Thanks for all of the input. I have some places to check out in the future.
We ended up staying in a rental farmhouse* in Cooksville, a town about 20 or so miles south of Madison. Things in the Baraboo/Dells area weren't has convenient as I thought they might be originally [this was only as 3 day/2 night trip].
Toby's was pretty well recommended and convenient to Cooksville, so we attempted to go to Toby's around 7:30 on Saturday night. Walked in, some tables were open & ready to be cleaned, so I was optimistic that we'd be seated & ordering cocktails and food soon. Silly, silly me. Apparently, Toby's has a
system. You are supposed to order your food at the bar, and then enjoy a cocktail while the food is cooked and your table is prepared. So, ok. That's the system. I'm a guest, I go along with the system. Except. There is not a seat or hightop or anything available at the bar. Nothing. Nada. I point out to the bartender that I'd
like to wait at the bar, but I don't see an empty spot. He allows as how I have a point. People are drinking, ordering food, hanging out. I can't even make eye contact with a waitress or the bartender to ask for a drink [I've grabbed my own menu]. Waited 15 minutes to see if anything was going to clear up, and then left. I get that we were there at peak periond on a Saturday, but tables were still unbussed and empty as we left. I don't get the disorder and lack of hospitality. Food looked pretty good, tho. Fried chicken seemed to be popular [and cooked to order, according to the menu - which could account for some slowness in the turnover process]. An allegedly fun thing I'll never try again.
We'd passed the Maple Tree Supper Club on US 51 on the way up to Toby's. I'd remembered a mention upthread, and thought we'd give it a try. It was . . . fine. Ok. Meh+. The atmosphere was more like a Greek coffee shop with a big bar and TVs than a supper club. There was a salad and soup bar that was meh. [I don't think there's any food in this place that the Sysco truck doesn't drop off.] The prime rib was a generous serving [bigger than advertised on the menu] but had a lot of waste to it [fat, gristle . . . maybe the menu referred to
dressed weight]. Waitress was pleasant - even admitted that the fish was frozen, not fresh. The dinner was adequate, but I felt like I was missing out on atmosphere.
My traveling companion was feeling under the weather the next day, so I did a bit of solo traveling and had a beer at the Buckhorn Supper Club on Lake Koshkonong. This place had atmosphere up the wazoo. Big bar with big picture window overlooking the lake. Patio next to the lake if you wanted to sit outside & swat mosquitoes. Food prices seemed a bit high; I guess there's an upcharge for atmosphere. While listening to the friendly locals at the bar, I gathered that the place is open only during 'the season' and was closing after Labor Day.
So, I continue to enjoy the supper club thing. Didn't get a relish plate
. Did have a couple of brandy old fashioneds. Enjoyed the friendly locals at the bar. [Am feeling quite bored with the sameness of the menus, tho. A little prime rib goes a long way with me. Don't want steak every night. Don't want fish that isn't fresh if I'm paying that high a price. Wouldn't want to do this more than once a vacation.]
Looking forward to my next trip north of the border & my next Supper Club.
Toby's Supper Club
3717 S Dutch Mill Rd, Madison, WI 53718
(608) 222-6913
Maple Tree Supper Club
6010 U.S. 51, McFarland, WI 53558
(608) 838-5888
Buckhorn Supper Club
11802 N Charley Bluff Rd, Milton, WI
(608) 868-2653
Giovanna
*The farmhouse we stayed in was quite nice. 4 bedrooms, kitchen, fireplace, yard, grill, resident chickens & fresh eggs from the generous proprietors who live in the renovated barn next door. They charge by the occupancy; since there were only 2 of us it was affordable. Could be a nice place for a family reunion or weekend retreat or such. PM me if you want more details.
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"Enjoy every sandwich."
-Warren Zevon