The Dining Room at 209 Main

Nestled in a charming restored building on Main St, Monticello, The Dining Room is a hidden gem of Wisconsin’s culinary treasure trove. The menu changes with the seasons, so if there is something you’re craving, check the website. After one visit, I would trust anything Chef presented. One unique feature is the display of local textile art, hung throughout the restaurant. I like the community connection and atmosphere it nurtures. 

Appetizer: Smoked Rainbow Trout
served on three miniature cornmeal pancakes, with creme fraiche, tobiko and caramelized fennel. Yum. This was a delightful way to start the meal. This perfectly-sized portion is a wonderful balance of flavors. The strong smokey trout is foiled with the creme. The light anise of the fennel will make you look at the vegetable in a whole new light. Enough to split between two without feeling deprived.

Entree: Grilled beef tenderloin filet
with worcestershire glaze, blue cheese cream, fresh asparagus and mashed potatoes. The beef was cooked perfectly, medium rare unless you say otherwise. The sweetness of the glaze and tartness of the blue cheese cream made a tongue-tingling combination. The asparagus was just lightly sautéed, enough to keep the bright green color and crunchy middle. I could eat this every time.

Entree: Sautéed veal cutlets
with a white wine lemon and caper reduction sauce, mashed potatoes, fresh asparagus and a creamy crab and shallot compote. The veal was fantastic, but for me it was all about the sauce. The sauce was rich, intriguing and addictive enough to make you want to lick the plate. The crab and shallot was an exciting grouping, a great balance to the sauce. The vegetables were delicious, but bring me more sauce.

Dessert: Crème Brulée
Pamper yourself with this fantastically light, creamy and heavenly dessert. For those of you on the quest for the perfect crème brulée, this one must be put to the test. The top crust is ever so thin, and more delicate than an eggshell. The crème is smooth with lovely specks of vanilla bean seeds in every bite.

Dessert: Sticky Toffee Pudding with toasted pecans
They say this dessert is the best dessert in the world. They say this dessert, if shared with a loved one, will test your relationship. This dessert is all that and more. It is a must for first-time diners. If trying more than one dessert, have this one last because it will overwhelm your palette and send it into ecstatic raptures.

The food was so amazing from start to finish, we bought the cook book for the sauces, and so should you.

209 Main St • Monticello, WI • 53570
Hours: Wednesday – Saturday
5:00-9:30
Menu