By Kevin Revolinski
Here are seven good reasons to head downtown.
Eloura
10 W. Mifflin Street
Eloura is a two-for-one eatery: On one side of the double-sided bar is a cafe; on the other is a dinner destination. Owned by the same proprietors as the Italian- Indian Zafferano Ristorante in Fitchburg, Eloura’s menu offers Mediterranean dishes and many have Asian twists. Try the chili crunch hummus, an Adana Kebab smashburger, muhammara and burrata, or even a Levant pork belly banh mi. For dessert, there’s black sesame tiramisu or pistachio baklava with miso almond.
Pink Heifer BBQ Saloon
567 State Street
This barbecue spot has plenty of seating — wrapped in Holstein-themed upholstery. Start with the popular carved brisket platter or choose a mac ’n cheese bowl — made with monterey jack and cheddar cheese, and topped with brisket, chicken or pork. The wagon rolls are handmade eggrolls filled with brisket and Wisconsin cheddar, and served with house barbecue sauce. All of Pink Heifer’s meats are smoked in the original Monticello location.
Pink Flamingo Brunch Cafe
638 State Street
Weekends are busy at this second-floor hotspot. The menu offers brunch favorites, including pancakes, egg dishes, chilaquiles, bowls and even oysters. Try one of the Eggs Benedict options with beer cheese sauce, or crab cakes and broccoli. The Eggs En Purgatory dish features arrabbiata sauce and Fraboni’s Italian sausage.
Little Sweet
313 State Street
The frosted cakes here — gorgeous, light and not overly sweet — are reason enough to stop in, but this Asian-inspired bakery also serves appetizers and entrees, including Cha Shao Pork (Chinese barbecue), roast duck and crispy garlic chicken, as well as boba tea and a milk tea service to pair along with your sweet treat.
Ellipse Coffee & Crepes
430 State Street
Crepes? Mais oui! Here you can order waffles or crepes that are folded into quarters and served on little cast-iron skillets, attractively drizzled with flavored syrups. Popular toppings include pistachio, Ferrero Rocher and strawberry cheesecake. Savory choices include the lox and halloumi and tomato crepes and monthly specials. Check out the milkshakes, flavored matchas and nonalcoholic mojitos. Ellipse is also open until 11 p.m. if you need a late-night coffee fix.
Ashirwad Indian Restaurant
128 State Street
State Street’s only dedicated Indian restaurant is managed by Mitra Poudel, who is also a business partner at The Globe, located nearby on N. Henry Street. Poudel is often taking orders and serving tables in the two dining rooms. Butter chicken, lamb masala and vegan tofu masala are big sellers. The chicken 65 is a spicy, garlicky South Indian appetizer, consisting of deep-fried chicken bites tossed in red chili, garlic and curry leaves. Service is on the mark, prices are reasonable and portions are ample.
Chin Up
461 W. Gilman Street
A Chinese couple do it all themselves at this fantastic counter joint straight out of the hutongs. The menu goes beyond a few Chinese-American items to street foods you may not find elsewhere. Try Rougamo, the “Chinese hamburger,” which is slow-cooked meat served in a flatbread bun, or jian bing guo zi, a bean flour crepe with crispy wanton strips, egg, scallions and sesame. Even better: The prices here are wallet-friendly.
