🍕 Madison’s best new restaurants

🛍️ Madison Public Market Finally Opens...Quietly

• The long-awaited Madison Public Market opened on North First Street to little fanfare on Wednesday. Market officials had planned a big grand opening last week, but scuttled those plans after the Corey Ruiz shooting.
• A grand opening celebration will be rescheduled when it feels more appropriate, officials said. The market includes a variety of local food vendors and small business owners, and is the culmination of 20 years of effort in the city to reach fruition.
• In addition, the market applied last week for a liquor license to operate a full-service walkup bar. One Barrel Brewing and Timber Hill Winery already have licenses to sell alcohol at the market. [InBusiness, 🎧 City Cast Madison, 🔒 Wisconsin State Journal]

🗳️ Francesca Hong Widens Lead in Two New Polls

• The five remaining Democratic candidates for governor met Tuesday at Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee for their only debate ahead of the Aug. 11 primary.
• The hourlong debate was marked by consensus, as candidates agreed on a range of issues ranging from raising taxes on millionaires to spending more state dollars on public education.
• Tuesday’s debate occurred as two new polls showed state Rep. Francesca Hong widening her lead against opponents. State Navigate’s poll showed Hong at 44% with Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley in second with 15%, while the latest Marquette University Law Poll had her at 38% with former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes at 16%, though 34% of respondents to the Marquette poll still hadn't decided who to vote for.
• Hear from the candidates: We've interviewed five of the seven candidates in the running. Check it out! [WPR, 🎧 City Cast Madison, 🔒MJS]

🎥 Stoughton Changes Its Mind on Flock Cameras

• Just two months after approving a contract with Flock Safety surveillance cameras, the Stoughton City Council voted Tuesday to end that contract. The original decision sparked a public backlash from residents who were concerned about anti-privacy issues and the potential for abuse by law enforcement.
• Stoughton is the seventh entity in Dane County, including the county government itself, to not renew its contract with Flock. The cameras in Stoughton could come down this week, Stoughton Police Chief Brandon Hill said.
• Dig deeper: Why the ACLU is worried about Flock. [News 3, WPR, 🎧 City Cast Madison]

Each month, we run down the best new restaurants in the Madison area that have either opened or announced plans to open in the near future. If you know of any that we missed, drop us a line at [email protected].

Ian’s Pizza (Verona)

Based on the long lines outside on opening day, Verona is starving for mac ‘n’ cheese pizza and the other unusual slices at this Madison favorite’s latest outpost.

Frank & Andrea (Downtown)

This Minneapolis favorite just opened its first Madison location on Frances Street, and should do well with the campus crowd with its mix of pizza, cheesesteaks, and “Frankie Tender Combos.”

Golden Counter (Willy Street)

One of Madison’s favorite breakfast spots, Marigold Kitchen, has added sit-down service to its catering kitchen space at 1511 Williamson St. Grab a stool at the counter and enjoy a breakfast sandwich or berry French toast sticks.

Dasta Cafe (Downtown)

New York bagels will meet brewed Indian chai in this restaurant planned for the corner of Gorham and Henry streets. The owner told the Wisconsin State Journal that Dasta should open sometime this fall.

Grand Haveli Indian Restaurant (Verona)

I’m not sure if there’s any connection to the terrific Haveli restaurant that closed recently in Fitchburg, but this new restaurant also offers classic Indian cuisine such as chicken biryani and salmon tikka.

Thirteen Bar & Restaurant (Verona)

The former Good Company restaurant at the Pioneer Pointe Golf Club is now Thirteen, offering smash burgers, pizzas, sheet pan nachos and more. And you don’t need to know your 9-iron from your 3-wood to eat there!

Mizuno Sushi (Downtown)

The former Jing Jing Cha tea and coffee shop on West Gilman Street is now this small sushi restaurant, which opens at 5 p.m. and stays open until the wee hours.

Hanoi House & Boba (McFarland)

The owners of this Oshkosh Vietnamese restaurant say they’ve signed a lease to open another location on Farwell Street in McFarland. No word on when they’ll open.

One of the many cool things about being a City Cast Madison Neighbor is getting the chance to send a Neighborhood Shoutout! Our members tell us about a business, a public space, a nonprofit, or some other cool thing that makes Madison a little bit better, and we share the love on the podcast and in the newsletter. Here’s what our Neighbors are shouting out today.

📣 Ben R. thinks you should check out Lucid Dreaming Sketch Comedy! “They create opportunities for experienced and new sketch writers to learn and showcase their sketches regularly!” They have a pair of free writing workshops coming up in August.

📣 Molly M. wanted to shout out Reminisce! “You have 47,000 photos. How many does your family actually see? Reminisce organizes them into albums, wall art, and memories worth sharing.”

📣 BJ T. wants all pet lovers to know about Luna Pet Resort! “I recently boarded my dog at Luna Pet Resort on Pennsylvania Ave. The staff treated my dog with the utmost love and care as if he was theirs. They went above and beyond in their care for him and communication with me! No better place to take your dog for a sleep away camp or daycare!“

If you want to send a Shoutout of your own, join Ben, Molly, and BJ and become a City Cast Madison Neighbor! 🫶