Erica Krug
Articles
Kettle Black Kitchen makes casual elegance the order of the day
French and Southern influences meet at Kettle Black Kitchen on Monroe Street.
January 2023
7 chefs changing the food industry
These Madison chefs are redefining our city's community and culture, inside the kitchen and out.
January 2023
10 restaurants we’re excited about right now
We’ve selected 10 Madison restaurants, new and renewed, that are redefining how we dine in 2023.
January 2023
Schoolhouse restaurant charms in Spring Green
Homecoming provides a convivial atmosphere with farm-to-table dishes.
December 2022
Camp Wandawega offers storied vacations
Tereasa Surratt mixes the old with the new at this historic camp in Elkhorn, WI.
December 2022
Williamson Street restaurant carries on with new owners
The Weary Traveler Freehouse may have new owners and a new head chef, but all three are well traveled at the neighborhood pub.
November 2022
Local chefs make dishes that delight the holiday table
Get inspired by what these Madison chefs put on their holiday menus at home.
November 2022
Marigold remains a Madison favorite upon reopening
Marigold Kitchen may have new owners, but the 21-year-old local stronghold stays true to its roots.
October 2022
Plant breeders, chefs and farmers all come together in the Seed to Kitchen Collaborative
Seed to Kitchen Collaborative unites local food decision-makers to grow new vegetable breeds
July 2022
Three Madison dishes that go beyond salads
These three eateries offer vegetarian dishes with fun and interesting presentations.
July 2022
The pandemic sparked renewed interest in Community Supported Agriculture for this local farm
“For our farm, COVID intensified our CSA members’ desires to be part of our farm more deeply."
July 2022
The Robin Room creates a tropical paradise through two-week pop-up bar
For two weeks, The Robin Room is hosting The Tipsy Toucan featuring specialty tropical drinks.
The Cheeze Factory in Baraboo creates globally inspired all-vegan fare
While Baraboo might be located in the heart of America’s Dairyland, it is also home to one of the state’s only all-vegan restaurants, the Cheeze Factory.
Owners behind Settle Down Tavern open innovative cocktail-forward bar next door
Settle Down Tavern co-owners Brian Bartels, Ryan Huber and Sam Parker reimagined a former men's boutique into a new cocktail bar, Oz by Oz.
Broken Board Coffee found a home within east-side skateboard shop
Tucked into a corner of Focus Boardshop, Broken Board Coffee’s presence has spread since opening in March.
Program highlights Black chefs while teaching families how to cook
Through live cooking classes, the program highlights Madison-area Black chefs and utilizes locally grown produce in meal kits for free of charge.
Meatless Madison: Settle Down Tavern’s Prit’Near
Quintessential tavern food doesn't always mean delectable plant-based dishes, but Settle Down Tavern prioritized the plant-based burger on the menu.
Vengan Pa’ka is bringing ‘farm-to-cart’ vegan fare to Madison
Juan David Umaña, whose past experience includes a stint at Chez Panisse, focuses on local, sustainably grown ingredients at his food truck.
Black Squirrel Bake Shop specializes in 100% vegan treats, cakes
Alyssa Rice started her business in Kansas, but moved it north in November 2020.
From Epic to ice cream maker: Ellen Coatney creates vegan ice creams
After Ellen Coatney left her job at Epic, she went to pastry school that ultimately led her to launch her own ice cream company.
Table Wine gives back with wine fundraiser during Women’s History Month
Table Wine is celebrating women throughout March with a fundraiser for the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness.
Roots Chocolates integrates seasonal ingredients, unique combinations into its chocolates
Ten years ago, Lisa Nelson launched Roots Chocolates after discovering she enjoys making chocolate as much as eating it.
Madison chef releases new plant-based cookbook
After writing recipes for her restaurants and receiving requests from her clients and customers, Lauren Montelbano decided to give cookbook writing a try.
Local groups and restaurants provide alternatives to drinking
If 2020 has left you feeling hungover, you’re not alone.
January 2021
New Madison company creates spice blends for the home chef
While cooking at home, a family had the idea to start blending spices inspired by travel.
Meatless Madison: Duck Lips’ vegetarian gem on a chicken menu
Duck Lips Hot Chicken delivers great tofu.
Meatless Madison: Heirloom Bakery and Kitchen creates all-vegan treats
Find her sweets at Ledger Coffee Roasters and Black Locust Cafe or order them through social media.
Doggy in the Window pops up in The Ideal Bar
Find a classic Chicago dog or try one of the other combinations.
October 2020
Picnics opens on the Square with a focus on takeout
Picnics opened within Boar & Barrel in mid-August.
Ahan is a takeout-focused gem on the east side
Hoang and partner Chuck Brown opened the space at the beginning of the month.
Consumers and farmers have found new ways to connect during the pandemic
COVID-19 forced farmers to rethink how they distribute goods.
September 2020
Young Blood’s taproom combines inventive street food with ‘easy drinking’ brews
The brewery opened in mid-May for to-go beer, then the taproom in mid-June.
Settle Down Tavern elevates classic tavern fare while opening during a pandemic
No one expects to open a restaurant during a pandemic but that is exactly what Brian Bartels, Ryan Huber and Sam Parker did.
More women are leading the way in the city’s brewing scene
More women are at the helm on brew days.
July 2020
Ice Cream Social sells ice cream on Instagram for social justice causes
“I was trying to come up with a creative way to help and I realized my ice cream might be able to do more than provide comfort to my friends.”
Vegan doughnut shop, Shanty Town, pops up throughout Madison
Enjoy plant-based treats at Johnson Public House and Ledger Coffee Roasters.
Madison’s dining community’s dedication to serving others continues during a public health crisis
Many have found creative ways to support fellow small business owners, furloughed service industry workers and essential health care workers.
June 2020
Neighbor Loaves program supports bakeries, local grain and food banks
Initiative helps sudden shortage of bread at area food banks
