Probably my favorite meal on this trip to Milwaukee - we were lucky enough to be there on Thursday night (sandwich night - get there early because it'll fill up) and get me my francesinha sandwich . . . the best one I've ever had. Chef Greg was moving around so much he blurred but he still managed to spend time making us feel welcome guests and Yara and Mariah made us feel like family. Loved the feel of the place - it's clear that Amilinda could fill a massive room, but the space it's in is perfection. I think I'll dream of Amilinda - we for-sure intend to come back. read more

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Amilinda has a sandwich happy hour every Thursday from 5-7pm but only at the bar. Don't make our mistake and make a reservation for the table if that's what you are coming for. The owner and chef Greg is super nice and welcoming and is just one of the reasons I would come back. I loved the small environment of Amilinda and the service and staff was fantastic. The sandwiches were crazy good and the chips were the cherry on top. Typically I hate restaurant chips but these are so finely sliced that they give a perfect crisp. I had the Prego and it was fantastic. I also tried I bit of the Francesinha and the tomato sauce was fantastic. I can't wait to come back to try their normal dinner menu. read more

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I could not be more thrilled to find this place. I was looking for something unique and quality but still approachable and this checked all the boxes. Greg greeted us at the door and was so welcoming I felt like I stepped into a friends house for dinner. The cocktails were superb. We got the Manhattan and the Jazmine I think. sweet tart bubbly deliciousness. Our server was also delightful and gave great recommendations for the saffron Dutch baby. We also did the lamb special and the sauce was out of this world and I love how it combined a classic lamb sauce with a veggie. It was hard to save room for dessert but I'm glad we did because the chocolate mousse was so good, light fluffy and so flavorful. I can't wait to go back. We did get a reservation and I'm glad we did! read more

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With an unassuming front and location, I might have missed it in the winter. Once there, the manager gave me a warm welcome. On a cold Saturday night where the street looked extremely empty, inside Amilinda it was full of patrons and the air full of wonderful aromas from the open kitchen which was just by the entrance. Lucky I was just by myself and was able to be seated by the end of the long bar. The menu leans towards carnivore. The leg of lamb was cooked tender and juicy that you want to use the sour dough bread to soak up the juice. The cuttlefish appetizer used the Asian leaning crunchy chilli oil, added an interesting twist. If you stay around this area for whatever reason, I recommend giving Amilinda a try. read more

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Wow. Just wow. Finally made it in despite probably 50 people recommending Amilinda over the years. As soon as I walked in I was genuinely and warmly welcomed by Alexander, who I ended up chatting with throughout the meal and is simply a lovely human being. He was a highlight of my dining experience. My server recommended the perfect white wine from Spain. I started off with the heirloom appetizer which was refreshing and packed with flavor. Very light and the sauce is perfect for bread dipping. Then I got the chicken dinner which was simply excellent. Also packed with flavor, so comforting and filling. I've never had more delicious chicken. I'm not sure this spot is much of a secret anymore, word got out fast that it's a special place. The staff here deserve all the recognition and business. You'll leave feeling nourished both in body, and for me after the exceptional hospitality, in soul. read more

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FLAVOR! Is the key word. Unpretentious, eclectic and old worldly. There is a lot of love poured into this place it is evident. I can't wait to go back. read more

Amilinda - front window of Amilinda - Portuguese Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I've wanted to go here for some time, so we made the trip. We had the best time! The chef was amazing, friendly, and accommodating. The food was next level! This was our first time trying this type of food, and we were not disappointed. It was an awesome experience, awesome environment and most of all, it was awesome food. Highly recommend! Plenty of street parking. Prices range from $50-$70 per person, but well worth it. read more

Amilinda - Portuguese Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Magical. Really. I was traveling alone and looking for something special; a self-care/self-love meal and environment. This was exactly the experience one hopes to have, for every meal. It was Friday. I'd made a reservation for one at 5:30pm. There were a few tables filled. Door was open. I looked to my right at the photos on the wall... then saw the host. I said to the host "You're the boss!" Chef Greg responded gracefully; "Yes, I'm the Owner and the Executive Chef." Chef showed me to the counter and gave me what I considered the "pole position" right at the end where I could watch the Station Chef prepare dishes. Chef Greg asked my preferences and took me through the menu. With his guidance I selected two items. Then charming Chef Xander came by with recommendations for a drink. We brainstormed a bit, then I selected a custom non-alcoholic blood orange mocktail; superb, refreshing. My starter was the Cherry Tomato Bocadillo. It was beautiful and delicate, with gently spicy piri piri oil. I savored each bite. Then I enjoyed the Braised Rabbit. My first thought was that I might have to work hard to get if off the bone... but it was almost no effort; just enough to slow me down to enjoy each bite and let me know that I'd earned it. The base of rice/peas/beans was incredible; sweet, tangy, each bite a delicious treat. The quantity was perfect; not too much nor too little. I was full and satisfied. I was at peace. I spent some of my time looking around the wonderfully decorated dining room. Chef Greg said Amalinda has been here for 10 years. I told him it felt like "home." I don't mean that to say it felt like my home, but rather that it was just such a warm, welcoming, comfortable, inviting space. Others know it also; When I left it was a full house! Chef Greg and all, thank you for a magical experience. read more

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Everything was wonderful for the NYE dinner. Service was excellent and our glasses never remained empty for more than a minute or so. Attentive service and an ever-changing menu guarantees we will be visiting at least once a month. We are already looking forward to going back. read more

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We finally made it to Amilinda! The space is cozy and inviting, and the open kitchen allows you to watch Chef León and his team as they make the magic happen. The staff was friendly, the pace unhurried, and the whole experience was enjoyable. For the NA crowd, I recommend the agua de finca mocktail and the NA Mashgang IPA - both were excellent. The duck with a salsa verde was perfectly cooked, and the skirt steak was well-executed and served with a parsnip puree. We ended on a sweet note with pasteis de nata--little Portuguese custard tarts with caramelized, crispy-sweet tops. If you haven't been yet, be sure to check out Amilinda! read more

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Amilinda has been on my list of places to visit for a long time. I'd say a few things about my experience. 1. The restaurant was so lovely. It was decorated in a way that seemed almost homey. 2. The service was also great and the ambiance was nice as well. I think that when you have restaurants that offer such a unique experience and menu, you meet some equally unique and interesting people. We sat next to such a lovely couple. Another thing that made our experience very special was that towards the closing of the restaurant, the head chef and owner came out and sparked up a conversation. Such a nice guy. 3. Now as excited as I was to taste the food, I was severely underwhelmed. The thing that I enjoyed the most was the tomato salad with heirloom tomatoes and goat cheese. It was lovely, however, the other dishes we ate weren't my favorite. We tried the braised cabbage and the strip steak. The cabbage was kind of bland, and although the steak was cooked nicely and was very flavorful, the succotash that was plated with it really took away from the flavor of the steak. Now with that being said, I would definitely go back to try a few other items on the menu. read more

Amilinda - Portuguese Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Everything. Go here with a group of 4 friends and order everything and share everything.

We returned to Amilinda, and this renowned restaurant let us down again. While the quaint space can be charming, the overworked staff and minuscule kitchen provided a frenetic atmosphere. No one seemed relaxed, and thus, there was a lack of warmth and graciousness. Our servers did their best, but their stress created a dark cloud that hung over our table. The small menu didn't provide much choice, but that's fine when the food tastes great. My appetizer, pickled shrimp, was the best taste of the night, but nothing memorable. I ordered the $40.00 meatball entree, which was not only expensive but tasted bland as well. My wife's chicken thighs were smothered in a sautéed mushroom sauce that drowned every other flavor. It was ridiculously over-sauced. Desserts were okay but provided no culinary surprises. Milwaukee restaurant critics love Amilinda. It's on every "best restaurant in Milwaukee" list. The owner must be a charmer. The cuisine at Amilinda is called Portuguese, but our dinner didn't have any Portuguese flavors. I have spent time in Lisbon and eaten at Portuguese restaurants in NYC. The food was full of flavors, and every taste had soul, called alma in Portugal. Alma is an integral part of Portuguese culture. Sadly, Amilinda had no alma and was an empty representation of the great cuisine of Portugal. read more

Lovely experience! The food is excellent! There were 4 of us and we each ordered something different. We enjoyed 2 great bottles of wine and shared a couple of desserts. Absolutely amazing evening and the service was perfect and the owner is a delight! read more

While the location is appealing and the building itself is cool, the food leaves a lot to be desired. I ordered the New York strip, and it was incredibly bland, lacking any flavor at all. We had to ask for salt for all of our meals, as the entire table found their dishes to be flavorless, which is totally unexpected for a Spanish/Portuguese inspired restaurant. It was also tough, overdone, and thicker than any New York strip I've ever seen, more closely resembling a filet in size and shape - definitely not tenderness though. The cocktail menu is a plus, however! Fun drinks, mixed well. I would not come back to this place unless I knew they had undergone a drastic menu makeover. Also worth noting: the restaurant was extremely hot and lacking airflow when we ate there. Not sure if the AC wasn't working or couldn't keep up, but it was very uncomfortable. read more

Amilinda - Asparagus pate - Portuguese Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Food was the best food for a fine pallet ! It was made to perfection. The atmosphere is great and it could be intimate . It's best to make a reservation ! They made sure you happy and satisfied . It was well worth the experience and travel. Loved the food and the atmosphere . read more

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Amilinda delivers exceptional seasonal Spanish-Portuguese fusion cuisine. The fried quail, octopus, radicchio salad, and stuffed peppers were all standout dishes. Impeccable flavors, presentation and chill vibe make it one of Milwaukee's Michelin-level gems. Highly recommend if you're looking for something unique. read more

Amilinda - Fried Quail (seasonal dish) - Portuguese Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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I have been wanting to try Amilinda for a while and I really wanted to love it. We made a reservation, same day, for a Friday night and had no problem. When we arrived, the night was just starting, and there were only a couple other customers in the restaurant. The menu is limited but does rotate on a regular basis. At the time of our visit, I wasn't really interested in much on the menu. We each had wine and split the Brussel sprouts with candied bacon. The Brussel sprouts were pretty good and I would order again. For our entrees we had beef tongue and roasted cauliflower over pureed pumpkin. The cauliflower was good, but not very filling, and everything was a little on the pricier side so I didn't want to get anything else. I did enjoy the décor and ambiance of the restaurant, the walls are covered in painted tiles, international photos, and the chef's memories. I did enjoy it and would come back, but would watch the menu in advance. read more

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The service could have been better. The salad came before we had our drinks. When we thanked the runner he said, "Heard." The salad and the bread were very good. The sangria tasted a bit "off" to me, but everyone else enjoyed them. The Roasted Sunchoke was disappointing. Some pieces were dried out, others burned. You can see it in the pictures. The ambiance however is very cool. read more

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Hidden little gem & cool ambiance - so glad we finally ventured in Amilinda. Wonderful Spanish wines that our server offered tastes to my wife & picked out a smooth red for me. Awesome food - skirt steak & rainbow trout are both packed with so much flavor and cooked perfectly. Chocolate mousse with olive oil and hand whipped cream a must. I really need to take pictures for my future reviews! Service was outstanding and super friendly especially Yare. We will be back soon. Thank you read more

I don't know what to say...first of all, great location, available parking after hours (we went on a Saturday). The hostess and server were fantastic. It's the food I'm not too sure about the food. The appetizers were good but small portions. The plates can only be shared with two people, not enough for 3. The halibut was very good. The rabbit was gamey and tasteless. The squash flowers were fried with absolutely no taste. Great experience, very expensive. Probably will not return. read more

Service was fantastic! We went for a Yelp Elite event and got a free cocktail and appetizer. They made a duck piri piri for the appetizer and the sauce was to die for. They also accommodated our group of 6 to sit outside when the table is normally only for 4 people. The inside is full of eclectic decor and has a moody ambiance, but it was incredibly hot inside (one of the reasons I'm only giving 4/5 stars). They have a fun cocktail list and an abbreviated menu that you can tell they put a lot of effort into. The menu changes often, so the picture of the menu below will probably be different if you visit! My only complaint about the food is that the portion sizes are smaller and the plates are $28-40. Drinks were about $10-15 each. The rose I wanted was out, so our server made me a drink that wasn't in the menu and it was delicious! Overall, we loved our experience at Amilinda. read more

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What a great experience! We started the evening with roasted beets- so delicious! They were very earthy, and the lavender flavor was subtle yet noticeable. A great balance! We ordered the Goat and the rabbit- the goat was very tender and cooked well, but the star was the rabbit with a carrot and blackberry pureé. After adding a dash of salt- it was absolutely amazing. I couldn't get enough and was so sad when it was gone. We ended the meal with a final cocktail and the dark chocolate mousse. I would have licked the bowl clean! A great experience with very friendly staff. read more

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Amazing food...amazing service....amazing atmosphere. This is truly a Milwaukee gem. The New York Strip was prepared perfectly. The Rabbit was tender. Sitting at the bar was perfect for us. read more

Amilinda - Rabbit - Portuguese Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Went to Amalinda on a Friday night. Service (Blaine Davis) was awesome. Blaine was crazy helpful in our wine and aperitif selection. We started with beet salad and shared the pork chop and goat. Both were solid. We had the olive oil mousse for dessert, and it was great. read more

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Weathered the snow storm to make our rez- this was our belated Valentine's Day celebration. Welcomed at the door, was asked where we'd be most comfortable- which was nice. Service was alright- think they were short staffed due to the storm. The food was--good. If I could give a 3+, I would. The skirt steak was tasty, but nothing really stood out. The pork was much more flavorful, and I love me a parsnip purée. So, the dinner was good, but I really was expecting exceptional. read more

Amilinda - Portuguese Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

We had another delectable dinner and lovely evening tonight. We were a group of eight and we enjoyed: quail, duck, and skirt steak as our mains. The appetizers were delicious and enjoyed by all, as well as the desserts. We had a great waitress named Yara and the atmosphere as both buzzing and cozy at the same time. What a great evening. We'll come back as soon as possible. read more

Amilinda - Duck entree with olives - delicious - Portuguese Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Overrated and average at best.....most staff have a serious attitude! We ordered 3 appetizers and had to beg for plates to share. Then one expensive dinner special was literally cold.....but after the cold shoulder asking for plates for an appetizer, my friend ate a cold lamb shank! We came when the restaurant was empty and it was empty when we left. when there were plenty of good tables but we were sat awkwardly....quite bizarre. The bottom line is that they did not make us feel welcome where every other table seemed like they were treated so much nicer. I never felt so out of place at a restaurant in my life.. confusing experience! A very disappointing experience overall. read more

Amilinda! We finally got a chance to go! I wanted to love it, but I'm really swaying back and forth on the star rating here. I will start by saying I would certainly return. My husband booked us in for our anniversary date night, and I was very excited, having wanted to try this spot for a long time. We arrived around 7:30pm on a Friday night, and the place was full, providing a great bustling atmosphere! It's fairly small in size, but quaint. Full of cute decor. Narrow upon entry, where you pass the open-kitchen, and tables that stretch along the wall to the back. We were seated at a nice little two-top. Drinks first, of course. Lots to pick from on their list. I opted for a sparkling gin, and sure did enjoy it. If it's got elderflower in it, you can bet I'll order it! My husband had a cold beer or two. Knowing it's a Spanish & Portuguese restaurant, we knew their dishes would no doubt be flavorful. The menu is limited with a few starter options, and only a handful of main entrees. We saw a table near by being brought something that was quite literally on fire, which peaked our interest. Our server let us know it was the Portuguese fire sausage appetizer, and we went for it. These sausages were extremely tasty and came with a yummy whole grain beer mustard and sour dough. Definitely recommend! Great portion size too, as it filled us up enough to only order one entree to split. We opted for the Bacalao, a cod dish. It had roasted potatoes, some kind of delicious peppers, leeks, and green onion. The flavors were great! The fish however, was not. Unfortunately it was super tough and gritty. In my experience, cod should be flakey and tender, but this just wasn't it. We're genuinely not picky eaters, but we both didn't desire to finish it. A bummer, as we hoped for more of a higher-priced, smaller-portioned dish. All in all, the experience was A-ok. Enjoyable atmosphere and service, refreshing cocktails, loved one of two tried menu items. I will always give places another go, so I'm sure we will be back! read more

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Amilinda is a hidden gem in downtown. Very friendly chef and servers. Food is awesome. Interior is cozy, warm and full of cute decors. I got the fried oyster pudding with bacon jam to start. It's a small bowl of food which was perfect for me. The fried oysters were crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The bacon jam was sweet and the bacon pieces were super crispy. The pudding which I thought was made of polenta or grit added the nice savory taste & creamy texture to balance the dish. Very good. For entree I chose the honey paprika chicken. Overall it's a sweet entree - seasoned with honey and sweet paprika. The chicken was a large piece of nicely seasoned & cooked meat. I enjoyed it. read more

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Amilinda has one of the most unique menus of all the fine dining restaurants in Milwaukee. The chef rotates the menu often so there's always something new to try. I had the fried quail, smoked octopus, & stuffed peppers. All of it was 10/10. Def one of my favorite places in the city. read more

As I spoke with the bartender, he mentioned that Amilinda has been here for 6 years. This was my first visit, from the outside I thought it was going to be smaller. Their street view shows their kitchen and a large curtain blocking off the dining area. It is a long and narrow space, but plenty of seating (great for couples or groups of 4) - some bar seating as well. Lots of art displayed on the walls. As a vegetarian, I am always a little skeptical of menu items priced over $20 - but this might be one of the few places where I felt the meal was well-priced! I only wish there was more in the bowl. It was an assortment of fresh vegetables (the Brussels sprouts were spot on). Seriously, while it's based on a selection of fresh vegetables they have - the vegetarian option felt intentional and not like an after thought. They also had two options for dessert (a custard or chocolate cake) - went with the chocolate cake and if I were at home, I would have licked the plate! Haha. The ambiance made it feel like a good date night spot - be aware though, they are only open 3 days a week (Thursday-Saturday from 5-9p). read more

Amilinda - Vegetarian dinner (main) option - made special each night by the chef. - Portuguese Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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The food was amazing but my server was terrible. She kept trying to get me to buy more. The staff asked if I was celebrating a special occasion I said it was my 60th birthday and they said "we love celebrating with our customers" and then did nothing but try to get me to spend more. I won't be back. I don't need any more fake people in my life. read more

Limited menu but with fresh food. A go to place for fall or winter as the food was heavy. Restaurant is very warm so go when it's not hot out. Service was helpful in what to order. read more

You know how you hear about an amazing movie, see it, and then conclude the hype oversold the film, which was good but not stellar? I had this concern about Amilinda, hearing stellar reviews of the place from friends. I had high unavoidable expectations. Amilinda is an easy 5-star review. There should be a bonus star. The ambience is lovely. The service from the host to the servers to the chef/owner was excellent. The waiter, Mr. Davis, said he had served at dozens of restaurants and no place made him more happy than Amilinda. He said the owner just had a way of "connecting love" from his kitchen to the tables to his customers and all places in between. This love was evident in the mushroom starter and skirt steak entrees we ordered. Every bite was delicious and cooked perfectly. We both finished every bite and morsel. We finished the meal with a salted caramel chocolate dessert that blew our minds and taste buds, delicious and perfect, sweet but not too sweet. We made reservations here, which you should do, too. The place is busy. Everyone seemed happy. It's worth noting the kitchen is open and visible. Perhaps this makes the meals epic? Anyone can see all the details handled as meals are prepared. read more

Amilinda - Desert--order it, your taste buds will be pleased. - Portuguese Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I dined here for the first (and last) time last night and I must say, it is the worst overall dining experience I've had in quite some time. Let's start with service. There were about 7 or 8 tables of people in the restaurant and 2 servers. Our server was nice but he seemed genuinely confused the entire time. I ordered the sangria. About 10 minutes later, he came back with bread but no drinks. I patiently waited for about 10 more minutes and then he came to take our dinner order. After placing my dinner order, I asked if he has the sangria. He says, "oh yes, we have wonderful sangria. Would you like to order some?" I said yes (even though I already did). Then he asks if we want 2 glasses of it and my friend said no thanks, because we just had this convo and she only was drinking water. So he leaves, and a little while later, brings another plate of bread despite the fact that we were still eating our bread from the first time. Still, no sangria. It seemed as though he completely forgot that we had the first interaction and treated us as though we were a brand new table the second time he came back. After about 10 more minutes, I went up to the bar and asked the bartender for my drink, which she happily and quickly provided. The whole experience of interacting with our server made my friend and I so puzzled that we wondered if we were on some kind of candid tv show. Anyway, the food arrived and I was underwhelmed with my dish. I ordered the duck and I didn't find the dish to be very flavorful. It was kind of meh. The ambiance was ok but there is a cold draft that blows in every time someone opens the door. I really wanted to like this place but I won't be back. read more

Came back here for the first time in awhile and really enjoyed it. The staff was very helpful and kind and helped guide our choices. We started with the eggplant starter and it was just okay, not super flavorful so I would skip but the entrees were delicious. I got the braised beef cheeks which melted in the mouth and were falling apart with how tender they were - they came with potatoes and it was basically an elevated beef stew. I wish there had been one other element in there to really take it to the next level but still very good. The other two in our party got the carcamusa and they both raved about it - after tasting it, I agreed. Super flavorful and complex, I would definitely get that if I came back. I look forward to going back and trying some more of their dishes. read more

Enjoyed the evening with chef Gregory and his team. Lance our waiter was great The attention to details and presentation was better than expected Taste and quality nice Chef Gregory has a winning combination in food quality, atmosphere & staff read more

Amilinda - Portuguese Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Not only is the food to DIE FOR at Amilinda but the staff have some of the best hospitality I've experienced in the city. I called to move my reservation down and Alex answered the phone and was so pleasant and upbeat! It made me excited to come in to dine. Immediately upon arrival Alex greeted me and brought me to the bar. He introduced me to my server/bartender Mariah who was outstanding she took amazing care of me and handled my every need most times without me even needing to saying anything! By the end of the night the whole staff knew my name and made me feel like part of a family. And of course Chef Greg and Ethan make the best food. I have to recommend the rabbit anytime it's on the menu and of course the chocolate mousse. Overall a great experience and Amilinda has gained a new forever guest! read more

We were welcomed by a very friendly hostess, who seated us right away, our server, and their entire staff were very social and casual making for a fun and relaxing dinner. The chef stopped by to check on us during our meal and we also talked on the way out. We ordered every item on the menu (it's a small menu), and enjoyed the variety, finding everything, well-made, tasty, and some creativity. We will definitely return. read more