UW–Madison’s IT community gave an enthusiastic welcome to soon-to-be Chief Information Officer Didier Contis (dee-dee-AY kon-TEES) when he joined the weekly CIO Office Hours on June 13. The community had a slew of suggestions for things to see and do in the Madison area for Didier to consider as he prepares to move his family from their home in Georgia.
Didier, who was born and raised in France and will begin his tenure at UW–Madison on July 7 after spending the last 26 years at Georgia Tech, shared that he’s a “coffee addict” who loves French cuisine, cheese and anything sweet, as well as exploring the outdoors and taking in hockey games.
The IT professionals responded with their favorite spots, experiences and tips for exploring Madison and the surrounding area. Here’s what they recommended:
Coffee culture: fueling the workday
Good coffee was at the top of Didier’s list thanks to his self-described “true coffee addiction” and preference for running on double, triple or even quadruple espressos throughout the day. Madison’s IT professionals came up with several recommendations for high-quality beans:
- Bradbury Cafe near the Capitol got a shout-out from multiple attendees for its exceptional espresso and crepes.
- EVP (Etes Vous Prets?) Coffee earned strong endorsements, with one colleague calling it simply “your coffee shop.”
- For espresso lovers, Leopold’s on Regent and Broken Board near East Towne Mall both received enthusiastic mentions. (Yes, Broken Board is a skateboard shop that happens to pull amazing espresso shots.)
- Other community favorites include Indie Coffee on Charter & Regent, Marigold Kitchen for cappuccinos and True Coffee Roasters for their locally roasted beans.
Bread & bakeries: European-quality finds
La Baguette Cafe on Mineral Point Road dominated the bread conversation, with multiple recommendations for their authentic French baguettes and quiches. Fans of the bakery mentioned that its owners are from Nice, France, and love having French speakers visit—seemingly a perfect fit for a French family new to the area.
Batch Bakehouse on Williamson Street specializes in French baguettes and Italian breads, while Madison Sourdough, Bloom Bake Shop and Clasen’s European Bakery in Middleton also earned honorable mentions.
For French pastries, Far Breton Bakery received special mention for their kouign-amann.
Cheese central: Wisconsin’s crown jewel
When Didier mentioned Wisconsin cheese during his presentation, the chat immediately lit up with recommendations. Having already tried his first fried cheese curds at The Old Fashioned during his interview visit, he’s ready to explore more of what Wisconsin has to offer. Fromagination on Capitol Square offers specialty selections and hosts raclette presentations, while Wisconsin Cheese Mart on State Street provides tourist-friendly options.
Many said the Dane County Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings at the Capitol Square is a can’t-miss experience for cheese lovers, where multiple vendors offer fresh cheese curds that should be “squeaky-fresh,” according to the community. Forgotten Valley earned specific mention as a standout cheese stall.
For sheer selection, Woodman’s grocery stores offer what one colleague described as “American-scale” cheese sections spanning multiple aisles. These massive establishments include several aisles of frozen pizza and extensive international sections. One colleague warned about potential “sensory overload” and recommended early morning visits, while another simply described Woodman’s as “like a fever dream.”
Dining experiences: from French cuisine to local gems
For upscale French dining, L’Etoile received high praise as “an incredible French restaurant.” Cadre offers outdoor dining and regularly features escargot on their menu.
Local neighborhood gems include Umami on Williamson Street, Mint Mark on East Washington Avenue and Little Cloud at Seven Acre Dairy near Verona, which specializes in cheese-forward dishes.
The Saigon Sandwich food cart near the Computer Sciences building earned enthusiastic recommendations for bánh mì. Madison has an excellent selection of Vietnamese restaurants for fans of the cuisine.
Sweet treats: ice cream & frozen custard
When Didier mentioned his “sweet tooth” and plans to sample some Wisconsin ice cream, the community made sure he knew his options.
Babcock Ice Cream on campus offers the quintessential university experience with flavors created by food science students, conveniently located in Union South, right next to the DoIT offices. Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream has multiple Madison locations, while Ice Cream Social earned recognition as well.
Wisconsin’s frozen custard culture includes Culver’s and Michael’s Frozen Custard. One colleague declared Babcock’s Orange Custard Chocolate Chip “the greatest ice cream in this part of the multiverse.”
Outdoor adventures: nature within reach
When Didier expressed his love for hiking and forest walks, particularly his interest in winter snowshoeing, the community had plenty of suggestions. Devil’s Lake State Park topped hiking recommendations for its beautiful trails and bluff views. Governor Dodge State Park and Parfrey’s Glen also received multiple mentions—visit Parfrey’s Glen on hot days or during fall colors.
On campus, explore the UW Arboretum, Picnic Point and Allen Centennial Gardens. The Lakeshore Path offers scenic walks from campus all the way to Picnic Point.
The Ice Age Trail system provides hiking opportunities throughout the region, while Cherokee Marsh offers nature experiences accessible by city bus.
Cultural attractions: campus & beyond
UW’s Chazen Museum of Art and Geology Museum (conveniently located across from the Computer Sciences building) showcase campus cultural offerings. The Wisconsin Historical Society reading room earned special praise for its beauty.
For unique Madison experiences, visit the Washburn Observatory during public stargazing events and take Capitol building tours.
The First Nations Cultural Landscape Tour received enthusiastic community endorsement as a “+1 million, highly recommend” experience.
Events & festivals: Madison’s social calendar
The Dane County Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings represents quintessential Madison life—multiple colleagues called it essential for the “farmer’s market lifestyle.”
Annual highlights include Brat Fest during Memorial Day weekend, Art Fair on the Square in July and Opera in the Park. July also brings neighborhood celebrations like Fête de Marquette and the Marquette Waterfront Festival.
Sports & entertainment: Badger pride
Wisconsin’s women’s athletic teams earned special recognition, particularly given Didier’s enthusiasm for hockey from his Atlanta days with the Thrashers. The Badgers women’s hockey team just won the national championship, while Badgers volleyball games at the Field House offer unmatched energy and excitement.
Camp Randall Stadium football games provide classic Wisconsin experiences, though the community recommended arriving early, given the crowds.
Winter survival: embracing the season
Community members emphasized that good tires matter more than all-wheel drive for Wisconsin winters. Investing in YakTrax for walking prevents injuries on icy surfaces, while car wash memberships help manage road salt.
Winter activities include walking on frozen lakes, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. As one colleague advised: “Find some winter activities you enjoy—you’ll want things to get you outside in the winter.”
Getting around: transportation options
The university Employee Bus Pass Program and Madison BCycle bike sharing provide sustainable transportation options perfect for Didier’s plan to test whether he can “survive February by walking from my apartment to campus.” Madison’s walkable and bikeable infrastructure means car ownership isn’t required, though some community members noted that homeownership can make car ownership more practical.
Final community wisdom
As the session concluded, community members offered encouraging perspectives: “Madison is a lovely place to live. Your family will love it here.”
For newcomers feeling overwhelmed, one colleague shared: “Having lived here a little over 10 years, I still am learning things to do in Madison. No pressure to get it done the first year.”