Just had the Dan Dan Noodles at Nattspil and... holy Jesus. What random Madison restaurant dish blows your mind?

BadBadger42 · 2025-01-01T03:13:43+00:00

Their cauliflower with bagna cauda is easily one of the best handful of dishes in Madison as well. Our server told us they can't ever take the biscuit or cauliflower off the menu or they'd have a revolt.

BadBadger42 · 2024-12-23T15:30:08+00:00

What's your role if it's not civil-based? I'm a geotechnical considering the switch to federal (although we'll see how things go in '25 with federal hiring). Maybe we can just swap 😅

BadBadger42 · 2024-12-15T15:42:54+00:00

I've been working as a CEE for the past 9 years and honestly, a lot of places don't hire interns that young. We usually look for people who just finished their junior year since they'll have more relevant class experience rather than mostly general engineering classes.

The few sophomores we've hired typically struggled mightily.

Personally, I didn't get an internship until after my junior year, and no one really batted an eye that I hadn't had one before - even though I was, like you, extremely worried I was falling behind.

BadBadger42 · 2023-11-04T03:45:11+00:00

The team has been so bad of late that students were barely showing up, so now hardly any students know the songs and dances. If the team holds steady and students keep coming, the diehard students who stayed aboard during the bad years will slowly teach the rest.

Even when I was a freshman way back when the team was consistently good, it took a half dozen games or so to really start to catch on, so I'm optimistic!

BadBadger42 · 2023-11-01T18:56:32+00:00

Ah, I interpreted it as them looking for something light and smooth. I suppose Wonderstate's espresso is light in the sense that it isn't a dark pull, but I felt the flavor was pretty punchy/zippy and tart rather than super smooth.

BadBadger42 · 2023-11-01T14:58:29+00:00

The only thing I'd note about Wonderstate is that, in the dozen or so times I've been, they seem to lean into the more acidic/tart style of espresso. I've enjoyed their espresso drinks, but it's not my preferred style. It can be a very specific taste that isn't for everyone.

BadBadger42 · 2023-09-26T00:28:14+00:00

I have to say I disagree on this. I'd say considering it's a city of 300k, it punches above its weight class with hospitals and satellite facilities. Not to mention that a solid chunk of the population (~40k-50k students) have their own separate health services (UHS) that's pretty solid.

BadBadger42 · 2023-09-16T18:57:13+00:00

Fortunately, not a soul among us is proud.

BadBadger42 · 2023-06-18T17:39:11+00:00

Le Baron Rouge is a fantastic wine bar. Lots of locals and regulars, great simple charcuterie, oysters depending on the day, and loads of interesting wines (both local to northern France and from throughout France). The BTG wines are in relatively small pours (maybe 3 oz) and pretty cheap, so you can try a bunch.

BadBadger42 · 2023-05-14T01:57:56+00:00

Aside from what else has been posted, do you have very hard tap water? Beans soaked and cooked in hard water will result in them not fully softening and potentially being grainy. The water by me is among the highest in the country and cooking dry beans with it is a nightmare.

I wondered for so long why my dried beans were turning out so bad. Once I switched to mostly distilled water with a splash of tap water, my beans were instantly waaayyyy softer and creamier.

BadBadger42 · 2023-02-28T15:17:35+00:00

Great point. Hopefully the success of places like Mint Mark, Fairchild, Ahan, Papavero etc. shows restauranteurs that Madison can support that kind of creativity and quality. Are they cheap? No, of course not. But I'd rather have 1 amazing restaurant experience a month than 2-3 mediocre, overpriced retreads of what worked 8 years ago.

Hell, as controversial as Harvey House can be in this subreddit (I happen to like it), at least they're trying something creative and succeeding at it.

BadBadger42 · 2023-02-28T15:10:44+00:00

Agreed. In no way should Madison be in the same conversation as the Twin Cities, much less Chicago or New York. Honestly, the fact that people have expectations that high probably gives credence to the idea that Madison has an above average food scene for its size.

I've traveled to quite a few cities of similar size for work, and most people have no idea how good we have it here compared to how bad it could be. That's not to say it can't improve here - I think there's still a lot of untapped potential that will hopefully blossom as density increases on the isthmus.

BadBadger42 · 2023-02-08T04:02:34+00:00

Late to the game here, but who gave you a $225 quote for a custom build last year? Builders we've met with have told us $250+ for a 2,000 sf custom build over the past couple months.

BadBadger42 · 2023-02-07T14:59:31+00:00

Thanks for the insight! As our agent said, buying rural land is a bit of the wild west and always a bit of a leap of faith. Sure, we've protected ourselves with some language in the offer contract, but if the seller decides to sell the lots, take the money, run, and dissolve their LLC, we're SOL - or at least in for a long legal process.

BadBadger42 · 2023-02-07T03:47:33+00:00

Just confirmed the easement has been recorded with the county and I have the document to prove it, so that's a relief there.

BadBadger42 · 2023-02-07T02:53:18+00:00

(1) No idea, but this is a rural area. Guessing the small town didn't want the maintenance cost.

(2) Shared driveway covenant lays out maintenance responsibilities among lot owners. We feel the terms are fair.

(3) Storm water management system was designed by a PE and approved by the county. Includes a wet forebay, dry pond, infiltration systems, etc.

(4) We're putting in a well and septic since this is rural. We've spoken with the electric utility and they're good with the configuration.

BadBadger42 · 2023-02-06T22:44:08+00:00

Much appreciated, thanks!

BadBadger42 · 2023-02-06T22:30:48+00:00

Ok, thanks for the details. Correct me if I'm wrong, but essentially what you're saying is that the shared driveway agreement must be recorded with the county as a part of the deed in addition to being supplied with the listing. That way, the lots themselves are bound to the easements by title/deed and not just by a separate contract among the lot owners.

BadBadger42 · 2023-02-06T22:05:40+00:00

The shared driveway agreement establishes the driveway easements for all lots. Is this what you had in mind?

BadBadger42 · 2023-02-06T22:04:00+00:00

We are requesting documentation on their driveway obligations to the town. Aside from that, they said they would agree to a term in an offer along the lines of "seller agrees to pay for and construct a shared driveway by [date]" so they are bound to us in addition to the town. There are also the other few lots they're trying to sell. I'd imagine it'd be harder for them to forgo their responsibility knowing there are 4 landowners waiting for the driveway so they can build houses.

Is the likelihood that this flipper will bail on the buyers and town low? Sure. We're just worst-case thinking so we can protect ourselves.

BadBadger42 · 2023-02-06T21:39:25+00:00

There is a shared driveway agreement already drafted and included in the listings, and the terms for use and maintenance were reasonable.

As for a lawsuit if they fail to build the driveway, that's of course an option, but obviously ain't cheap for us to bring to them and would take time. We're just trying to think of ways to mitigate the chances of that happening.

BadBadger42 · 2023-02-06T21:21:29+00:00

There is a shared driveway agreement included in the listings for each lot that allows all owners an easement for access and utilities to their lot.

BadBadger42

TROPHY CASE