Alchemy is an early form of chemistry with philosophic and magical associations studied in the Middle Ages, according to the Webster’s New World College Dictionary. Its chief aims were to change base metals into gold and to discover the elixir of perpetual youth.
Alchemy Cafe on the near-eastside of Madison does well to live up to its namesake by creating an ambiance where you could imagine transformations happening in the dark recesses of the room (or rather, the kitchen).
Friday night at the Alchemy was busy and noisy, and that was without a live band playing, which they sometimes have. Since they don’t take reservations, my husband and I had plenty of time during our 30-minute wait to walk around the Atwood area and then order some drinks at the bar to take in the dining room once our table was ready. The beer list was impressive, with 10 interesting tap beers with descriptions that help in choosing the right flavor for your palate.
The antique carved wooden back bar and mirror give a feeling of being back in time and seemingly out-of-place flat screen TV mounted on one wall should appease the sports enthusiasts. Dark wood upon dim lighting, as well as the table placement, gives some intimacy to the dining experience.
While sitting near the kitchen at the bar we were able to see bright wasabi green beans doled out of a cast iron skillet and golden fried fish arranged carefully on the plates by the hipster cooks. After we were seated, and our pig-tailed waitress came to take our order, the near-eastside feeling of earthy-trendy, and a little quirky was solidified.
First, we tried the Wisco Farmer’s Lunch ($7.50) starter, which boasted local bread, cheese, and house-made “pickled” fresh veggies. The fresh flavors of the bread and cheese awoke our appetite for dinner, and the vinegar cut through the richness of the sausage in an appealing way.
For our entrées, we ordered the Friday Fish Fry ($11) and the AppleRum Burger ($9). The Fish Fry was a generous portion of fried fish, served with various side dishes. We chose the green beans. I thought the fish had good flavor, but had too much breading and was a bit oversaturated with oil.
The AppleRum Burger had a hearty, beefy taste, with cheddar oozing down the sides. The satisfying veggies were so fresh-looking that the brilliant-red tomato might have come from the chef’s own backyard.
The “sweet onion rum relish” was not discernable in the dish, but what it lacked was made up for in the delicious side of roasted garlic and buttermilk mashed potatoes. Yum.
We finished the meal with chocolate tart ($6), a decadent slice of pure chocolate smoothness, topped with fresh Bing cherries and blueberries (good, although a strange pairing). It turned out to have been made by our waitress, and was a good end to the meal.
Overall, Alchemy Cafe is worth the trip. The food is tasty and fresh with local ingredients mixed in. The prices are reasonable, and the ambiance is fun.
Local ingredients mixed into fresh and tasty food, reasonable prices, and a fun ambiance make Alchemy Cafe worth the trip overall.
Location: 1980 Atwood Avenue
Phone: 608-204-7644
Website: http://www.alchemycafe.net
Hours: Sunday-Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. to bar time, food served until midnight Thursday-Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Reservations/Credit Cards/Split Checks: not taken
Price range for dinner entrées: approx. $8-13
Cuisine: American