Business Details
50 Years
experience
Your Trusted Fine Dining Experience in Madison, WI
Founded in 1976 by Odessa Piper, our restaurant has remained steadfast in its commitment to Wisconsin's agricultural community. We actively support local farmers by promoting heirloom produce, heritage livestock, and artisanal food production while preserving the region's fertile terroir. Under Chef Tory Miller's leadership since 2005, we've maintained excellence in culinary arts, earning national recognition including the James Beard Foundation's Best Chef Midwest award.Our philosophy centers on strengthening local economies through seasonal menus crafted from natural ingredients, while educating guests about ingredient sourcing through farm visits and market tours. Co-owner Dianne Christensen joined in 2007, expanding our mission through the creation of sister restaurant Graze in 2010 to engage broader audiences with Wisconsin's agricultural abundance.
Services
Fine Dining
Farm-to-Table Cuisine
Seasonal Menus
Wine Pairings
Culinary Education Programs
Details
- Year established: 1976
Highlights and features
- We have supported Wisconsin farmers since 1976 through direct partnerships
- Our menu highlights heirloom varieties and heritage breed animals
- We offer seasonal field trips to local farms for guest education
- Our team has won the James Beard Foundation Award for Midwest cuisine
- We maintain consistency in quality recognized by national publications
What people say
Exceptional fine dining
Seasonal ingredients
Culinary excellence
National acclaim
Farm-to-table commitment
Services
Fine Dining
Our flagship dining experience features meticulously crafted multi-course meals using hyper-local ingredients. Guests enjoy curated wine pairings and personalized service in an elegant setting. The menu changes seasonally to showcase Wisconsin's agricultural bounty while maintaining consistent culinary excellence recognized by national critics.
Farm-to-Table Cuisine
We maintain direct partnerships with Wisconsin farmers to source heirloom produce and heritage livestock. This approach ensures ingredient freshness while supporting regional agriculture. Our chefs create daily menus based on available seasonal products, maintaining a dynamic offering that reflects the state's terroir.
Culinary Education Programs
We offer farm field trips and market tours led by our chefs to educate guests about ingredient sourcing. Seasonal programs include foraging experiences and cooking demonstrations. These initiatives reinforce our mission to connect diners with Wisconsin's agricultural heritage through hands-on learning opportunities.
People
Odessa Piper
Founder
Pioneering sustainable food advocate who established L'etoile Restaurant & Cafe Soleil in 1976. Recognized for cultivating farm-to-table relationships that shaped Wisconsin's culinary landscape. Her legacy includes developing the nation's largest producer-only farmers market.
Tory Miller
Chef/Co-owner
Award-winning chef since 2005, recognized with the James Beard Foundation's Best Chef Midwest award. Leads culinary operations while maintaining commitment to local agriculture. Co-founded sister restaurant Graze in 2010 to expand farm-to-table accessibility.
Dianne Christensen
Co-owner
Joined as co-owner in 2007, expanding the restaurant's community impact. Collaborated on creating Graze to broaden access to local cuisine. Maintains focus on educational initiatives connecting diners with Wisconsin's agricultural heritage.
Questions
What makes your restaurant's approach unique?
We maintain direct partnerships with Wisconsin farmers for daily ingredient sourcing, changing menus seasonally to reflect local availability while preserving culinary traditions.
Do you offer educational experiences about food sourcing?
Yes, we provide seasonal farm field trips and Saturday market tours led by our chefs to educate guests about ingredient origins.
What recognition has the restaurant received?
We've earned the James Beard Foundation's Best Chef Midwest award and national recognition in Gourmet Magazine and Saveur's Top 100 lists.
Is there a connection with local agricultural markets?
Our founder helped establish the nation's largest producer-only farmers market and maintain strong relationships with regional food producers.
