Madison — Restaurant in San Diego

My recent visit to Madison in University Heights was an absolute delight. With a keen focus on delivering a unique dining experience, this eatery shone through in all respects, from the exquisite food to the captivating ambiance.

The star of the evening was the Chicken Milanese. This dish was artfully prepared, radiating elegance in every bite. The chicken was perfectly cooked, maintaining a delicate balance between crispiness and juiciness. But the real highlight was the delightful combination of arugula dressed in a lemon vinaigrette. The tanginess of the vinaigrette cut through the richness of the chicken, providing a light, refreshing taste that was utterly divine.

Of course, it would be remiss of me not to mention the Brie. Presented as a half wheel with a side of apricot-habanero jam and grilled bread, it was a promising start. However, the Brie itself didn’t quite hit the mark - it lacked the usual creaminess that one would expect from this cheese.

On the bright side, the accompanying apricot-habanero jam was a revelation. It provided the perfect amount of heat, elevating the taste of the Brie. The jam’s sweet and spicy profile interacted wonderfully with the cheese, proving that even if the Brie was just okay, the thoughtfulness behind the pairing was commendable.

To accompany the meal, I opted for the Any Port in a Storm cocktail - a unique spin on the classic tiki drink. Distinguished by its inclusion of port, this cocktail took a fascinating detour from tradition. It was a smooth and balanced blend, the port adding an intriguing depth of flavor that was truly memorable.

Adding to the overall delightful experience at Madison was the impeccable service. Attentive and professional, the staff ensured we felt cared for throughout the evening. We were checked upon regularly, ensuring our glasses were never empty and our needs were met.

Moreover, the staff proved themselves not just as servers, but as knowledgeable guides to the Madison culinary experience. Their recommendations were spot-on, demonstrating their familiarity with the menu and dedication to enhancing our dining experience. This elevated the already impressive outing to another level of satisfaction.

As for the ambiance, Madison left no stone unturned. The venue exudes a calm, sophisticated aura that’s conducive to both a laid-back evening and an upbeat night out. Beautifully designed, it provides a delightful backdrop for enjoying the culinary treats on offer. The outdoor setting, especially, is a great way to soak up the vibrant vibe of San Diego.

All in all, Madison stands out as a culinary jewel in the University Heights neighborhood. It’s not just a restaurant; it’s a destination for those seeking a unique dining experience in a visually stunning environment. I’m eagerly looking forward to...

VEGANS - BEWARE!!

I had an extremely traumatic experience at Madison and will not return.

I ordered a vegan burger off the dinner menu and asked if the cooks could do that. My server said they could. She didn’t mention anything about the brioche, so I asked if the brioche is vegan, and the server said probably not but she could offer me a lettuce wrap. I asked her if she could make it on sourdough, which she said they did not have, but I pointed out that it was on the menu. That is totally fine, since she was new. Can’t blame her for any of that. I pointed out that i was vegan many times and asked about several parts of the burger. So that was clear to her.

Our food took forever to come out, which also happens, and i ate about a third of it and realized it wasn’t a black bean burger. I was so hungry and had assumed they offered me beyond meat or something like that, and I also felt like I could trust the restaurant since I mentioned that I was vegan so many times that it was probably even annoying. It was a meat burger. I have been a vegan for years and this was an extremely traumatic experience for me. The waitress comped our whole check and was extremely apologetic.

I also noticed that my sourdough was grilled in butter, which is also not vegan. And when I ordered the portobello fries, which are clearly marked as vegan on the menu, they came with an aioli that wasn’t vegan. In addition, I’ve been to Madison a few times before and ordered the veggie shish kabob and specified that I was vegan and each time it has come with feta cheese and dairy yogurt sauce, even after I say specifically that I want the dish vegan.

All of those things I can overlook, but it is completely unacceptable as a restaurant in a metropolitan area of San Diego to clearly mislabel your menu and not be extremely careful about dietary restrictions and vegan/ vegetarian preferences.

Again, this has completely traumatized me.

I hope Madison can read this and educate their staff on the importance of not making mistakes like this. What if it had been an allergy and I went into anaphylactic shock.

I won’t be back and I will make sure other vegans know Madison is not...

This was my first time at Madison Restaurant and my comparison was to other Mediterranean restaurants around San Diego. I've always wanted to visit this restaurant, but I confess that my first impression was somewhat disappointing.

Starting with the hoster who was working that night (June 11th - Tall, curly hair, tanned skin, beautiful girl) and who initially welcomed me and my friend well. Due to the strong noise that was occurring in the restaurant as it was the Jazz Tuesday, I asked her a few times to repeat what she was trying to say. Apparently, she didn't like it and she started to behave rudely towards us. After a slightly flawed communication, she drove us to our table without another word but with an irritated and not very receptive expression. A few minutes later and again, because of the excessive noise in the external environment, I went to the receptionist again, and, politely, I asked her if there were any table available in the interior of the restaurant. When she recognized me, she changed her expression and, without even checking availability, she said that there was none at the moment. As I didn't want to make any bad situation for either side, I dismissed it and I returned to my table without any comment.

Despite this, the food was excellent, I ordered Chicken Picatta (highly recommended) which was delicious and very well prepared. My friend had a tasty Pistachio Pesto Pasta. We both had doubts about the restaurant being classified as Modern Mediterranean, since the menu does not contains the main characteristics of Mediterranean cuisine. The cocktails are incredible and for me they are the main point of the restaurant.

The atmosphere of the restaurant is very cozy, beautiful and classy, ​​just the way I like it. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive, she helped me choose the best options on the menu! The pineapple and coconut cheesecake is worth trying, very tasty and unique.

Despite what happened, I still recommend the restaurant and intend to...