Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so they say. Many Americans would wholeheartedly agree that when it comes to a good weekend brunch the requisites are; hot tasty food and extremely fast service. The menu should include the traditional fare – eggs, bacon, pancakes, coffee – and ideally should have a bit more pizzazz to offer those seeking a more unique start to their day.
Marigold Kitchen, a “muffin’s throw” from the Capitol square, is one such breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant. It is co-owned by chefs John Gadau and Phillip Hurley who also own Sardine, a fine dining restaurant. Their first restaurant in Madison, Marigold Kitchen, is self-described on their website as serving, “creative healthy food prepared by friendly folk,” and has been open since 2000.
Inside, the decor is sunshine meets urban. Brightly colored walls and vivid oil paintings of pastured chickens contrast with the unfinished concrete wall in one corner and unfinished wooden beams in the center of the restaurant. It’s easy to see the appeal and ambiance of the place, with the natural light coming through the windows, the display of delicious looking pastries and the open kitchen concept where you can watch as your eggs are being cooked!
Surrounded by a throng of hungry brunch-goers on a weekend morning, it’s a little less charming though. There’s a long line at the order-and-pay counter, and it’s cramped around the self-serve coffee station. The situation isn’t made better when a waitress announces that no one should be seated until after ordering and paying for their food.
However, the food is ready quickly, hot and very tasty. One breakfast and brunch item is the breakfast sandwich ($6) with fried egg, cheddar-infused creamy Boursin cheese, applewood smoked bacon, tomato slices and green onions on a toasted ciabatta. The flavors of the sandwich overwhelm ones senses, perfectly melding in each delicious, gooey bite.
Another brunch item is one of the specials, the scrambler ($8.95), which varies in add-ins, and may be in the form of three scrambled eggs with diced ham, artichoke hearts and feta cheese, with a side of Marigold sauteed potatoes and toasted rosemary-infused French bread. Unfortunately, the addition of artichokes turned the eggs a weird shade of olive green. Overall, this particular combination of scrambler ingredients was good, but not quite as tasty as the more simple breakfast sandwich.
The coffee drink menu will keep the enthusiasts happy, though the hot chocolate lacks chocolately oomph. The blueberry scone has a delightfully rich, tender texture, a complementing balance of lemon zest, and is finished with a perfect sweet glaze. The fresh spray of flowers and quaint little jam jars on each table make for a feeling of welcome.
Overall, Marigold Kitchen is worth a brunch visit if you don’t mind sharing close quarters with other diners and aren’t expecting complete leisure. The pastries and coffee are great, the ambiance is bright and cheerful, and the food is tasty and goes the extra mile from a standard breakfast joint. Thus, the prices are a bit steeper, but the higher quality ingredients and inviting flavors make it definitely worth a trip for breakfast or brunch.
Location: 118 S. Pinckney St., Madison, WI
Phone: 608-661-5559
Website: http://marigoldkitchen.com/
Payment: Credit Cards accepted
Price Range for Brunch Entrees: $4.25-10
Cuisine: breakfast, brunch, or lunch
Hours: Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m. (Breakfast) and 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (Lunch); Saturday, 7 a.m.-2 p.m. and Sunday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. (Brunch)