Restaurant Review: Porter

Name: Porter

Location: 640 W Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53703

Ambience: Hipster coffee shop

Price: $

Best Dish: Mocha

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Porter's biggest draw is its atmosphere. Tucked behind a bicycle shop just off of the railroad tracks, it's very inconspicuous. In fact -- it was so inconspicuous that Google Maps sent me around in circles for 10 minutes before I finally called my friend to ask where it was. Right outside the shop, there's a stationary, giant yellow train just waiting there. The inside has an exposed pipe and a modern yet cosy vibe, despite how small it is. The exposed countertops and brick add to the ambience, as does the single, large square table in the center of the coffeeshop that serves as the main seating. Having everyone sit around the same coffee table really does encourage conversation -- as I found when I spoke to the person sitting next to me about the newspaper.

Their coffee menu is pretty standard -- cortados, macchiatos, lattes, etc -- but Porter has a limited number of syrups that they make in-house. Their syrups are fabulous. They usually have mocha, miel, and vanilla, and something unique like lavender. Their standout syrup is their vanilla. On my first trip, I got a mocha, which was delicious. The whipped cream was light, fluffy, and clearly homemade. As someone who generally does not enjoy whipped cream, this was a pleasant surprise. The taste of the coffee blended beautifully with the flavor of the chocolate. On another trip, I got an iced vanilla latte, and I was delighted that I could see the flecks of vanilla bean throughout my coffee.

Porter's sandwiches are also amazing. My personal favorite is their veggie sandwich, which is a little expensive at $9.50. It's a generous portion, filled with marinated artichokes, roasted shiitake mushrooms, and roasted red peppers. The sandwich is held together by melted cheese and a fennel aioli, and arugula adds a spicy, fresh kick. My favorite part of the sandwich was their salt roasted tomatoes, which have a deep, rich flavor.

Porter is a lovely place to go for a date or just a long conversation with friends. I wouldn't recommend it for studying simply because it is so small. They have a couple of outlets scattered around and there is additional space in the back near the bike shop, but it's not as nice as the main area. It's a great addition to Madison's local coffeeshops, and definitely a hidden gem.