September 8, 2008

Don’t Get Mad

Road Trip to Madison

Hit the road while you can and spend a few days in Madison. Bustling with young college blood, it’s got enough food, fashion, and fun for a weekend. Not convinced? We’ll badger you ’til you are.

Chew the Fat
They say Wisconsin is full of fatties. Give in to the stereotype with an indulgent bistro-style weekend brunch at Sardine (kielbasa sausage, white cheddar grits; buckwheat Belgian waffle, whipped cinnamon orange butter). Saturdays you can whet your palate at the infamous Madison Farmers Market, with produce from almost 200 farms. Save your appetite for a dinner at Harvest, a farm-to-table resto with an ever-evolving menu and once-a-month Sunday theme dinners.

Shake That Dairy-ere
Focusing on artisanal cheese from Wisconsin and elsewhere, Fromagination is a new shop smack in the middle of town that’s not to be missed. Stock up on a giant selection of cheese, crackers, and wine or order a takeaway picnic basket. Dessert and a carousel in one place? Yep, at famed ice cream parlor Ella’s Deli, you can go for a ride after slurping a fudge sundae.

Shop ’til You Bop
Walk off your pouch by browsing the racks at Karen and Co/Sassafras, which sells everything from Cosabella and Majestic to Nicole Miller and Sam Edelman. You don’t have to point and click at Bop (222 W. Gorham St.; 608-255-2570), the one and only Shopbop storefront in the country.

Sleep on It
At the Speckled Hen Inn, you’re family. With only four guest rooms and more than 50 acres of land, you can take advantage of trails, gardens, and orchards in a private setting — and a homemade breakfast cooked with local ingredients to boot. The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club is a staple. Large and in charge, it’s steps away from the center of town and has everything you need for a stress-free visit.

Start your engines.