Madison on Park serves Mediterranean-inspired fare and elegant cocktails in this modern, airy University Heights hangout, complete with arched vaulted ceilings, cedar-wood walls with bold, geometric designs and indoor/outdoor seating.

Madison on Park is in the University Heights neighborhood of San Diego.  The area is filled with a number of restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, and artist studios primarily on Park Boulevard and Adams Avenue. I love to go to Madison during the day so we can appreciate the sunlight.  It's like dining outside, but yet you're still inside.   It's also nice to sit here on a nice warm summer night and look at the stars above you.  We were a little chilly when we went for dinner in May, so you may want to take a jacket. They do have heaters though. 

There is big competition for weekend brunch in San Diego, but I'm not sure everyone is aware Madison serves a great brunch.  Normally, there is a wait for weekend brunch anywhere in San Diego, but we were able to walk right in on a Saturday around noon.   Perhaps it was just the weekend we went, or perhaps brunch just hasn't caught on yet here. I still recommend to make reservations thought.  From the service to the food, drinks and atmosphere, it was everything you want out of brunch.  Nick ordered the Papas Locas which was scrambled eggs and jack cheese served with potatoes, pinto beans, chicken and pico de gallo, with sides of avocado sauce, hot sauce and Mexican creme.  It also came with flour tortillas.  Everything was cooked to perfection.  On our most recent visit, I was looking for a sandwich so I ordered the Blondie.  It was roast turkey, bacon, swiss, guacamole and tomato grilled on seeded sourdough and served with a side salad.  So good, so refreshing. 

One of our brunch requirements is they have to serve a latte.  And they certainly have good lattes at Madison.  But Madison is really known for their craft cocktails and they offer an array of brunch cocktails that range from tequila to vodka.  I recently ordered the Bloody Mary which was served with vodka, lemon, olives, radish and course pepper.  It hit the spot.  But in the evening one of my favorite drinks is the Umbrella.  I'm not normally a big vodka person, but this drink is unique and reminds me of my home state of New Mexico.  It has St. George Green Chile vodka, cucumber, lemon and club soda.   Another favorite that reminds us of New Mexico is the Jumping Cholla.  It has El Silencio Mezcal, pineapple, lime, jalapeño, egg white and black lava salt.