🧑‍🍳 Madison chefs are ready for their closeups

🏫 Mnookin Joins Campus Leaders Standing Against Trump

• UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin was one of over 220 higher education leaders who signed an open letter protesting the Trump administration’s “unprecedented political interference” into public research funding.
• “We are open to constructive reform and do not oppose legitimate government oversight,” the letter reads. “However, we must oppose undue government intrusion in the lives of those who learn, live, and work on our campuses.”
• The administration has threatened universities with funding cuts, and froze billions of dollars in research funding to Harvard University after the Ivy League school refused to comply with a list of demands, prompting a lawsuit. UW-Madison officials talked about the devastating effect of such cuts on research into Alzheimer’s, cancer, and other diseases on the City Cast Madison podcast. [Daily Cardinal, American Association of Colleges and Universities, 🎧 City Cast Madison]

🧑‍🍳 Madison Chefs Seize the Spotlight

• Vintage Brewing Company executive chef Jake Lawler works on his knife skills – and his anger issues – on “Yes, Chef,” a new reality cooking competition that premieres April 28 on the Peacock streaming service.
• The show, hosted by Martha Stewart and Jose Andres, pits a dozen chefs against each other for a $250,000 cash prize. The twist is that each of the chefs have some kind of personality issue that’s held them back in their careers. In Lawler’s case, that was his temper.
• 🎧 Between Lawler and “Top Chef Wisconsin,” we’re seeing a lot of Wisconsin chefs on the small screen lately. On the City Cast Madison podcast today, host Bianca Martin talks to Cap Times food and culture editor Lindsay Christians about the recent trend. [Cap Times, 🎧 City Cast Madison]

💐 George’s Flowers Closes After Founding Couple Dies

• George’s Flowers, the Park Street florist that has helped Madison say it with flowers for 41 years, will close after one last Mother’s Day on May 10 following the deaths of founders George and Nia Choles.
• George Choles died last October, one day after his 100th birthday, and his wife Nia died one week later at 89. Two of their four children have been running the business since 2009, and decided with their parents’ passing that it was time to close. “It kind of changed the joy for us.” [ 🔒 WSJ]

Welcome to our list of the best new restaurants and bars opening in and around Madison! We’ll update this list each month. If we’ve missed a new spot you think we should feature, let us know!

Paleo Mama Bakery (Park Street)

This gluten-free bakery just opened its brick-and-mortar location on Park Street in the former Barriques, selling both its own baked goods as well as like-minded products from other retailers.

Cafe Mimi (Downtown)

This new spot is oriented around pickup and delivery, where diners can pop in during lunch and dinner hours Monday to Friday to grab Korean corn dogs, pork kimbap, sweet and tangy chicken tenders, and more.

Leopold’s Book Bar Caffe (Regent Street)

Everybody’s favorite cocktail bar/bookstore/coffee shop has now added a food menu into the mix, offering deviled eggs, oysters, and other small bites from the bar. They’ve also gotten into the Sunday brunch game with neighbor Fabiola’s Spaghetti House.

Vitruvius Cafe (Middleton)

Named after the ancient Roman architect (I looked it up), this cozy Middleton coffee shop mixes a full coffee and pastry menu with gorgeous interior design and a little jazz on the weekends.

Istanbul Mediterranean Kitchen (West Side)

This Turkish spot is a food truck found at Fresh Mart on University Avenue, and offers the crispy-crust Turkish pizza known as lahmacun, ground beef adana kebabs, and of course baclava.

Custom Mac & Cheese Bar (Downtown)

As the name suggests, this new fast-casual spot on North Frances Street puts you in charge of your noodles. Using a self-serve kiosk, you pick the noodles, the cheese, and the toppings, and it’s made fresh while you wait.