First time at the local gem! Truly a pearl among the rest!…read more Oysters are great (just a personal fav but stick with East Coast). If you love hot sauce try the barnacle foods hot sauce, it's a nice creamy tomatoey hot sauce. Lobster roll is more of a slider size so if you're going for that you're probably going to want an app also. Bar staff is friendly and very accommodating. They have great suggestions! Music and decor is amazing!

Outlaw Oyster absolutely delivered from start to finish. We kicked things off with the chef's…read morechoice of three oysters, served with cocktail sauce, mignonette, and agua chile....every single one was fantastic and thoughtfully paired. From there, we shared the smoked trout appetizer and the calamari with agua chile, both of which were so flavorful. Then came the lobster sliders... and wow. Hands down the best lobster sliders of my life, served with drawn butter and Caesar fries. Completely indulgent and worth every bite. This is a must order. We also had to try the smash burger since they share space with Crafty Cow, and it did not disappoint...juicy, well-seasoned, and exactly what you want in a smash burger. Service was awesome throughout the meal (Dani was wonderful), and the vibe was warm and fun. They still had their holiday decor up, which somehow felt cheerful instead of overdone and made the whole space extra inviting. Fantastic food, great service, and a lively atmosphere...Outlaw Oyster is a must-visit in Milwaukee. I'll be back.

Three friends and I booked a reservation two months in advance for Barnacle Bud's Pop-Up Supper…read moreClub. The only reservation we could get was 4:30PM but we were excited we were able to get in at any time. Because of the timing, the sun was setting over the water, which was really pretty to see. I got a little confused with where to enter the building and I guess I went in the wrong way because I walked down the dock and entered the back of the restaurant by the restrooms, lol. Barnacle Bud's had a cool decor vibe and moody lighting. Our waitress was incredibly friendly, welcoming, and you could tell she was very excited about the menu and the pop-up experience. She provided exceptional customer service- she went over the menu thoroughly, came back to check on us multiple times, and always refilled our water, which I always appreciate! To start, we ordered wine and the relish tray. Everything on the relish tray was a little too vinegary for me but most of the table enjoyed it. However, the four of us didn't finish it. It was pretty powerful with vinegar flavor. For an entree, I had the salmon with veggies and my friends ordered the lamb chops, carbonara, and a vegetarian friend ordered a plate of Bud's potatoes and veggies. The food was good but I thought mine was very salty. And I'm glad I ordered my sauce on the side. For dessert, the four of us shared the mousse, which had good flavor and texture. Also to note, there were up-charges for veggies, sauce was $3 extra, etc., so just pay attention to pricing if that's a concern for you. Overall, it was a unique experience and worth checking out.

We got a reservation for Gene's Supper Club on the River & had zero regrets about braving the cold…read morefor this experience! The food was so fun! I was expecting "standard" supper club dishes, which are awesome & was fully excited for, but what we got was a twist on the traditional! Every bit had so much flavor & the portion sizes were plentiful. 4 of us shared 2 apps, 1 salad, 3 entrees (with add-ons) & dessert. Plus a lovely bottle of wine & some pre-dinner cocktails. The restaurant was decked out for the holidays inside & out. It felt cozy & festive. The service was beyond...from the moment we walked thru the door, we felt welcomed & even appreciated for being there. The staff is amazing! If you have the chance to go...do not waiver!

While visiting Milwaukee on a short weekend trip with my husband, we decided to come to The…read moreVanguard for a late lunch before we checked into our hotel downtown. Parking was fairly easy as we managed to grab a spot on the street out front. We decided to sit at the bar and soak in the ambience. When in Milwaukee ... eat all the comfort food. We started with an order of cheese curds and poutine. The cheese curds were perfectly fried salty goodness and the poutine had plenty of gravy, sautéed onions, and of course, more cheese curds. We also ordered a Milwaukee-style bratwurst and a Chicago-style cheddarwurst. We both thought that the Chicago-style cheddarwurst had great flavor and delicious toppings. The Milwaukee-style bratwurst was tasty, but we both felt that it needed some type of sauce or something to bring it all together. Needless to say, we left completely full and actually did not even have room for dinner that evening. So if you find yourself in the Milwaukee area and looking for some delicious comfort food, come check this place out.

I love Vanguard because it's a Bay View staple with an interesting theme and decor. It's heavy on…read morethe bourbon for craft drinks and fun with TV kitsch like 80s wrestling and old sci-fi. My favorite will always be the fried potato ball covered in cheesy goodness with sour cream and chives. I opted for the new Sammartino which is a brilliant combination of ingredients. Who could refuse an Italian sausage on a toasted bun with crispy bits of pepperoni, pesto, marinara and cheese. If you don't like spice do not get this sandwich because the Italian is a, medium hot which was a little too spicy for me. Also I think the sausage could have used a little more fat for mouth feel but that's a personal preference. Note that all the Italian sausage is made spicy because my friend had one with sauerkraut and it was spicy. I can't wait for it to be warm out to grab a beer and a craft hot dog on the outside patio.

Fantastic quaint, little Spanish restaurant in the Third Ward. It's only open a few days a week,…read moreand with only 5/6 tables, reservations are required. It was one of the most special dining experiences we've ever had in Milwaukee. From the moment we walked in, we felt like we entered the home of an Argentinian chef. In fact, you pretty much having Chef Ana as your own personal chef, with her husband Peter also providing some exceptional hospitality. She came up to our table multiple times during the evening to chat with us and ask us how our meal was. It's pretty amazing that she is the sole chef in the restaurant and is able to prepare all the meals while also checking in with patrons regularly. The food was really good. They have two prefix options, and we went with the paella, with an appetizer, dessert and bottle of rosé. Each course felt thoughtfully curated, beautifully presented, and bursting with authentic flavor. The warm staff and intimacy is something unique and different than anything else we've experienced. It's rare to find a place where you can experience both world-class cuisine and the personal touch of the people behind it. FYI, there is a price to be paid for such wonderful food and service. But for a special occasion, it's well worth the money spent and would be right up near the top of my list. Cavas is truly a hidden gem -- If you're looking for a unique dining experience, I recommend you check it out!

This is a gem of a place ran by husband and wife. Attention to detail in every aspect!! Food was…read moreexceptional!! Don't pass this place up!!

We dined in at Momo Mee and the place was bustling, which is always a great sign and it definitely…read morelived up to the hype. We ordered the Szechuan spicy wings, dumplings, and crispy spring rolls, and everything came out fast, hot, and full of flavor. It was so good we even ordered the crispy orange beef to go. The service was quick and helpful, and the restaurant was clean, well lit, and welcoming. Definitely a spot worth checking out if you're in the mood for Asian

this is my 2nd time here…read more It's quite small inside. But cute decorations. First time was AMAZING. Truly a disappointment coming back again and the food was not good and the service was okay only. Spicy wonton. I came back for this but was not happy with it. It was SOUPY, in a watery sauce and the wontons were clearly overcooked, all the fillings came out of their wrappers. Tonkatsu was no where close to how it's suppose to taste. It was watery, not thick and did not have that brothy pork flavor. I'm truly upset with the Cantonese chow fun bc I came back specifically for this. I loved it so much I also ordered it to go last time. It was too salty this time around and the beef was so hard to chew. Sad to say, I will not be coming back anymore. Especially since there is no consistency in the flavor.

Eight years after my first review here, still a huge fan of Goodkind. I might even love them a…read morelittle bit more after this last weekend. In addition to the still impeccable cocktails and delicious food, this past weekend they were serving up a sanctuary daiquiri with the proceeds heading directly to the Immigrant Law Center in Minnesota. Also, if you didn't know, any evening, you can 'plate it forward' for $20. The food is always delicious and the drinks divine. Offering all this deliciousness and avenues to help? Magical. Get to it! And, order the chocolate stout cake for dessert. You won't regret it.

Another great experience at Goodkind!…read more Our zero-proof beverages were fantastic - we tried the spicy pineapple mock marg and the garden gnome, which was so good I had 2. The food was really good - came out very quickly. We had the Brussels sprouts salad (fantastic), the sourdough with salted butter (so good!), the chicken, the beef cheeks (yum), and the spicy crab pasta. We shared a mini gateau basque for dessert with some coffee - really good! Our server was excellent - friendly, helpful, accommodating with a food allergy, and just generally pleasant. The vibes are great - cozy, laid back, and comfortable. I especially love all the plants mixed in with the eclectic decor.

Absolutely fabulous! The decor (inside and out) is gorgeous, the staff are awesome, and the…read morefood...worth a weekly visit if I lived on Milwaukee! I had the Catrina Morning. The pastor meat was just as good as I get on street corners in Vegas (which are really, really good from authentic chefs). Spectacular! My cousin loved her Mediterranean omelet as well. The ladies across from us got the drink tower and said it was great! Run, don't walk here!

My friend and I came here for lunch on a Saturday. The place was steady but not packed. We were…read morepromptly seated and ordered drinks. I ordered the Azteca soup which was really good and one of the pork paninis. Both had a lot of flavor. The only complaint I have is that the food took forever to come out. To the point where we were both questioning if our order was in. The place itself is cute and parking was available on the street and in a lot across the street.

This restaurant is AMAZING! Amazing staff the food was great. Lilly, Nate, and Brendon are such a…read morevibe. Highly highly recommend this restaurant. This place is right on the river and has great panoramic views!!

Went for lunch during downtown dining week, a special menu…read more I started with the Dockside Caesar which is not a tradition Caesar at all but the dressing was good. Next I got the crabby dip, it was okay. There were big chunks of crab, For the main I got the pulled chicken tacos also just okay. There were no black beans or roasted corn on them and had an interesting flavor. I didn't like. I also got a drink the Jeff Daily which I really don't think has any alcohol in it. Overall food not good and service sub par. Outside seating area is great on the river.

Always a great spot for date night. Excellent food and great service for a very busy restaurant…read more Definitely make a reservation beforehand if you don't want to eat at the bar.

Always the best service and food options!…read more Bar is first come first serve but a great option especially if you haven't made a reservation. Open tables are hit or miss. If you're planning to come definitely call for a reservation first, sometimes there is even same day resy available.

I have been wanting to go to Odd Duck for so long, and I finally got the chance and it did not…read moredisappoint! We had a wonderful experience dining here! Our server, Adam, was quick and attentive. He was funny, suggested items for us to try, and was very tentative of our friend's food allergy. We started the night with a few drinks; #39 non-alcoholic Paloma, #129 non-alcoholic sbagiato, and #33 Sherry Pear-Y. All of which were absolutely amazing! Then we ordered the Chili Crisp Deviled Eggs (comes with two pieces), Crispy Thai-Style Oyster Mushrooms, Cappelletti, Slow-braised Bison Cheek, Cha Ca La Vong (Catfish), and the Wood-fired Bavette Steak. Where do I begin? First off, everything was fantastic! Delicious, creative, and memorable. Some dishes even had us ordering seconds! First the Chili Crisp Deviled Eggs: so creamy! We ended up ordering another plate of them (four orders) because one wasn't enough for the four of us. The Crispy Thai-Style Oyster Mushroom: insanely seasoned! It was crispy and the kick of the Thai chili peppers, made it our tables favorite (we ordered another plate of this)! The bits of crunch rice mixed in was also a pleasant surprise. The bits of green beans and cucumber was a nice way to cool the kick of the spices. The Slow-braised Bison Cheek: It was very interesting. Very soft and when paired with the polenta cake, mozzarella, and carrot, it tasted amazing. Cha Ca La Vong (Catfish): Also very interesting. It tastes very similar to a Vietnamese catfish soup! The pineapple fish sauce paired amazing with the glass noodles. The only complaint I have about this dish, was that the glass noodles weren't fully cooked, so they were a bit hard. The Wood-fired Bavette Steak: My god, this was amazing! It was perfectly cooked, the dark chocolate bordelaise paired with the mushrooms and steak was incredible. Like I said, everything was amazing! Our table was blown away with the creativity and quality of the food. The service was amazing, everyone was very sweet and helpful. The atmosphere was lovely and quirky. It was fun spotting all the duck decorations. Honestly, cannot rave enough about this place, I look forward to the next time I visit!

Odd Duck has been one of the top places I've been wanting to go to for a while…read more The vibes were 10/10. This is such a cool place to take your time eating at. The servers here know the menu very well which was super helpful when deciding what we wanted to order. The food was good but out of the 4 dishes we ordered the Tempura Nori Roll GIMMARI was the only memorable item to me and our server said it would be rotated off of the menu. I can tell that there has been a lot of care and detail put into the experience here and I can really appreciate that.