late night, and was no longer first come, first serve. We managed to get a table and saw the restaurant was completely full. Our waitress came to our table, gathered drink and food orders. She seemed pretty stressed with the amount of people that she was serving. After ordering, I mentioned to split the bill between us 4 (which includes a 20% gratituity charge which is perfectly fine imo). Whenever I need bills split, I mention it before it's entered into the system so it's easier for them (seats are usually split in most systems anyway).

Her attitude changed completely after that ask. She gave a snide, "It's not recommended but I'll do it," turned around and stormed off. We were shocked by the behavior. When she came back, she rudely threw down our napkins and silverware. I gave her a "thank you ma'am" to try to ease the tension, but got a sarcastic "My pleasure" as she turned around and walked away. We were shocked by how we were treated. We eventually stood up and walked out.

I love to dine out with friends and family, but in all my years I've never been treated this rudely. I can understand if management is likely the reason why the waitstaff are stressed out, but I draw the line when I'm treated this badly. From here, I've sworn off Tornado Room and will stick to better options. Such a shame that this iconic Madison restaurant has gone so downhill. Especially when the staff in the back do a fantastic job...

Service The wait staff were excellent and attentive. Waters were filled regularly, plates were taken quickly, and our waiter was friendly. I cannot sign the praises of the wait staff enough.

Atmosphere My FIL thought the atmosphere was a bit loud, but I would describe it as lively. The restaurant was full and it appeared that people largely enjoyed their experience.

Food This is the most important part of my review, and in my opinion, the most disappointing. The positives: the bread and butter brought at the start was very good. Our waiter was kind enough to bring out more when asked for a refill. The appetizers were also very good. We had the frog legs and scallops with mashed potatoes. Delicious. I ordered the 14oz filet medium rare, with asparagus and king crab bisque. The asparagus was crisp and tasty, the bisque was phenomenal.

Here's the issue. Tornado steak house is, obviously, a steak house. However, the filet came back well done, except for maybe a slight strip of pink in the middle. It was basically a taste of the Sahara. The only positive aspect of this steak is that I was able to save on the airfare I would otherwise had to have spent traveling to Africa. I ate maybe 2oz of the 14oz steak and had some brave souls at the table sample the dry meat. This would be fine if I wasn't paying $68 for the cut. This is probably the first time I have left food on my plate at any restaurant.

Additionally, my brother in law ordered the bone-in tenderloin and did not end up taking more than 1 bite. He stated that it was very dry. That being said, 4/6 diners enjoyed their entree tonight. To be fair, my BIL was given 50% off his entree.

At the start of the evening, our waiter stated that you come to Tornado for the steak or the seafood. I suppose I should have had the seafood. After sampling the steak, I will not be returning.

Conclusion Giving 3 stars because our waiter was great and most of the food was very good. -2 stars because Tornado is a steakhouse and the steaks served were extremely dry, which is disappointing...