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www.montysblueplatediner.com , 7am-9pm Mon.-Thurs. and Sun., 7am-10pm Fri.-Sat.,
$5-9), an upscale diner on the Near East Side with deliciously art deco cool blue interiors.
You'll find the best synthesis of American meat and potatoes with trendy off-the-beaten-
menu items. The chefs are equally adept with meat loaf, tofu, or scrambled egg Mediter-
ranean surprise.
It doesn't feature the usual artery-clogging bar food; it isn't even pub grub. The Har-
mony Bar (2201 Atwood Ave., 608/249-4333, www.harmonybarandgrill.com , food served
11am-midnightMon.-Thurs.,11am-8:45pmFri.-Sat.,$4)isawonderfulapproximationofa
very casual neighborhood bar that happens to have good food. Formerly an early 20th-cen-
tury east-side tavern and fish-fry server extraordinaire, the current incarnation has a menu
varyingfromhomemadepizzastowalnutburgers.Thebackroomfeaturesmostlybluesand
roots rock on Friday and Saturday.
Small Plates
Madison may have the state's highest percentage of vegetarians, but let's not forget you're
in the Midwest, so carnivores can now delight at a paean to the pig at A Pig in a Fur Coat
(940 Williamson St., 608/316-3300, www.apiginafurcoat.com , 4pm-10pm Mon.-Thurs.,
4pm-11pmFri.-Sat.,from$9).Whereelseareyougoingtogetfour-star-qualitypoutineand
pork belly in a funky atmosphere? I adore this place. Reservations are not accepted.
Deli and Ice Cream
The wildly popular Ella's Deli (2902 E. Washington Ave., 608/241-5291,
www.ellasdeli.com , 10am-11pm Sun.-Thurs., 10am-11pm Fri.-Sat., $3 and up) is a kosher
deli and ice cream parlor—though traditionalists quibble with the revered “deli” moniker
(they cavil, this author says). This Near East Side location is very family-friendly—a wild
descent into circus kitsch, complete with a carousel outside.
Southeast Asian
The food will clear your sinuses, but the spices don't dominate the wondrously simple but
richfareat Lao Laan-Xang (1146WilliamsonSt.,608/280-0104, www.llx-restaurant.com ,
$6-16), which has good specials. Hours are complicated, but essentially lunch and dinner
daily.
If they're full, head two blocks east and you'll find the newer Ha Long Bay (1353 Wil-
liamson St., 608/255-2868, www.hlbmadison.com , lunch and dinner daily, $6-15), a fusion
of Vietnamese-Thai-Lao cuisine. Go for whatever—it's all done well.
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