A place called Otto’s has always caught my attention whenever I’ve driven down Mineral Point Road on Madison’s Westside. I had been told it was a solid bar and restaurant, with much more to offer than the typical chain establishment so commonly found near the mall. Rather than contain the beast of my unfulfilled curiosity, I decided it was time to see for myself and check out Otto’s.
Situated in an 1870’s-era stone farmhouse and named for its original owner, Otto’s appears out of place in the modern setting of the Westside. Tucked under 100-year-old trees but adjacent to a modern office building, Otto’s is something of a quaint anachronism. Aesthetics aside, I was in search of a good drink.
Located inside on the ground floor, underneath a large, canopied outdoor dining area, the bar is small, intimate and doesn’t take too many people to fill up. There are a few cocktail tables scattered about, and the bar seats about 12. The back bar is bathed in a yellow light, and prominently features a variety of spirits. In the upper corner, I found what I was looking for — the specialty-drink list.
The specialty selection is not extensive. It is, however, creative, and one cannot find fault with an establishment sticking to what it does best. Consider some of the following drinks: Otto’s Martini, made with Ketel One vodka, Grand Marnier and Midori; the James Bond 007, made with Tanqueray gin, Stoli vodka and Blonde Lillet, which is a sweet French wine; the Silver Bullet, made with Bombay gin, and a splash of Glenlivet; and lastly, the Gibson See Thru, made with Absolut, Bombay, Cointreau and Blonde Lillet.
Never one to be daunted by a strong drink, I opted for the Gibson See Thru, which also happens to be Otto’s most popular drink. It also comes with a requisite white pearl onion, which lends itself for a very interesting presentation.
I was not disappointed. Served in a large martini glass, and very well chilled, the drink was tasteful with a hint of sweetness, most likely due to the wine. It did not overpower and was mixed well. I could distinguish the alcohol, but it was not so ridiculously strong as to start some type of gag reflex, which can happen when too many spirits are poorly combined.
I didn’t limit my adventure to just one featured drink. Fearless as always, I in fact tried them all. Fairly priced at $6.50, especially given the quantity, quality, and presentation, the response was overwhelmingly positive. While the Gibson might be the most popular, the Otto’s Martini also rose to the occasion.
Otto’s also features an extensive list of single-malt scotch, and they also make a very good margarita. Naturally, a number of beers are available, but it is pretty clear that Otto’s is not a beer-drinker’s bar. Otto’s is the type of place you go for a strong, sophisticated mixed drink.
The tendency away from beer creates a mature mystique. As such, the crowd is older. It is a place where you might find some parents of a UW student, or young professionals out for a drink after work. Some friends of mine indicated that Otto’s is ideal for a date. The atmosphere suits the crowd well, and with the music played at a low volume, one must take steps not to be perceived as too loud.
Otto’s is a far cry from the familiarity of the campus bar scene. Classy and well dressed, it offers a reprieve from the stale scene around the mall, as well a presenting an environment that might be a more common sight to students as we get older.
Bartime will celebrate Oktoberfest at the Essen Haus tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 28. The festivities, featuring polka bands and beer, kick off at noon. The Essen Haus is located at 514 E. Wilson St. Cheers!
