New Year's Eve Restaurants (Madison, Middleton: live, price, bars)

[Curry_cap]

[SIZE=3]Can anyone recommend a nice, upscale restaurant for a romantic New Year’s Eve dinner? Being new to town we aren’t really sure where to go, but want to do something and know that most restaurants book quickly for NYE. We aren’t interested in clubs or bars; we would like to have a nice dinner, maybe some dancing or live jazz, and champagne. Any suggestions? [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]Thanks to All![/SIZE]

[LML]

I'd suggest the Concourse. People I know who have gone there on New Year's Eve have really enjoyed it and it seems to have all you need.

[Wellstone]

Tutto Pasta Trattoria in middleton


I've also liked Mariner's

None of these places are for live dancing but for a nice dinner they are decent options.

[7G9C4J2]

Some of our favorite "special occasion" local restaurants are:

Restaurant Magnus in downtown Madison. The menus change seasonally and usually feature fresh local foodstuffs. They do have live music on special evenings, though I don't believe the place is large enough to dance in.

Quivey's Grove out in Verona. Creative Midwestern food with a Wisconsin and Madison emphasis. Located in an old farmhouse, and all the rooms were kept largely intact, so you usually don't see more than two or three other tables of diners as you eat; almost feels like a private dining room. I believe they have live music occasionally as well, though no dancing that I am aware of.

The Old Feed Mill in Mazomanie. Also mostly Midwestern food, but very well prepared and with good attention to flavor and presentation.

Johnny Delmonico's in downtown Madison. Fancy steakhouse, if you like that sort of place. We've only been there once and I don't recall whether they had live music, but the food was very good.

Paisan's in downtown Madison. This Italian place has been a Madison fixture (in several different locations) for decades, and just moved into a spiffy new place overlooking Lake Monona downtown.

If you prefer the predictability of a chain restaurant, there's a Ruth's Chris place that just opened in Middleton; extremely pricey but supposed to be good. (We prefer local places and haven't eaten there.)

Afraid I can't help you on the dancing aspect; the spouse and I are blessed (cursed?) with a pair of left feet each and I wouldn't have a clue where to suggest for dancing.

[Curry_cap]

Thank you all for the suggestions, we live on the east side so I'm going to pass on the Middleton and Verona locations, but the downtown ones sound great. I'll call a couple of them to make reservations. Thanks again!

[houseinmadison]

I spent New Year's Eve at the Continental Cafe next to the capitol one year and it was nice; soft amber light, good food, friendly staff.