Taste of the Union: Sunset Lounge
As a rising senior at UW-Madison, I’ve tried almost every restaurant at Memorial Union and Union South. But with brand new, delicious foods popping up around the Union, there’s always fresh dishes to try. Follow along the next couple months while I start the new taste test series “Taste of the Union” and sample food around the Union–or better yet, try it for yourself!
The newly renovated, air conditioned Sunset Lounge is the perfect place to catch a Terrace sunset or a view of sailboats on the lake, two of our favorite Union pastimes. This summer, the experience is even sweeter with one of our other favorite traditions: New food.
The Mediterranean Plate. Photo Credit: Mason Muerhoff
Located just outside the Wisconsin Union Theater, Sunset Lounge offers five individual picnic plates, shareable dishes that serve 2-3 people:
- Mediterranean: Garlic hummus, carrots, olive feta salad, roasted red peppers, naan dippers
- Wisco: Fresh berries, local cheese, artisan sausage, crackers
- Sandwich: House-made chicken salad, mini croissants, seasonal fruit
- Shrimp Cocktail: Chilled shrimp, cocktail sauce, lemon
- Sweet: Dried fruit, mixed nuts, gourmet chocolate
I can assure you that even the pickiest of eaters will find something they can snack on here.
The Wisco Plate. Photo Credit: Mason Muerhoff
The abyss of blue waves of Lake Mendota will suddenly transport you to the shores of the Mediterranean Sea when you munch on the Mediterranean plate packed with hummus and vegetables.
As an Illinois native, I’m still being introduced to the world of sausage, but the Wisco plate’s sliced summer sausage is perfectly seasoned without that overly salty aftertaste. Paired with a variety of crackers, local cheese and fresh berries, the plate is the definition of perfect picnic food.
Feeling a bit hungrier? Try the Sandwich plate, which offers not only a delicious chicken salad with chickpeas that bursts with flavor along with mini croissants. Seasonal fruit is also included; currently fresh strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, melon and grapes are featured.
The Sandwich Plate. Photo Credit: Mason Muerhoff
I’ll be honest, I was a little hesitant when I saw the Shrimp Cocktail plate on the menu. While it’s one of my favorite appetizers, shrimp can be hit-or-miss depending on the venue. Have no fear, my fellow seafood lovers: with a zesty cocktail sauce and slices of juicy lemon, this chilled shrimp is the perfect texture and void of any fishy taste. Even on a college student’s budget, this dish is affordable and refreshing.
Who says dessert needs to be the last course? At Sunset Lounge, you can order just dessert with the Sweet plate, packed with assorted nuts, dried apricots, dried cranberries and assorted chocolates. At some point
The Shrimp Cocktail Plate. Photo Credit: Mason Muerhoff
throughout our lives, we’ve all fell victim to cheap drugstore boxed chocolates: those waxy, overly processed excuses for a dessert. These chocolates are leagues ahead, with a variety of dark, milk and white chocolates with fillings ranging from even more chocolate to raspberry.
If you’re looking for the perfect date night or an outing with the friends, check out the Picnic Box options, which are served with sparkling water, dessert and a picnic tablecloth, in addition to the picnic plate of your choice and splits of champagne or wine.
The Sweet Plate. Photo Credit: Mason Muerhoff
While I’m still torn on my favorite picnic plate–likely a tie between the Sandwich or Sweet plate–a handful of employees said they Wisco and Mediterranean plates are the most requested.
With the price of each picnic plate ranging from $5-7, the Sunset Lounge is an affordable food stop, especially when it’s split between 2-3 people. Whether you’re a student, graduate or Terrace-lover, this is a food site you have to check out…If I don’t order everything first.
