6 things to check out this November in Madison

We’re big fans of local food companies that create high-quality products, use natural ingredients and aim to reduce waste. That describes Madison-based Saffi Foods, owned by Sascha Dhanjal Eifler. You’ll feel like a chef using these oils and vinegars in your kitchen, especially since they’re used by Michelin star and James Beard Foundation-awarded chefs across the country. saffifoods.com

This summer was all about patio dining, and if you’re missing those alfresco vibes, check out the charming indoor atrium space known as the South Pinckney Street Patio. After shopping at Context, grab a drink from Ancora Coffee or order a burger from Settle Down Tavern and enjoy the ambiance of a heated indoor space that makes you feel like you’re dining outside. 100 block of South Pinckney Street

Ever since we put a dog on the July 2020 cover, our feline-loving digital content editor has been trying to balance the scales on our cat/dog coverage. She came across these vegan, catnip-stuffed toys made by east-sider Meagan Porter of TacoCat Creations, and we had to make them a Hot List pick. Porter’s handmade cat toys and accessories can be found locally at Anthology, Booth 121, Earthwise, MadCat and Nutzy Mutz & Crazy Catz. (Karel, pictured, highly approves.) tacocatcreations.com

Browsing Instagram stories is the en vogue way to shop vintage these days. Independent collectors and curators are presenting their wares and asking prospective buyers to “DM [direct message] to purchase.” That’s the model for ShopEleanorLouise, an Instagram account run by Kate Killoran of Madison. Keep an eye out for new postings of ceramic vases, candlestick holders, books, lamps, glassware and wicker bags. @shopeleanorlouise

Certain scents can transport you to another time and place. That’s the goal with Angela Rose Studios’ Simply Wisconsin Collection of hand-poured soy candles. Enjoy the pleasant aromas of Madison, Stoughton, Lake Geneva or Warrens. Angie Paulson of Stoughton creates the signature scents, and she plans to add more to the Wisconsin collection. angelarosestudios.com

University of Wisconsin–Madison students Kit Chow and Aditya Parihar have done their homework on getting a food product business off the ground. The two engineering students created Boosted Chews, caffeinated chocolate chews. One chew has 33 mg of caffeine, so three chews is like drinking one cup of coffee. Chow and Parihar work out of FEED Kitchens and offer original, mint, hazelnut crunch and mocha flavors. boostedchews.com