🧑‍🍳 The New Glarus restaurant everybody’s talking about

🍽️ Canter Inn Opens in Victorian House in New Glarus

• Canter Inn, an ambitious new restaurant created by two acclaimed married chefs, opened Thursday in New Glarus, located 28 miles southwest of Madison.
• Samantha Kincaid and Jon Nodler have been lauded for their Philadelphia restaurant, Cadence, and have also worked at The Harvey House and Seven Acre Dairy Co. The menu includes playful nods to New Glarus’ Swiss heritage, and Kincaid and Nodler are planning to add a single-suite B&B to the project in the near future.
• 🎧 Dig deeper: Both Kincaid and Nodler are on the City Cast Madison podcast today, talking to host Bianca Martin about their inspirations for Canter Inn, their Madison roots, and their future plans. [Cap Times, 🎧 City Cast Madison]

✈️ DHS Video Isn’t Playing at Madison Airport

• A controversial video that Department of Homeland Security Security Kristi Noem recorded blaming Democrats for the federal shutdown is not airing at the security checkpoint at Dane County Regional Airport.
• But the situation in Madison may be different than at other airports such as Chicago and Minneapolis, where airport officials have outright refused to play the videos, calling them political messaging and a possible violation of the Hatch Act.
• Dane County airport communications director Michael Riechers told the Wisconsin State Journal that county and airport staff have no control over whether TSA agents play the videos in the space it leases from the airport. [🔒 WSJ]

🏥 GHC Says Union Vote Delayed Over Federal Shutdown

• Is the federal government shutdown the reason that Group Health Cooperative is delaying a union election sought by employees? Administrators at the Madison-based clinic network say the vote is on hold until the National Labor Relations Board rules on charges of unfair labor practices, and the NLRB is currently not operating.
• But employees counter that GHC is trying to use the shutdown as an excuse to end the organizing effort altogether. Employees launched a union campaign back in December. It would represent more than 200 primary and urgent care workers. [Cap Times]

As a journalist, some things you write and you just know you’re going to get yelled at. Such was the case with my recent article on “The Best Locally-Owned Coffee Shops in Madison,” listing 12 Madison coffee shops that people love.

That meant I missed a lot of readers’ favorite places to get coffee, and trust me, you all told me about it. So here are some of your favorite spots for a cup of joe. If I still missed yours, please let me know!

Cargo Coffee

This was a huge oversight on my part, since the Cargo on South Park Street has been one of my favorite places to go for years! In addition to great coffee that you can see (and smell) roasting, the green wrap is my favorite grab-and-go veggie item in the city. You can also catch live music regularly at the East Washington Avenue location.

Reader Jenny H. agrees: “Excellent coffee and sandwiches, Great place to meet up with friends (police officers like the place too!). Owner is very community minded and donates coffee and cash to events.”

Lakeside St. Coffee House

Reader Kate B. recommended this place in the Bay Creek neighborhood, and it’s no mystery why. The coffee shop is located on the shore of Monona Bay and has a great lakefront view in every season, and inside is a warm and inviting community space with live music.

Java Cat

Located in an elegant white house that’s like an oasis of calm in the middle of the big-box store far east side, Java Cat is a treat with a great full breakfast menu. Reader Ceanna C. raves “their story is incredible, their works are the best, and their coffee and food selection is out of this world! Not to mention their gelato selection.”

Johnson Public House

In my (weak) defense, I always think of JPH as a restaurant first and a coffee shop second – I had an amazing grilled cheese sandwich last time I was there. But of course, as reader Joanna K. said, it has great coffee, too.

One of the perks of being a City Cast Madison Neighbor is that our members get to send a Neighborhood Shoutout, showcasing a business, a nonprofit, or even a person who makes Madison just a little bit better. We share these shoutouts in both the Madison Minutes newsletter and on the City Cast Madison podcast.

📣 Jeff W. wanted to sing the praises of El Rancho on Cottage Grove Road. “Really fresh ingredients and food made right in front of the customers!!”

📣 DeeAnn M. is shouting out the Dane County Shamrock Club, “a social, cultural, and charitable non-profit group that does charitable work for the community (scholarships, donations, etc). Everyone is welcome, no need to be Irish. All are safe here.”

📣 Hannah J. says we all should go to Cordial, “a hidden gem on Park St. Fantastic craft cocktails and super friendly staff. Well-priced and a great vibe!!”

Got something or somebody that you think deserves a Neighbor Shoutout? Become a City Cast Madison Neighbor and we’ll give them a round of applause! 👏