My out-of-town BFF and I were in search of a brunch place on her recent visit. We reviewed several menus, but this held an appealing mix for us. We went to Il Cervo on a Sunday around noon, took the elevator up to nine, and entered a lobby with view-through larder showcasing hanging meats and fresh ingredients. Wine racks were displayed throughout the huge space. The space is expansive and during the day, quite bright. It is broken into several different seating areas and at least one lounge and one bar that I saw. You can also choose to sit on the balcony. It seemed remarkably empty of diners, but they could have been concentrated in other sections. Unfortunately we were seated directly next to a party of three who were very, very chatty, even though our dining area had no other occupied tables. We let our server know that we had a cruise deadline and needed to be paced accordingly and she acknowledged it and offered to bring our bill with our food. We ordered bloody Marys, which took a little bit to come out. They were good, with just enough spice, a tajiin rim, a couple olives and two pieces of cheese for garnish and sans the Sconnie beer chaser. My friend ordered the mushroom bianca pizza, hand-pulled mozzarella, fontina, black truffle ricotta, local mushrooms, roasted garlic, chives for $25. It came out and could easily have fed three or four. It was definitely more than a personal pizza. She enjoyed it and we both enjoyed the leftovers. Caveat - it was much better warm according to her. I ordered the bacon, egg, and cheese flatbread, without the bacon (bacon, scrambled egg, ricotta cheese, scallion). I could have added truffle for $15, but on an $18 dish, that seemed excessive. The crust was exceptional and unlike anything I've ever had. There was some sort of hot honey glaze, which I usually don't enjoy, but the balance on this was excellent. I'd order this again in a heartbeat. Unmentioned on the menu descriptions were the micro greens which added freshness and lightness to both dishes. Our timing was still really tight. We had to ask for our bill and to-go-containers. We made it out just in time. It took an age to run our cards, which we handed over with the bill unseen. Overall, I really enjoyed Il Cervo and will certainly go back. The food is good, the views extraordinary, but there were some service kinks to work out. read more

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Beautiful place to get a drink or eat with friends. The view outside was great! I did find the drinks not worth the price, a double was 20$ and the drink glasses were very skinny and filled with ice. The waiter was very knowledgeable, but definitely could have kept a closer eye on the water refills, but other than that he was great. The bathrooms were very disappointing. They had an odor and did not look well kept or very clean which is off putting for an eating establishment. It is street parking, so plan ahead as it can be hard to find a spot. We got lucky with a 10 min walk from the car but that was on a Friday night at 9pm. I can't express enough how good the food and appetizers were and for that I will be back! read more

Il Cervo - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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We were really excited for a girls brunch on the patio at Il Cervo Saturday. Unfortunately, it was something we could have skipped. We knew for the views and being in a hotel we would pay more but expected quality with this brunch. Our server did not come out to our table for a good 10/15 minutes after we arrived or bring out silverware or napkins until we asked. We were one of 3 tables at 11 am so not sure why service was not good. Drinks were good we had a few different coffees and beverages. Skip the Bloody Mary. Food wise I had the chicken Parmesan sandwich which does not come with fries and will cost you an additional $9. The sandwich looked amazing but pretty low flavor and chicken was very dry. Someone in our group had the ham omelet and said that was tasty. Due to the price point and service this is not a spot I would suggest in a city with so many great options. read more

Il Cervo - Latte - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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I love Il Cervo!! I'm surprised it doesn't have a higher rating. The interior is so beautiful, the servers are always so nice & helpful if you have questions when ordering, and the food is so good!! The garlic focaccia is a must. As well as the bacon wrapped date. I love the pizza and pastas. It never disappoints! read more

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The staff at Il Cervo were genuinely welcoming, which set a great tone for the night. I ordered the Conchiglie alla Vodka with red shrimp and mascarpone, and while the flavors were acceptable , the presentation and prep felt flat -- it just lacked imagination, and they can definitely do better. I practically counted five medium shrimp, and for a minute I thought I was served cheese balls instead of a pasta dish. The overall vibe of the restaurant leaned a little lethargic, which didn't help elevate the experience. Hoping they bring more energy and creativity next time. read more

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My last experience at Il Cervo was truly awful. We made reservations and were seated promptly but in the tiniest booth by the bar. I am a normal size person, and it was so uncomfortable. You could barely move. Even my friend, who is quite thin was having issues getting comfortable. These booths are honestly made for children. Not only were the booths tiny but the service was so slow - took forever for drinks. When we finally got our food, the pizza was undercooked and quite a bit smaller in size than previous experiences. I've been 4-5 times and my experience has always been positive, but this one was quite the opposite. I should not have to strain myself in the booth to finish my $20 drink. Honestly, I do enjoy Il Cervo, but I absolutely wont sit at the bar booths again. We did ask about another table in the dining and were told they were all full. read more

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A classy, top-tier Italian restaurant for any occasion. Whether you're looking for a nice date night, cocktails with the girls, or just some good food, you've come to the right place. At the top of the Trade Hotel, location is perfect with gorgeous views of downtown Milwaukee. I went for a bachelorette party and the staff were very accommodating, even giving the bride a free glass of champagne which was so sweet! The food is amazing! The portions were perfect, especially since pasta can go both ways. The creste de gallo was perfectly cooked and the shaved truffle on top, chef's kiss. The roasted garlic focaccia had a nice savory mascarpone sauce to dip in. Overall, a top restaurant in the Milwaukee area. read more

Il Cervo - Creste De Gallo - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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We recently enjoyed a Mother's Day dinner at Il Cervo. With construction all around parking was tight but we took advantage of the valet parking. Our server greeted us right away with water, and was attentive and helpful throughout the meal. The Colombo and Spritz al Sambuca were great zero-proof options. The view of the city was the perfect backdrop for evening - we had a great view from our table, and then popped out onto the balcony to take it all in after the meal. We shared the Medjool dates as an appetizer (very good), and for entrees had pappardelle, conchiglie alla vodka (gluten-sensitive), and spicy chicken 'Parmesan' served over a creamy risotto - every single thing was delicious. We didn't save room for dessert this time but they had several delicious options. We'll be back! read more

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Highlights 1) Gluten-Friendly Options 2) Cool Ambiance 3) Great Views It's been well over a year since I last visited Il Cervo and I'm so glad we picked this spot for Saturday night dinner! I easily made a reservation online a little over a week in advance. I'm glad I had the reservation as it was quite busy. The fun ambiance and great views of the city are noticed immediately. I would love to come back and enjoy the rooftop patio when the weather gets nicer! Service was great start to finish. The menu is modern Italian and quite big! Our server was well versed in gluten-friendly options and I was excited to hear they had gluten-friendly pizza and pasta. We did the gluten-friendly, polenta fried mozzarella, dates, a pizza and the salmon. All of our food was flavorful and delicious. We will be back! read more

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The restaurant provided a fairly standard dining experience. Our meal was satisfactory, service was adequate, and the overall atmosphere was pleasant. Nothing was especially memorable, but there were no major concerns either. read more

Great restaurant! Our server was fantastic, giving us recommendations and constantly refilling water and checking on us. We started with the Roasted Garlic Focaccia which was amazing. The focaccia had a nice crisp to it and the mascarpone fontina fonduta was very tasty. I ordered the Mafaldi which was delicious. As described by our server as a deconstructed lasagna. Noodles were perfect, lots of meat and flavor. Overall we enjoyed the food however cocktails were a bit overpriced. I ordered a seasonal Toasted Pear Martini and it was nothing special. read more

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Top floor restaurant at The Trade. I arrived at the hotel late but needed to get some dinner. I was glad that this restaurant is open late Up to the 8th floor and headed to the bar. Service was good. Very attentive to my needs. My entree arrived pretty quickly. Nice and hot and fresh. It was pretty tasty. Add a couple of drinks and it was a great meal. The bar also has an outside area with heaters and fire pits. Definitely a great place to hang out until midnight. read more

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The views of the city are great & the drinks were great!! Food is good but I think I have some other favorite pasta places in the area which is why it doesn't get my 5 stars! read more

Il Cervo - Vodka pasta with shrimp - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Had the most amazing meal here last night! I definitely recommend reservations and give yourself extra time for parking. This place is on the 9th floor of the Trade Hotel and across the street from Fiserv. Our server was so knowledgeable and gave a great overview of the menu. We started with their cheesy roasted garlic focaccia, a must try for sure. We had their artichoke hearts which were lightly breaded and delicious. We split the lemon rotola pasta, incredibly filling, even splitting the meal. We tacked on their roasted carrots. I'm a sucker for a roasted carrot side and these did not disappoint. We ended our meal sharing the tiramisu, which was also fantastic. This can be a pricey place but definitely worth it! read more

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What a view! Il Cervo is on the 9th floor of the trade hotel! I came in for brunch and had a great time! Just need some warmer weather I'll I'll be back for the patio! I was greeted by George, the General manager, when I arrived.He was very hospitable and made sure I had everything I needed. Thanks again! read more

Il Cervo - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Rooftop restaurant located on the 9th floor of the Trade. Reservations recommended but there is a bar with open seating too. My friend and I came here for dinner. We started off with cocktails/mocktails. Good selection of drinks and wine. For an appetizer, we started off with homemade mozzarella, pesto, and focaccia. Made from the fresh ingredients!! You can taste the freshness! So good! For dinner, my friend got the ricotta and I got the mushroom pasta. Who doesn't love truffle shavings and mushrooms? The homemade pasta was incredible! I really wanted dessert but we were so full. The service was great. Overall, fantastic experience! read more

Food was underwhelming. Chicken Parmesan was super oily and pepperoni pizza was nothing special. Started off with the bread with cream appetizer and the bread was too crispy to enjoy. I would say you are merely paying for the vibes of the place and views. Very cute place and service was good. Food was just overpriced for the quality. read more

Il Cervo - Chicken Parmesan with risotto - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Great ambiance, delicious + unique menu, and stellar service. Highly recommend if you're looking for fine Italian dining with a view in Milwaukee! read more

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Went for Valentines Dinner, loved the ambiance (good view of the city) and wasn't too loud or crowded that made it a perfect venue for a date night. It felt extra fancy taking the hotel elevator to the top floor. Pasta was delicious, creamy, shrimp well cooked, surprised it did have a nice spicy and lemony kick. Pizza was tasty. Broccolini was good - the sauce tasted like Alfredo (wish there was a little less sauce). Overall amazing dinner and experience! read more

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Recently visited Il Cervo with a girlfriend before a show and had a great experience! The Bunzels Italian sausage pizza was a standout - especially with the addition of Calabrian chili which added the perfect touch of heat! We also shared the creste de gallo pasta, which was indulgent without feeling heavy. I will say the restaurant was busy and it appears that service may have been stretched thin. Overall it was a great meal in a great setting! read more

I cannot recommend Il Cervo enough!! I've tried many restaurants in the downtown Milwaukee area and it is still my top recommendation for a modern, Italian dinner located at the top of The Trade. My top fave features include the beautiful MKE skyline views, outdoor seating options, fresh pasta and cheeses, and versatility in the menu. The Mafaldi pasta and chicken parm are my top two favorites dishes. I also recommend getting the tomato basil mozzarella with garlic focaccia for a starter, it is to die for! The service is also top tier as the staff is very knowledgeable about the inside outs of the menu. They have delicious cocktails (and na drinks) available as well- one of my favorite original espresso martinis in the city (and I've tried many)! Overall a must try if you are near the deer district and love Italian inspired food! read more

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Loved the service once again! I was so excited to go back for a birthday dinner (they greatly accommodated 7 people) and our server was amazingly patient when a few friends were late. Finally got to try a pizza and I plainly got the whole milk mozzarella pizza which did not disappointed! I'm usually not a fan of thin pizza but the crust was delicious and buttery. I will say The creste de gallo was the real star. I was wowed by this dish, everything paired together so well. I especially loved the truffles and the cream. Honestly one of the best dishes I've tasted in awhile. read more

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This rooftop bar has all the class, swank, and decorum one could want. Across the street from where the Bucks play, you are in the center of all the action. The food was tasty, and left us wanting try other parts of the menu. If I'm ever back Milwaukee , I will definitely take my people here. read more

Il Cervo - Rooftop Dining - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

This place may have the coolest rooftop view in the city! Right across from Fiserv forum and overlooking downtown Milwaukee, the vibes could not be better. The food was incredible. I got the vodka sauce shrimp pasta. We were celebrating my graduation and the manager came out with two free deserts as well. Can't recommend this place enough! read more

Il Cervo - View from inside - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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This restaurant has it all. I love the views outside on the rooftop balcony on a beautiful evening. Their food is overly delicious with their fresh pasta. My absolute favorite is their focaccia appetizer with cheese. Servers. Always know how to discuss different options on the menu based on how you're feeling. I love this place. read more

Il Cervo - Focaccia - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Il Cervo located in the Trade Autograph Hotel is an exceptional restaurant. When you stay at the hotel, you know you're at a great place to relax and enjoy some food and drink. Depending upon the time of day, all can be achieved at Cervo. In the lobby area I enjoyed sitting at the bar watching people checking in in the lobby. There were games on the TVs. The staff is very friendly and helpful with choosing both cocktails and food. I enjoyed some flatbread and a beer. They had a good selection both on tap as well as in the bottle or can. Wine and mixed drinks were also available. The bartender was also able to help my friend with a special blended cocktail. She enjoyed his creation. The White Flatbread we ordered was very good. Prices were reasonable considering we were in a downtown hotel. The crowd ranged from young to old both dressed up and in flip-flops. The bartender indicated that there were a number of special events that weekend. This hotel is near the convention center. Just as an FYI, Cervo is the name of 3 food venues, all within Trade Hotel. Breakfast is served at the lobby location early in the day. The lobby bar menu is served all day. And the Italian restaurant is a high-end Italian white tablecloth restaurant that is open for the dinner crowd. All have the name Cervo on the menu but are all very different menus with the exception of some crossover foods. I enjoyed the food in all three restaurants. The staff in all of the restaurants are exceptional. Clearly they care about good service to their customers! read more

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My friends and I ordered the pork belly, confit fingerling potatoes, garlic focaccia, and the arancini. The pork belly came with these delicious Brussels sprouts and perfect little gem like pomegranate seeds. It was UNREAL like so good I highly recommend. The potatoes were nothing to write home about but the sauce was delicious. The focaccia was perfect and delivered with a yummy fondue sauce, an easy crowd pleaser. The arancini was SO GOOD this was my first time having it. I really recommend putting a bit of the fondue sauce on it to take it to another level. For drinks we had lemon drops and the signature drink, aviation. All very good, and very strong. We sat at the bar and were treated so attentively and kindly even though it was crazy busy. This place can get pretty packed so I would recommend checking the bucks schedule before going. The ambiance feels very fancy but not too fancy like you won't belong there. They have a lovely rooftop portion that I recommend sitting at during the warmer months. read more

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I am truly impressed by Il Cervo's staff and chefs in handling the otherwise chaotic NYE by serving incredible, high quality food, in such volume, effortlessly. Going up to Il Cervo the evening of NYE, we got stuck in the elevator of the Trade Hotel (womp womp!) but as soon as we were freed, the staff of Il Cervo made us feel extremely comfortable and really did dote on us. We got seated just a few minutes after our arrival and got introduced to the night's prix fixe menu. The brussels sprouts in the appetizer was crispy and absolutely delicious, the striped bass and steak was a good portion and got us super full and the calamari over the cabbage was a surprisingly tasty recipe (I am going back for more of that for sure!). Our dessert of blueberry meringue was the right balance of sweet and tart. It HIT THE SPOT! The server was polite and checked on us several times (despite having a lot of other tables). The manager, Jacob, really kept his cool even when a barrage of people kept come off the elevator every minute and easily got people seated. We enjoyed the view from the top and got to catch the fireworks too! Such a special night! read more

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I dined at Il Cervo on October 31st for a pre-birthday dinner, and it was such a wonderful experience. The ambiance was amazing. My server was great. I wish I remembered her name because every dish she recommended was absolutely perfect. She was friendly, patient, and attentive, which made the whole evening feel really special. For appetizers, I ordered the Calabrian Chili Crisp Mozzarella, and it was pretty good. The mix of chili oil, cheese, and salami was rich, flavorful, and beautifully presented. For my main course, I had the Squid Ink Gnocchi with butter-poached lobster, squash-blossom cream, Calabrian chili, and preserved lemon. easily one of the best pasta dishes I've ever had as of recently. I also want to give a big thank-you to Manager Kylie A. She stopped by my table to make sure I was having a great time and went out of her way to make my birthday dinner feel extra special. You can tell she truly cares about her guests and runs the restaurant with warmth and professionalism. Everything about Il Cervo...the food, the atmosphere, and the staff made it such a memorable night. I'll definitely be back soon and will be recommending it to my list of recommendations. read more

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Started with a cocktail which was delicious. Ordered some focaccia which was good but a little too cheesy..even for wisconsin. The atmosphere at the bar is ultra business lame. Everyone is on laptops or yelling into their phones at 5:30 on a Tuesday. My shrimp was fine and the pizza is sub-par. Don't need to go back but if your drinks and meals are write-offs why not... read more

Everything was above par! Definitely recommend! Service was quick even with a larger group ... ambience and view of the city was amazing. read more

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While staying at the Trade hotel, I enjoyed dinner in the restaurant as well as a takeout pizza in the room. The wood fired pizza was fantastic. Usually pizzas with a delicate crust are under sauced and I love a good tomato pizza sauce on my pizza which is sparingly applied to this style. This chef knows how to make a perfectly crisp fired pizza with a rich and tasty pizza sauce balanced with cheese and whatever toppings you enjoy. Food, service, wine, etc... are all fantastic here and it's worth popping in if you are in the neighborhood. read more

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Nice, ambiance / view. Service was good, attentive for staff that told us they were new. Food was solid not special. Would recommend to friends. read more

Absolutely stunning restaurant and views!! Loved happy hour, fresh food and the crafted cocktails were wonderful! read more

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We finally made it to il Cervo! Nothing like a dual bday celebration to get mom and dad out for a date night. We're both so glad we picked this spot to celebrate. With a rooftop location overlooking the stadium and city skyline, lovely decor and furniture, a moody atmosphere, and friendly, attentive staff, what's not to love? Okay, maybe the prices (cuz they ain't cheap) but hey, in our opinion you pretty much get what you pay for here. I opted for the paloma (but I'll totally be back for an espresso martini because I saw one being made and it looked like they know how to make a good one!), and my husband went with a glass of cab. We ordered a handful of items from the menu to share, and really didn't have a bite we didn't like. The roasted garlic focaccia was simple and perfect. It paired great with the tomato basil moz ball. The crispy pork belly was dang good, with white truffle oil, stone fruit agrodolce, & broccolini. Even the confit fingerling potatoes were a delight - served with black garlic aioli and parm. Lastly for us was the grilled spring chicken. Juicy and tender. Plus I loved the grape verjus glaze and the harissa carrots to pair. Oh andddd let's not forget the complimentary dessert they brought over, as they knew we were celebrating both of our birthdays. We chose tiramisu and it did not disappoint. Mascarpone custard, dark chocolate, and dark rum? Delish. I'd encourage locals and travelers to give this place a try. read more

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The view is truly unbeatable. Stunning cityscape atop the trade hotel. Their pizza is delicious, and aperol spritz is pretty good. Service is quick especially in comparison to other places nearby Fiserv on a game night. read more

Il Cervo - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

My daughter and I came here before a Bucks game and the food was amazing. Our server was awesome. The only thing I'll say was it was SO loud we couldn't even have conversation at the table. read more

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Woody our server was one of the nicest guys ever. He was so polite and helped our anniversary feel special. The manager with the red hair at the bar was very nice and helped us get seated due to us waiting an extra 20 mins after making a reservation. Also the lady who was helping as a bar back was the most friendliest at the bar. When waiting at the bar it was dirty but was quickly solved when we asked for a rag to clean the table. The man at the front who I believe was the host, could've at least looked at us when talking to us. The lady who seated us was super friendly and congratulated us on our anniversary. We had the New Year's Eve menu and it was absolutely diving. There wasn't anything that we didn't devour. read more

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I've been here more than 10 times since my last review. The service is phenomenal and the people who work here are great. The food and drinks are delicious! read more

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Excellent quality. Fast professional service. Staff was kind and accommodating to my vegetarian gluten-free dietary needs. Gluten-free pizza was excellent! Boyfriend said chicken Parm was delicious! Artichoke appetizer was also wonderful. Will definitely come back! read more