Fresco

4.4 (2103)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

227 State Street, Madison, WI 53703

About this restaurant

Romantic
Good for special occasions
Innovative

This summer, Fresco is safely serving our guests indoors and outdoors in the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art Sculpture Garden. We welcome you to join us by making a reservation online or by calling us at 608-663-7374. We are currently accepting reservations for indoor dining and if you wish to sit outside the host will let you know availability when you arrive, weather dependent.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Contemporary American
Hours of operation
Dinner Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Website
http://www.frescomadison.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Catering
For offsite catering inquiries, or catering within the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, please contact Megan Moderson at mmoderson@foodfightinc.com.
Private party facilities
Please contact Megan Moderson at mmoderson@foodfightinc.com for details regarding private events in the restaurant, Sculpture Garden or Museum Lobby.

Location
227 State Street, Madison, WI 53703
Neighborhood
Madison
Cross street
State Street / Henry Street / W. Johnson Street
Parking details
Parking available at the Overture Center ramp on the corner of Henry & Dayton.
Public transit
Henry & Dayton
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Whipped Sheep's Milk Feta$14.00
roasted pistachio, Potter's crackers, honey
Chilled Sweet Corn Soup$8.00
blueberry sorbet, za'atar popcorn, cilantro
Tuna Crudo*$16.00
avocado mousse, citrus, serrano chili, radish, cilantro
Gem Lettuce$8.00
yogurt-herb dressing, seasonal vegetables, toasted sunflower seed
Grilled Asparagus$14.00
olive vinaigrette, cured lamb loin, hard-cooked egg, celery, shallot, tahini
Caprese$16.00
heirloom tomato, burrata, basil oil, saba
Chickpea Fries*$8.00
sumac, harissa mayo
Mussels*$15.00
white wine, garlic, fennel, grilled focaccia, saffron aioli

Entrees

Agnolotti$17.00
house-made pasta filled with ricotta and chard, radish, cauliflower, herb butter, parmesan
Scallops$30.00
sweet corn, cherry tomato, fresh green chili, phyllo, sauce bouillabaisse
Pan-Seared Branzino$22.00
marinated summer squash, chickpea puree, golden raisin
Risotto$18.00
roasted oyster and shiitake mushrooms, truffle butter, parmesan
Duck Confit$25.00
carrot-ginger puree, sugar snap peas, powdered brown butter, frisee
Grilled Pork Loin*$21.00
garlic custard, braised red cabbage, mustard hollandaise
Beef Hanger*$29.00
broccoli rabe, red wine-glazed shallots, macaroni and smoked goat cheddar gratin
Half Chicken$24.00
pan-seared breast, crispy-skin thigh, beet puree, roasted beets, spinach, candied orange zest

House Cocktails

Aquavit C&T$9.00
tattersall aquavit, cranberry liqueur, tonic, lime, rocks
Blackberry-Rye Highball$9.00
rye whiskey, giffard creme de mure, lemon, seltzer, blackberry, rocks
Modern Mule$8.00
tito's vodka, tattersall grapefruit crema, grapefruit bitters, lime, ginger beer, rocks
Spin on the Southside$11.00
state line gin, lemon, mint, ginger, st. germain, peychaud's bitters, up
Spicy Margarita$8.00
tequila blanco, tattersall orange crema, aleppo, lime, salt, rocks
Fresco Manhattan$12.00
bourbon, copper & kings floodwall apple brandy, cocchi rosa vermouth, tattersall sour cherry, allspice, luxardo cherry, up

Frosé

Frozen Rosé with Strawberry and Aperol$8.00

No-Proof Cocktails

Lemonade by Any Other Name$4.00
lemon, sumac, rose blossom water, soda, rocks
Fruit Cocktail Cocktail$6.00
strawberry, lemon, orange blossom water, coconut, up

Cocktail Pitchers

25 oz. carafes, served over ice

Pommeau Spritz$29.00
tattersall freewheeler pommeau and amaro, lemon, orange, cava, seltzer
Aperol Spritz$29.00
aperol, strawberry, cava, seltzer
Sangria$29.00
malbec red blend, strawberry, blackberry, clementine vodka

Wine by the Glass

Sparkling, White, Rosé

Avinyo Cava 2017, Spain$10.00
Xarmant Txakolina 2020, Basque, Spain$10.00
Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc 2019, Walker Bay, South Africa$11.00
Boomtown Pinot Gris 2017, Dusted Valley, Washington$10.00
Pierre Sparr Riesling 2018, Alsace, France$11.00
Sauvion Vouvray [Chenin Blanc] 2018, Loire, France$10.00
Chamisal Vineyards 'Stainless' Chardonnay 2017, Central Coast, Califronia$8.00
Concannon Chardonnay 2017, Monterey County, California$11.00
Mirabeau 'Belle Année' Rosé 2019, Provence, France$9.00

Red

Imagery Pinot Noir 2019, Sonoma County, California$10.00
Viña Eguia Tempranillo 2015, Rioja, Spain$9.00
Gundlach Bundschu 'Mountain Cuvée' Bordeaux-Style Blend 2018, Sonoma County, California$11.00
Morgan 'G17' Syrah 2017, Monterey County, California$12.00
Trapiche Malbec 2016, Mendoza, Argentina$8.00
Dry Creek Vineyard 'Heritage Vines' Zinfandel 2019, Sonoma County, California$10.00
Broquel Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Argentina$10.00

Beer

Titletown Boat House Pilsner, Green Bay, Wisconsin$7.00
New Glarus Spotted Cow Farmhouse Ale, New Glarus, Wisconsin$6.00
City Lights Hazy IPA, IPA Milwaukee, Wisconsin$7.00
Central Waters Quisconsing Red Ale, Amherst, Wisconsin$6.00
Lake Louie Tommy's Porter Porter, Arena, Wisconsin$7.00

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Fresco.

4.4

(2103)

4.4Food
4.4Service
4.4Ambience
1.9Value

Noise • Moderate

1,990 Reviews

P
Pern453
Wisconsin12 reviews
1.0
Dined on May 14, 2022
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
It’s closed. No way to cancel this reservation and no notification.
Is this helpful?
B
Barbara Gold
Wisconsin23 reviews
5.0
Dined on October 2, 2021
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We dined the last night Fresco will be open. It was excellent and made us sad that it is closing. We hope the space will go to another amazing restaurant. The views are terrific and the ambiance is great.
Is this helpful?
E
Emerson
Chicago22 reviews
4.0
Dined on October 2, 2021
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 3
Fresco will be missed in the Madison culinary scene. It was one of the best restaurants in a city with many contenders. We went on its final day for one last dinner. The food was superb, especially the corn soup, NY strip steak, chicken, and flourless chocolate cake. The entire staff is always friendly and professional, and their last day was no exception. We ate outside on an unseasonably warm evening, so it was quiet. Prices were always reasonable for well-prepared meals using excellent ingredients. Best wishes to all of their staff!
Is this helpful?
JA
JanelleA
Wisconsin1 review
5.0
Dined on October 2, 2021
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Unique and delicious food! We hope to return the next time we're in town.
Is this helpful?
KG
KimG Gold
New York City4 reviews
1.0
Dined on October 2, 2021
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 5
Too salty and closing anyway
Is this helpful?
p
peacelovers
Wisconsin4 reviews
5.0
Dined on October 1, 2021
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing food, excellent service, and the loveliest ambiance & views. We are so sad Fresco is closing.
Is this helpful?
K
Kathy
Wisconsin15 reviews
5.0
Dined on September 30, 2021
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Beautiful night to eat outside - service was outstanding. I hate to see Fresco close!
Is this helpful?
F
Flo1983
Wisconsin4 reviews
5.0
Dined on September 25, 2021
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Seated immediately, very friendly service, delicious food! Amazing views on the roof
Is this helpful?
p
papa
Wisconsin5 reviews
3.0
Dined on September 24, 2021
1. Overall 3
2. Food 2
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Staff was very helpful and friendly. My dinner was disappointing. Pork was in need of an extra sharp knife. Not tender at all. Besides not having a lot of flavor dinner was COLD. Other items on plate were no better than what we could buy at super market. Cocktail was unique, very good although expensive. Dessert was also very good. I am not speaking for my wife. She enjoyed hers very much. I would never order that dish again. If there is a next time I will bring a bag from Culvers. This was a birthday celebration for my wife John Policello
Is this helpful?
JW
JaneW
Wisconsin6 reviews
4.0
Dined on September 23, 2021
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Lovely setting, delicious food, good service. So sorry that they are closing.
Is this helpful?

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Contemporary American
Hours of operation
Dinner Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Website
http://www.frescomadison.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Catering
For offsite catering inquiries, or catering within the Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, please contact Megan Moderson at mmoderson@foodfightinc.com.
Private party facilities
Please contact Megan Moderson at mmoderson@foodfightinc.com for details regarding private events in the restaurant, Sculpture Garden or Museum Lobby.

Location
227 State Street, Madison, WI 53703
Neighborhood
Madison
Cross street
State Street / Henry Street / W. Johnson Street
Parking details
Parking available at the Overture Center ramp on the corner of Henry & Dayton.
Public transit
Henry & Dayton
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

Fresco

About this restaurant

Permanently Closed

There’s more to explore

Additional information

Starters

Whipped Sheep's Milk Feta$14.00

Chilled Sweet Corn Soup$8.00

Tuna Crudo*$16.00

Gem Lettuce$8.00

Grilled Asparagus$14.00

Caprese$16.00

Chickpea Fries*$8.00

Mussels*$15.00

Entrees

Agnolotti$17.00

Scallops$30.00

Pan-Seared Branzino$22.00

Risotto$18.00

Duck Confit$25.00

Grilled Pork Loin*$21.00

Beef Hanger*$29.00

Half Chicken$24.00

House Cocktails

Aquavit C&T$9.00

Blackberry-Rye Highball$9.00

Modern Mule$8.00

Spin on the Southside$11.00

Spicy Margarita$8.00

Fresco Manhattan$12.00

Frosé

Frozen Rosé with Strawberry and Aperol$8.00

No-Proof Cocktails

Lemonade by Any Other Name$4.00

Fruit Cocktail Cocktail$6.00

Cocktail Pitchers

Pommeau Spritz$29.00

Aperol Spritz$29.00

Sangria$29.00

Wine by the Glass

Sparkling, White, Rosé

Avinyo Cava 2017, Spain$10.00

Xarmant Txakolina 2020, Basque, Spain$10.00

Southern Right Sauvignon Blanc 2019, Walker Bay, South Africa$11.00

Boomtown Pinot Gris 2017, Dusted Valley, Washington$10.00

Pierre Sparr Riesling 2018, Alsace, France$11.00

Sauvion Vouvray [Chenin Blanc] 2018, Loire, France$10.00

Chamisal Vineyards 'Stainless' Chardonnay 2017, Central Coast, Califronia$8.00

Concannon Chardonnay 2017, Monterey County, California$11.00

Mirabeau 'Belle Année' Rosé 2019, Provence, France$9.00

Red

Imagery Pinot Noir 2019, Sonoma County, California$10.00

Viña Eguia Tempranillo 2015, Rioja, Spain$9.00

Gundlach Bundschu 'Mountain Cuvée' Bordeaux-Style Blend 2018, Sonoma County, California$11.00

Morgan 'G17' Syrah 2017, Monterey County, California$12.00

Trapiche Malbec 2016, Mendoza, Argentina$8.00

Dry Creek Vineyard 'Heritage Vines' Zinfandel 2019, Sonoma County, California$10.00

Broquel Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Argentina$10.00

Beer

Titletown Boat House Pilsner, Green Bay, Wisconsin$7.00

New Glarus Spotted Cow Farmhouse Ale, New Glarus, Wisconsin$6.00

City Lights Hazy IPA, IPA Milwaukee, Wisconsin$7.00

Central Waters Quisconsing Red Ale, Amherst, Wisconsin$6.00

Lake Louie Tommy's Porter Porter, Arena, Wisconsin$7.00

Additional information

Permanently Closed