Apparently, this lovely restaurant and bar is within walking distance of me. I honestly discovered it a few weeks ago. I've been in Milwaukee for over 6 years. Trickster locale. So I ventured out to learn more on a rainy and burning day. Amazing cocktails! And an incredibly friendly bartender. So kind and a great conversationalist. I had a non-Wisconsin old fashioned (so...lacking brandy) and a cocktail called Mystery and Melancholy which is gin based. The name alone sold me. I need a drink with a title that does a better job of explaining the ennui of life. read more

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So... came here on a Friday night and the place looked familiar. It was the Calderone Club from the late 1980's...don't judge my age. Place was cozy and friendly. Craig and Ashley were great. We started with the deep fried deviled eggs and they were delish as were the cocktails selected from the extensive list. We selected the duck and beef stroganoff from the entree list (all looked good) and both were solid. We finished off with their version of an apple pie and an aperitif. A Lyft home concluded the night. A solid recommendation for this place. We'll be back... read more

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This was the new restaurant of the week and since I love breakfast I would stop over for Sunday brunch at first opening and I was the first one in. The interior is way nicer looking than the outside with a nice balance of old with modern looks. Huge wooden bar, tile floors, dark wood, tin ceiling and light walls completely covered with art etc. The table presentation was done very well. I would start with the red snapper which is a gin Bloody Mary spicy which was good but boring garnish wise with a string bean, shaved carrot and a thin pickle. The staff was excellent from start to finish. The menu has some very good items but I was there for the smothered browns which is similar to a slinger from the St. Louis area which I love. The smothered browns is crisply hash browns topped with melted cheese, chili, two eggs topped fresh chives with toast.. The smothered browns were so delicious and seasoned nicely with mild chili, just a great combination. The toast was excellent because it was a great quality bakery, an artisan style I like say with that nice chew like a sourdough. Overall this was a great upscale casual restaurant to chill on a Sunday morning having the brunch experience and reasonably priced I thought. read more

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How am I just learning about the original?! Stopped in for brunch and it was delicious! Hashbrown casserole was creamy and delicious, my breakfast sandwich was great as was the service! Hope to stop in again soon! read more

The Original is a beautiful restaurant with great ambiance--perfect for a date night or anniversary.** However, the service left me with mixed feelings. When I asked the server about a vegetable I wasn't familiar with, she rudely corrected my pronunciation and looked at me like I was an idiot. Unfortunately, when I asked another question, I was met with the same condescending response. Honestly, I don't remember much else about the experience, but there's nothing worse than going to a nice restaurant and being made to feel like you don't belong. While the food was good, I was so unsettled by the service that I didn't really enjoy myself. read more

Not a great rating for dinner, but I have to say that the service was absolutely impeccable. We were able to walk in on a Saturday night (pretty early). We loved our server and our cocktails/mocktails. The place has a great midwestern interior. The food was more expensive than I was expecting and we didn't really love any of it. Our favorite part was the chips and onion dip. The duck and fried rice were underseasoned. The pozole was good but I've had better green pork at Mexican restaurants for a fraction of the price. For reference - 2 drinks, 1 mocktail, and 3 entrees was $186 with tip. We'd definitely come back just for drinks or to try their breakfast! Note that their menu does change frequently so every visit could be different! read more

The Original - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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We have wanted to try this restaurant for a while since we noticed it when we dined at Tess across the street more than a year ago. Today, we got a chance to test it out. The server was friendly and very helpful. The cocktails we had -- one alcoholic and one non-alcoholic -- were quite decent. We had fantastic Aperol Spritz at several restaurants in Italy earlier this summer, but we have not been able to find one here (in several US cities) that is as good. The pork belly that we ordered for appetizer had good flavors, although it was a bit too salty for our taste. For our main dishes, we ordered Pan Seared Duck Breast and Summer Vegetables. The Duck breast seemed to be cooked just right and had good flavors; perhaps due to the breed of the duck, however, the breast had more chewy parts than the duck breast that we purchased from Costco and cooked ourselves last winter. The Summer Vegetables dish was very flavorful; my spouse and I had intended to share it, but I couldn't have much of it because it turned out to contain heavy cream that would upset my stomach due to lactose intolerance. The Cobbler that we ordered for dessert was fine but did not stand out, as the fruit was dried out a bit too much. read more

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I've been here a few times now and it remains solidly okay but nothing special or even particularly memorable. The patio is nice enough but Milwaukee is a city with a strong patio game and this place doesn't quite measure up to some of the other beautiful outdoor dining options available. The coffee was decent and they were prompt with refills of coffee and water. I had the "Once More with Feeling" as a brunch cocktail - a bit on the sweeter side, but still pretty tasty. Our dishes were decent (A got the smoked trout benedict - but actually it was crab arugula benedict, and I got the OG Johnnycakes). The crab was actually tasty which surprised me since I've become a Baltimore crab snob. My Johnnycakes were tasty but the "macerated peaches" were really more like sliced peaches - I was expecting more of a sauce with them (a vanilla bourbon peach sauce would be amazing!). The bacon was thick cut and delicious, and I also got a side of fried chicken which was delicious. They got A's side choice wrong, serving him hash browns instead of the salad he asked for, but it was still a solid meal. I will probably go back again but it feels like they're still working out some kinks and service is a bit disjointed. read more

The Original - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Came here around 5:45pm on a Friday for dinner. The patio was empty, but they told us we couldn't sit at a booth because they were going to be packed at 7. Literally no one there. We left at 7, still empty... not good customer service from that aspect. Ordered a spritz aperol. It was perfect. I thought the food options and prices were limited and Steep. I opted for 2 appetizers. The salad and Korean chicken wings. My husband got the fish and the serving was tiny for $30. The bill was $189 for 4 of us... don't think I'd go back. read more

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This is is So-freaking-good. Shot up so quickly on my fav restaursnt list in mke. As a non-GF person this place is outstanding, but the options for those with celiacs are even better. Dedicated fryers?! Yes sir. Cheese curds are the best by any standard, outstanding Brussels, short ribs to die for! Scared that they would change menu because I like it so much, excited because more things to try. Keep it up! Ambiance is cute, our server was Craig, which I did not know was the owner! He is super nice! Service can be a bit faster, but if you like a nice slow meal, this place is definitely perfect for you! read more

The Original - Fried brussel sprouts - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Tucked away in a small neighborhood, The Original is a hidden gem. Always a wonderful meal. I love the fact that many of the dishes are locally sourced and flavorful. The drinks are creative. Craig is phenomenal and always makes us feel welcome. Next, we need to try the brunch. Definitely one of our go-to places. read more

My friend, Erin, raved about this place ever since she moved out to Milwaukee and I am so glad I finally got to experience it myself. The menu is not extensive but there is enough variety and more importantly, a focus on quality. At the end of the meal, there was not a trace of food left on our plates. Doris loved her duck confit and my wife wants to steal the southern stratta recipe. I have to single out the Johnnycakes. I've had cornmeal pancakes before but The Original'a version is on a quantum level higher. The rhubarb sauce is a perfect complement to them. Craig is the best host. We love your chef and his choices. Top marks to Craig and his brother for running a great place. read more

The Original - Johnny cakes with fresh strawberries and rhubarb compote - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

First of all, the service in the atmosphere are wonderful here. They do have a place to hang up your jackets when you come in, and there are cute, candle lights to brighten an otherwise more intimate and dark restaurant. I started off with the black Manhattan which is Old Forrester 100 bourbon, Averna, Bordeaux Blend, Cocchi di Torino, and Angostura bitters. It definitely was not too bitter and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The three of us decided to split three entrées. The first was the steak, pan roasted 8oz filet with housemaid chips and a dipping sauce. It was good, but probably not $50 good. We also got the Chinese BBQ duck with duck fried rice which, honestly, I think was my favorite, because I love duck and it was very flavorful and filling. Unfortunately, even though we asked for them to bring the dishes out as they were ready so that we could enjoy them all warm, they were all brought out at the same time and by the time we got to the pozole verde, it was cold. That was a huge disappointment, because the braised pork shank was super tender and the flavors were there, but it needed to be warm. read more

The Original - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Went to The Original for a date night and had a wonderful experience! We started with drinks. I had the French 75 and it was very good, the best one I have had in Milwaukee so far! We shared a few appetizers that were also good. The star of the show was the entree. We split the Chicken n' Ribs. It might have been the best chicken I have ever had! The ribs were also very good and tender. We finished with a tasty cobbler. The experience was great and we will definitely be going back! read more

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First off, the service was amazing! The environment was very laid back and the music was good. We loved the drinks we got and our main course was perfect, the chicken thigh might've been the best chicken I've ever had! I'll definitely be back soon! read more

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Blown Away! Hubby and I were looking for a different spot for dinner and when I saw that The Original had 5 stars and many reviews, I had to see for myself. The Original is perched in a neighborhood, honestly I probably have driven by it several times without noticing it was there, but now that we know we will be regulars. Others have described the atmosphere much better than I ever could, but I will give it a go! When you walk into the restaurant you feel automatically at home. The place feels welcoming, unpretentious, yet you just know you are going to get a fab meal. Let's start with the drink menu! 150 cocktails, wines, and beers....marry me! Not only do they have an incredible cocktail menu (they make all of their own syrups) they have a passion for making them! Our server listened to what we liked and then made his suggestion....which was spot on! We started with the rutabaga soup (seriously I have never even seen a rutabaga now I am craving this soup! I then moved onto the deep-fried pork chop. I am from the south where we will deep-fry a carrot so I like to think that I am a pretty good judge....it was to die for y'all. I am not sure what crumbs of heaven they put into that batter but it was phenomenal. I would love to say that I had room for dessert but I couldn't even finish the chop. The desserts sounded delicious and I will definitely go back and given them a try. Lastly, if i haven't convinced you to go for the food....go for the service! Our server was so passionate about the food and how it was prepared it was impressive. He was able to tell us all about the preparation and their philosophy on the way it was cooked.....foodie lover's paradise! read more

The Original - 150 drinks on the cocktail menu! You had me at hello - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Good food, but three scallops for 45 dollars. Holy cow! That should be listed on the menu. I also asked for a drink recommendation and was told they have hundreds of drinks...and then silence and no follow up. Ok, thx?.... read more

Came here for brunch on a whim after a long weekend, exhausted and hungry. Walking in, I was a little skeptical because it was almost empty. My husband and I both ordered coffee which was quick to arrive (and came with ample refills). I ordered the brunch grilled cheese and he got The Original and...I have to say that this food was EXACTLY what we both needed. Neither of us could stop raving about how good our meals were. The portions were great and the ingredients tasted really fresh and were prepared perfectly. The vibe of the restaurant might make you expect some basic diner food but this was so much better. Basic ideas made really really well. Our waiter was super attentive and checked in a lot, and the place filled up. Reasonable prices. Would definitely go again and would love to try dinner there! read more

Again this place did not disappoint, we are so happy they are finally open for brunch since Mother's day. THE BEST RESTAURANT IN TOWN read more

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Yes the cocktails were delicious. Yes...the dining room is charming in a cool "old-school Milwaukee" kind of way. YES...the food is outstanding! But here's the thing that really made our dinner at The Original, at least for me: When they tell you the food is "spicy", they mean it! The chili oil used in the Duck Dumplings tasted like it had been infused with serranos. The coating on the "spicy" variant of the Cornish Hen warmed this Texan's heart (...and set fire to his lips)! If you haven't been, this place is worth a visit! read more

My kind of place. Killer kocktails. A small, highly imaginative menu. An owner looking after you & your party. Impeccable, but unfussy presentation. Deep flavors that only come with time and attention. Killer kocktails. Chill vibe with perfect lighting & just right tunes jingling in the background. Killer kocktails. Desserts that use duckfat. Killer kocktails. read more

After battling a snow storm on a Sunday night we found ourselves the only patrons in the restaurant! What luck! The two brothers who own the place were extremely friendly, hospitable, and shared their start up story with us (I have a soft spot for brother owned businesses having partnered with my own brother). The food was all excellent! My son raved about the meatballs! My father loved the barramundi special. I enjoyed the scallops - they were a little sweet with maple syrup but that was exactly as they advertised. Desserts..... yes please! This will definitely make it into our regular rotation (and I have to imagine I won't be the only table there next time!)! read more

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The original is a must go the ambiance is 10/10 take your visitors and special guests here, the restaurant is covered in beautiful antiques and amazing art, now as for food the original will sweep you off your feet with their uniquely seasoned food every bite every ingredient is perfectly matched together. The service is great and a good place for drinks. I recommend highly ! read more

The Original - The original special - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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This is one of those reviews I'm hesitant to write because I really don't want to share this place with others! That being said, it's only fair that the world learns about how amazing The Original is. Situated in the old Red Dot on the East Side, the Original is a charming upscale eatery. The craft cocktails are amazing and quite original, plus they have a solid list of classic cocktails. The beer selection is mostly local beers (including my friends at Enlightened). And the food is divine. Scallops, lamb, poultry--they have it all. Their appetizers are amazing. I cannot recommend the fried pigs ear enough. A lot of thought has gone into the dishes. It's not inexpensive to eat and drink here. A cocktail is anywhere from $10-14, beers are $7 draft, and entrees are $18-42. But it's totally worth it. The space is warm and inviting. Ultimately the Original is working toward being a true neighborhood bar/dining experience. read more

The Original - Lambert Estate Port The Chocolatier and Enlightened Brewery Kettle Logic! - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The Original has quickly become one of my favorite places in the city. It's tucked away in a residential block on the East Side, so it's a bit unassuming, but everything about this place is not. I really can't stress enough how fantastic the drinks are here. The bartenders are truly the best at balancing flavors and thinking of creative combinations. They have a huge section of classic drinks, but an equally lengthy list of their more unique ones. Then they ALSO have a couple specialty cocktails just for brunch. It's nuts. Everything I have had has been amazing. I'm really picky about my Bloody Marys so I took a chance at brunch and of course it was wonderful. Spicy, flavorful and a more classic/limited garnish. The secret ingredient is thousand island dressing!!! It works. We also tried the Bam Bam Likes It again because you just have to, and the Side Toast - a Cinnamon Toast Crunch and rum concoction that has an egg nog vibe, but is not heavy - just creamy, spicy, and sweet with the perfect amount of a boozy kick. This time around we also loved the food. Our server helped us pick out some things since it was so difficult to choose. My husband got the Johnnycakes with roasted apples and maple bourbon whipped cream. These were unbelievable. They ride the line of savory and sweet and I highly recommend them. I got the Bradford Griddler with the house maple sage sausage, on our server's recommendation, and I'm glad I did because I had skipped over it. This has everything in one if you like sweet, savory, and cheesy. It's also served with some greens dressed with a vinaigrette, which was a perfect accompaniment so it never feels too heavy. Each time I have come I've noticed two main servers and they are also wonderful. Knowledgeable and fun to joke around with. Service has always been perfectly timed. read more

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Great food + great cocktails ? You got it! Loved The Original for their impeccable cocktails and food. We made a reservation and got a table right away. We were immediately greeted by our server. The ambience is comfortable and cozy and perfect for dates or to hang out with a group of friends. The cocktail menu was amazing which had a classics section and a specials section! We tried both and both were great. One of the best parts about their menu was the fact that they have cocktail pairings with their food. I saw this later and was surprised that the cocktail I had picked initially was indeed paired with the entree (in the menu) I had! The have a changing menu which is nice because it gives you many reasons to come back again for some new flavor every once in a while. We had the Charcuterie board which has a very delicious liver mousse amongst other things and got the short rib and pork chops! Everything was super deliWe concluded with a very delicious orange custard which was so refreshing and light unlike those heavy desserts which make you full. I would love to visit again and enjoy something different paired with a nice cocktail again :) I heard they have a great brunch too.. can't wait to try that out sometime. read more

The Original - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Made a reservation (recommended) for an early dinner on a Saturday night. When we arrived at 6:15, our table wasn't ready yet, but a very kind host escorted us to a couple of empty seats at the bar. Since this was our first visit, we enjoyed looking around and soaking up the atmosphere. The reason we came is that the restaurant was getting great reviews in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel newspaper. We were not familiar with the former food truck operation. We probably spent about 20 minutes at the bar before we were called to our table, but that wasn't a problem since we had allowed a "cushion" of time before our play. The cocktails were lovely, inventive and well-crafted. The Heirloom old-fashioned features several different kinds of bitters (including orange and chocolate), so there were many different and delicious flavors. Be prepared to pay $15 for this drink. I don't think many Milwaukeeans are used to paying this amount for a cocktail, but keep in mind that premium ingredients are used. A call gin and tonic didn't do much for my partner. When he ordered another one, he noted to the waitress that he couldn't taste any alcohol in the first drink. Well, the second one was far more potent. The two biggest downsides of this restaurant are the limited menu and the noise factor. We dined in the adjacent dining room, and it was incredibly noisy. We would expect more noise on a weekend (especially when larger parties were in the room), but this was exceptionally noisy even for a weekend. The place was packed. Next time, we'll come on a week night when things might be quieter. As for the menu, it is rather limited. On the night we visited, not only were there no specials offered, but 3 of their main items weren't available. Thankfully, those weren't the items that interested us. However, I can see how someone might be unhappy if their selection wasn't available. When I mentioned to our server that I really wanted to order the burrata salad as a shared appetizer, she leapt into action and made sure the kitchen reserved one for us. We appreciated that. The portions were generous and the quality of the dishes was excellent; no complaints. We had the hamburger and the short ribs over polenta. (I much prefer eating risotto instead of polenta, but the dish was fine overall.) Our server was busy, but not too busy to keep an eye on us. Everyone - from the host to the bartender to the server - welcomed us with warm smiles. We felt very well cared for at Heirloom MKE, and I'm sure we will return. read more

Another great brunch spot! The Original speaks for itself by hosting a bright, airy, and welcoming location. We brunched hard and cannot wait to try the dinner menu. From the brunch menu, we ordered the Veggie Breakfast Bowl, the Pancake, a side of the Biscuits and Gravy. The price is $$ and worth every penny. Huge portions. The Veggie Breakfast Bowl is the perfect balance of farro (grain) and brunchy pesto with egg! I added shrimp and it was even more delicious. The Pancake was so huge that we had to ask for another ramekin of syrup. No syrup to pancake ratio problems here. Speaking of ratios, the side of Biscuit and Gravy could have been counted as an entree. We chased this brunch trio down with a Fruity Pebble Bam Bam drink. This brunch drink was creamy, fruity, and tasted like Fruity Pebbles. So delicious that we ordered two. We arrived on Saturday around noon, and there were only two other tables. One table had a kid with them (family friendly atmosphere during the day). Staff was personable. Kitchen was quick. My favorite part of the interior is the beautiful wood bar. We will be back for dinner, drinks, and more brunch. read more

The Original - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

So here is yet another stellar review for the best cocktail place in Milwaukee. The Original 2498 N Bartlett Ave This time I'll harp on the incredible unique tomato tart with tomato jam that my wonderful wifie had on my birthday. I'm starting to wonder who I need to pay off to get elite yelp status. :-) None the less glad to see The Original still doing well in these crazy times. Cocktails were best in Milwaukee and Milwaukee Metro. Funny how this place whips out a new creation and all the local wanna bees attempt the same concoction., with the same classic name yet sub par ingredients. read more

The Original - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Had dinner here for the first time for anniversary tonight and was so impressed. The server (who was also one of the owners) was extremely attentive and explained the menu in detail. The atmosphere and music were wonderful, the cocktails tasty (best Old Fashioned!) and the food delicious and interesting. We had vichyssoise with smoked trout and for entree the grilled pork chop and duck breast. Dessert was strawberry pane cotta with strawberry basil syrup. This restaurant is a hidden gem-one of the best in Milwaukee. read more

The Original - Brandy and whiskey Old Fashioned - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Very simple but elegant menu. Great cocktail offerings - though no vodka drinks. Small, but delicious entree offerings that pair nicely with dessert. read more

Came in on a Saturday night the atmosphere was great, we were taken care of by one of the owners, who made us feel more at home than at a restaurant. Loved the food, the ambiance, and the conversations. Can't wait to come back for brunch sometime! read more

The Original - Vegetables, duck, and stew. We grabbed 3 plates to share and quickly ordered another round. Amazing. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Cute neighborhood spot. Great brunch and service. Loved the patio. Can't wait to go back and try more things!

From the host who seated us, to our great waiter, brunch and cool neighborhood vibe, definitely recommend!

This cute neighborhood spot has a supper club vibe. Everything on the menu looks fantastic. We came for brunch and both had monte cristo breakfast sandwiches 10/10 ate that thang up. Can't wait to visit for dinner. read more

Outstanding friendly service Tremendous food Excellent cocktails Biggest knock is prices - a bit much for this level of restaurant and setting. This would be on our top restaurant list if it was a little less expensive. Still a terrific place. read more

My wife and I went there for an anniversary and had a nice time. The atmosphere was wonderful and one of the owners came by and was our server. He did a great job. The food was tasty. I had the Duck Two Ways and it was the best duck I've had! Definitely would return! read more

Wow. They have been on my Milwaukee Brunch bucket list for a few months now and I just had a chance to try them out. First, I had to order a cocktail (we're talking brunch, not a sad late breakfast), I had the "Side Toast". It's made with Cinnamon Toast Crunch (what?!), rum, egg and more! Very tasty. As for the food, I went with the Bradford Griddler which looked like a sandwich made out of French toast and after drizzling syrup over it, it was quite delicious (granted, I don't know what it was like without syrup - I imagine it was still great!). We got there when they opened so it wasn't too crowded, but it filled in more towards the end of our visit there. There were a few other items I wanted to check out on the menu, so I'll have to come back in. read more

The food was absolutely spectacular, I got the Kentucky Burgoo, its side cocktail, and the Glow Up cocktail which all were 10/10. The folks who run the restaurant are so funny and likeable, they are clearly proud of their product. read more

I had very high hopes. Unfortunately, this was a huge disappointment. I had an old-fashioned that came in what was essentially an oversized shot glass for 12 dollars. I had a veal chop that probably would have been delicious, but it was in a terribly bitter sauce. The size of the main protein on everybody else's dishes was very small. More appropriate if it was half the price. The bartender had a fascination with shaking the drinks so hard that my ears were ringing. We had a soba noodle salad. It would have been ok if the noodles had been cooked. We had the duck spring rolls, which came in a gummy overcooked wrapper read more