Restaurants Thread

[MU1in77]

Michelin Guide coming to Milwaukee in an edition dedicated to the Great Lakes region. Total bullcrap if Real Chile doesn't get at least 1 star!

[WarriorFan]

I have two unexpected nights in Des Moines this week.  Any recommendations?

[Galway Eagle]

I have two unexpected nights in Des Moines this week.  Any recommendations?

Harbinger and Eatery A have both impressed me. Wife & I stop at one of these every time we're on our way to/from her family in northern Nebraska.

Chain & Spoke was a cool coffee shop as well

I haven't been to Cheese Bar but a local told me to check it out.

[Galway Eagle]

Michelin Guide coming to Milwaukee in an edition dedicated to the Great Lakes region. Total bullcrap if Real Chile doesn't get at least 1 star!

More seriously what Milwaukee restaurants gets a star? Bib gourmand?

I'm guessing Odd Duck for a bib gourmand. Where else? Chard? Dan Dan?

Lupi & Iris & Sanford vying for a star but also unsure if they'll award two stars to a city the size of MKE.

[21Jumpstreet]

More seriously what Milwaukee restaurants gets a star? Bib gourmand?

I'm guessing Odd Duck for a bib gourmand. Where else? Chard? Dan Dan?

Lupi & Iris & Sanford vying for a star but also unsure if they'll award two stars to a city the size of MKE.

Yeah, great question. Personally L&I is way overrated, but I should give it another chance some time. Sanford is the likely choice, but I haven't been there in 20 years at least.

Odd Duck is a good thought for Bib Gourmand (haven't been to the new spot, but liked the cramped old one), perhaps places like Morel (WI and seasonal focus), maybe Ca'Lucchenzo, Story Hill BKC, maybe Ristorante or Safina. Others might be Goodkind, Room Service, Omakase 1033 (probably too new), perhaps Birch.

Would be fun if places like Wy'East, Flour Girl & Flame, OG Zaffiro's, Hooligan's, Cafe Manna, Cafe India, Vanguard, EE Sane, Blue Star, Comet got a little love.

I'm interested to see what if any places outside the main cities but in the region are recognized.

[Galway Eagle]

Yeah, great question. Personally L&I is way overrated, but I should give it another chance some time. Sanford is the likely choice, but I haven't been there in 20 years at least.

Odd Duck is a good thought for Bib Gourmand (haven't been to the new spot, but liked the cramped old one), perhaps places like Morel (WI and seasonal focus), maybe Ca'Lucchenzo, Story Hill BKC, maybe Ristorante or Safina. Others might be Goodkind, Room Service, Omakase 1033 (probably too new), perhaps Birch.

Would be fun if places like Wy'East, Flour Girl & Flame, OG Zaffiro's, Hooligan's, Cafe Manna, Cafe India, Vanguard, EE Sane, Blue Star, Comet got a little love.

I'm interested to see what if any places outside the main cities but in the region are recognized.

I think vanguard could easily be if they stepped up their bun game. Incredible sausages with creative toppings and 99% of the time they're on a basic white hot dog bun. Up that game and I could see an argument for them being on. Goodkind's a nice shout I hadn't considered. Think Honeypie could make the cut?

[21Jumpstreet]

I think vanguard could easily be if they stepped up their bun game. Incredible sausages with creative toppings and 99% of the time they're on a basic white hot dog bun. Up that game and I could see an argument for them being on. Goodkind's a nice shout I hadn't considered. Think Honeypie could make the cut?

Funny you mention Honeypie. I was considering adding them/SmallPie/Palomino to the would be cool if list. I'm a fan.

[Spotcheck Billy]

More seriously what Milwaukee restaurants gets a star? Bib gourmand?

I'm guessing Odd Duck for a bib gourmand. Where else? Chard? Dan Dan?

Lupi & Iris & Sanford vying for a star but also unsure if they'll award two stars to a city the size of MKE.

DanDan canceled our reservation recently when they were shutdown for a pest infestation, been a lot of that lately. 

[Galway Eagle]

DanDan canceled our reservation recently when they were shutdown for a pest infestation, been a lot of that lately.

Wow that's wild. Was thinking due to the success on top chef and being a recent James beard finalist that the place would probably have some steam behind it with the guide expanding. Rodents probably kill all that.

[21Jumpstreet]

Wow that's wild. Was thinking due to the success on top chef and being a recent James beard finalist that the place would probably have some steam behind it with the guide expanding. Rodents probably kill all that.

Funny enough, I was in town for Summerfest last summer and went to DanDan in the always good for a cringy laugh area named Ethnic Gardens to see what they were serving. And, who did I see, none other than Top Chef Dan Jacobs who took my order and gave me my food through the little window. Of course, I asked for a photo.

[JWags85]

Funny enough, I was in town for Summerfest last summer and went to DanDan in the always good for a cringy laugh area named Ethnic Gardens to see what they were serving. And, who did I see, none other than Top Chef Dan Jacobs who took my order and gave me my food through the little window. Of course, I asked for a photo.

Is he a good dude?  Cause he annoyed the hell out of me on Top Chef.

[21Jumpstreet]

Is he a good dude?  Cause he annoyed the hell out of me on Top Chef.

Super kind and grateful.

[Spotcheck Billy]

By alot of that lately I meant other nearby restaurants. Marouding rats?

[WarriorFan]

Harbinger and Eatery A have both impressed me. Wife & I stop at one of these every time we're on our way to/from her family in northern Nebraska.

Chain & Spoke was a cool coffee shop as well

I haven't been to Cheese Bar but a local told me to check it out.

I tried Eatery A tonight and it was very nice.  Thanks for the recommendation!

[Hards Alumni]

Yeah, great question. Personally L&I is way overrated, but I should give it another chance some time. Sanford is the likely choice, but I haven't been there in 20 years at least.

Odd Duck is a good thought for Bib Gourmand (haven't been to the new spot, but liked the cramped old one), perhaps places like Morel (WI and seasonal focus), maybe Ca'Lucchenzo, Story Hill BKC, maybe Ristorante or Safina. Others might be Goodkind, Room Service, Omakase 1033 (probably too new), perhaps Birch.

Would be fun if places like Wy'East, Flour Girl & Flame, OG Zaffiro's, Hooligan's, Cafe Manna, Cafe India, Vanguard, EE Sane, Blue Star, Comet got a little love.

I'm interested to see what if any places outside the main cities but in the region are recognized.

Mother's?

[21Jumpstreet]

Mother's?

Never been, sample menu looks intriguing. Any good?

[21Jumpstreet]

Had the best meal of my life. While we all have opinions about Michelin and its role in the restaurant world, I have eaten at several starred establishments and have generally been happy with the food, service has been mostly good. Well, I just ate at three star Hisa Franko in Kobarid, Slovenia, in the Soca Valley, and I am now convinced with my single data point that three stars is significant.

Easily the best meal I have ever had, easily the most impressive menu for me I have ever seen. Heavily focused on local herbs, vegetables, and fruits with a hint of meat in two courses. The menu was titled "Euphorest" and was the perfect name. Everything from the first bite of brioche and sumac chips with Slovenian sparkling wine, to an herb bouquet, to butterfly pasta, to honey comb ice cream was insane. Paired with the "Funky" wine paring, I was blown away. My taste buds will never forget the immaculate meal. Now, I just have to discipline myself to not compare every future meal against it. Wow, absolutely amazing.

Side note, I've never made a restaurant reservation and been upsold with a room in a guest house. In order to stay at the guest house, you must have a reservation at the restaurant. You stay only the night of your meal. Impeccable experience, Chef Ana Ros is a maestra.

Second side note, earlier in the same day I had the best laundromat pizza and ice cold Slovenian lager I've ever had. What a day of culinary magic.

[MU82]

My wife, son, DIL and I went to Armitage Alehouse in Lincoln Park on Friday and had an outstanding meal. We had one salad, four entrees and two desserts, and every bite of everything was delicious. The smoked trout Caesar salad and spiced lamb pot pie were amazing. So was the sticky date cake, one of the better restaurant desserts I've had. The service was perfect - our server paid attention to us but never rushed us, and he made excellent suggestions, too. It was a challenge getting a reservation, and the final check wasn't cheap, but it was well worth it.

During our Chicago trip, we also went to Harry Caray's because our friends really wanted to go there and set up the reservation. It was pretty meh, not as good as the last time I was there (which had to be 25 years ago). Later on, my wife and I talked about wishing we had gone to any of dozens and dozens (and dozens) of other places in the area that would have been better. Oh well - next time.

[Skatastrophy]

Yeah Armitage Alehouse is very consistent. Very good food.

Had a fantastic meal at All Well in Chicago last week. Noah Sandoval's new restaurant (he's the Oriole person). Great food, great service. We went with the coursed menu, a quick 5 courses where you get two choices. They also brought by a few bites from their bar menu for us to try. Knocked our socks off, we'll be returning. But maybe just chilling at the bar next time? Their wine pairing was great but I'd like to explore their cocktail program more.

We went to Kumiko for drinks afterwards. Really, really good. I want to go back and have a meal there. 

Two very comfortable spaces instead of stuffy fine dining.