Cento
122 W Mifflin St, Madison, WI, 53703
Cento Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Madison for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Madison for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Madison for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
122 W Mifflin St
Madison, WI, 53703 - Phone (608) 284-9378
- Website https://www.centomadison.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :4:00 pm - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Dressy
Ambience : Classy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Paola M.
As H voted to come and try this new restaurant, I was ready to bet we would be severely disappointed. After all Italian food I have really high standards for Italian food and some of the pics I saw of the dishes made me worry this might be the kind of over-sauced Italian I hate. I couldn't be farther from the truth. I really enjoyed all the food there. I had the small ricotta gnocchi (which was not all that small) and H had the small black fetuccini with seafood. I tried the fetuccini and I liked them, but I think the gnocchi where much better. The mushroom and cheese sauce well complemented the gnocchi without weighting them down too much. After that we shared the Arctic char. The fish itself was perfect. Skin was crispy and fish was cooked to perfection. The vegetables, were good but a bit oily for my taste. Flavor was there and cooking was pretty much spot on, but I would have drained most of the oil they had been cooked in before plating them. After the fish I was pretty much full, but BF opted for dessert and chose the berry sorbet. It was OK a bit sweet for my taste and not all that special according to me, but he liked it. For $7 I would have skipped it (It was worth about $3-5 to me). Service, location and wine were good and well complemented the food. If I have to criticize something I would say the room was a bit dark and pretty cold. Will enter the rotation of spendy restaurants that deserve my money on special occasions.
(4)Living T.
This fairly new addition to the Madison restaurant scene has the delicious menu options. The full bar offers an extensive list of drinks including wine, beer, and cocktails. Parking can be found within a block at a city parking ramp. It's tucked away in the corner across from the very popular Overture Arts Center and newly renovated Madison Public Library. The staff is extremely helpful and friendly. Food arrives in a timely manner and the atmosphere is lively and exciting. At times, it can be a bit too loud. Booths open up into the main dining room. It is one large room with tables in the middle and booths on either side. The kitchen is open at the far end of the dining area which allows people to enjoy the chefs at work.
(4)Kathleen S.
One of Americas best new chefs, Michael Pruett, teamed with Sommelier Caitlin Suemnicht have succeeded in creating a great menu and wine list to satisfy the most discerning customer. We dined there for dinner trying something from almost every category and were very pleased. We selected an incredible bottle of wine from their list - 2008 Il Fauno di Arcanum, a 94 pt wine with a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese and Petit Verdot. It was velvety smooth and delicious. Loved the food, with the prize going to their Black Tagliatelle with lobster, prawns, clams, mussels, peas, uni sauce and fresh horseradish. It is the kind of food you dream about later! The service was great and the restaurant design is very pleasing. A great new find in Madison.
(5)Bethany S.
It's a cool spot and something a little different for Madison. The food was very wood-fire roasted and by that I mean full of flavor and goodness but also rather charred and salty. I can't put my finger on whether I loved it or felt like it lacked finesse. The wait staff is very attractive - noticeably so. Odd, right? I feel like there's normally a bell curve that mirrors humanity but here it looked like they stood the candidates up in a row and hand picked the pretty people. So...I guess depending on what you are looking for, that could be a plus!
(4)Laura L.
I dine out often... and everywhere. Cento was a breath of fresh air among the decidedly mundane that has become dining in Wisconsin. After all, how many "gourmet" versions of a cheese curd can one consume? But I digress... We arrived on a Friday night during prime hours, (we had a reservation but were quite early) and cozied up to the bar for a glass of wine. The hostess and bartenders were both quite friendly and attentive. Our coats were hung (greatly appreciate this) and although we had to wait for a seat at the bar we were informed that the wait would be short as a large table would be dining soon. The wine was fresh, crisp, perfectly chilled and served in lovely delicate stemware. The ambiance, seating, lighting, and general atmosphere is lovely. I always appreciate an open kitchen concept to feel more connected with the food. We ordered a variety of dishes: Warm marinated olives (Delightful and genius to serve them at a toasty temperature, it truly brought out the different flavors of the olives.) Seafood bisque (My date had this and loved it. I don't eat meat so did not partake.) Cedar roasted artic char with roasted vegetables (Absolutely mouthwatering and so flavorful. The fish was wonderful...the roasted vegetables...perfection! I can't even accurately describe the flavoring on this. Oddly enough it was reminiscent of a campfire and s'mores, but not. You have to trust me and TRY THIS!) Squash, Goat Cheese and Mint with Balsamic as a side. (This was a stunning side dish. I could have eaten a trough of this delightful dish!) My date had: Prosciutto wrapped branzino with spring vegetables (The fish is served whole with head and tail, yet deboned. It was flaky, fragrant and perfectly cooked. It was beautifully presented and well worth the wait.) For a side he had the roasted brussel sprouts and this very generous portion was flavored with apples and cooked perfectly. For dessert we indulged in the caramel bundino, which was a decadent multi texture dish that exploded in subtle tastes. If you haven't been to Cento, then you are truly missing out on one of Madison's gems. I am looking forward to many more visits to sample the rest of their extraordinary menu. Bravo Chef Michael Pruett on a wonderful addition to Madison't culinary highlights. I WILL be recommending you to everyone I know.
(5)Bob J.
Yet another food fight restaurant...however this one is decidedly upscale-perfect for a date night or an evening at the Overture. Great steaks, Italian dishes (though the gnocchi I had was a little undercook--no big deal and it certainly was fresh). Good drinks as well--definitely recommend the limoncello. I haven't been in a while, but I definitely want to go back. Park in the Overture Ramp. It is definitely a place you should get dressed up for: it is not uber casual like many of Madison's restaurants. Great photography on the walls too--take a chance to wander around while you look for the bathroom.
(5)Grace C.
I have a feeling Cento is going to be a big hit very quickly. Food is high-quality, really tasty (esp. the arugula mix on the side of the lemon-y chicken entree - can't remember the name, but MAN), and well-prepared. The chicken I had might've benefited from a little something extra; it was very good, but it tasted like just a small step up from something I could've made at home. The arancini (fried risotto balls) were similar - tasted great and were well-done, but didn't quite have that "Oh my GOD" factor for me. Otherwise, service was great, prices are right in line with the quality and setting, and the restaurant itself is just gorgeous. I'll go back to try more food, but to be honest, I'd go just for the dining room!
(4)Veeder V.
Ahhh...Food Fight, with your trendy spaces and Sysco food. Cento's space is beautiful and I enjoyed the music and the lighting. The food is bland and attention to detail is lacking. Pastas all needed seasoning and came out cold. The "fried squid" app was fried calamari. I tasted all four pastas at our table and was not impressed with one. Did I mention Cento is absurdly overpriced? $34 for pasta with a very small amount of seafood? And the seafood itself was far from fresh. Mussels were soggy/mealy, the one piece of shrimp was WAY undercooked. You pay for the ambiance and to rub shoulders with Madison's "elite" but expect to eat bland food and to put a healthy charge on your credit card. Almost forgot to mention the hard sell on gift cards at the end of the meal. The server turned into an infomercial. Stay classy, Cento.
(2)Andrew J.
Visited with my wife and another couple recently. I have eaten at Lombardinos a bit so that was my point of comparison for higher end Italian. Pros: * Service was attentive and competent. * Appetizers were pretty good, wrapped dates, beats were both good. * Good bread. * specialty cocktails were ok. * desert was great. Cons: *Of the four of us everyones entree was poor. Two got the prosciutto wrapped fish special and they were all fishy tasting, not the quality one would expect for the price and generally gross. I got two pasta half orders and both were not flavorful or memorable. The fourth was another pasta dish that was equally bland. * The whole place put on a lot of airs from the servers to the menu it was all trying to scream IMPORTANT FANCY RESTAURANT. Unfortunately the food did not stick to that narrative. On leaving we all agreed that there were some nice parts but the entrees were such a disappointment and made up such a bulk of the bill that we would probably not go back. Lombardinos is not perfect, but for the same price I have had many better Italian meals there. Maybe if you just got appetizers it would be a better time.
(2)Hank H.
My wife and I went on a Friday night. The place is nicely decorated and the wait staff are well dressed and professional. We got there early so we bellied up to their bar for a drink. We were impressed with their bartenders, they know their stuff and make really good drinks. We were well set up for a great meal for the first time at Cento and becomes their regular customer. Then, we got our food, it was a total let down. Our food was bad. I ordered the Squid Ink Tagliatelle. The seafood was not fresh, the whole dish was bland, and the pasta was over cooked. The owner and management seems to put in a lot of thoughts in who to hired, the decor, how to run the place, and they forgot the most import thing, the food have to be good to match the vibe and their price. As someone who is new to Madison, I really wanted to like this place because Madison needs a good Italian restaurant.
(2)Peter A.
We went to Cento last night for the first time. Had a wonderful experience. We had a booth looking out on the Christmas lights on the Overture Center. Overall, the ambiance of the restaurant is upscale...feels like Chicago or NYC, not Madison. (We live in Madison, so I'm not dissing it.) Food was very good. We started with the bacon wrapped dates. I thought that they would be too sweet, but they were not. It's a winner. My wife had the tagliatelle, which she enjoyed; very rich, but also very good. I had the snapper. It was done perfectly. Service was excellent.
(5)Logan M.
Ate brunch at Cento today. First off, the inside of the restaurant is beautiful- it's only 4 months old and is very modern and comfortable. As large as the restaurant is, there aren't that many tables, which is nice because you don't feel like you're on top of other parties. Also the booths are large and comfy. Plus, it was easy to get a reservation for a large party, which I can't say about many brunch places in Madison. I'm guessing this is because Cento is new and doesn't have a large following yet, though I doubt that will last very long. The service was fantastic. I wish I could remember our server's name, but she was so thoughtful and kind. She didn't mind that we asked 100 questions and made a huge ordeal out of splitting the check/using different cards/gift certificates, or that we had several diners join us at different times. At one point, she overheard me say that my drink was a little sweet and came by and offered to replace it. We loved her- I would come back just to have her as my waitress again. Everyone absolutely loved their food. We started with the porchetta & brussels sprouts pizza, which was gone in 3 minutes flat. I had the baked eggs & polenta with vegetables and added prosciutto, so good. Others at my table had the bacon wrapped dates (amazing), eggs benedict, margherita pizza, artic char, and soft scrambled eggs with prosciutto. No one was disappointed, and we all vowed to go back for dinner after peeking at the dinner menu. They also had wonderful drinks. Will definitely come back here and would strongly recommend to others.
(5)Mike Z.
Not worth it Cento is too expensive for what it provides. The food and service were fairly good but not up to par for the prices that are charged. I'll admit that I don't like spending a lot of money on dinner. But I've done it on many occasions. Usually I leave an expensive restaurant feeling like I've had wonderful food at a high price. After leaving Cento I felt like I had good food at a high price. The pizza was tasty, but not as good as Porta Alba's. The gnocchi were pleasant, but they were so light that it seemed like mashed potatoes. The bar was out of two different beers that I attempted to order from the menu. That's not a big deal, but it's a minor frustration. The service was good enough but our waitress wasn't as attentive as she could have been. These things wouldn't be significant problems in a lower-class joint. But Cento seems to think highly of itself so I set my expectations accordingly. I was disappointed.
(3)Ginger G.
Service was great! Food only so so. Enjoyed my cocktail of champagne, vodka and lemon sorbet very much. Warm olive appetizer was excellent. Daughter and I had fish, snapper and branzino, nothing special or flavorful although presentation was very nice. Daughter's boyfriend had pasta dish which he said was good. It was my daughter's 27th birthday, her dessert looked like a hot mess, they were out of the cake portion of the dessert and substituted something else. Cheesecake was tasty. Would not go back.
(3)Michael W.
Went for dinner on a Saturday night. The ambiance of this place is great. It's a little more formal, but not so much so that you feel under dressed or out of place. The food was excellent. The bacon wrapped dates were out of this world. Overall I think this is going to be a new go-to spot for me.
(4)Elena K.
Excellent addition to Madison restaurant scene. Feels a lot more like NYC than Madison. Great ambience, great décor, fantastic menu, service and food and affordable prices, too. The bar area is very nice and cocktails list is impressive, I tried one with prosecco, vodka and lemon sorbet and it was great and only $7! The booths have high walls so it's a very private setting if you take a booth. For appetizers we got well-presented olives bar for $5 (plenty of olives and good variety and they were warmed) and cured meat and cheese plate, that was $15 with ridiculous amount of food, easily enough for 6 people. 3 types of cured meat and 2 types of cheese, everything was delicious. All pasta menus are available in half portions. we had black tagliatini for $15 and branzino wrapped in prosciutto and everything was very tasty. We also had two desserts for 3 people and that was a mistake as desserts were big so one is plenty to share among 3 people. Good list of dessert drinks as well. Service was spectacular, very timely, we never felt left without attention and the waitress was very nice. We also had couple managers stop by and ask how everything went. Our total bill was $47 per person before tip for appetizers, entrees, desserts and more than one drink per person, I would say it's great price for such level of food and service. The only thing that could be improved is density of the seating: add more high-top tables and more tables overall, otherwise the place feels just a tiny bit too underfilled. Overall this is my new most favorite place in Madison. Will come here for drinks instead of Merchant.
(5)Gary B.
Headline: A beautifully designed space with great service -- a great addition to downtown. Hits: House cocktails, small plates, and deserts are the stand outs for me. Also the front of house staff is stellar, particularly given how recently the place opened. Misses: To new to say. I will revise after a few months of operations. Hints: Tons of new and interesting Italian wines. Don't be afraid to ask for guidance or pairing advice. Also, put together a group and book the chef's table. Bottom-line: You will have a great time whether your seated at the chef's table or at the bar.
(4)Rebecca P.
Excited to try the latest Food Fight restaurant we rounded up seven of our closest friends and headed Downtown on a Friday evening! We had a reservation and were seated promptly, and were surprised to see the bar was empty other than us at 6:00 pm. We were seated in the upper dining room which was more secluded from the fun hustle and bustle of the main restaurant, but I think it was due to the size of our party. Overall the atmosphere and interior design were beautiful! We started with the butcher board and dates appetizers to share, which were simple yet delicious. Our table decided to order a myriad of menu items and share with the group so we could try more things, which was fun! We really liked that you can order a smaller portion of the pasta dishes (but the small is by no means too small). We ordered the veal with buckwheat papardelle, and a wood fired pizza. The pasta was great, lots of flavors, the buckwheat papardelle had a unique firmness and the presentation was beautiful. The pizza could have been cooked more and wasn't quite up to par with Café Porta Alba, but still kept to a true authentic Italian style. The drinks were good as well (I've posted a picture of the cocktail menu since they don't show it on their website) I had the Rye of the Beholder and the Vespa Sidecar. Overall the space is beautiful, the food is good, but next time we would like to be in the main dining room with a view into the kitchen!
(4)Veronica A.
Traveling from Los Angeles, we were looking for a good restaurant and Cento did not disappoint. Butcher Board appetizer was SO good, very tasty and I was very impressed they were serving local Wisconsin cheese. We also ordered a pizze (super tasty and loved the wood fire oven taste), the roasted cauliflower with country ham (AMAZING!) and the roasted pollo with salsa verde. All of the food was very, very good. The service was fantastic - we arrived before the dinner rush and when we sent back a room-temp Pelligrino they happily replaced it with a cold bottle for free. The restroom was very clean, ambiance very nice and pleasant, not too loud and overall one of the best dining experiences in Madison for out-of-towners.
(4)Michael B.
Another BRILLIANT dinner at Cento...arancini, pizza with sweet italian sausage, bocconcini, broccoli rapini, tomato sauce, garlic and chili flake and agnolotti with pumpkin, sage, walnuts and parmigiano reggiano!!! Bravo Chef Michael Pruett!
(5)Marlena H.
Terrific food, great atmosphere. The fish was tasty and the cocktails are outstanding.
(4)Kate F.
Very cool vibe. Food was great and made from a lot of locally sourced ingredients. Service staff could be more knowledgeable about the source of the food. I loved the meat counter in the middle of the restaurant where you could see the cured meats being prepared for charcuterie. Great spot for a date.
(4)Morgan V.
Great service! Neat nighttime atmosphere. I was a little disappointed the menu did not have more traditional Italian American choices. And it felt a little overpriced to me for the lack of selection.
(4)D. M.
Loved it - first it's a beautiful space and it's appropriate to dress up a bit, so that's pretty rare in Madison. Also the food and presentation is top notch. We tried a couple of appetizers, a couple pasta dishes, split an entree and two desserts... Add three cocktails and your at $65 per person including tip, but the food was great. In particular they have a fish, deboned and wrapped in prosciutto that I'm voting the best fish dish in town!
(4)Jin U.
Cento is great foods, excellent service. Granted, our waitress broke the cork of our wine, but the manager and sommelier both came to apologize and gave us free dessert. It was completely unnecessary. Having worked at italian restaurants myself, I completely understood what the poor girl was going through. Still, everyone was extremely friendly, even with midwestern standards. Recommendations were spot on, the sommelier commented on the wines we had, and the manager came out to comment on our dishes. The food was equally excellent. We had the beef tartare and calamari as appatizers, which were great (the calamari was a bit on the heavy side). The beef tartare was very fresh. We also had the pizza margherita - it was cooked in their stone oven which made the crust super crispy and the tomato sauce was excellent. AFterwards we had the black tagliatalle seafood pasta with sea urchin sauce. I've had worse seafood pasta's in Japan's Ginza district. I was super impressed. Finally, the lamb, dessert, and dessert wine were equally impressive. I will be recommending Cento to all of my friends. I'm a student now, so expensive restaurants aren't usually my thing, but I will definitely be coming back to Cento soon!
(5)Anne K.
I really wanted to love Cento, but sadly that was not the case. First off, the good. -The hostess were very nice and accommodating. -Our server was excellent, very attentive but not overbearing. -The decor was beautiful and I loved how open it was. The bad... -The food My boyfriend and I ordered the fried squid, the wine poached beets, the black tagliatelle, the prosciutto wrapped branzino and the panna cotta. All of it was pretty bland and seemed to lack any sort of creativity with flavor profiles. The fried squid was very chewy, to the point that it was almost inedible. The prosciutto wrapped branzino had a really odd aftertaste and really lacked flavor. However the worst would have to have been the panna cotta. It was served in a bowl and you could tell that it had been uncovered in a fridge for too long. How do I know that? Well it had a layer on top that tasted of other foods that were not panna cotta. Overall my boyfriend and I left just feeling very underwhelmed.
(2)Ben J.
Amazing! We stopped in after a comedy show around 10pm and had a beautiful time! Loved the wine, pizza and especially the cauliflower/ham dish!
(5)Marisa R.
Amazing, truly the best italian place in the state
(5)Courtney C.
Incredible and creative food! Friendly atmosphere and knowledgeable staff! I will definitely be back soon!
(5)Wilkins K.
A short walk up Madison's State Street, on a nice winter's day, had it's just reward when we entered the airy and minimalist decor of Cento. We had a light and lively lunch that satisfied our discerning palate and the excited our aesthetic sensibilities. The server and attendant staff were prim, proper and friendly to a fault and helped guide us first timers to the right brunch offerings. The bacon-wrapped dates were a robust revelation, while the Prazo and Prizze selections were sensational! The Ricotta Cheesecake was sinfully delicious.
(5)Bret A.
I've been searching for a superb Italian restaurant since moving to Madison eight years ago. I believe Cento hits that mark. I agree with all the previous comments on the atmosphere -- it was nice. But, the highlight is that the food is well prepared. Great ingredients, seasoned properly, and cooked to perfection -- from pizza to pasta to sandwiches. By the way, we went for lunch, where the menu is shorter but so are the prices -- still great food -- I will now gladly go and spend money again on dinner. Oh, and one of the best bloody mary's I've sampled in the area . . .
(5)Dave S.
We live downtown Madison and have eaten at nearly every restaurant. We get asked a lot for restaurant recommendations. I'd say we are fairly discriminating and know the restaurant scene in Madison. Our recent experience at Cento was way below average for a Food Fight operation. We sat at the bar, adequately staffed with 4 bartenders, on a Friday evening. The poor service we received was unacceptable. Where do I start... No silver ware- had to ask No napkins- had to ask Water glasses empty- had to ask Drinks empty - had to ask Overall unattentive service that only responded when I ran someone down. Food was good. Not great. Bartenders were nice but clueless and had no concept of teamwork and customer service. It impacted our experience and was noticed by a couple next to us from Chicago, who were upset with their service as well. I spoke kindly to the manager at the end of the night to share my experience. He was receptive and thanked me. Even asking for my name and number so he could invite us back to give cento another chance. To make matters worse...he never called me back. Baffling! I won't forget this. Not sure I want to go back. I've since shared my experience with others. Remarkably another set of friends had a similar experience the next night at their large table foodies. Bottom line- I had much better service at the Echo Tap and the Big Ten Pub. Cento should visit and learn a thing or five.
(2)Dan W.
I held off on reviewing until I had a chance to try Cento a third time. First, the good: - The setting is awesome. Might be the best designed restaurant setting in Madison. - The drinks are quite good. It's definitely worth checking out the cocktail menu - Staff is friendly but not exceptional yet The not so good; I've tried a few things off the menu over 3 visits (Bacon dates, gnocchi, beef tartare, burrata, beets, porchetta pizza, bucatini carbonara, pork chop, cauliflower) so I think the following thoughts are pretty accurate. In general, the food doesn't measure up to the ambiance or price. - Gnocchi was overworked/gummy. They were described as "pillows" and they definitely didn't come out that way. I mentioned this in passing to our waitress when she asked how everything was and I got the impression that she didn't really put much credence in my feedback. - Food was underseasoned across the board. Pizza crust had very little flavor and the bucatini carbonara lacked salt - not sure how that's even possible given the fact that the ingredients include parmigiano and pork cheek (guanciale). - Pork chop was overcooked (we wanted to try the beef or lamb but both were sold out when we went ) I really hope the food continues to improve and I'm not ready to give up on Cento yet. I still love the setting and will update this review if my next meal justifies it.
(2)Jack B.
Get the butcher board, sit at the bar and down a couple of their Eliot & Ambroses....you're set.
(5)Kevin N.
I have to agree with Cory D. The view from the outside of the restaurant does not match the interior - it doesn't look like much until you walk in the door - and then it's all very breathtaking. The decor is fantastic. The bar and most of the tables have lovely views of the streets - I can see this being an excellent place come winter to sit and watch the snow fall. This was my first experience at Cento, and it started well with a wonderful combination of server, manager, and house front man all acting in concert to create an appealing atmosphere for fine dining. Oftentimes many restaurants in the area that wish to be top-of-the-top focus everlong on the food (with good reason), but neglect to comb through their staff and pick the right people for the right things. Our server (who shall remain nameless - I don't wish to embarrass her) wasn't the only person that was all smiles. It seemed that every member of the wait staff was happy - or at least seemed happy to see us. I can usually detect fakery a mile away, none was to be found. This is clearly a good place for people to work as well as eat. It may seem like an odd tangent, but again I stress my belief that the atmosphere contributes greatly to the feel of the restaurant, and can even affect the taste of the food. The food itself is carefully crafted. Although a larger menu, it still (once explained) seems very accessible. Basic meats such as lamb and chicken are redone in a juxtaposition of new and old rustic styles (the lamb with house-made-noodles could have come right from someone's Italian grandmother's kitchen). Not gonna lie, I faked a bit dumb and wanted the server to explain the entire menu. She did with absolute aplomb, and clearly had favorites to recommend for the weary and leery. Again, I think that the menu is a bit long for being entirely new and adventurous items for and to most people - although we sampled enough of each of the items to know that despite the diversity, each dish is and was crafted with care. The server herself caught an item that she wasn't pleased with, and although we never asked or complained, she took the liberty of helping to remove it from the bill when she saw that we clearly hadn't eaten much of it. That is fantastic above and beyond service. The bartenders were very friendly, though only meeting them for a fleeting second, you'd never know that attached to an incredibly classy restaurant was a bar that appears to cater equally well to the quiet-yet-distinguished drink. I may return just to have a sit-down at the counter and enjoy the ambiance. This is definitely a restaurant for first dates (or any dates), friendly meetings, business outings - it's just very comfortable with an air of distinguished grace. A word to the wise, however: Feel free to dress up. It's been a minute since I've dusted off the Armani suit - this would have been a night to wear it. They are perfectly okay with you not being overly dressy, but I feel it is of note that if you were dressed to the nines, you would absolutely not feel out of place - it would feel as if you'd come to just the right spot to dine in your finery. Final note: for a few of the items, I don't feel that the price-to-food ratio is perfectly reflected; the markup on a few of the things that are and should be very easy to stock is a reflection of interesting management choices. I think that a few things (like the steaks) should be nowhere near $30 and $40. Having priced menus and ingredients before, I think that I'm either missing something entirely behind that reasoning or someone's just going with what they feel is culturally appropriate - doesn't make it right. Service: 5 stars Staff: 5 stars Menu: 4 stars Food: 5 stars Bar service: N/A Prices: 4 stars By the way - oddly enough - they have Wi-Fi for guests! I thought it was odd and cool at the same time. Nifty idea. Definitely not advertised anywhere, just a pleasant surprise.
(5)Ian C.
One star for nice location and decor and staff who try hard. The food: cheap ingredients, poorly cooked, ridiculously overpriced. After 24 hours I still have the chemical taste of the cheap pancetta used in the mushroom side dish stuck in my mouth. Food Fight's motto: "you can fool enough of the people enough of the time to turn a nice profit."
(1)Moody F.
Cento, hmmm. The mens' bathroom alone is a metaphor for how unfinished this place is. The caulk around the sinks is separated and clearly it was painted in the dark. At the convergence of the wall and ceiling is transparent brush strokes. This translates to the food. Everything is just "almost good". The sauces with the pasta dishes lacked seasoning and depth of flavor. The carbonara was "eh" at best the guanciale (bacon) was rendered flavorless and was barely detectable...we were hoping to try shaved truffles with this dish and maybe that would have helped but unfortunately they are "out...indefinitely" (Then why is it on your newly printed menu?) The black tagliatelle with a mix of lobster, mussels and a single under cooked prawn (tiger shrimp)...again...lacking flavor, depth and seasoning. We sent the "prawn" back and a disgruntled cook sent us an over cooked shrimp with the same tagliatelle redressed with a splash of cheese and horseradish instead of taking the time to do the dish again. Our starter was wine braised beets with goat cheese ('cause the girlfriend can't help herself when she sees goat cheese). It's not clear what kind of goat cheese they used but it was not a tasty-flavorful one. It might have even been cut with low-fat cream cheese. It was so bland. The beets...very little wine flavor translates. The decent parts of our meal were the drinks...a young (not quite ready) barrel aged negroni. Though we were told it was young it was quite tasty. They brought us a sample to taste before we made a decision. We liked it and went with it. The service was kind but awkward..."continue to enjoy" is a statement that came our way more than 4 times. (Thanks for the permission.) Our lamb was ribeye was a bit cold on the inside which is not quite med-rare. The flavor was balanced and the chimichurri was well tempered (though I would have enjoyed a bit more olive oil and some heat on the serving plate to keep the dish warm while we ate it. For dessert we opted for a digestivo that smacked of horchata with pistachio sprinkles. It was strong enough however and tasty enough so I can't complain too much. In all we were into Cento for $150+ for the two of us. The decor and food descriptions probably fool most people but for us we're experienced eaters and don't fall for the glitz. If you are looking to be impressed try the Eggplant Napoletana at Lombardino's. The people won't be as pretty and the decor is pure kitsch but that dish was better than all the dishes we had at Cento combined.
(2)Carol P.
Cento turned out to be a mediocre brunch experience, especially on the food front. The only really good dish among those we tried was the ricotta pancakes with blueberries and lemon curd. While it was delicious, the three small Swedish style pancakes lost in a large white bowl did not satisfy a modest appetite. The burrata pizza was okay but did not stand out in any way. The shaved porchetta sandwich--a 1/2 inch thick slab of pork and fat with little flavor on a baguette with a few greens--was awful. Shaving implies thin slices or shreds of meat, not a slab. Very unattractive and unappetizing menu item. Service and ambience were good. But Cento's brunch, as currently configured, does not compete favorably with Sardine, Heritage Tavern or Graze to name just a few other brunch spots around downtown.
(2)Kerri P.
Front desk staff was accommodating on a very busy night when I had made an error in our reservation. The prosciutto pizza was delicious, as were our desserts. The meal was well paced. My only quibble is that going from dessert to paying and leaving for the theater was probably more drawn out than it needed to be, and we had to rush to make our show.
(4)Jesse B.
Meh, I really like the food. So the food I give 5 stars. Just the ambiance is a little too corporate or something, Ok so the wood fired oven is awesome! Arancini scrumptious. Fried risotto balls. I really love the chef and don't even know who he or she is, Prosciutto and melon is pretty standard at an upscale Italian joint but man oh man was that prosciutto buttery and melon juicy fresh. Lamb ribeye a hit. Pork chop a hit- please order this medium and the lamb med rare. Why am I giving Cento 3 stars???? I'm not. I just can't do that to the chef. I'm giving it 4 stars. but still a 6.... well 10 stars for the food. Place just seemed so stiff for service and the atmosphere too corporate or something. Seemed like our server wanted to hang himself and everyone was a robot. We really enjoyed our food ut couldn't wait to leave and get drinks elsewhere. Atmosphere reminded us of a cold corporate law office or something. Maybe it was just a bad night or off night.
(4)Gracie F.
My husband and I have been to Cento twice in the past two months, and both experiences were excellent. Our first visit was just the two of us and we enjoyed appetizers, cocktails, and delicious homemade al dente pasta dishes. Our second visit was with a large group of 10+ friends after seeing a show at the Overture Center. We didn't have a reservation but they accommodated us right away in the bar area, helping us rearrange tables and chairs to make room for everyone. The service was truly excellent (especially for such a large, kinda loud group!) and our servers were kind and attentive, offering to let us share multiple dishes, pizzas, bringing extra plates, and then splitting the bill. We'll definitely be back, thank you!
(5)Eric B.
Cento is yet another uninspiring Food Fight restaurant. It's pretentious, overpriced and the food is universally bland. We had the sausage pizza and the prosciutto pizza. Both required salt and and pepper - but you had to ask for it. No salt and pepper is provided on any of the tables. The boned half chicken had a nice texture but was similarly under seasoned and required the salt and pepper. The fish items on the menu are all farm raised. The steak tartar came on a huge wafer-esque cracker that oddly tasted fishy. The tartar itself consisted of perhaps 2 tablespoons of bland and chewy beef. The only interesting item we ordered was the beet salad. It was really very good and the reason I gave Centro two rather than one stars. The dining room is appealing, the waitress pleasant, but that's about it.
(2)Barbara T.
I gave Cento another try and am I glad I did. We first went in November and were disappointed by the food and the service. What a difference a few months make! Our appetizers were delicious (try the melon and proscuitto) and everyone was very pleased with their entrees. Our server was excellent: she made sure we made our play at the Overture while also presenting our birthday girl with a complimentary dessert. We loved it and we will be back!
(4)Rob C.
Bacon wrapped dates very good, northern ragu very good, pumpkin pasta, excellent wine pairings and the house limoncello was also awesome!
(5)Tim S.
Food: 2 STARS. I was just completely unimpressed. Service: 5 STARS Ambiance/Space/Location: 4 STARS My lower review is based strictly on food quality. Will try again- and re-assess.
(3)Danny G.
The interior lighting is five stars. Seating is comfortable and the wait staff is friendly and knowledgeable. The food is good. It is not a good value. Like many State Street high end eateries, parents of students, expense account warriors and others making funny money will tend to flock here. Italian fare should not be this expensive. Beware everything is Ala carte. I ordered the sourdough bread as a side to accompany my pasta dish. Everyone at our table thought it was complementary with the meal and helped themselves to it. Oh how I pine for the days of a Macaroni Grill where great bread is free and it is considered bad luck to cut it so breaking reigns. The drinks here are creative and small too. Glad I saw this place but I would rather seek a better value venue.
(3)Michelle S.
Now here's a place to become a regular. What a wonderful addition to Madison's already delicious litany of downtown restaurants with good ambiance and great food. The atmosphere is perfect -- open and sleek, but not austere, with a substantial bar area. The service is excellent as well, with attentive but not overbearing waiters and waitresses who actually seem knowledgeable about both the cocktail and food menu. But the easiest thing to rave about with Cento is (luckily) the food. Dishes are made with great ingredients, prepared well, and matched with good flavors. Appetizers are often much bigger than anticipated (e.g., the charcuterie board is more like like a charcuterie table), so they can easily be mixed and matched to serve as a meal. Pastas are perfectly cooked and made (especially the gnocchi), and cocktails are inventive and delicious (most interestingly mix bourbon and Italian spirits, like aperol). Prices are slightly higher than is desirable, but the portions and quality of ingredients sort of justify them. I've been twice now, and am looking forward to returning soon.
(5)Mimi L.
The food and service here is wonderful. I asked my server which pasta dishes would be good with truffle. She returned and said that the chef would create a dish for me that's off the menu. I agreed and so glad that I did. It truly was the best pasta dish I've ever ate and I'm a big foodie, traveled in Italy and take clients out to dinners all the time. If I ever come back to Madison, this is the first restaurant I would go to. The pasta was freshly made, everything we ordered was amazing and the wine selection was great. The owner even stopped at our table to say hello. This place is a must try!!!!
(5)Kathy L.
We had brunch here. The honey sweetened granola dish was to die for! Two egg dishes were wonderfully flavored & presented. The service was excellent. We'll be back.
(5)Carol Y.
Cento is an excellent addition to downtown Madison. The space is fabulous...saving the best from the 1920's building and adding sleek new lines where needed. The food was excellent and the desserts divine. The manager, Jordon, stopped by our table a couple of times to make sure everything was perfect. He was attentive, professional and charming without being overbearing. All in all, a great new Food Fight addition to Madison. My new favorite restaurant. Perfect food, ambiance, wine list and cocktails and wonderful management paying attention to every detail.
(5)Andrew B.
We loved our meal in this great space. I am giving it 5 stars because we loved it even though it's going through "new restaurant" growing pains. Lovely staff, great menu that is beyond what one could have made at home, which is hard to say about most Italian food. The desserts: Poorly conceived and poorly executed. Tiramisu shouldn't be deconstructed precisely because it's the way the ingredients interact and melt in to each other that makes it wonderful. They left out crucial parts and left the others just lay there in the plate. So, call it something else. Italian food works best when it isn't overworked, over plated and lets the superior ingredients speak for themselves. Most of our meal was like that.
(5)Patricia M.
I'm giving this 4 stars, but I believe this will become a 5 star review and quite possilby the best restaurant in Madison in due time. I went after it was open for only 4 days, and my meal was excellent but not quite perfect. I am pretty picky at expensive restaurants, and none of the minor flaws were things that would prevent me from returning. I had the hamachi crudo with crispy potatoes -- if each bite had a little of every garnish (especially the tiny lightly spicy pepper) it was delicate and delicious. But if the bite missed any of the many small elements on the dish, then it lacked seasoning. I also had manila clams which were delicious, light with a wonderful broth -- but there was a little grit in the broth. And I also had a half order of agnolotti with a pea sauce with shaved truffles. The flavor was absolutely out of this world, but it arrived at the same time as the clams, and the truffle was too strong to eat alongside the light clams.The housemade pasta was a little TOO al dente for my taste, but I understand that many chefs believe in leaving a "bite" to noodles and risotto that isn't to my taste. I was concerned the pasta would get cold if I ate it last, but it was just fine. So, a small plate, an antipasti and a 1/2 primi plus a nice glass of white wine ran me $70 with tip. So not cheap -- but a very elegant room and a really interesting menu. I am eager to go back and try several other items on the menu
(4)M P.
Short and Sweet....Great service...Beautiful inside..Overpriced and not worth the money...
(2)Bert F.
We had the pleasure of doing a 7 course Chef's table this weekend. Each course was excellent. Our favorite was gnocchi,chicken,oyster mushroom, and truffle sauce. Wow, easily the best gnocchi we have ever eaten! Two people in our party had the wine pairings. These were excellent choices as well. The services and staff were great. We hope to see the gnocchi on the regular menu. We would highly recommend this unique experience!
(5)Sarah H.
Delicious food, upbeat waitstaff, beautiful space. You really can't go wrong. Unexpectedly loved the olive oil almond cake dessert.
(5)Kerri G.
After my experience at Merchant last year being too cool for school I was delighted tonight by Cento. The gnocchi is some of the best I have had outside of Italy, pillowy soft with foraged mushrooms and mustard greens. Not to be missed. The Beet salad may not have been exciting but was lovely and delightful. My favorite was the Rabbit Saddle which paired perfectly with the bottle of Gaja Promis Service was personable and efficient, always there when I needed them but never intrusive. Overall it was a standout experience and one I would like to have again. Next year Cento. Next year.
(5)J. M.
We went here last night with my wife's family for a holiday meal. Overall, I was really impressed. I rarely notice or care about the decor, but there was something about this place that I really liked. It was well done, but not over the top. It felt dressed up, but not stuffy. Anyway, the food was outstanding and the staff was tolerant (did I say I came with my wife's family?) My only criticism is that the food was very expensive. I understand that it is high quality and carefully prepared, but I still felt it was expensive or dare I say "overpriced?" We got the dates (awesome), olives (meh), calamari (also awesome but better dipped in the sauce that came with the dates). The bread was the best damn bread that $3 can buy too! I ordered the fillet which was surprisingly small with barely enough vegetables to notice and it was $50! I realize this isn't a steakhouse but for $50 one could get a ginormous bone in fillet with quality sides and a salad at Tornado. They did a really good job accommodating our special requests including green salads that weren't on the menu and a "custom" creation requested by my uncle that they happily provided. Why are there no green salads on the menu? The music was interesting too but it seemed to turn on and off at random times. Overall I will happily go back the next time I know someone else is paying!
(4)Patrick W.
Don't waste time in line at The Old Fashioned for brunch. One block off the square is the best Brunch in the state. On both Saturday and Sunday. Better cocktails, better wines, better beers, better food. Waaaaay better. Ben my bartender and Jordan the manager were outstanding. Let me sample numerous wines including the best Rose' I have ever had. I strongly recommend the arctic char with poached eggs, hollandaise, asparagus, and potatoes. Also the Italian sausage with sautéed onions and bell peppers. Pure perfection. Plus the interior is gorgeous. May be my favorite restaurant in all of Wisconsin. 5 stars all the way.
(5)Peter D.
The four stars is 90% for the space and the design. Clean, modern, crisp, stark, simple, elegant. I love the warm lighting at night and open brightness of the space by day. That all said, the food leaves something to be desired. I had high hopes for Cento but the food itself at both brunch and dinner, on a few occasions, was underwhelming. The food is sometimes poorly proportioned amongst its components in many of the dishes and very often under-spiced or under-seasoned. The drinks and wine are quite good, though honestly.. enough with the grappa in like every drink. I understand you're an Italian restaurant. The staff and service is generally friendly and fairly quick. Overall it's an inviting and tempting space that just need to upgrade its main course offerings.
(4)Samantha T.
My fiance and I reserved the Chef's Table at Cento for our five year anniversary, and were immediately blown away! From the homemade squid ink pasta, to the signature cocktails, and the bread pudding to end the meal, it was more than we imagined. If you are looking for an intimate and special evening, I would highly recommend the Chef's Table. Oh, and don't forget to interact with the kitchen staff! They are there to answer all your foodie questions! After all, your table is in the kitchen!
(5)Dan L.
Date night at Cento, this was a good choice. You don't get the beautiful Capital Building views that you have at places like Harvest or Graze, but you do get perfectly done Italian cuisine. We started with a fabulous cured meats board and some of the most tender calamari that I've had. Then, followed up that flavor explosion with some killer pasta and sea bass. I'm quite certain that there isn't a bad choice on the Cento menu. I also found the service very pleasant and knowledgable, and just the right amount of attentive. The atmosphere is a little stark, but has its own unique charm. This place is definitely a competitor in the fierce Madison food scene.
(4)Anita O.
We had the wine marinated beets...yummy. The tagliatelle with rago alla bolognese topped with ricotta, was comfort food at its best. Staff was friendly and accommodating, especially the manager, Jordan. We enjoyed our time at Cento, We recommend it and will be back.
(5)J M.
I came here with a co-worker after work on a Monday around 6pm with no reservation. The inside was nice, I would describe it as a pretty modern trendy type of feel / vibe. As our dinner went on the place also got fairly busy, which was surprising for a Monday. In terms of food we split 3 of the small plates. The beef tartare was FANTASTIC. I eat a lot of tartare and this was very good. We also got the sourdough bread, which I liked with their olive oil/butter combination. The last thing we got to start was fried mozzarella, which was tasty and the sauce had a nice little kick to it. For my entree I had the Casarecce, which was good but didn't blow me away. My friend had the Pappardelle, which I slightly preferred over mine because her sauce was great. Overall, I would definitely recommend and would return.
(4)Stacey L.
Full disclosure: came here for the Clean Wisconsin epicurean happy hour so my experience is probably a bit different than the average person's happy hour trip, but holy Toledo you want to get to Cento like, now. Everything I tried was fresh and high quality and balanced. I had some marinated beets, mini meatballs, prosciutto, burrata, and my favorite bite of the evening, their bacon-wrapped dates. I am still thinking about them a week later. The mild sweetness of the dates helped offset the saltiness of the bacon and the mouthfeel of the two was so pleasant. I ate two but wish I could have eaten 200. The other standout was their budino - so smooth and rich and beautifully plated. The crumbled cookies gave a nice contrasting texture to the custard and the sliced strawberries on top were a nice, fresh touch. I'm not the most adventurous eater, but I think I might have to put the Chef's Table on my bucket list as long as Chef Pruett is around.
(5)Kristine M.
I thought I had reviewed Cento already. I feel guilty that I haven't! Cento is amazing! First I have to say that the staff is superb. They are so kind and attentive, which always makes for a great dining experience. I stopped in tonight for a quick dinner and I was blown away. Jordan, the general manager, stopped at my table a couple of times throughout my meal to see how it was and Krista, my server, was wonderful. I got the beef tartare, which is one of my all-time favorites. It was perfect as usual. :) I also got the ahi tuna. I had never tried that before and I have to say that it is now my new favorite. It was topped with jalapeños and apples. That sounds disgusting, but it wasn't at all. The spiciness from the peppers was tamed by the fresh tuna and offset by the tangy apples. I have truly never experienced something so delicious. For my main dish I had a porchetta pizza, topped with brussel sprouts, pesto, and mozzarella. Let me tell you a secret. I HATE pizza crust. I don't know what it is, but usually I just leave it. I can't tell you if it is the fact that I haven't had bread in over a month or the fact that this crust was perfectly cooked/was salty and delicious, but I ate every last bite. I want more. I ended with the bread pudding, which was served at the Elite event at Cento. IT'S ON THE MENU NOW! YEAH! It was soooooooooo delicious. I am happy that they put it on the menu and that I got a chance to try it. Thank you, Cento for an amazing dining experience!
(5)Ka L.
I'm impressed. Yes, it is expensive. Yes, it is not authentic italian. But Cento has won me over with their PORCHETTA EGG BENEDICT. Ever since I've had it two weekends ago, I've been counting down the days to till when I'll be able to savor it again. mmmm delicious. I didn't realize brunch was available at Cento, but after missing farmer's market breakfast, I came by and that was the best choice ever! Service was a little slow, but our server was apologetic and brought us sourdough and butter to soothe us during our wait. Mmm, warm bread and butter was extremely delicious. The porchetta egg benedict is currently my favorite breakfast item in Madison. I love pork but porchetta sometimes could be too heavily spiced or fatty. But the hollandaise sauce went perfectly with the porchetta, and there was just the right amount of fat with the meat. Ohhh it is so delicious. The egg was perfectly poached, runny as I like it. Bread held up well to the ample amount of hollandaise sauce. Oh so delicious. And, to make you feel healthier it comes with a delicious side of salad! Great vinaigrette! I also tried the frittata with proscuitto and arugula. It was good but the frittata could be better flavored. I loved the breakfast potatoes but it was too salty. The garlic aioli and spicy marinara sauce we requested was great to cover the saltiness of the potatoes. And I must note that brunch is totally affordable, just like going to Graze or any other brunch place in town. Dinner was more expensive, but also really delicious. My favorites are the ragu pasta (with orange zest), seafood pasta (squid ink pasta is delicious!) and brandino (I've never like eating a whole fish better. They deboned it! And so delicious). Oh and please please please have the bread pudding on the menu! It is the best bread pudding I have had!!! the apples in there are so delightful. And the sides of the pudding are like a pie crust, giving great texture. So good! And you can make reservations on yelp via opentable! How convenient!! Verdict: come enjoy to celebrate a special occasion! Or, every weekend for brunch ;)
(5)Matt W.
Magnifico! While the food does not consistently hit the mark, Cento's über-attentive service and elegant digs make every visit feel like a special occasion. I appreciate their philosophy of sourcing the best local ingredients and preparing them with authentic Italian methods in a modern way. When Cento's kitchen delivers on that promise, it is truly a delightful experience. Belying the spartan building exterior, the interior of the restaurant seamlessly melds components from the 1920's era building (maple floors, plaster beam ceilings, interior brick walls, and stained glass) with contemporary design elements like steel bars, plush booth seating, leather chairs and modern lighting fixtures. Because of the open dining area, the high ceilings and an open kitchen, the noise level rises to a dull roar when the restaurant operates at full capacity. However, most of the time, I was able to speak with my dining companions at normal conservational levels and the soft jazz played over the speakers added to the ambiance. Because of the Cento's popularity and its proximity to the Overture Center, scoring a reservation can be tricky. Even during Valentine's Day and football Saturdays, I was able to secure a seat in the bar area and enjoyed impeccable service both visits. And unlike some establishment were a seat at the bar means being treated like a second class citizen by the harried bar staff, the attentive service staff at Cento made me feel like a VIP - Cento certainly belongs in the top echelon of local restaurants in this category. The vast wine and cocktail options are spectacular. During my September visit, the Cold Heaven 'Mutchmore' Pinot Noir 2011 from California was a steal at $9.50 a glass. During my recent visit, I reveled in the orangey tour de force that was the Eliot & Ambrose cocktail. When you factor in the supremely knowledgeable bar staff, it is a solid five star experience. Unfortunately, the food does not consistently match the high standards of the setting and staff. While I have experienced several fantastic dishes, I've also had a number of plates fall short of my expectation level for a restaurant at this price point. The fantastic: * The Butcher Board ($15) featured two cheeses, three cured meats (coppa, prosciutto and a cured beef) and a spicy preserve (blackberry I think) that offered a variety of delicious combinations. * The gnocchi in a red sauce with crazy water (water with garlic, onion and pepper) topped with shizo. I adored the pillowy texture and how the chef extracted tremendous flavor from the tomatoes in the sauce. * My wife described the tomato soup as the best she ever had and she is not prone to hyperbole. Each spoonful provided an explosion of concentrated tomato flavor. As someone who grew up consuming awful canned tomato soups, this experienced helped erase those bad childhood memories of salty, largely flavorless soups. * The butterscotch budino, streaked with salted caramel and topped with espresso cream blew me away. Covered with a light streusel topping for texture, the all the subtle flavors married perfectly. I am pretty sure I scraped off the top layer of the bowl it was served in to make sure I did not waste a speck of this delicacy. The lackluster: * Both times I ordered the pizza from the wood fired oven, I came away disappointed. During my first visit, while the pie had fantastic flavor, the center of the pizza was undercooked. The excess moisture from the cherry tomatoes prevented the center of the crust from properly baking, leaving a doughy texture. When I mentioned this to our bartender, they immediately offered to redo the pizza and ultimately took it off our bill. The second pizza had the opposite problem - the crust ended up burnt on the bottom, imparting a strong bitter taste. * The bucatini carbonara had far too much tarragon and the unwieldy bucatini noodles made it difficult to consume. * The flavor of the one-note caramel budino did not pop like its butterscotch cousin and the kitchen was stingy with the streusel topping, leaving the offering lacking for texture. For those of you that plan corporate events, please consider the private dining room at Cento as a future venue. Like the cuisine that balances modern interpretations with traditional Italian preparation methods, the dining room harmonizes old and new as well as casual and sophisticated elements. Details like original wood floors and exposed brick walls provide a timeless feel to a restaurant that opened up just months ago. You will be a hero for your office mates, trust me on this one. Cento is a fantastic landing spot for that special occasion meal, an expense report dinner or a casual night out. Despite the occasional off dish, I appreciate the variety of options at different price points. I am 100% sure that I will be returning.
(4)Samantha S.
Best meat and cheese board ever!!! Served on a tree! All drinks on cocktail menu are under 8 dollars! What a steal! Try the Toscana sour. Has that citrusy kick of a margarita without the regrets the next day from tequila. (Bourbon used in drink) Full menu is served at the bar! I can almost always snag a seat here when tables are full! Also pasta dishes come in small and larger sizes. In case you are wondering small dishes are plenty enough for one person! Lots of exclamations in this review I know! I just really like this place!
(4)Bill S.
This was the most underwhelming dining experience I've had in quite some time. We were very excited to try this place after hearing great reviews from friends, etc. To say that this restaurant is overrated is spot on. Service was terrible - server had very little knowledge of the menu and wine list. From the time we walked in the door we were rushed through our meal even though the restaurant was half-empty (on a Friday night - very telling). We received our drinks after our appetizer, and the entrees ordered which the server gave rave reviews, were severely lacking in flavor - a little salt would go a long ways and the chef obviously didn't taste the dishes before they were served. The fish (branzino) was over-cooked and very oily - nothing like described, and the pappardelle was raw (yes, I know the difference between al denté and raw - this was raw) and very doughy with poor flavor. The lamb was also lacking salt and may have been palatable if it were provided, but there was none on the table and our server was nowhere to be found, acting so timid because she knew we were unhappy with the flow of our dinner and lack of expertise regarding the wine list. It was like a 3rd string quarterback was put in the game to serve our party of 4. Dessert was chosen based again on the recommendation of the server and when it arrived on the table, the presentation was so unpalatable it looked like we were served a pile of something that came out of the rear end of an animal. Again, nothing like the server described. The ambience was loud, hard to carry on a conversation, and while eating a woman fell off of her high-top chair and no staff even took a second look or asked if she was ok. She was not drunk but was wearing a long, formal dress and it caught on the chair she was on - very poor decor and dining design. For the price we could have gone to any chain restaurant and had better service and much better food. Very, very, very disappointed!!! Don't waste your time, there's better dining experiences in Madison!! It almost seemed like the ambience was supposed to make up for a lack of service and terrible food, but although it was pleasant, the ambience was far from fine dining. Pic of the abysmal chocolate poo dessert is attached - the chef and owners should be embarrassed to serve this.
(1)Monica R.
Absolute dynamite. I dined solo on a business trip, and everything was beyond excellent, from the service to the wine to the burrata to the bread and finally to the Agnolotti, which was an amazingly rich mix of pasta with pumpkin and sage and walnuts in this butter/oil/starch mix. I thought it was just unreal how good it was. The price for all that was about $50, and it was one of those moments where I thought, "Oh, I am so ready to abandon the over-priced, over-hyped, over-douchebag-populated restaurant scene of San Francisco, because this is so much better!"
(5)Esther Y.
Cento blew me away when I came here for my first dinner, and I knew I wanted to share my experience with my boyfriend for Valentine's Day. I made a wonderful decision because not only did we have a wonderful time, but we had even more delicious food. Absolutely amazing prince Edward island mussels for our appetizer; I've been back again since valentines day, and I've ordered them again. Consistent, very (but not excessively) garlic flavored broth that pairs perfectly with the mussels. For my entree, I had the casserecce with braised lamb (no dairy), and my boyfriend had the carbonara. My plate was just lamb perfection; the noodles were delicious with a deep and rich lamb note with every bite. If I can eat this every day, I would. For the pastas, cento offers two sizes. My boyfriend finished the larger size, no problem. I also ordered the larger size, but it was too much food so I packaged the rest. So perhaps consider the smaller if you ate an appetizer or if you're not too hungry. Service is always incredible. Servers are always willing to confirm ingredients in the dishes, and they check on the table so consistently and pretty often. They remember faces and always make you feel welcome, which is something I really appreciate from any restaurant. Dining room is beautiful, drinks are always amazing (if you'd like a suggestion, try the vermouth!), and suggestions and knowledge of wine is incomparable. Cento is my go to for a fun and sophisticated night out. The three times I've been here have consistently been such a pleasure to experience. I always look forward to coming back!
(5)Christina D.
All of the food was good, but a bit pricey for standard Italian dishes. Their cocktails are fantastic.
(3)Cory D.
Honestly, good reviews are a little boring. People like hearing about dining disasters - rude and incompetent staff, food inedible, a hole in the wall decor.. and you wont find any of that here. Sorry! I can't express enough praise for Cento. Had a reservation for four at 8pm, and that was met timely, despite the restaurant being extremely busy. Had a wine concierge explain to us some of their many, many wines and how fancy is that? Also had a waitress that knew the menu in and out like nobody's business. She gave great recommendations, and even persuaded us to try some items we might have second glanced. My party enjoyed the fried squid and bacon wrapped dates as an appetizer, and both were out of this world. The dates are stuffed with this spicy, but not too spicy, sausage and lathered with piquillo pepper sauce, which makes for a sweet and savory appetizer, with all the flavors complimenting one another extremely well. One friend got the sweet italian sausage pizza as an entree and it was plenty big for one person. Another friend had the pollo al mattone, and it's probably the best chicken I've ever had. It was seasoned and grilled to perfection; drizzled with lemon and I was in heaven. There wasn't a single dish we all shared that was anything less than five stars. After our late night supper, my friends and I unanimously agreed that Cento was nothing short of magnificent, and we'd be back very soon.
(5)Jae C.
Probably one of my favorite birthday dinner to date. Walking in this place, you can sense it's a wee bit different than the usual Italian fare around Madison. Dressy? Yes, please. My fiancé took me here for a birthday dinner after we've been driving past it the last couple of months. We thought, why not? So we got dressed and headed here for some Italian. We started off with the bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with spicy sausage and piquillo pepper sauce after reading other Yelpers' reviews. Small, but tasty! There's literally like a burst of flavor once you bite into it. I expected it to be really just a bacon flavor, but I was wrong. The sweet and salty was a perfect combination in this little plate. The piquillo pepper sauce would've made for some good bread dip also. They were out of gnocchi tonight (?!?!?!?) and it almost felt like it was meant to be. I LOVE gnocchi and always seem to steer towards that dish at any restaurant, so it forced me to try something else. First world problems over here. We opted for the smaller versions of two pastas: 1) agnolotti with pumpkin, sage, walnuts and parmigiano reggiano and 2) black tagliatelle with lobster, prawn, mussels, lobster sauce and fresh horseradish. The agnolotti was so soft and the parmigiano reggiano wasn't as strong as I've experienced. I was hoping for more pumpkin because that actually was my favorite part of the dish. Go figure. The black tagliatelle dish (aka squid ink pasta, y'all) was oh-my-gee seafood heaven! My fiancé wasn't a fan of it because it was too fishy for him, but this Filipino girl felt at home. It was a very rich dish--that lobster sauce was very creamy. Overall, the pasta dishes were no disappointment. It's definitely worth it to get 2 or 3 of the smaller pasta dishes to be able to try them all out. Or that could just be me. We also got a pizza (sweet italian sausage, bocconcini, broccoli rapini, tomato sauce, garlic and chili flake)--very thin, not too crunchy, but very good. It wasn't out of this world, but it was a good introduction to their pizza selections. My fiancé's main dish was the pollo al mattone with salsa verde, arugula and lemon--the chicken just looked so pretty with the skin roasted into a perfect brown (I felt weird typing that?) and the arugula was a good balance to the simple flavoring of the chicken. My birthday dessert was the the cherry chocolate truffle cake with gelato--LOVE. The fiancé isn't a huge dessert person but he really enjoyed this and actually ate more of it than I did. The cherry was a good choice too--I was weary at first but it really made the dish. Overall, a very satisfying dinner. The service was great (oh! Chanel/Shanell? was our sweet server) and I was greeted happy birthday several times. Felt pretty special! So glad this place exists.
(5)Leslie W.
The owner of the restaurant contacted me shortly after I posted my first review apologizing for the experience and offering a gift certificate. He noted that improvements were actively being made to the food and service quality and the restaurant would change the temperature of the dining area upon request. Not many restaurant owners respond to reviews, especially negative ones, so it's impressive that the owner cared enough to respond in a professional and timely manner. Cento is still a relatively new Madison restaurant and appears to be constantly evolving and improving. Certainly worth another look.
(3)Sara M.
After eating here twice, I pondered about why they named the place Cento, the Italian word for one hundred. Is it because a meal for two people is likely to run over $100? Could it be because there are about 100 things on the menu, making decisions very stressful? These points may be true, but I finally decided it's because 100% of the food I've tried from Cento is wonderfully delicious. I've gone for brunch and dinner with a big group and EVERYTHING that everyone ordered was top notch. For example, the Porchetta and Brussels sprouts pizza trumps both Grampa's and Pizza Brutta in my opinion. The squid ink tagliatelle (conveniently offered in a full and half sized portion) is just lovely in it's tasty lobster sauce. The snapper is cooked deliciously, I only got a bite of my friend's order but it was enough to make me want to go back and get a full one for myself. Whether you're splitting a pizza and the fabulous butcher board (comes with honey, LOVE that!) with friends or ordering entrees with a date, I highly recommend Cento for an evening of great food. The service is also excellent and the ambiance is upscale without being stuffy. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Katie K.
We were seated in a booth near the kitchen. It was fun to look in and see the wood-burning pizza oven and to watch the meat slicer in action. I did think it was strange that the hostess was the one cutting the prosciutto on the meat slicer though, but she was wearing gloves, so that was good. We ordered a number of things to share, starting with the Arancini and Beef Tartare. The arancini were good. Served four to an order, they were crisp on the outside and smooth and creamy on the inside served with a spicy tomato sauce. Beef Tartare: The waitress said that this dish has a following. People come in just to order this. My date and I had never tried anything tartare before, but we were feeling adventurous, so we went for it! I'm glad we did. I can't say that I'll be returning just for this dish, but it was a good experience. You get a relatively small amount of beef, but really, how much raw meat do you need to eat in one sitting? It comes on a massive salty cracker topped with a boiled quail egg, cheese, anchovies, and radishes. There's a lot of flavor just on that cracker. Break a bit off, add some beef and BOOM. You're hit with all those savory flavors and a crisp and cold combination. It's a little pricey at $13.00, but definitely worth a try. My date is a big fan of mussels, so of course he wanted the Prince Edward Island Mussels. He really enjoyed them, served with pork belly, wine, tomato and garlic broth. He drank the broth without hesitation. We also tried the wood-fired pizza with Italian sausage, fresh mozzarella pearls, broccoli rabe, garlic and red chili flakes. Good flavors, but the crust was a little limp in the center of the pizza. Not sure if it was because it was too thin, or there was too much moisture on it, but it was a bit sad. Hopefully that was just a fluke though. Looking forward to going back to try more!
(4)Lisa A.
Worst ROI in town. For these prices I should want for nothing. So, so, so slow. And air headed waiter. Host swings by after we order wine from airhead waiter to see if w need help ordering wine. Yah - 45 seconds ago. Food was bland. Did I mention the waiter moved at the pace of tectonic plates? Delivered my wine after we were nearly done with our entrees? Never. Going. Back.
(1)Kelsi B.
Sad to say I struggled between 3 and 4 stars for this one - it was actually the exceptional service that pushed me to give Cento 4 stars. I was expecting a little bit more out of this place and have to say left a little disappointed! I made reservations for myself and a client online - super easy. Love that they take reservations (so many restaurants downtown do not)! We started our meal with the Butcher Board and Fried Squid. Both were delicious! The meats and cheeses on the board were perfect, especially with the crusty bread and honey. The Fried Squid was also very good, not greasy at all. The romesco sauce on the bottom made them really stand out from others I've had. My dinner meal was where I was disappointed. I was told by our waitress that the Gnocchi were very popular. So I tried them. Maybe I've been eating Gnocchi wrong my entire life (doubtful since I've been to Italy) but they were much too soft. I think someone else already mentioned it in their review, but it was almost like eating mashed potatoes with a butter sauce. I did not enjoy it at all. Also, there were pearl onions in the dish (not noted on the menu) which I really, really hate. For dessert I got their Budino to go. I ate it the next day - small portion but it tasted good. I was glad the cookie stayed nice and crisp instead of getting soggy from sitting in my refrigerator. So like I said before, was I disappointed? Yes. For such an expensive meal I would have preferred to enjoy my entree as much as I did the appetizers. Would I return to give it another shot? Absolutely, just not for the Gnocchi.
(4)Jacob M.
I took my fiancee here for her birthday last year, and she raved about it. I was happy she had a great time, but I thought the food was just okay. Maybe because I had high hopes for their pizza from the wood-burning oven. Soggy pizza was not what I expected. The bacon wrapped dates was surprisingly good. If she hassles me enough, maybe we'll come back.
(3)Sarah K.
Nice food, great service, lovely ambience! I took my mom here on her birthday, they gave us their best spot and treated us with a delicious appetizer and dessert of our choice! Definitely recommend this places! Dishes are worth the price!
(5)Leigh S.
What I love most about Cento is the space. It is a very open dining room, with a view of the kitchen and a beautiful bar. Beyond the atmosphere, the service is wonderful, attentive, and happy to make suggestions. I ordered the porcetta pizza, which was delicious but was no match for the squash pasta my tablemate ordered. I love that you can order small plates of pasta so that the table can share a range of options. It is so hard to choose between their dishes and the half portion makes this decision a little bit more bearable!
(4)Alexandra G.
The first thing you notice about Cento is the soft gray interior. It's modern and clean but welcoming and warm at the same time. If I was rating my dining experience on the space itself, Cento would recieve five stars. Sadly, I also have to take into account the food. I've only been to Cento at brunch, so maybe I'm missing some of the charm that seems to entice everyone else. I ordered the onion fritatta, and I have to say, there was no flavor to it. Rubbery yet airy (is that even possible) eggs that were tough around the edges and potatoes that tasted like the burnt ends of a french fry and drenched your mouth in oil. I longed for some salt or pepper, but, as is common today, none was to be found at my table. I had a bite of some of the other dishes on the table. The ragu was nice but the pizza was plain. There are other places in Madison (Grampa's, Sal's, Brutta) that do pizza better and with flavors that really come together. Drinks were ok. $5 for a mimosa isn't bad in Madison. There were some nice flavors on the menu as well. The Fizz is a great play on a classic punch with prosecco and aperol, and was refreshing and bitter in a good way that wakes you up in the morning. You have to try the lemoncello drink with espresso. It sounds strange but you'll be wanting it again next weekend. Service was very good. Our server was attentive, kind, and quick to fill up a glass of water and grab a cup of coffee. The bartender was friendly and ready for conversation. All in all, service was more formal than most of the establishments in the area and was a nice change of pace for Madison. I can see why this place has made such an impact in the growing fine dining scene around the capitol. I'll be back for dinner to see if the food can sway me. One thing to note...if you're going to have the dates stuffed with spicy sausage (ahem...chorizo) and wrapped with bacon in a pepper sauce, do yourself a favor and trek to Avec in Chicago where the recipe originated. They're much better.
(3)Ashley H.
Beautiful renovation of the 100 block of State St, gracious staff, elegant food, and SPACE! The 100 block of Madison ("Cento", get it?) has undergone a major renovation, and Cento is a really nice endcap to the renovation. They completely gutted the interior and installed a gray/dark wood theme, with part of the kitchen and woodburning stove exposed. Notably, there is a good deal of room between tables. In Madison, communal dining has gained popularity, but sometimes one wants to have an intimate conversation with just your table, and enough space to do so seems to be a real rarity these days. Digestif/aperitif on tap (a type of vermouth) was an excellent aperitif. At the bar, we enjoyed a wine soaked beet salad, which was mostly beet, which IMHO, is the way to do it. Pistachio crusted goat cheese accompanied the salad. Pasta dishes are offered in two serving sizes, both pasta dishes were appropriately al dente. I'm happy that the menu has rabbit as an option; the rabbit polpettini (meatballs) are rich but not overly heavy. A cheese and charcuterie board is available, but the staff was able to accomodate our request for a cheese-only plate with bread, olives, almonds, honey, burrata, bleu cheese, and another type of aged hard cheese. Excellent. Service was excellent, thanks to the two bartenders and the head server. Madison has truly lacked a variety of good Italian restaurants, and I'm happy that Cento has made good use of a beautiful space and look forward to trying more!
(4)Adam R.
After checking out Cento on it's opening night, I can say for certain that I will be heading back there for other meals. I can tell that Food Fight and chef Michael Pruett were meticulous when choosing the location and designing the space and menu for this new Italian restaurant. I will say that it has to be one of the most aesthetically pleasing spaces i've seen in a restaurant. Everything inside it looks brand spanking new, or it's super old to the point where it's charming. There's really too many facets about it to list, and the people there can describe it better than I can, so i'd recommend checking the space out for yourself to witness it. It's just gorgeous. All of the food that I tasted that night was spot on. Among them included the Arancini (which are fried Risotto balls), which was a goodie because it managed to satisfy my impulse for fried things without tasting greasy at all. The ricotta-filled agnolotti was also good, although more mild/subtle on its flavors. The fennel was an excellent side dish to go along with the agnolotti. Finally, for dessert we all split a slice of what was dubbed an olive oil cake, and that was delectable. Also, note that the cocktails are well worth a go, particularly the Mulo Romano. That was a very flavorful drink, and i'm excited to have another one of those soon. Much like the setting, the service we received on opening night was also stellar. Our server Alex had an extensive knowledge of the menu, which was useful for us, as the menu isn't the easiest to read through for people not used to it. Everyone was accommodating, polite, and the orders all came out timely. I couldn't really ask for anything better. The only thing Cento disappointed me on was the portion sizes, which I felt were a bit small. This could just be because I was famished entering the place that day, and i'm a man with a gigantic appetite. So, others maybe won't find this to be a problem. Besides that, I felt like Cento nailed all of the aspects of a dining experience, which is no easy task!
(5)Mark W.
This place is a new gem in Madison and will definitely be added to my regular circuit. Be warned: they take both the food and the atmosphere very seriously (in a good way). We happened to stop by for opening night this evening and were really impressed with the space and the service. The restaurant is in one of the old buildings on the 100 block of state street and they kept a lot of the original features when they built the current business (the stained glass windows, plaster trusses, and hardwood floors are original features). One thing I was really impressed by was the waiter's knowledge of the menu and pronunciation of Italian dishes. He really helped us order the right items based on what we were hungry for. I got the mushroom gnocchi, which was out of this world. We also got the arancini as an appetizer and I got to try some of my friend's margherita pizza. The food is the real highlight of this place, as everything was delicious. The prices were high-end for Madison; our bill came out to about $45 per person with a round of drinks, an appetizer, and entrees. I felt a little under dressed as most of the staff were wearing fancier clothes and the managers were donned in suits. I would say the dress code is dressy casual. Caitlin, resident sommelier of Fresco, stopped by to answer some of our questions about the building and tell us about their opening. She was quite knowledgeable and very friendly, offering her opinion of our dinner options. I absolutely loved the place and will be taking friends and family back presto.
(5)Tiffany N.
Sadly I couldn't eat all the food I ordered during my dinner at Cento - sad because it was so good that I wish I had room for.just.one.more.bite. Alas, I didn't. However, all the bites I did have resulted in a very happy tummy on my end. And if you'd like to replicate that feeling, here are the things I ordered (not by myself, geesh, it was a sharing table y'all): + bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with spicy sausage and piquillo pepper sauce + arancini with spicy tomato sauce + sourdough bread with local butter, olive oil and salt + burrata and olio verde on rustic bread + brussels sprouts, apple and bacon + roasted cauliflower with country ham + fingerling potatoes with garlic and cipollini onions Although this entire dinner was made of sides and starters, or what Cento calls "spuntini," "antipasti," and "contorni," it was way more than enough food for our table so I think you can order from their menu willy-nilly and be totally satisfied. The service and atmosphere are both lovely and I'd be happy to eat dinner here again.
(4)Kelly F.
I love everything about Cento. DRINKS: The cocktails were delicious. My husband described "the rye of the beholder" as the best drink he's ever had. They also have a nice wine selection and are really good at helping you pick a wine. FOOD: My husband and I started with 2 small primi plates to share. We had the ricotta-filled agnolotti and the gnocchi. Both were good, but the gnocchi was SO delicious, we both agreed that next time we would want a large order of gnocchi as an entree. The gnocchi was very light and the mushrooms had an incredible meaty taste. Next, we split pollo al mattone. It's half a chicken, so there was plenty of food for the two of us to share. The chicken was perfectly cooked, juicy, and well seasoned. For dessert, we shared cherry chocolate truffle cake topped with gelato and caramel. Yes, it is as good as it sounds. :) SERVICE: I was very impressed with how knowledgeable the waitress was about everything. She could describe all the cocktails and helped us each find one that matched our taste. When we were deciding what to order, she helped us decipher some of the Italian words we were unfamiliar with and eloquently described menu items. At the end of our meal, the chef came to our table to greet us. Meeting the chef added to our great experience.
(5)Kelly K.
Cento has a very nice atmosphere with leather seats and good lighting. I stopped in for lunch. For a cocktail I tried the Eliot & Ambrose which is Carpano Antica, wood-grilled Orange syrup, house orange-cardamom bitters and club soda over ice. It was excellent. I ordered the frittata with prosciutto and potatoes. The frittata was a disaster. It was burnt on both sides and hiding under a few pieces of prosciutto. It seemed like the cook whipped up a few eggs with minced onion and threw it in the frying pan too long browning the eggs on one side. I am guessing they then put in in the oven under a broiler where the eggs were burned on top. Why the cook sent in out like that puzzles me. I almost left. Since my cocktail was good I decided to stay and try the meat ragu with penne. It was very good and was a generous portion. The fresh parsley and carrots made it special. The house ciabatta bread was excellent. Service was above average.
(4)Sarah Z.
Everything was perfect--the service, the timeliness, the atmosphere... ...everything EXCEPT THE FOOD. I can't give a restaurant a good review if the food isn't good, especially at this price point. Here's the run-down: DRINKS: Okay, these were good. The Mulo Romano and Amore Amaro were probably highlights of the meal. WARM OLIVES: Fine. These were the highlight of the food, but the texture was a little mushy--not firm and fresh like olives should be. The orange peel garnish added a nice, unexpected element that made the dish more complex. Eat this part with the olives if you decide to order this. ARANCINI: They were hard balls of bland, puffy, overcooked rice. Looking back on images that other people posted on Yelp of their Cento arancini, the kitchen must have also run out of cheese. Ours came with a light dusting of powdered parm rather than an ample melty layer of shredded cheese as is seen in another photo. SOURDOUGH WITH LOCAL BUTTER: They really play with words to make this starter sound romantic. 5 half-slices of bread come with a ball of butter in a little pool of olive oil. The flavors were one-note. It would have been nice to have salt and pepper grinders on the table so we could customize the dish ourselves. I understand that good restaurants don't offer salt and pepper on the table because the chef wants customers to experience each dish as he/she creates it, but everything else we had that night could have used some more seasoning. FRIED SQUID: Over-fried squid was rubbery. The romesco sauce was good, but it was the only source of flavor on the plate. The grilled lemons would have been a great touch if we were able to squeeze some juice out of the paper-thin slices. BLACK TAGLIATELLE: The pasta itself had a gluey, pasty texture that wasn't pleasant. I wondered if it was the squid ink, but after doing a little research post-visit, this wasn't the case. Our tagliatelle also didn't have much sauce, and what was there tasted like cream and not much else. Very bland. This was disappointing because so many Yelpers rave about this dish, and their photos show a nice golden sauce. After reading so many positive reviews, my man and I had greatly anticipated our visit here. But because the food was so expensive, but not good, we don't care to visit again.
(2)Bill B.
Cento is a top notch destination for sumptuous offerings before or after a show at Overture, a concert at the Orpheum, or, like tonight, a movie at MMoCA. With one of the better wine vaults in Madison (Rare might just eke that one out), I lucked out with a special Chianti Reserva pour from the 'Chef's Table'. It paired wonderfully with the steak tartare (beef, hard boiled quail egg, parmesan, anchovy, tuna sauce, herb salt, ans sea salt cracker) served on a cross-cut piece of wood. While probably not on the standard 4 course menu as a follow up, I'm a sucker for clam chowder. Tonight was a seafood chowder. The chianti really helped release the flavors and spices of the wonderfully thick chowder....if they'd have put a side cracker with it, you'd still have a crisp snap, and plenty of crumbs, dunking it in the bowl. If you like Italian, this is one of the 'must hits' in Madison. Michael Pruett's staff knows what they're doing and every visit is a treat!
(5)Andrew D.
We were excited to try Cento to see what new dishes Chef Michael Pruitt was bringing to the table, but the excitement stopped as soon as the dishes arrived at the table. The review from Moody F. Was correct in stating that many are likely fooled by the decor, so if you are looking for bland, over-priced food. Cento is the spot.
(2)Corey D.
Breathtaking: That was my first thought when I happened upon Cento during a soft opening at the beginning of July. The interior is absolutely stunning and makes me feel like I've left Madison and Wisconsin, where darkly-lit supper-club and cobbled together rustic chic are standard. If you're lucky, you'll sit in the u-shaped booth which looks into the kitchen and have eyes on the action as a staff seamlessly pumps out plate after plate of stellar fare. Speaking of, the menu is designed in a way to encourage you to share small plates among friends, then pick up a pasta and a pizza, then embark on an entree and maybe add a side of veg to complete the experience. You'd consume a lot of food this way, too much in my opinion, when you consider the current portion size which I hope they scale back a touch to allow people to fully explore the menu. I suggest making multiple trips rather than try to experience everything in one sitting. But if ease of dining there again isn't on your side, the dates and fried squid are a great way to kick things off, followed by the gnocci and my current favorites, the roasted chicken with salsa verde and finally the wood-roasted foraged mushrooms. At this point, it's hard for me to stray too far away from those five, because I know the day will come when I won't be able to get one or two of them any longer, and they make for a pretty magnificent meal. That chicken is probably some of the best I've had in town, and I know you're thinking, "chicken?" but it's true. It's tender and juicy and has an incredible skin, and when you squeeze the charred lemon overtop, it's out of this world. The service is much more on point then when they first opened, but that's understandable given the high level of familiarity servers should have with a menu like Cento's. There's also a much stronger front of house presence than in the first few weeks, and that's appreciated. I like that people are aware and interested in what's going on in the dining room, willing to correct something that's not perfect and open to hearing candid feedback. The only thing that I don't click with right now is the cocktail program. I find it extremely inconsistent and altogether too sweet. A cocktail I had two weeks ago tasted vastly different on Saturday, and even their most spirit forward has a cloyingly sweet aftertaste that competes harshly with the deep, rich flavors of rustic Italian cooking. If they can sort out the bar program I'll be there often. But worth mentioning, a nice substitute to lackluster cocktails is the carefully curated wine list. Reds are impressive and keeping me warm on the early fall nights!
(4)Sallie Jo C.
This is my second review in a very short time. My dining experience last night was so outstanding, I had to give a second review. We had a group of 16 on a Wednesday night at 7:30. The restaurant was packed and there was a great vibe. I must start by stating how completely impressed I was with the staff. The manager greeted our admin, who had made the reservation, by name and expressed how delighted she was that we were there. We had two waitresses covering our table, and they were very professional with their initial introductions, describing the menu and taking care of us all evening. We ordered a wide variety of items between the 16 of us, probably nearly everything on the menu, and we shared most of it. The wines were excellent. The food was truly outstanding: the meat, the fish, the roasted vegetables - really, everything was flavorful and delicious. My team is global, with several people working in the London office and the rest of us in Milwaukee. All of us are global travelers and have the opportunity to enjoy amazing dining experiences wherever we go. Everyone raved about the food. At the end of the night, the person with the most sophisticated taste told me he'd had a truly amazing meal and that he'd put Cento up against the best restaurants he's enjoyed in France and Italy. I knew the restaurant was great, but this comment was true validation of what a special place this is, right here in Madison. Bravo.
(5)Michelle D.
I was very interested in checking out Cento before my show at the Overture Center. The place is stunningly beautiful. But the exposed walls lead the noise volume to be really high. It was hard to relax at our table. My guests and I took part in the theatre menu. The Beet Salad was lovely, not much to it but beautifully created. My friends had the tomato bisque, which they really enjoyed. Me and one friend had the Char and it was very good. The roast veggies were seasoned well. It was a little greasy. The other friends had the seafood pasta. I should have gone that route. The sauce was delicious. Dessert was a waste for me. I had the lemon sorbet. One scoop is really enough and I got three. It was very tasty but I was puckering so bad after the first one I had to stop. The other desserts were enjoyed by the others but I would not have liked them. Please think about adding a cake. The noise in the place was so loud, I had to lean in to hear my friends. For the price, I want to enjoy my time in the place. I may go back on a quieter night.
(3)Ronald D.
I was so excited to finally get the opportunity to eat at Cento. The service was not even on par with a chain restaurant. For a restaurant that wants to be higher end, the service was horrible. Our appetizers came before our drinks and while we had our menus and waiting to order dinner. We had to juggle the menus and try to enjoy the appetizers. Our drinks finally arrived halfway through the appetizers. The halibut was good. The three other entrees we ordered were terrible....flat and boring. One of the desserts was very un-appetizing. So disappointed!!!!
(3)Nina O.
We ate here on Valentine's Day for lunch, a good way to avoid the crowds that swarm restaurants in the evening. I have to admit that we were underwhelmed with Cento- it was not bad, but it was not great, either. To be fair, the menu we were given was primarily brunch, and I hate breakfast food, so my choices were somewhat limited. I ended up with their burger, which is billed as "the best burger in town", and it did have a nice smoky flavor, and a bacaon marmalade which after a while became a bit much. We also ordered the butcher board, and I would absolutely not order that again. Maybe I'm not really that much of a 'foodie', but some things come off as more "I dare you to eat this mystery meat thingy that might in fact be head cheese". The space is gorgeous, and I would certainly have a drink here before a show, but I'm not in a hurry to go back for the food.
(3)Jen D.
The service here is almost too good. The decor is very elegant--I felt underdressed stumbling in after yoga class, which is noticeably uncommon for Madison. Although the food was delicious, there was nothing that absolutely demanded I come back to eat it again. I will be coming back though; I'm excited to see what this place can do once it's been open for more than a fortnight.
(4)Buffy S.
We went for our 10th anniversary. The service was stellar, the branzino (sea bass wrapped in prosciutto) was soooo good. The cheese and meat plate had hearty portions. You HAVE to try the dates, they are phenomenal. It's rare that a new restaurant would have their act together so quickly, but we've been there 3x in the first 3 months open, and it's consistently excellent. One word to gluten free folks. They have pasta, but tell your server to ask the kitchen to not boil it in the same regular pasta water! For celiacs that is not cool, and they did mention it when I asked for gluten free.
(5)Neel S.
Great Italian food....They messed up my pizza order but went above and beyond brought out a different pizza for appetizer and a beer on the house! Great restaurant and great service but the best thing is the food fresh ingredients and good Italian great atmosphere.
(5)Dustin B.
My dinner at Cento was the best I've had in Madison. The pizza's are amazing, and the calamari is one of the best I've had. Try the barrel-aged negroni, or carpano antica. Service was precise and friendly. I'll definitely go back every chance i get.
(5)Erin D.
Between 3 and 4, really! I can't say enough about the service. Outstanding! There was a party in the back that was apparently slowing up our food. Server went out of her way to make it right, even though we didn't complain. Otherwise, we had a small issue with bones in fish, and unfortunately the branzino was out for the night. Service really saved the day! We will be back to try more.
(3)Greg w.
Tasty! Madison was missing a fashionable Italian restaurant. Pasta and antipasti are excellent. Food is among the best in town. Last I went, which was soon after opening, the cocktails weren't very good.
(4)May P.
The food here is amazing. I've eaten all around the world and the steak (with fennel side) is one of my favorite meals ever. The service is great and the drinks rock. What more could you ask for?
(5)Jackie Maglio H.
I gave Cento another try but wish I wouldn't have. I was still left wondering what all the hubbub was about. We started with the Burrata and fried squid which I was told was very good although the large pieces of fried jalapeno slices confused me. I can't remember jalapeno peppers ever being used and Italian cooking. The Burrata was presented in a very peculiar fashion. Instead of being in a formed ball shape it was a curdled mass served atop a one and a half by four and a half inch piece of bread that had been saturated with oil and then charred on the grill then topped with radish greens and shavings. The bitter flavor from the bread being burnt overpowered the mild cheese and ruined the taste of the dish. The way it was presented made it impossible to share if you were so inclined to eat it. The main courses we ordered were: Pappardelle Ragu which was okay. Although the sauce had a nice flavor the pasta had not been cooked properly and the noodles were all stuck together. They were over cooked and sticky because they seem to not have been stirred while in the boiling water. They were also cooked without any salt in the water making us wish there were salt on the table to compensate for this oversight. Also, I wonder why no cheese was offered to top the pasta dishes. Agnolotti which was just okay flavor wise. Each piece seemed to be cooked to a different value, some were al dente, some were less cooked then that and some were mushy. The dish was swimming in butter and lacking in flavor. Pollo was flavorful and served with an arugula salad. The citrus flavors thoroughly penetrated the meat and the chicken was moist and delicious. Fathers Day Meat Special was comprised of prime rib, pork shoulder, grilled chicken thighs and some sort of sausage and fried potato nuggets and an arugula salad. It was served on a platter swimming with oil. The presentation was not pleasing to the eye and the charred smell of the meats was not pleasing. I requested bread with our meal which seems to confuse our server because she stared at me for an uncomfortably long amount of time before complying. My daughter and I split a 350 mL bottle of wine costing $27 and we purchased a side salad for my son not realizing his meal came with a salad and not understanding why that wasn't brought to our attention by the waitress when he was asking about salads. Again I was not pleased with the waitstaff they weren't rude per se but almost seemed put out and not at all attentive. Sam our waiter in training was very nice, his trainer not so nice. She was even annoyed when I asked for ice in my ice water. Our meal totaled $185 and was not worth it! Don't waste your time, don't waste your money. go elsewhere!
(1)Dave F.
I took my wife to Cento for our first anniversary. Based on the experience we had we will most certainly be returning! Everything about our experience was outstanding. We were seated promptly upon arrival, we were given a great table in the middle of the room (upon request in OpenTable), the food was phenomenal, and the wait staff and management were friendly and knowledgeable. Cento is a Chicago or NYC caliper restaurant in the heart of Madison.
(5)J. M.
We went here last night with my wife's family for a holiday meal. Overall, I was really impressed. I rarely notice or care about the decor, but there was something about this place that I really liked. It was well done, but not over the top. It felt dressed up, but not stuffy. Anyway, the food was outstanding and the staff was tolerant (did I say I came with my wife's family?) My only criticism is that the food was very expensive. I understand that it is high quality and carefully prepared, but I still felt it was expensive or dare I say "overpriced?" We got the dates (awesome), olives (meh), calamari (also awesome but better dipped in the sauce that came with the dates). The bread was the best damn bread that $3 can buy too! I ordered the fillet which was surprisingly small with barely enough vegetables to notice and it was $50! I realize this isn't a steakhouse but for $50 one could get a ginormous bone in fillet with quality sides and a salad at Tornado. They did a really good job accommodating our special requests including green salads that weren't on the menu and a "custom" creation requested by my uncle that they happily provided. Why are there no green salads on the menu? The music was interesting too but it seemed to turn on and off at random times. Overall I will happily go back the next time I know someone else is paying!
(4)Ian C.
One star for nice location and decor and staff who try hard. The food: cheap ingredients, poorly cooked, ridiculously overpriced. After 24 hours I still have the chemical taste of the cheap pancetta used in the mushroom side dish stuck in my mouth. Food Fight's motto: "you can fool enough of the people enough of the time to turn a nice profit."
(1)Patrick W.
Don't waste time in line at The Old Fashioned for brunch. One block off the square is the best Brunch in the state. On both Saturday and Sunday. Better cocktails, better wines, better beers, better food. Waaaaay better. Ben my bartender and Jordan the manager were outstanding. Let me sample numerous wines including the best Rose' I have ever had. I strongly recommend the arctic char with poached eggs, hollandaise, asparagus, and potatoes. Also the Italian sausage with sautéed onions and bell peppers. Pure perfection. Plus the interior is gorgeous. May be my favorite restaurant in all of Wisconsin. 5 stars all the way.
(5)Peter D.
The four stars is 90% for the space and the design. Clean, modern, crisp, stark, simple, elegant. I love the warm lighting at night and open brightness of the space by day. That all said, the food leaves something to be desired. I had high hopes for Cento but the food itself at both brunch and dinner, on a few occasions, was underwhelming. The food is sometimes poorly proportioned amongst its components in many of the dishes and very often under-spiced or under-seasoned. The drinks and wine are quite good, though honestly.. enough with the grappa in like every drink. I understand you're an Italian restaurant. The staff and service is generally friendly and fairly quick. Overall it's an inviting and tempting space that just need to upgrade its main course offerings.
(4)Samantha T.
My fiance and I reserved the Chef's Table at Cento for our five year anniversary, and were immediately blown away! From the homemade squid ink pasta, to the signature cocktails, and the bread pudding to end the meal, it was more than we imagined. If you are looking for an intimate and special evening, I would highly recommend the Chef's Table. Oh, and don't forget to interact with the kitchen staff! They are there to answer all your foodie questions! After all, your table is in the kitchen!
(5)Dan L.
Date night at Cento, this was a good choice. You don't get the beautiful Capital Building views that you have at places like Harvest or Graze, but you do get perfectly done Italian cuisine. We started with a fabulous cured meats board and some of the most tender calamari that I've had. Then, followed up that flavor explosion with some killer pasta and sea bass. I'm quite certain that there isn't a bad choice on the Cento menu. I also found the service very pleasant and knowledgable, and just the right amount of attentive. The atmosphere is a little stark, but has its own unique charm. This place is definitely a competitor in the fierce Madison food scene.
(4)Anita O.
We had the wine marinated beets...yummy. The tagliatelle with rago alla bolognese topped with ricotta, was comfort food at its best. Staff was friendly and accommodating, especially the manager, Jordan. We enjoyed our time at Cento, We recommend it and will be back.
(5)J M.
I came here with a co-worker after work on a Monday around 6pm with no reservation. The inside was nice, I would describe it as a pretty modern trendy type of feel / vibe. As our dinner went on the place also got fairly busy, which was surprising for a Monday. In terms of food we split 3 of the small plates. The beef tartare was FANTASTIC. I eat a lot of tartare and this was very good. We also got the sourdough bread, which I liked with their olive oil/butter combination. The last thing we got to start was fried mozzarella, which was tasty and the sauce had a nice little kick to it. For my entree I had the Casarecce, which was good but didn't blow me away. My friend had the Pappardelle, which I slightly preferred over mine because her sauce was great. Overall, I would definitely recommend and would return.
(4)D. M.
Loved it - first it's a beautiful space and it's appropriate to dress up a bit, so that's pretty rare in Madison. Also the food and presentation is top notch. We tried a couple of appetizers, a couple pasta dishes, split an entree and two desserts... Add three cocktails and your at $65 per person including tip, but the food was great. In particular they have a fish, deboned and wrapped in prosciutto that I'm voting the best fish dish in town!
(4)Ka L.
I'm impressed. Yes, it is expensive. Yes, it is not authentic italian. But Cento has won me over with their PORCHETTA EGG BENEDICT. Ever since I've had it two weekends ago, I've been counting down the days to till when I'll be able to savor it again. mmmm delicious. I didn't realize brunch was available at Cento, but after missing farmer's market breakfast, I came by and that was the best choice ever! Service was a little slow, but our server was apologetic and brought us sourdough and butter to soothe us during our wait. Mmm, warm bread and butter was extremely delicious. The porchetta egg benedict is currently my favorite breakfast item in Madison. I love pork but porchetta sometimes could be too heavily spiced or fatty. But the hollandaise sauce went perfectly with the porchetta, and there was just the right amount of fat with the meat. Ohhh it is so delicious. The egg was perfectly poached, runny as I like it. Bread held up well to the ample amount of hollandaise sauce. Oh so delicious. And, to make you feel healthier it comes with a delicious side of salad! Great vinaigrette! I also tried the frittata with proscuitto and arugula. It was good but the frittata could be better flavored. I loved the breakfast potatoes but it was too salty. The garlic aioli and spicy marinara sauce we requested was great to cover the saltiness of the potatoes. And I must note that brunch is totally affordable, just like going to Graze or any other brunch place in town. Dinner was more expensive, but also really delicious. My favorites are the ragu pasta (with orange zest), seafood pasta (squid ink pasta is delicious!) and brandino (I've never like eating a whole fish better. They deboned it! And so delicious). Oh and please please please have the bread pudding on the menu! It is the best bread pudding I have had!!! the apples in there are so delightful. And the sides of the pudding are like a pie crust, giving great texture. So good! And you can make reservations on yelp via opentable! How convenient!! Verdict: come enjoy to celebrate a special occasion! Or, every weekend for brunch ;)
(5)Matt W.
Magnifico! While the food does not consistently hit the mark, Cento's über-attentive service and elegant digs make every visit feel like a special occasion. I appreciate their philosophy of sourcing the best local ingredients and preparing them with authentic Italian methods in a modern way. When Cento's kitchen delivers on that promise, it is truly a delightful experience. Belying the spartan building exterior, the interior of the restaurant seamlessly melds components from the 1920's era building (maple floors, plaster beam ceilings, interior brick walls, and stained glass) with contemporary design elements like steel bars, plush booth seating, leather chairs and modern lighting fixtures. Because of the open dining area, the high ceilings and an open kitchen, the noise level rises to a dull roar when the restaurant operates at full capacity. However, most of the time, I was able to speak with my dining companions at normal conservational levels and the soft jazz played over the speakers added to the ambiance. Because of the Cento's popularity and its proximity to the Overture Center, scoring a reservation can be tricky. Even during Valentine's Day and football Saturdays, I was able to secure a seat in the bar area and enjoyed impeccable service both visits. And unlike some establishment were a seat at the bar means being treated like a second class citizen by the harried bar staff, the attentive service staff at Cento made me feel like a VIP - Cento certainly belongs in the top echelon of local restaurants in this category. The vast wine and cocktail options are spectacular. During my September visit, the Cold Heaven 'Mutchmore' Pinot Noir 2011 from California was a steal at $9.50 a glass. During my recent visit, I reveled in the orangey tour de force that was the Eliot & Ambrose cocktail. When you factor in the supremely knowledgeable bar staff, it is a solid five star experience. Unfortunately, the food does not consistently match the high standards of the setting and staff. While I have experienced several fantastic dishes, I've also had a number of plates fall short of my expectation level for a restaurant at this price point. The fantastic: * The Butcher Board ($15) featured two cheeses, three cured meats (coppa, prosciutto and a cured beef) and a spicy preserve (blackberry I think) that offered a variety of delicious combinations. * The gnocchi in a red sauce with crazy water (water with garlic, onion and pepper) topped with shizo. I adored the pillowy texture and how the chef extracted tremendous flavor from the tomatoes in the sauce. * My wife described the tomato soup as the best she ever had and she is not prone to hyperbole. Each spoonful provided an explosion of concentrated tomato flavor. As someone who grew up consuming awful canned tomato soups, this experienced helped erase those bad childhood memories of salty, largely flavorless soups. * The butterscotch budino, streaked with salted caramel and topped with espresso cream blew me away. Covered with a light streusel topping for texture, the all the subtle flavors married perfectly. I am pretty sure I scraped off the top layer of the bowl it was served in to make sure I did not waste a speck of this delicacy. The lackluster: * Both times I ordered the pizza from the wood fired oven, I came away disappointed. During my first visit, while the pie had fantastic flavor, the center of the pizza was undercooked. The excess moisture from the cherry tomatoes prevented the center of the crust from properly baking, leaving a doughy texture. When I mentioned this to our bartender, they immediately offered to redo the pizza and ultimately took it off our bill. The second pizza had the opposite problem - the crust ended up burnt on the bottom, imparting a strong bitter taste. * The bucatini carbonara had far too much tarragon and the unwieldy bucatini noodles made it difficult to consume. * The flavor of the one-note caramel budino did not pop like its butterscotch cousin and the kitchen was stingy with the streusel topping, leaving the offering lacking for texture. For those of you that plan corporate events, please consider the private dining room at Cento as a future venue. Like the cuisine that balances modern interpretations with traditional Italian preparation methods, the dining room harmonizes old and new as well as casual and sophisticated elements. Details like original wood floors and exposed brick walls provide a timeless feel to a restaurant that opened up just months ago. You will be a hero for your office mates, trust me on this one. Cento is a fantastic landing spot for that special occasion meal, an expense report dinner or a casual night out. Despite the occasional off dish, I appreciate the variety of options at different price points. I am 100% sure that I will be returning.
(4)Kelsi B.
Sad to say I struggled between 3 and 4 stars for this one - it was actually the exceptional service that pushed me to give Cento 4 stars. I was expecting a little bit more out of this place and have to say left a little disappointed! I made reservations for myself and a client online - super easy. Love that they take reservations (so many restaurants downtown do not)! We started our meal with the Butcher Board and Fried Squid. Both were delicious! The meats and cheeses on the board were perfect, especially with the crusty bread and honey. The Fried Squid was also very good, not greasy at all. The romesco sauce on the bottom made them really stand out from others I've had. My dinner meal was where I was disappointed. I was told by our waitress that the Gnocchi were very popular. So I tried them. Maybe I've been eating Gnocchi wrong my entire life (doubtful since I've been to Italy) but they were much too soft. I think someone else already mentioned it in their review, but it was almost like eating mashed potatoes with a butter sauce. I did not enjoy it at all. Also, there were pearl onions in the dish (not noted on the menu) which I really, really hate. For dessert I got their Budino to go. I ate it the next day - small portion but it tasted good. I was glad the cookie stayed nice and crisp instead of getting soggy from sitting in my refrigerator. So like I said before, was I disappointed? Yes. For such an expensive meal I would have preferred to enjoy my entree as much as I did the appetizers. Would I return to give it another shot? Absolutely, just not for the Gnocchi.
(4)Jacob M.
I took my fiancee here for her birthday last year, and she raved about it. I was happy she had a great time, but I thought the food was just okay. Maybe because I had high hopes for their pizza from the wood-burning oven. Soggy pizza was not what I expected. The bacon wrapped dates was surprisingly good. If she hassles me enough, maybe we'll come back.
(3)Sarah K.
Nice food, great service, lovely ambience! I took my mom here on her birthday, they gave us their best spot and treated us with a delicious appetizer and dessert of our choice! Definitely recommend this places! Dishes are worth the price!
(5)Leigh S.
What I love most about Cento is the space. It is a very open dining room, with a view of the kitchen and a beautiful bar. Beyond the atmosphere, the service is wonderful, attentive, and happy to make suggestions. I ordered the porcetta pizza, which was delicious but was no match for the squash pasta my tablemate ordered. I love that you can order small plates of pasta so that the table can share a range of options. It is so hard to choose between their dishes and the half portion makes this decision a little bit more bearable!
(4)May P.
The food here is amazing. I've eaten all around the world and the steak (with fennel side) is one of my favorite meals ever. The service is great and the drinks rock. What more could you ask for?
(5)Alexandra G.
The first thing you notice about Cento is the soft gray interior. It's modern and clean but welcoming and warm at the same time. If I was rating my dining experience on the space itself, Cento would recieve five stars. Sadly, I also have to take into account the food. I've only been to Cento at brunch, so maybe I'm missing some of the charm that seems to entice everyone else. I ordered the onion fritatta, and I have to say, there was no flavor to it. Rubbery yet airy (is that even possible) eggs that were tough around the edges and potatoes that tasted like the burnt ends of a french fry and drenched your mouth in oil. I longed for some salt or pepper, but, as is common today, none was to be found at my table. I had a bite of some of the other dishes on the table. The ragu was nice but the pizza was plain. There are other places in Madison (Grampa's, Sal's, Brutta) that do pizza better and with flavors that really come together. Drinks were ok. $5 for a mimosa isn't bad in Madison. There were some nice flavors on the menu as well. The Fizz is a great play on a classic punch with prosecco and aperol, and was refreshing and bitter in a good way that wakes you up in the morning. You have to try the lemoncello drink with espresso. It sounds strange but you'll be wanting it again next weekend. Service was very good. Our server was attentive, kind, and quick to fill up a glass of water and grab a cup of coffee. The bartender was friendly and ready for conversation. All in all, service was more formal than most of the establishments in the area and was a nice change of pace for Madison. I can see why this place has made such an impact in the growing fine dining scene around the capitol. I'll be back for dinner to see if the food can sway me. One thing to note...if you're going to have the dates stuffed with spicy sausage (ahem...chorizo) and wrapped with bacon in a pepper sauce, do yourself a favor and trek to Avec in Chicago where the recipe originated. They're much better.
(3)Ashley H.
Beautiful renovation of the 100 block of State St, gracious staff, elegant food, and SPACE! The 100 block of Madison ("Cento", get it?) has undergone a major renovation, and Cento is a really nice endcap to the renovation. They completely gutted the interior and installed a gray/dark wood theme, with part of the kitchen and woodburning stove exposed. Notably, there is a good deal of room between tables. In Madison, communal dining has gained popularity, but sometimes one wants to have an intimate conversation with just your table, and enough space to do so seems to be a real rarity these days. Digestif/aperitif on tap (a type of vermouth) was an excellent aperitif. At the bar, we enjoyed a wine soaked beet salad, which was mostly beet, which IMHO, is the way to do it. Pistachio crusted goat cheese accompanied the salad. Pasta dishes are offered in two serving sizes, both pasta dishes were appropriately al dente. I'm happy that the menu has rabbit as an option; the rabbit polpettini (meatballs) are rich but not overly heavy. A cheese and charcuterie board is available, but the staff was able to accomodate our request for a cheese-only plate with bread, olives, almonds, honey, burrata, bleu cheese, and another type of aged hard cheese. Excellent. Service was excellent, thanks to the two bartenders and the head server. Madison has truly lacked a variety of good Italian restaurants, and I'm happy that Cento has made good use of a beautiful space and look forward to trying more!
(4)Adam R.
After checking out Cento on it's opening night, I can say for certain that I will be heading back there for other meals. I can tell that Food Fight and chef Michael Pruett were meticulous when choosing the location and designing the space and menu for this new Italian restaurant. I will say that it has to be one of the most aesthetically pleasing spaces i've seen in a restaurant. Everything inside it looks brand spanking new, or it's super old to the point where it's charming. There's really too many facets about it to list, and the people there can describe it better than I can, so i'd recommend checking the space out for yourself to witness it. It's just gorgeous. All of the food that I tasted that night was spot on. Among them included the Arancini (which are fried Risotto balls), which was a goodie because it managed to satisfy my impulse for fried things without tasting greasy at all. The ricotta-filled agnolotti was also good, although more mild/subtle on its flavors. The fennel was an excellent side dish to go along with the agnolotti. Finally, for dessert we all split a slice of what was dubbed an olive oil cake, and that was delectable. Also, note that the cocktails are well worth a go, particularly the Mulo Romano. That was a very flavorful drink, and i'm excited to have another one of those soon. Much like the setting, the service we received on opening night was also stellar. Our server Alex had an extensive knowledge of the menu, which was useful for us, as the menu isn't the easiest to read through for people not used to it. Everyone was accommodating, polite, and the orders all came out timely. I couldn't really ask for anything better. The only thing Cento disappointed me on was the portion sizes, which I felt were a bit small. This could just be because I was famished entering the place that day, and i'm a man with a gigantic appetite. So, others maybe won't find this to be a problem. Besides that, I felt like Cento nailed all of the aspects of a dining experience, which is no easy task!
(5)Mark W.
This place is a new gem in Madison and will definitely be added to my regular circuit. Be warned: they take both the food and the atmosphere very seriously (in a good way). We happened to stop by for opening night this evening and were really impressed with the space and the service. The restaurant is in one of the old buildings on the 100 block of state street and they kept a lot of the original features when they built the current business (the stained glass windows, plaster trusses, and hardwood floors are original features). One thing I was really impressed by was the waiter's knowledge of the menu and pronunciation of Italian dishes. He really helped us order the right items based on what we were hungry for. I got the mushroom gnocchi, which was out of this world. We also got the arancini as an appetizer and I got to try some of my friend's margherita pizza. The food is the real highlight of this place, as everything was delicious. The prices were high-end for Madison; our bill came out to about $45 per person with a round of drinks, an appetizer, and entrees. I felt a little under dressed as most of the staff were wearing fancier clothes and the managers were donned in suits. I would say the dress code is dressy casual. Caitlin, resident sommelier of Fresco, stopped by to answer some of our questions about the building and tell us about their opening. She was quite knowledgeable and very friendly, offering her opinion of our dinner options. I absolutely loved the place and will be taking friends and family back presto.
(5)Sarah Z.
Everything was perfect--the service, the timeliness, the atmosphere... ...everything EXCEPT THE FOOD. I can't give a restaurant a good review if the food isn't good, especially at this price point. Here's the run-down: DRINKS: Okay, these were good. The Mulo Romano and Amore Amaro were probably highlights of the meal. WARM OLIVES: Fine. These were the highlight of the food, but the texture was a little mushy--not firm and fresh like olives should be. The orange peel garnish added a nice, unexpected element that made the dish more complex. Eat this part with the olives if you decide to order this. ARANCINI: They were hard balls of bland, puffy, overcooked rice. Looking back on images that other people posted on Yelp of their Cento arancini, the kitchen must have also run out of cheese. Ours came with a light dusting of powdered parm rather than an ample melty layer of shredded cheese as is seen in another photo. SOURDOUGH WITH LOCAL BUTTER: They really play with words to make this starter sound romantic. 5 half-slices of bread come with a ball of butter in a little pool of olive oil. The flavors were one-note. It would have been nice to have salt and pepper grinders on the table so we could customize the dish ourselves. I understand that good restaurants don't offer salt and pepper on the table because the chef wants customers to experience each dish as he/she creates it, but everything else we had that night could have used some more seasoning. FRIED SQUID: Over-fried squid was rubbery. The romesco sauce was good, but it was the only source of flavor on the plate. The grilled lemons would have been a great touch if we were able to squeeze some juice out of the paper-thin slices. BLACK TAGLIATELLE: The pasta itself had a gluey, pasty texture that wasn't pleasant. I wondered if it was the squid ink, but after doing a little research post-visit, this wasn't the case. Our tagliatelle also didn't have much sauce, and what was there tasted like cream and not much else. Very bland. This was disappointing because so many Yelpers rave about this dish, and their photos show a nice golden sauce. After reading so many positive reviews, my man and I had greatly anticipated our visit here. But because the food was so expensive, but not good, we don't care to visit again.
(2)Bill B.
Cento is a top notch destination for sumptuous offerings before or after a show at Overture, a concert at the Orpheum, or, like tonight, a movie at MMoCA. With one of the better wine vaults in Madison (Rare might just eke that one out), I lucked out with a special Chianti Reserva pour from the 'Chef's Table'. It paired wonderfully with the steak tartare (beef, hard boiled quail egg, parmesan, anchovy, tuna sauce, herb salt, ans sea salt cracker) served on a cross-cut piece of wood. While probably not on the standard 4 course menu as a follow up, I'm a sucker for clam chowder. Tonight was a seafood chowder. The chianti really helped release the flavors and spices of the wonderfully thick chowder....if they'd have put a side cracker with it, you'd still have a crisp snap, and plenty of crumbs, dunking it in the bowl. If you like Italian, this is one of the 'must hits' in Madison. Michael Pruett's staff knows what they're doing and every visit is a treat!
(5)Andrew D.
We were excited to try Cento to see what new dishes Chef Michael Pruitt was bringing to the table, but the excitement stopped as soon as the dishes arrived at the table. The review from Moody F. Was correct in stating that many are likely fooled by the decor, so if you are looking for bland, over-priced food. Cento is the spot.
(2)Corey D.
Breathtaking: That was my first thought when I happened upon Cento during a soft opening at the beginning of July. The interior is absolutely stunning and makes me feel like I've left Madison and Wisconsin, where darkly-lit supper-club and cobbled together rustic chic are standard. If you're lucky, you'll sit in the u-shaped booth which looks into the kitchen and have eyes on the action as a staff seamlessly pumps out plate after plate of stellar fare. Speaking of, the menu is designed in a way to encourage you to share small plates among friends, then pick up a pasta and a pizza, then embark on an entree and maybe add a side of veg to complete the experience. You'd consume a lot of food this way, too much in my opinion, when you consider the current portion size which I hope they scale back a touch to allow people to fully explore the menu. I suggest making multiple trips rather than try to experience everything in one sitting. But if ease of dining there again isn't on your side, the dates and fried squid are a great way to kick things off, followed by the gnocci and my current favorites, the roasted chicken with salsa verde and finally the wood-roasted foraged mushrooms. At this point, it's hard for me to stray too far away from those five, because I know the day will come when I won't be able to get one or two of them any longer, and they make for a pretty magnificent meal. That chicken is probably some of the best I've had in town, and I know you're thinking, "chicken?" but it's true. It's tender and juicy and has an incredible skin, and when you squeeze the charred lemon overtop, it's out of this world. The service is much more on point then when they first opened, but that's understandable given the high level of familiarity servers should have with a menu like Cento's. There's also a much stronger front of house presence than in the first few weeks, and that's appreciated. I like that people are aware and interested in what's going on in the dining room, willing to correct something that's not perfect and open to hearing candid feedback. The only thing that I don't click with right now is the cocktail program. I find it extremely inconsistent and altogether too sweet. A cocktail I had two weeks ago tasted vastly different on Saturday, and even their most spirit forward has a cloyingly sweet aftertaste that competes harshly with the deep, rich flavors of rustic Italian cooking. If they can sort out the bar program I'll be there often. But worth mentioning, a nice substitute to lackluster cocktails is the carefully curated wine list. Reds are impressive and keeping me warm on the early fall nights!
(4)Buffy S.
We went for our 10th anniversary. The service was stellar, the branzino (sea bass wrapped in prosciutto) was soooo good. The cheese and meat plate had hearty portions. You HAVE to try the dates, they are phenomenal. It's rare that a new restaurant would have their act together so quickly, but we've been there 3x in the first 3 months open, and it's consistently excellent. One word to gluten free folks. They have pasta, but tell your server to ask the kitchen to not boil it in the same regular pasta water! For celiacs that is not cool, and they did mention it when I asked for gluten free.
(5)Neel S.
Great Italian food....They messed up my pizza order but went above and beyond brought out a different pizza for appetizer and a beer on the house! Great restaurant and great service but the best thing is the food fresh ingredients and good Italian great atmosphere.
(5)Sallie Jo C.
This is my second review in a very short time. My dining experience last night was so outstanding, I had to give a second review. We had a group of 16 on a Wednesday night at 7:30. The restaurant was packed and there was a great vibe. I must start by stating how completely impressed I was with the staff. The manager greeted our admin, who had made the reservation, by name and expressed how delighted she was that we were there. We had two waitresses covering our table, and they were very professional with their initial introductions, describing the menu and taking care of us all evening. We ordered a wide variety of items between the 16 of us, probably nearly everything on the menu, and we shared most of it. The wines were excellent. The food was truly outstanding: the meat, the fish, the roasted vegetables - really, everything was flavorful and delicious. My team is global, with several people working in the London office and the rest of us in Milwaukee. All of us are global travelers and have the opportunity to enjoy amazing dining experiences wherever we go. Everyone raved about the food. At the end of the night, the person with the most sophisticated taste told me he'd had a truly amazing meal and that he'd put Cento up against the best restaurants he's enjoyed in France and Italy. I knew the restaurant was great, but this comment was true validation of what a special place this is, right here in Madison. Bravo.
(5)Michelle D.
I was very interested in checking out Cento before my show at the Overture Center. The place is stunningly beautiful. But the exposed walls lead the noise volume to be really high. It was hard to relax at our table. My guests and I took part in the theatre menu. The Beet Salad was lovely, not much to it but beautifully created. My friends had the tomato bisque, which they really enjoyed. Me and one friend had the Char and it was very good. The roast veggies were seasoned well. It was a little greasy. The other friends had the seafood pasta. I should have gone that route. The sauce was delicious. Dessert was a waste for me. I had the lemon sorbet. One scoop is really enough and I got three. It was very tasty but I was puckering so bad after the first one I had to stop. The other desserts were enjoyed by the others but I would not have liked them. Please think about adding a cake. The noise in the place was so loud, I had to lean in to hear my friends. For the price, I want to enjoy my time in the place. I may go back on a quieter night.
(3)Ronald D.
I was so excited to finally get the opportunity to eat at Cento. The service was not even on par with a chain restaurant. For a restaurant that wants to be higher end, the service was horrible. Our appetizers came before our drinks and while we had our menus and waiting to order dinner. We had to juggle the menus and try to enjoy the appetizers. Our drinks finally arrived halfway through the appetizers. The halibut was good. The three other entrees we ordered were terrible....flat and boring. One of the desserts was very un-appetizing. So disappointed!!!!
(3)Nina O.
We ate here on Valentine's Day for lunch, a good way to avoid the crowds that swarm restaurants in the evening. I have to admit that we were underwhelmed with Cento- it was not bad, but it was not great, either. To be fair, the menu we were given was primarily brunch, and I hate breakfast food, so my choices were somewhat limited. I ended up with their burger, which is billed as "the best burger in town", and it did have a nice smoky flavor, and a bacaon marmalade which after a while became a bit much. We also ordered the butcher board, and I would absolutely not order that again. Maybe I'm not really that much of a 'foodie', but some things come off as more "I dare you to eat this mystery meat thingy that might in fact be head cheese". The space is gorgeous, and I would certainly have a drink here before a show, but I'm not in a hurry to go back for the food.
(3)Jackie Maglio H.
I gave Cento another try but wish I wouldn't have. I was still left wondering what all the hubbub was about. We started with the Burrata and fried squid which I was told was very good although the large pieces of fried jalapeno slices confused me. I can't remember jalapeno peppers ever being used and Italian cooking. The Burrata was presented in a very peculiar fashion. Instead of being in a formed ball shape it was a curdled mass served atop a one and a half by four and a half inch piece of bread that had been saturated with oil and then charred on the grill then topped with radish greens and shavings. The bitter flavor from the bread being burnt overpowered the mild cheese and ruined the taste of the dish. The way it was presented made it impossible to share if you were so inclined to eat it. The main courses we ordered were: Pappardelle Ragu which was okay. Although the sauce had a nice flavor the pasta had not been cooked properly and the noodles were all stuck together. They were over cooked and sticky because they seem to not have been stirred while in the boiling water. They were also cooked without any salt in the water making us wish there were salt on the table to compensate for this oversight. Also, I wonder why no cheese was offered to top the pasta dishes. Agnolotti which was just okay flavor wise. Each piece seemed to be cooked to a different value, some were al dente, some were less cooked then that and some were mushy. The dish was swimming in butter and lacking in flavor. Pollo was flavorful and served with an arugula salad. The citrus flavors thoroughly penetrated the meat and the chicken was moist and delicious. Fathers Day Meat Special was comprised of prime rib, pork shoulder, grilled chicken thighs and some sort of sausage and fried potato nuggets and an arugula salad. It was served on a platter swimming with oil. The presentation was not pleasing to the eye and the charred smell of the meats was not pleasing. I requested bread with our meal which seems to confuse our server because she stared at me for an uncomfortably long amount of time before complying. My daughter and I split a 350 mL bottle of wine costing $27 and we purchased a side salad for my son not realizing his meal came with a salad and not understanding why that wasn't brought to our attention by the waitress when he was asking about salads. Again I was not pleased with the waitstaff they weren't rude per se but almost seemed put out and not at all attentive. Sam our waiter in training was very nice, his trainer not so nice. She was even annoyed when I asked for ice in my ice water. Our meal totaled $185 and was not worth it! Don't waste your time, don't waste your money. go elsewhere!
(1)Paola M.
As H voted to come and try this new restaurant, I was ready to bet we would be severely disappointed. After all Italian food I have really high standards for Italian food and some of the pics I saw of the dishes made me worry this might be the kind of over-sauced Italian I hate. I couldn't be farther from the truth. I really enjoyed all the food there. I had the small ricotta gnocchi (which was not all that small) and H had the small black fetuccini with seafood. I tried the fetuccini and I liked them, but I think the gnocchi where much better. The mushroom and cheese sauce well complemented the gnocchi without weighting them down too much. After that we shared the Arctic char. The fish itself was perfect. Skin was crispy and fish was cooked to perfection. The vegetables, were good but a bit oily for my taste. Flavor was there and cooking was pretty much spot on, but I would have drained most of the oil they had been cooked in before plating them. After the fish I was pretty much full, but BF opted for dessert and chose the berry sorbet. It was OK a bit sweet for my taste and not all that special according to me, but he liked it. For $7 I would have skipped it (It was worth about $3-5 to me). Service, location and wine were good and well complemented the food. If I have to criticize something I would say the room was a bit dark and pretty cold. Will enter the rotation of spendy restaurants that deserve my money on special occasions.
(4)Living T.
This fairly new addition to the Madison restaurant scene has the delicious menu options. The full bar offers an extensive list of drinks including wine, beer, and cocktails. Parking can be found within a block at a city parking ramp. It's tucked away in the corner across from the very popular Overture Arts Center and newly renovated Madison Public Library. The staff is extremely helpful and friendly. Food arrives in a timely manner and the atmosphere is lively and exciting. At times, it can be a bit too loud. Booths open up into the main dining room. It is one large room with tables in the middle and booths on either side. The kitchen is open at the far end of the dining area which allows people to enjoy the chefs at work.
(4)Kathleen S.
One of Americas best new chefs, Michael Pruett, teamed with Sommelier Caitlin Suemnicht have succeeded in creating a great menu and wine list to satisfy the most discerning customer. We dined there for dinner trying something from almost every category and were very pleased. We selected an incredible bottle of wine from their list - 2008 Il Fauno di Arcanum, a 94 pt wine with a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Sangiovese and Petit Verdot. It was velvety smooth and delicious. Loved the food, with the prize going to their Black Tagliatelle with lobster, prawns, clams, mussels, peas, uni sauce and fresh horseradish. It is the kind of food you dream about later! The service was great and the restaurant design is very pleasing. A great new find in Madison.
(5)Bethany S.
It's a cool spot and something a little different for Madison. The food was very wood-fire roasted and by that I mean full of flavor and goodness but also rather charred and salty. I can't put my finger on whether I loved it or felt like it lacked finesse. The wait staff is very attractive - noticeably so. Odd, right? I feel like there's normally a bell curve that mirrors humanity but here it looked like they stood the candidates up in a row and hand picked the pretty people. So...I guess depending on what you are looking for, that could be a plus!
(4)Laura L.
I dine out often... and everywhere. Cento was a breath of fresh air among the decidedly mundane that has become dining in Wisconsin. After all, how many "gourmet" versions of a cheese curd can one consume? But I digress... We arrived on a Friday night during prime hours, (we had a reservation but were quite early) and cozied up to the bar for a glass of wine. The hostess and bartenders were both quite friendly and attentive. Our coats were hung (greatly appreciate this) and although we had to wait for a seat at the bar we were informed that the wait would be short as a large table would be dining soon. The wine was fresh, crisp, perfectly chilled and served in lovely delicate stemware. The ambiance, seating, lighting, and general atmosphere is lovely. I always appreciate an open kitchen concept to feel more connected with the food. We ordered a variety of dishes: Warm marinated olives (Delightful and genius to serve them at a toasty temperature, it truly brought out the different flavors of the olives.) Seafood bisque (My date had this and loved it. I don't eat meat so did not partake.) Cedar roasted artic char with roasted vegetables (Absolutely mouthwatering and so flavorful. The fish was wonderful...the roasted vegetables...perfection! I can't even accurately describe the flavoring on this. Oddly enough it was reminiscent of a campfire and s'mores, but not. You have to trust me and TRY THIS!) Squash, Goat Cheese and Mint with Balsamic as a side. (This was a stunning side dish. I could have eaten a trough of this delightful dish!) My date had: Prosciutto wrapped branzino with spring vegetables (The fish is served whole with head and tail, yet deboned. It was flaky, fragrant and perfectly cooked. It was beautifully presented and well worth the wait.) For a side he had the roasted brussel sprouts and this very generous portion was flavored with apples and cooked perfectly. For dessert we indulged in the caramel bundino, which was a decadent multi texture dish that exploded in subtle tastes. If you haven't been to Cento, then you are truly missing out on one of Madison's gems. I am looking forward to many more visits to sample the rest of their extraordinary menu. Bravo Chef Michael Pruett on a wonderful addition to Madison't culinary highlights. I WILL be recommending you to everyone I know.
(5)Bob J.
Yet another food fight restaurant...however this one is decidedly upscale-perfect for a date night or an evening at the Overture. Great steaks, Italian dishes (though the gnocchi I had was a little undercook--no big deal and it certainly was fresh). Good drinks as well--definitely recommend the limoncello. I haven't been in a while, but I definitely want to go back. Park in the Overture Ramp. It is definitely a place you should get dressed up for: it is not uber casual like many of Madison's restaurants. Great photography on the walls too--take a chance to wander around while you look for the bathroom.
(5)Grace C.
I have a feeling Cento is going to be a big hit very quickly. Food is high-quality, really tasty (esp. the arugula mix on the side of the lemon-y chicken entree - can't remember the name, but MAN), and well-prepared. The chicken I had might've benefited from a little something extra; it was very good, but it tasted like just a small step up from something I could've made at home. The arancini (fried risotto balls) were similar - tasted great and were well-done, but didn't quite have that "Oh my GOD" factor for me. Otherwise, service was great, prices are right in line with the quality and setting, and the restaurant itself is just gorgeous. I'll go back to try more food, but to be honest, I'd go just for the dining room!
(4)Veeder V.
Ahhh...Food Fight, with your trendy spaces and Sysco food. Cento's space is beautiful and I enjoyed the music and the lighting. The food is bland and attention to detail is lacking. Pastas all needed seasoning and came out cold. The "fried squid" app was fried calamari. I tasted all four pastas at our table and was not impressed with one. Did I mention Cento is absurdly overpriced? $34 for pasta with a very small amount of seafood? And the seafood itself was far from fresh. Mussels were soggy/mealy, the one piece of shrimp was WAY undercooked. You pay for the ambiance and to rub shoulders with Madison's "elite" but expect to eat bland food and to put a healthy charge on your credit card. Almost forgot to mention the hard sell on gift cards at the end of the meal. The server turned into an infomercial. Stay classy, Cento.
(2)Andrew J.
Visited with my wife and another couple recently. I have eaten at Lombardinos a bit so that was my point of comparison for higher end Italian. Pros: * Service was attentive and competent. * Appetizers were pretty good, wrapped dates, beats were both good. * Good bread. * specialty cocktails were ok. * desert was great. Cons: *Of the four of us everyones entree was poor. Two got the prosciutto wrapped fish special and they were all fishy tasting, not the quality one would expect for the price and generally gross. I got two pasta half orders and both were not flavorful or memorable. The fourth was another pasta dish that was equally bland. * The whole place put on a lot of airs from the servers to the menu it was all trying to scream IMPORTANT FANCY RESTAURANT. Unfortunately the food did not stick to that narrative. On leaving we all agreed that there were some nice parts but the entrees were such a disappointment and made up such a bulk of the bill that we would probably not go back. Lombardinos is not perfect, but for the same price I have had many better Italian meals there. Maybe if you just got appetizers it would be a better time.
(2)Hank H.
My wife and I went on a Friday night. The place is nicely decorated and the wait staff are well dressed and professional. We got there early so we bellied up to their bar for a drink. We were impressed with their bartenders, they know their stuff and make really good drinks. We were well set up for a great meal for the first time at Cento and becomes their regular customer. Then, we got our food, it was a total let down. Our food was bad. I ordered the Squid Ink Tagliatelle. The seafood was not fresh, the whole dish was bland, and the pasta was over cooked. The owner and management seems to put in a lot of thoughts in who to hired, the decor, how to run the place, and they forgot the most import thing, the food have to be good to match the vibe and their price. As someone who is new to Madison, I really wanted to like this place because Madison needs a good Italian restaurant.
(2)Peter A.
We went to Cento last night for the first time. Had a wonderful experience. We had a booth looking out on the Christmas lights on the Overture Center. Overall, the ambiance of the restaurant is upscale...feels like Chicago or NYC, not Madison. (We live in Madison, so I'm not dissing it.) Food was very good. We started with the bacon wrapped dates. I thought that they would be too sweet, but they were not. It's a winner. My wife had the tagliatelle, which she enjoyed; very rich, but also very good. I had the snapper. It was done perfectly. Service was excellent.
(5)Logan M.
Ate brunch at Cento today. First off, the inside of the restaurant is beautiful- it's only 4 months old and is very modern and comfortable. As large as the restaurant is, there aren't that many tables, which is nice because you don't feel like you're on top of other parties. Also the booths are large and comfy. Plus, it was easy to get a reservation for a large party, which I can't say about many brunch places in Madison. I'm guessing this is because Cento is new and doesn't have a large following yet, though I doubt that will last very long. The service was fantastic. I wish I could remember our server's name, but she was so thoughtful and kind. She didn't mind that we asked 100 questions and made a huge ordeal out of splitting the check/using different cards/gift certificates, or that we had several diners join us at different times. At one point, she overheard me say that my drink was a little sweet and came by and offered to replace it. We loved her- I would come back just to have her as my waitress again. Everyone absolutely loved their food. We started with the porchetta & brussels sprouts pizza, which was gone in 3 minutes flat. I had the baked eggs & polenta with vegetables and added prosciutto, so good. Others at my table had the bacon wrapped dates (amazing), eggs benedict, margherita pizza, artic char, and soft scrambled eggs with prosciutto. No one was disappointed, and we all vowed to go back for dinner after peeking at the dinner menu. They also had wonderful drinks. Will definitely come back here and would strongly recommend to others.
(5)Mike Z.
Not worth it Cento is too expensive for what it provides. The food and service were fairly good but not up to par for the prices that are charged. I'll admit that I don't like spending a lot of money on dinner. But I've done it on many occasions. Usually I leave an expensive restaurant feeling like I've had wonderful food at a high price. After leaving Cento I felt like I had good food at a high price. The pizza was tasty, but not as good as Porta Alba's. The gnocchi were pleasant, but they were so light that it seemed like mashed potatoes. The bar was out of two different beers that I attempted to order from the menu. That's not a big deal, but it's a minor frustration. The service was good enough but our waitress wasn't as attentive as she could have been. These things wouldn't be significant problems in a lower-class joint. But Cento seems to think highly of itself so I set my expectations accordingly. I was disappointed.
(3)Michael W.
Went for dinner on a Saturday night. The ambiance of this place is great. It's a little more formal, but not so much so that you feel under dressed or out of place. The food was excellent. The bacon wrapped dates were out of this world. Overall I think this is going to be a new go-to spot for me.
(4)Jen D.
The service here is almost too good. The decor is very elegant--I felt underdressed stumbling in after yoga class, which is noticeably uncommon for Madison. Although the food was delicious, there was nothing that absolutely demanded I come back to eat it again. I will be coming back though; I'm excited to see what this place can do once it's been open for more than a fortnight.
(4)Veronica A.
Traveling from Los Angeles, we were looking for a good restaurant and Cento did not disappoint. Butcher Board appetizer was SO good, very tasty and I was very impressed they were serving local Wisconsin cheese. We also ordered a pizze (super tasty and loved the wood fire oven taste), the roasted cauliflower with country ham (AMAZING!) and the roasted pollo with salsa verde. All of the food was very, very good. The service was fantastic - we arrived before the dinner rush and when we sent back a room-temp Pelligrino they happily replaced it with a cold bottle for free. The restroom was very clean, ambiance very nice and pleasant, not too loud and overall one of the best dining experiences in Madison for out-of-towners.
(4)Michael B.
Another BRILLIANT dinner at Cento...arancini, pizza with sweet italian sausage, bocconcini, broccoli rapini, tomato sauce, garlic and chili flake and agnolotti with pumpkin, sage, walnuts and parmigiano reggiano!!! Bravo Chef Michael Pruett!
(5)Marlena H.
Terrific food, great atmosphere. The fish was tasty and the cocktails are outstanding.
(4)Kate F.
Very cool vibe. Food was great and made from a lot of locally sourced ingredients. Service staff could be more knowledgeable about the source of the food. I loved the meat counter in the middle of the restaurant where you could see the cured meats being prepared for charcuterie. Great spot for a date.
(4)Morgan V.
Great service! Neat nighttime atmosphere. I was a little disappointed the menu did not have more traditional Italian American choices. And it felt a little overpriced to me for the lack of selection.
(4)Wilkins K.
A short walk up Madison's State Street, on a nice winter's day, had it's just reward when we entered the airy and minimalist decor of Cento. We had a light and lively lunch that satisfied our discerning palate and the excited our aesthetic sensibilities. The server and attendant staff were prim, proper and friendly to a fault and helped guide us first timers to the right brunch offerings. The bacon-wrapped dates were a robust revelation, while the Prazo and Prizze selections were sensational! The Ricotta Cheesecake was sinfully delicious.
(5)Carol Y.
Cento is an excellent addition to downtown Madison. The space is fabulous...saving the best from the 1920's building and adding sleek new lines where needed. The food was excellent and the desserts divine. The manager, Jordon, stopped by our table a couple of times to make sure everything was perfect. He was attentive, professional and charming without being overbearing. All in all, a great new Food Fight addition to Madison. My new favorite restaurant. Perfect food, ambiance, wine list and cocktails and wonderful management paying attention to every detail.
(5)Andrew B.
We loved our meal in this great space. I am giving it 5 stars because we loved it even though it's going through "new restaurant" growing pains. Lovely staff, great menu that is beyond what one could have made at home, which is hard to say about most Italian food. The desserts: Poorly conceived and poorly executed. Tiramisu shouldn't be deconstructed precisely because it's the way the ingredients interact and melt in to each other that makes it wonderful. They left out crucial parts and left the others just lay there in the plate. So, call it something else. Italian food works best when it isn't overworked, over plated and lets the superior ingredients speak for themselves. Most of our meal was like that.
(5)Jin U.
Cento is great foods, excellent service. Granted, our waitress broke the cork of our wine, but the manager and sommelier both came to apologize and gave us free dessert. It was completely unnecessary. Having worked at italian restaurants myself, I completely understood what the poor girl was going through. Still, everyone was extremely friendly, even with midwestern standards. Recommendations were spot on, the sommelier commented on the wines we had, and the manager came out to comment on our dishes. The food was equally excellent. We had the beef tartare and calamari as appatizers, which were great (the calamari was a bit on the heavy side). The beef tartare was very fresh. We also had the pizza margherita - it was cooked in their stone oven which made the crust super crispy and the tomato sauce was excellent. AFterwards we had the black tagliatalle seafood pasta with sea urchin sauce. I've had worse seafood pasta's in Japan's Ginza district. I was super impressed. Finally, the lamb, dessert, and dessert wine were equally impressive. I will be recommending Cento to all of my friends. I'm a student now, so expensive restaurants aren't usually my thing, but I will definitely be coming back to Cento soon!
(5)Anne K.
I really wanted to love Cento, but sadly that was not the case. First off, the good. -The hostess were very nice and accommodating. -Our server was excellent, very attentive but not overbearing. -The decor was beautiful and I loved how open it was. The bad... -The food My boyfriend and I ordered the fried squid, the wine poached beets, the black tagliatelle, the prosciutto wrapped branzino and the panna cotta. All of it was pretty bland and seemed to lack any sort of creativity with flavor profiles. The fried squid was very chewy, to the point that it was almost inedible. The prosciutto wrapped branzino had a really odd aftertaste and really lacked flavor. However the worst would have to have been the panna cotta. It was served in a bowl and you could tell that it had been uncovered in a fridge for too long. How do I know that? Well it had a layer on top that tasted of other foods that were not panna cotta. Overall my boyfriend and I left just feeling very underwhelmed.
(2)Ben J.
Amazing! We stopped in after a comedy show around 10pm and had a beautiful time! Loved the wine, pizza and especially the cauliflower/ham dish!
(5)Marisa R.
Amazing, truly the best italian place in the state
(5)Courtney C.
Incredible and creative food! Friendly atmosphere and knowledgeable staff! I will definitely be back soon!
(5)Moody F.
Cento, hmmm. The mens' bathroom alone is a metaphor for how unfinished this place is. The caulk around the sinks is separated and clearly it was painted in the dark. At the convergence of the wall and ceiling is transparent brush strokes. This translates to the food. Everything is just "almost good". The sauces with the pasta dishes lacked seasoning and depth of flavor. The carbonara was "eh" at best the guanciale (bacon) was rendered flavorless and was barely detectable...we were hoping to try shaved truffles with this dish and maybe that would have helped but unfortunately they are "out...indefinitely" (Then why is it on your newly printed menu?) The black tagliatelle with a mix of lobster, mussels and a single under cooked prawn (tiger shrimp)...again...lacking flavor, depth and seasoning. We sent the "prawn" back and a disgruntled cook sent us an over cooked shrimp with the same tagliatelle redressed with a splash of cheese and horseradish instead of taking the time to do the dish again. Our starter was wine braised beets with goat cheese ('cause the girlfriend can't help herself when she sees goat cheese). It's not clear what kind of goat cheese they used but it was not a tasty-flavorful one. It might have even been cut with low-fat cream cheese. It was so bland. The beets...very little wine flavor translates. The decent parts of our meal were the drinks...a young (not quite ready) barrel aged negroni. Though we were told it was young it was quite tasty. They brought us a sample to taste before we made a decision. We liked it and went with it. The service was kind but awkward..."continue to enjoy" is a statement that came our way more than 4 times. (Thanks for the permission.) Our lamb was ribeye was a bit cold on the inside which is not quite med-rare. The flavor was balanced and the chimichurri was well tempered (though I would have enjoyed a bit more olive oil and some heat on the serving plate to keep the dish warm while we ate it. For dessert we opted for a digestivo that smacked of horchata with pistachio sprinkles. It was strong enough however and tasty enough so I can't complain too much. In all we were into Cento for $150+ for the two of us. The decor and food descriptions probably fool most people but for us we're experienced eaters and don't fall for the glitz. If you are looking to be impressed try the Eggplant Napoletana at Lombardino's. The people won't be as pretty and the decor is pure kitsch but that dish was better than all the dishes we had at Cento combined.
(2)Carol P.
Cento turned out to be a mediocre brunch experience, especially on the food front. The only really good dish among those we tried was the ricotta pancakes with blueberries and lemon curd. While it was delicious, the three small Swedish style pancakes lost in a large white bowl did not satisfy a modest appetite. The burrata pizza was okay but did not stand out in any way. The shaved porchetta sandwich--a 1/2 inch thick slab of pork and fat with little flavor on a baguette with a few greens--was awful. Shaving implies thin slices or shreds of meat, not a slab. Very unattractive and unappetizing menu item. Service and ambience were good. But Cento's brunch, as currently configured, does not compete favorably with Sardine, Heritage Tavern or Graze to name just a few other brunch spots around downtown.
(2)Kerri P.
Front desk staff was accommodating on a very busy night when I had made an error in our reservation. The prosciutto pizza was delicious, as were our desserts. The meal was well paced. My only quibble is that going from dessert to paying and leaving for the theater was probably more drawn out than it needed to be, and we had to rush to make our show.
(4)Jesse B.
Meh, I really like the food. So the food I give 5 stars. Just the ambiance is a little too corporate or something, Ok so the wood fired oven is awesome! Arancini scrumptious. Fried risotto balls. I really love the chef and don't even know who he or she is, Prosciutto and melon is pretty standard at an upscale Italian joint but man oh man was that prosciutto buttery and melon juicy fresh. Lamb ribeye a hit. Pork chop a hit- please order this medium and the lamb med rare. Why am I giving Cento 3 stars???? I'm not. I just can't do that to the chef. I'm giving it 4 stars. but still a 6.... well 10 stars for the food. Place just seemed so stiff for service and the atmosphere too corporate or something. Seemed like our server wanted to hang himself and everyone was a robot. We really enjoyed our food ut couldn't wait to leave and get drinks elsewhere. Atmosphere reminded us of a cold corporate law office or something. Maybe it was just a bad night or off night.
(4)Gracie F.
My husband and I have been to Cento twice in the past two months, and both experiences were excellent. Our first visit was just the two of us and we enjoyed appetizers, cocktails, and delicious homemade al dente pasta dishes. Our second visit was with a large group of 10+ friends after seeing a show at the Overture Center. We didn't have a reservation but they accommodated us right away in the bar area, helping us rearrange tables and chairs to make room for everyone. The service was truly excellent (especially for such a large, kinda loud group!) and our servers were kind and attentive, offering to let us share multiple dishes, pizzas, bringing extra plates, and then splitting the bill. We'll definitely be back, thank you!
(5)Eric B.
Cento is yet another uninspiring Food Fight restaurant. It's pretentious, overpriced and the food is universally bland. We had the sausage pizza and the prosciutto pizza. Both required salt and and pepper - but you had to ask for it. No salt and pepper is provided on any of the tables. The boned half chicken had a nice texture but was similarly under seasoned and required the salt and pepper. The fish items on the menu are all farm raised. The steak tartar came on a huge wafer-esque cracker that oddly tasted fishy. The tartar itself consisted of perhaps 2 tablespoons of bland and chewy beef. The only interesting item we ordered was the beet salad. It was really very good and the reason I gave Centro two rather than one stars. The dining room is appealing, the waitress pleasant, but that's about it.
(2)Barbara T.
I gave Cento another try and am I glad I did. We first went in November and were disappointed by the food and the service. What a difference a few months make! Our appetizers were delicious (try the melon and proscuitto) and everyone was very pleased with their entrees. Our server was excellent: she made sure we made our play at the Overture while also presenting our birthday girl with a complimentary dessert. We loved it and we will be back!
(4)Rob C.
Bacon wrapped dates very good, northern ragu very good, pumpkin pasta, excellent wine pairings and the house limoncello was also awesome!
(5)Tim S.
Food: 2 STARS. I was just completely unimpressed. Service: 5 STARS Ambiance/Space/Location: 4 STARS My lower review is based strictly on food quality. Will try again- and re-assess.
(3)Danny G.
The interior lighting is five stars. Seating is comfortable and the wait staff is friendly and knowledgeable. The food is good. It is not a good value. Like many State Street high end eateries, parents of students, expense account warriors and others making funny money will tend to flock here. Italian fare should not be this expensive. Beware everything is Ala carte. I ordered the sourdough bread as a side to accompany my pasta dish. Everyone at our table thought it was complementary with the meal and helped themselves to it. Oh how I pine for the days of a Macaroni Grill where great bread is free and it is considered bad luck to cut it so breaking reigns. The drinks here are creative and small too. Glad I saw this place but I would rather seek a better value venue.
(3)Bret A.
I've been searching for a superb Italian restaurant since moving to Madison eight years ago. I believe Cento hits that mark. I agree with all the previous comments on the atmosphere -- it was nice. But, the highlight is that the food is well prepared. Great ingredients, seasoned properly, and cooked to perfection -- from pizza to pasta to sandwiches. By the way, we went for lunch, where the menu is shorter but so are the prices -- still great food -- I will now gladly go and spend money again on dinner. Oh, and one of the best bloody mary's I've sampled in the area . . .
(5)Ginger G.
Service was great! Food only so so. Enjoyed my cocktail of champagne, vodka and lemon sorbet very much. Warm olive appetizer was excellent. Daughter and I had fish, snapper and branzino, nothing special or flavorful although presentation was very nice. Daughter's boyfriend had pasta dish which he said was good. It was my daughter's 27th birthday, her dessert looked like a hot mess, they were out of the cake portion of the dessert and substituted something else. Cheesecake was tasty. Would not go back.
(3)Dave S.
We live downtown Madison and have eaten at nearly every restaurant. We get asked a lot for restaurant recommendations. I'd say we are fairly discriminating and know the restaurant scene in Madison. Our recent experience at Cento was way below average for a Food Fight operation. We sat at the bar, adequately staffed with 4 bartenders, on a Friday evening. The poor service we received was unacceptable. Where do I start... No silver ware- had to ask No napkins- had to ask Water glasses empty- had to ask Drinks empty - had to ask Overall unattentive service that only responded when I ran someone down. Food was good. Not great. Bartenders were nice but clueless and had no concept of teamwork and customer service. It impacted our experience and was noticed by a couple next to us from Chicago, who were upset with their service as well. I spoke kindly to the manager at the end of the night to share my experience. He was receptive and thanked me. Even asking for my name and number so he could invite us back to give cento another chance. To make matters worse...he never called me back. Baffling! I won't forget this. Not sure I want to go back. I've since shared my experience with others. Remarkably another set of friends had a similar experience the next night at their large table foodies. Bottom line- I had much better service at the Echo Tap and the Big Ten Pub. Cento should visit and learn a thing or five.
(2)Dan W.
I held off on reviewing until I had a chance to try Cento a third time. First, the good: - The setting is awesome. Might be the best designed restaurant setting in Madison. - The drinks are quite good. It's definitely worth checking out the cocktail menu - Staff is friendly but not exceptional yet The not so good; I've tried a few things off the menu over 3 visits (Bacon dates, gnocchi, beef tartare, burrata, beets, porchetta pizza, bucatini carbonara, pork chop, cauliflower) so I think the following thoughts are pretty accurate. In general, the food doesn't measure up to the ambiance or price. - Gnocchi was overworked/gummy. They were described as "pillows" and they definitely didn't come out that way. I mentioned this in passing to our waitress when she asked how everything was and I got the impression that she didn't really put much credence in my feedback. - Food was underseasoned across the board. Pizza crust had very little flavor and the bucatini carbonara lacked salt - not sure how that's even possible given the fact that the ingredients include parmigiano and pork cheek (guanciale). - Pork chop was overcooked (we wanted to try the beef or lamb but both were sold out when we went ) I really hope the food continues to improve and I'm not ready to give up on Cento yet. I still love the setting and will update this review if my next meal justifies it.
(2)Jack B.
Get the butcher board, sit at the bar and down a couple of their Eliot & Ambroses....you're set.
(5)Kevin N.
I have to agree with Cory D. The view from the outside of the restaurant does not match the interior - it doesn't look like much until you walk in the door - and then it's all very breathtaking. The decor is fantastic. The bar and most of the tables have lovely views of the streets - I can see this being an excellent place come winter to sit and watch the snow fall. This was my first experience at Cento, and it started well with a wonderful combination of server, manager, and house front man all acting in concert to create an appealing atmosphere for fine dining. Oftentimes many restaurants in the area that wish to be top-of-the-top focus everlong on the food (with good reason), but neglect to comb through their staff and pick the right people for the right things. Our server (who shall remain nameless - I don't wish to embarrass her) wasn't the only person that was all smiles. It seemed that every member of the wait staff was happy - or at least seemed happy to see us. I can usually detect fakery a mile away, none was to be found. This is clearly a good place for people to work as well as eat. It may seem like an odd tangent, but again I stress my belief that the atmosphere contributes greatly to the feel of the restaurant, and can even affect the taste of the food. The food itself is carefully crafted. Although a larger menu, it still (once explained) seems very accessible. Basic meats such as lamb and chicken are redone in a juxtaposition of new and old rustic styles (the lamb with house-made-noodles could have come right from someone's Italian grandmother's kitchen). Not gonna lie, I faked a bit dumb and wanted the server to explain the entire menu. She did with absolute aplomb, and clearly had favorites to recommend for the weary and leery. Again, I think that the menu is a bit long for being entirely new and adventurous items for and to most people - although we sampled enough of each of the items to know that despite the diversity, each dish is and was crafted with care. The server herself caught an item that she wasn't pleased with, and although we never asked or complained, she took the liberty of helping to remove it from the bill when she saw that we clearly hadn't eaten much of it. That is fantastic above and beyond service. The bartenders were very friendly, though only meeting them for a fleeting second, you'd never know that attached to an incredibly classy restaurant was a bar that appears to cater equally well to the quiet-yet-distinguished drink. I may return just to have a sit-down at the counter and enjoy the ambiance. This is definitely a restaurant for first dates (or any dates), friendly meetings, business outings - it's just very comfortable with an air of distinguished grace. A word to the wise, however: Feel free to dress up. It's been a minute since I've dusted off the Armani suit - this would have been a night to wear it. They are perfectly okay with you not being overly dressy, but I feel it is of note that if you were dressed to the nines, you would absolutely not feel out of place - it would feel as if you'd come to just the right spot to dine in your finery. Final note: for a few of the items, I don't feel that the price-to-food ratio is perfectly reflected; the markup on a few of the things that are and should be very easy to stock is a reflection of interesting management choices. I think that a few things (like the steaks) should be nowhere near $30 and $40. Having priced menus and ingredients before, I think that I'm either missing something entirely behind that reasoning or someone's just going with what they feel is culturally appropriate - doesn't make it right. Service: 5 stars Staff: 5 stars Menu: 4 stars Food: 5 stars Bar service: N/A Prices: 4 stars By the way - oddly enough - they have Wi-Fi for guests! I thought it was odd and cool at the same time. Nifty idea. Definitely not advertised anywhere, just a pleasant surprise.
(5)Michelle S.
Now here's a place to become a regular. What a wonderful addition to Madison's already delicious litany of downtown restaurants with good ambiance and great food. The atmosphere is perfect -- open and sleek, but not austere, with a substantial bar area. The service is excellent as well, with attentive but not overbearing waiters and waitresses who actually seem knowledgeable about both the cocktail and food menu. But the easiest thing to rave about with Cento is (luckily) the food. Dishes are made with great ingredients, prepared well, and matched with good flavors. Appetizers are often much bigger than anticipated (e.g., the charcuterie board is more like like a charcuterie table), so they can easily be mixed and matched to serve as a meal. Pastas are perfectly cooked and made (especially the gnocchi), and cocktails are inventive and delicious (most interestingly mix bourbon and Italian spirits, like aperol). Prices are slightly higher than is desirable, but the portions and quality of ingredients sort of justify them. I've been twice now, and am looking forward to returning soon.
(5)Mimi L.
The food and service here is wonderful. I asked my server which pasta dishes would be good with truffle. She returned and said that the chef would create a dish for me that's off the menu. I agreed and so glad that I did. It truly was the best pasta dish I've ever ate and I'm a big foodie, traveled in Italy and take clients out to dinners all the time. If I ever come back to Madison, this is the first restaurant I would go to. The pasta was freshly made, everything we ordered was amazing and the wine selection was great. The owner even stopped at our table to say hello. This place is a must try!!!!
(5)Kathy L.
We had brunch here. The honey sweetened granola dish was to die for! Two egg dishes were wonderfully flavored & presented. The service was excellent. We'll be back.
(5)Patricia M.
I'm giving this 4 stars, but I believe this will become a 5 star review and quite possilby the best restaurant in Madison in due time. I went after it was open for only 4 days, and my meal was excellent but not quite perfect. I am pretty picky at expensive restaurants, and none of the minor flaws were things that would prevent me from returning. I had the hamachi crudo with crispy potatoes -- if each bite had a little of every garnish (especially the tiny lightly spicy pepper) it was delicate and delicious. But if the bite missed any of the many small elements on the dish, then it lacked seasoning. I also had manila clams which were delicious, light with a wonderful broth -- but there was a little grit in the broth. And I also had a half order of agnolotti with a pea sauce with shaved truffles. The flavor was absolutely out of this world, but it arrived at the same time as the clams, and the truffle was too strong to eat alongside the light clams.The housemade pasta was a little TOO al dente for my taste, but I understand that many chefs believe in leaving a "bite" to noodles and risotto that isn't to my taste. I was concerned the pasta would get cold if I ate it last, but it was just fine. So, a small plate, an antipasti and a 1/2 primi plus a nice glass of white wine ran me $70 with tip. So not cheap -- but a very elegant room and a really interesting menu. I am eager to go back and try several other items on the menu
(4)M P.
Short and Sweet....Great service...Beautiful inside..Overpriced and not worth the money...
(2)Bert F.
We had the pleasure of doing a 7 course Chef's table this weekend. Each course was excellent. Our favorite was gnocchi,chicken,oyster mushroom, and truffle sauce. Wow, easily the best gnocchi we have ever eaten! Two people in our party had the wine pairings. These were excellent choices as well. The services and staff were great. We hope to see the gnocchi on the regular menu. We would highly recommend this unique experience!
(5)Sarah H.
Delicious food, upbeat waitstaff, beautiful space. You really can't go wrong. Unexpectedly loved the olive oil almond cake dessert.
(5)Dustin B.
My dinner at Cento was the best I've had in Madison. The pizza's are amazing, and the calamari is one of the best I've had. Try the barrel-aged negroni, or carpano antica. Service was precise and friendly. I'll definitely go back every chance i get.
(5)Stacey L.
Full disclosure: came here for the Clean Wisconsin epicurean happy hour so my experience is probably a bit different than the average person's happy hour trip, but holy Toledo you want to get to Cento like, now. Everything I tried was fresh and high quality and balanced. I had some marinated beets, mini meatballs, prosciutto, burrata, and my favorite bite of the evening, their bacon-wrapped dates. I am still thinking about them a week later. The mild sweetness of the dates helped offset the saltiness of the bacon and the mouthfeel of the two was so pleasant. I ate two but wish I could have eaten 200. The other standout was their budino - so smooth and rich and beautifully plated. The crumbled cookies gave a nice contrasting texture to the custard and the sliced strawberries on top were a nice, fresh touch. I'm not the most adventurous eater, but I think I might have to put the Chef's Table on my bucket list as long as Chef Pruett is around.
(5)Kristine M.
I thought I had reviewed Cento already. I feel guilty that I haven't! Cento is amazing! First I have to say that the staff is superb. They are so kind and attentive, which always makes for a great dining experience. I stopped in tonight for a quick dinner and I was blown away. Jordan, the general manager, stopped at my table a couple of times throughout my meal to see how it was and Krista, my server, was wonderful. I got the beef tartare, which is one of my all-time favorites. It was perfect as usual. :) I also got the ahi tuna. I had never tried that before and I have to say that it is now my new favorite. It was topped with jalapeños and apples. That sounds disgusting, but it wasn't at all. The spiciness from the peppers was tamed by the fresh tuna and offset by the tangy apples. I have truly never experienced something so delicious. For my main dish I had a porchetta pizza, topped with brussel sprouts, pesto, and mozzarella. Let me tell you a secret. I HATE pizza crust. I don't know what it is, but usually I just leave it. I can't tell you if it is the fact that I haven't had bread in over a month or the fact that this crust was perfectly cooked/was salty and delicious, but I ate every last bite. I want more. I ended with the bread pudding, which was served at the Elite event at Cento. IT'S ON THE MENU NOW! YEAH! It was soooooooooo delicious. I am happy that they put it on the menu and that I got a chance to try it. Thank you, Cento for an amazing dining experience!
(5)Samantha S.
Best meat and cheese board ever!!! Served on a tree! All drinks on cocktail menu are under 8 dollars! What a steal! Try the Toscana sour. Has that citrusy kick of a margarita without the regrets the next day from tequila. (Bourbon used in drink) Full menu is served at the bar! I can almost always snag a seat here when tables are full! Also pasta dishes come in small and larger sizes. In case you are wondering small dishes are plenty enough for one person! Lots of exclamations in this review I know! I just really like this place!
(4)Kerri G.
After my experience at Merchant last year being too cool for school I was delighted tonight by Cento. The gnocchi is some of the best I have had outside of Italy, pillowy soft with foraged mushrooms and mustard greens. Not to be missed. The Beet salad may not have been exciting but was lovely and delightful. My favorite was the Rabbit Saddle which paired perfectly with the bottle of Gaja Promis Service was personable and efficient, always there when I needed them but never intrusive. Overall it was a standout experience and one I would like to have again. Next year Cento. Next year.
(5)Tiffany N.
Sadly I couldn't eat all the food I ordered during my dinner at Cento - sad because it was so good that I wish I had room for.just.one.more.bite. Alas, I didn't. However, all the bites I did have resulted in a very happy tummy on my end. And if you'd like to replicate that feeling, here are the things I ordered (not by myself, geesh, it was a sharing table y'all): + bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with spicy sausage and piquillo pepper sauce + arancini with spicy tomato sauce + sourdough bread with local butter, olive oil and salt + burrata and olio verde on rustic bread + brussels sprouts, apple and bacon + roasted cauliflower with country ham + fingerling potatoes with garlic and cipollini onions Although this entire dinner was made of sides and starters, or what Cento calls "spuntini," "antipasti," and "contorni," it was way more than enough food for our table so I think you can order from their menu willy-nilly and be totally satisfied. The service and atmosphere are both lovely and I'd be happy to eat dinner here again.
(4)Kelly F.
I love everything about Cento. DRINKS: The cocktails were delicious. My husband described "the rye of the beholder" as the best drink he's ever had. They also have a nice wine selection and are really good at helping you pick a wine. FOOD: My husband and I started with 2 small primi plates to share. We had the ricotta-filled agnolotti and the gnocchi. Both were good, but the gnocchi was SO delicious, we both agreed that next time we would want a large order of gnocchi as an entree. The gnocchi was very light and the mushrooms had an incredible meaty taste. Next, we split pollo al mattone. It's half a chicken, so there was plenty of food for the two of us to share. The chicken was perfectly cooked, juicy, and well seasoned. For dessert, we shared cherry chocolate truffle cake topped with gelato and caramel. Yes, it is as good as it sounds. :) SERVICE: I was very impressed with how knowledgeable the waitress was about everything. She could describe all the cocktails and helped us each find one that matched our taste. When we were deciding what to order, she helped us decipher some of the Italian words we were unfamiliar with and eloquently described menu items. At the end of our meal, the chef came to our table to greet us. Meeting the chef added to our great experience.
(5)Kelly K.
Cento has a very nice atmosphere with leather seats and good lighting. I stopped in for lunch. For a cocktail I tried the Eliot & Ambrose which is Carpano Antica, wood-grilled Orange syrup, house orange-cardamom bitters and club soda over ice. It was excellent. I ordered the frittata with prosciutto and potatoes. The frittata was a disaster. It was burnt on both sides and hiding under a few pieces of prosciutto. It seemed like the cook whipped up a few eggs with minced onion and threw it in the frying pan too long browning the eggs on one side. I am guessing they then put in in the oven under a broiler where the eggs were burned on top. Why the cook sent in out like that puzzles me. I almost left. Since my cocktail was good I decided to stay and try the meat ragu with penne. It was very good and was a generous portion. The fresh parsley and carrots made it special. The house ciabatta bread was excellent. Service was above average.
(4)Elena K.
Excellent addition to Madison restaurant scene. Feels a lot more like NYC than Madison. Great ambience, great décor, fantastic menu, service and food and affordable prices, too. The bar area is very nice and cocktails list is impressive, I tried one with prosecco, vodka and lemon sorbet and it was great and only $7! The booths have high walls so it's a very private setting if you take a booth. For appetizers we got well-presented olives bar for $5 (plenty of olives and good variety and they were warmed) and cured meat and cheese plate, that was $15 with ridiculous amount of food, easily enough for 6 people. 3 types of cured meat and 2 types of cheese, everything was delicious. All pasta menus are available in half portions. we had black tagliatini for $15 and branzino wrapped in prosciutto and everything was very tasty. We also had two desserts for 3 people and that was a mistake as desserts were big so one is plenty to share among 3 people. Good list of dessert drinks as well. Service was spectacular, very timely, we never felt left without attention and the waitress was very nice. We also had couple managers stop by and ask how everything went. Our total bill was $47 per person before tip for appetizers, entrees, desserts and more than one drink per person, I would say it's great price for such level of food and service. The only thing that could be improved is density of the seating: add more high-top tables and more tables overall, otherwise the place feels just a tiny bit too underfilled. Overall this is my new most favorite place in Madison. Will come here for drinks instead of Merchant.
(5)Gary B.
Headline: A beautifully designed space with great service -- a great addition to downtown. Hits: House cocktails, small plates, and deserts are the stand outs for me. Also the front of house staff is stellar, particularly given how recently the place opened. Misses: To new to say. I will revise after a few months of operations. Hints: Tons of new and interesting Italian wines. Don't be afraid to ask for guidance or pairing advice. Also, put together a group and book the chef's table. Bottom-line: You will have a great time whether your seated at the chef's table or at the bar.
(4)Rebecca P.
Excited to try the latest Food Fight restaurant we rounded up seven of our closest friends and headed Downtown on a Friday evening! We had a reservation and were seated promptly, and were surprised to see the bar was empty other than us at 6:00 pm. We were seated in the upper dining room which was more secluded from the fun hustle and bustle of the main restaurant, but I think it was due to the size of our party. Overall the atmosphere and interior design were beautiful! We started with the butcher board and dates appetizers to share, which were simple yet delicious. Our table decided to order a myriad of menu items and share with the group so we could try more things, which was fun! We really liked that you can order a smaller portion of the pasta dishes (but the small is by no means too small). We ordered the veal with buckwheat papardelle, and a wood fired pizza. The pasta was great, lots of flavors, the buckwheat papardelle had a unique firmness and the presentation was beautiful. The pizza could have been cooked more and wasn't quite up to par with Café Porta Alba, but still kept to a true authentic Italian style. The drinks were good as well (I've posted a picture of the cocktail menu since they don't show it on their website) I had the Rye of the Beholder and the Vespa Sidecar. Overall the space is beautiful, the food is good, but next time we would like to be in the main dining room with a view into the kitchen!
(4)Bill S.
This was the most underwhelming dining experience I've had in quite some time. We were very excited to try this place after hearing great reviews from friends, etc. To say that this restaurant is overrated is spot on. Service was terrible - server had very little knowledge of the menu and wine list. From the time we walked in the door we were rushed through our meal even though the restaurant was half-empty (on a Friday night - very telling). We received our drinks after our appetizer, and the entrees ordered which the server gave rave reviews, were severely lacking in flavor - a little salt would go a long ways and the chef obviously didn't taste the dishes before they were served. The fish (branzino) was over-cooked and very oily - nothing like described, and the pappardelle was raw (yes, I know the difference between al denté and raw - this was raw) and very doughy with poor flavor. The lamb was also lacking salt and may have been palatable if it were provided, but there was none on the table and our server was nowhere to be found, acting so timid because she knew we were unhappy with the flow of our dinner and lack of expertise regarding the wine list. It was like a 3rd string quarterback was put in the game to serve our party of 4. Dessert was chosen based again on the recommendation of the server and when it arrived on the table, the presentation was so unpalatable it looked like we were served a pile of something that came out of the rear end of an animal. Again, nothing like the server described. The ambience was loud, hard to carry on a conversation, and while eating a woman fell off of her high-top chair and no staff even took a second look or asked if she was ok. She was not drunk but was wearing a long, formal dress and it caught on the chair she was on - very poor decor and dining design. For the price we could have gone to any chain restaurant and had better service and much better food. Very, very, very disappointed!!! Don't waste your time, there's better dining experiences in Madison!! It almost seemed like the ambience was supposed to make up for a lack of service and terrible food, but although it was pleasant, the ambience was far from fine dining. Pic of the abysmal chocolate poo dessert is attached - the chef and owners should be embarrassed to serve this.
(1)Dave F.
I took my wife to Cento for our first anniversary. Based on the experience we had we will most certainly be returning! Everything about our experience was outstanding. We were seated promptly upon arrival, we were given a great table in the middle of the room (upon request in OpenTable), the food was phenomenal, and the wait staff and management were friendly and knowledgeable. Cento is a Chicago or NYC caliper restaurant in the heart of Madison.
(5)Erin D.
Between 3 and 4, really! I can't say enough about the service. Outstanding! There was a party in the back that was apparently slowing up our food. Server went out of her way to make it right, even though we didn't complain. Otherwise, we had a small issue with bones in fish, and unfortunately the branzino was out for the night. Service really saved the day! We will be back to try more.
(3)Greg w.
Tasty! Madison was missing a fashionable Italian restaurant. Pasta and antipasti are excellent. Food is among the best in town. Last I went, which was soon after opening, the cocktails weren't very good.
(4)Esther Y.
Cento blew me away when I came here for my first dinner, and I knew I wanted to share my experience with my boyfriend for Valentine's Day. I made a wonderful decision because not only did we have a wonderful time, but we had even more delicious food. Absolutely amazing prince Edward island mussels for our appetizer; I've been back again since valentines day, and I've ordered them again. Consistent, very (but not excessively) garlic flavored broth that pairs perfectly with the mussels. For my entree, I had the casserecce with braised lamb (no dairy), and my boyfriend had the carbonara. My plate was just lamb perfection; the noodles were delicious with a deep and rich lamb note with every bite. If I can eat this every day, I would. For the pastas, cento offers two sizes. My boyfriend finished the larger size, no problem. I also ordered the larger size, but it was too much food so I packaged the rest. So perhaps consider the smaller if you ate an appetizer or if you're not too hungry. Service is always incredible. Servers are always willing to confirm ingredients in the dishes, and they check on the table so consistently and pretty often. They remember faces and always make you feel welcome, which is something I really appreciate from any restaurant. Dining room is beautiful, drinks are always amazing (if you'd like a suggestion, try the vermouth!), and suggestions and knowledge of wine is incomparable. Cento is my go to for a fun and sophisticated night out. The three times I've been here have consistently been such a pleasure to experience. I always look forward to coming back!
(5)Christina D.
All of the food was good, but a bit pricey for standard Italian dishes. Their cocktails are fantastic.
(3)Cory D.
Honestly, good reviews are a little boring. People like hearing about dining disasters - rude and incompetent staff, food inedible, a hole in the wall decor.. and you wont find any of that here. Sorry! I can't express enough praise for Cento. Had a reservation for four at 8pm, and that was met timely, despite the restaurant being extremely busy. Had a wine concierge explain to us some of their many, many wines and how fancy is that? Also had a waitress that knew the menu in and out like nobody's business. She gave great recommendations, and even persuaded us to try some items we might have second glanced. My party enjoyed the fried squid and bacon wrapped dates as an appetizer, and both were out of this world. The dates are stuffed with this spicy, but not too spicy, sausage and lathered with piquillo pepper sauce, which makes for a sweet and savory appetizer, with all the flavors complimenting one another extremely well. One friend got the sweet italian sausage pizza as an entree and it was plenty big for one person. Another friend had the pollo al mattone, and it's probably the best chicken I've ever had. It was seasoned and grilled to perfection; drizzled with lemon and I was in heaven. There wasn't a single dish we all shared that was anything less than five stars. After our late night supper, my friends and I unanimously agreed that Cento was nothing short of magnificent, and we'd be back very soon.
(5)Jae C.
Probably one of my favorite birthday dinner to date. Walking in this place, you can sense it's a wee bit different than the usual Italian fare around Madison. Dressy? Yes, please. My fiancé took me here for a birthday dinner after we've been driving past it the last couple of months. We thought, why not? So we got dressed and headed here for some Italian. We started off with the bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with spicy sausage and piquillo pepper sauce after reading other Yelpers' reviews. Small, but tasty! There's literally like a burst of flavor once you bite into it. I expected it to be really just a bacon flavor, but I was wrong. The sweet and salty was a perfect combination in this little plate. The piquillo pepper sauce would've made for some good bread dip also. They were out of gnocchi tonight (?!?!?!?) and it almost felt like it was meant to be. I LOVE gnocchi and always seem to steer towards that dish at any restaurant, so it forced me to try something else. First world problems over here. We opted for the smaller versions of two pastas: 1) agnolotti with pumpkin, sage, walnuts and parmigiano reggiano and 2) black tagliatelle with lobster, prawn, mussels, lobster sauce and fresh horseradish. The agnolotti was so soft and the parmigiano reggiano wasn't as strong as I've experienced. I was hoping for more pumpkin because that actually was my favorite part of the dish. Go figure. The black tagliatelle dish (aka squid ink pasta, y'all) was oh-my-gee seafood heaven! My fiancé wasn't a fan of it because it was too fishy for him, but this Filipino girl felt at home. It was a very rich dish--that lobster sauce was very creamy. Overall, the pasta dishes were no disappointment. It's definitely worth it to get 2 or 3 of the smaller pasta dishes to be able to try them all out. Or that could just be me. We also got a pizza (sweet italian sausage, bocconcini, broccoli rapini, tomato sauce, garlic and chili flake)--very thin, not too crunchy, but very good. It wasn't out of this world, but it was a good introduction to their pizza selections. My fiancé's main dish was the pollo al mattone with salsa verde, arugula and lemon--the chicken just looked so pretty with the skin roasted into a perfect brown (I felt weird typing that?) and the arugula was a good balance to the simple flavoring of the chicken. My birthday dessert was the the cherry chocolate truffle cake with gelato--LOVE. The fiancé isn't a huge dessert person but he really enjoyed this and actually ate more of it than I did. The cherry was a good choice too--I was weary at first but it really made the dish. Overall, a very satisfying dinner. The service was great (oh! Chanel/Shanell? was our sweet server) and I was greeted happy birthday several times. Felt pretty special! So glad this place exists.
(5)Leslie W.
The owner of the restaurant contacted me shortly after I posted my first review apologizing for the experience and offering a gift certificate. He noted that improvements were actively being made to the food and service quality and the restaurant would change the temperature of the dining area upon request. Not many restaurant owners respond to reviews, especially negative ones, so it's impressive that the owner cared enough to respond in a professional and timely manner. Cento is still a relatively new Madison restaurant and appears to be constantly evolving and improving. Certainly worth another look.
(3)Sara M.
After eating here twice, I pondered about why they named the place Cento, the Italian word for one hundred. Is it because a meal for two people is likely to run over $100? Could it be because there are about 100 things on the menu, making decisions very stressful? These points may be true, but I finally decided it's because 100% of the food I've tried from Cento is wonderfully delicious. I've gone for brunch and dinner with a big group and EVERYTHING that everyone ordered was top notch. For example, the Porchetta and Brussels sprouts pizza trumps both Grampa's and Pizza Brutta in my opinion. The squid ink tagliatelle (conveniently offered in a full and half sized portion) is just lovely in it's tasty lobster sauce. The snapper is cooked deliciously, I only got a bite of my friend's order but it was enough to make me want to go back and get a full one for myself. Whether you're splitting a pizza and the fabulous butcher board (comes with honey, LOVE that!) with friends or ordering entrees with a date, I highly recommend Cento for an evening of great food. The service is also excellent and the ambiance is upscale without being stuffy. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Katie K.
We were seated in a booth near the kitchen. It was fun to look in and see the wood-burning pizza oven and to watch the meat slicer in action. I did think it was strange that the hostess was the one cutting the prosciutto on the meat slicer though, but she was wearing gloves, so that was good. We ordered a number of things to share, starting with the Arancini and Beef Tartare. The arancini were good. Served four to an order, they were crisp on the outside and smooth and creamy on the inside served with a spicy tomato sauce. Beef Tartare: The waitress said that this dish has a following. People come in just to order this. My date and I had never tried anything tartare before, but we were feeling adventurous, so we went for it! I'm glad we did. I can't say that I'll be returning just for this dish, but it was a good experience. You get a relatively small amount of beef, but really, how much raw meat do you need to eat in one sitting? It comes on a massive salty cracker topped with a boiled quail egg, cheese, anchovies, and radishes. There's a lot of flavor just on that cracker. Break a bit off, add some beef and BOOM. You're hit with all those savory flavors and a crisp and cold combination. It's a little pricey at $13.00, but definitely worth a try. My date is a big fan of mussels, so of course he wanted the Prince Edward Island Mussels. He really enjoyed them, served with pork belly, wine, tomato and garlic broth. He drank the broth without hesitation. We also tried the wood-fired pizza with Italian sausage, fresh mozzarella pearls, broccoli rabe, garlic and red chili flakes. Good flavors, but the crust was a little limp in the center of the pizza. Not sure if it was because it was too thin, or there was too much moisture on it, but it was a bit sad. Hopefully that was just a fluke though. Looking forward to going back to try more!
(4)Lisa A.
Worst ROI in town. For these prices I should want for nothing. So, so, so slow. And air headed waiter. Host swings by after we order wine from airhead waiter to see if w need help ordering wine. Yah - 45 seconds ago. Food was bland. Did I mention the waiter moved at the pace of tectonic plates? Delivered my wine after we were nearly done with our entrees? Never. Going. Back.
(1)Monica R.
Absolute dynamite. I dined solo on a business trip, and everything was beyond excellent, from the service to the wine to the burrata to the bread and finally to the Agnolotti, which was an amazingly rich mix of pasta with pumpkin and sage and walnuts in this butter/oil/starch mix. I thought it was just unreal how good it was. The price for all that was about $50, and it was one of those moments where I thought, "Oh, I am so ready to abandon the over-priced, over-hyped, over-douchebag-populated restaurant scene of San Francisco, because this is so much better!"
(5)