I recently enjoyed the Chef's Counter at Birch with a friend, and I have to say it was the best meal I've experienced in Milwaukee. Seated at the counter, facing the open fire hearth, we were treated to seven delicious courses plus a surprise lagniappe of a peppered pate de fruit. I did not write down what we ate for each course, but I'll describe some of my favorites. * The charred beef carpaccio was pleasantly complex, providing a flavor intense yet somehow balanced bite. Even the greens were purposeful in adding to the flavor profile and not merely decoration. * The stuffed pasta with the apple slices?! So delicate, creamy, and sweet, but with a firm texture from the al dente pasta. * My favorite course? The cured foie gras torchon with challah bread. The Chef de Cuisine, Zach Cadtillo, ran this course to us and let us know this is a non-gavage foie gras, which eased my ethical mind. The soft chew of the challah (I could have eaten an entire loaf of that) with the melt in your mouth creaminess of the cured foie gras was dreamy. * The crust of that grilled flat iron?! Oh my. * Okay, not included in the tasting itself but 100% worth mentioning is they actually make old fashioneds made the "right" way. Spirit (in this case Pinhook bourbon), sugar and bitters. No fruit salad here, hah. There was so much to love. I personally would not have ordered some of these dishes if they were on a printed menu, but I'm so happy I was given them to experience. I surprised myself. I will also note it is refreshing to know that Chef Kyle locally sources the greens and meat from Stone Bank Farm in Oconomowoc. Everyone we interacted with was kind and knowledgeable from the hostess to the chefs to the food runners. The only nitpick I'd say is that the runners were quiet and hard to hear. Other than that, a perfect experience that I'd happily experience over and over again. When someone asks me what is the one meal I need to eat in Milwaukee, I'll say the Chef's Counter as Birch. read more

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A pleasant brunch experience at the new Birch on Sunday. I had the brunch here about 3 years ago and I recalled the food was good but not like outstanding. The restaurant is still clean, modern, bright and spacious. Servers are still friendly. But the new Birch is definitely better when it comes to food and drinks. We started with a French cocktail & a Japanese cold brew (super strong coffee brewed directly over ice). Both drinks were decent. I liked my cold brew - complex, chocolately and strong. Then the "Small" appetizers were great too. The Charred Beef Carpaccio (w Horseradish Aioli, Grilled Greens & Crispy Shallot) is thin yet so flavorful. The edge of the meat and the shallot are perfectly cooked to be crispy and added the good texture to the dish. Highly recommend it. The Steelhead Trout Crudo has its unique cucumber and mint sauce and it's a very refreshing dish. The "Large" - My Grilled Avocado with smoked salmon is a balanced & yummy dish. I really enjoyed it. My friend said her Creamy WI Polenta and Braised Duroc Pork was good too. Overall, I think this is a good place to get brunch either alone or with friends or family. read more

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Last night I returned to Birch after receiving a call and gift certificate for a previous experience that was not great. Wow!!!!! My friend and I ordered 5 dishes, and dessert. Each one was absolutely amazing. The freshness and flavor was spot on. Our wait person, Lola was lovely. Just the right amount of attentiveness, and she knew the perfect order of delivering the dishes. Outstanding meal and service. We loved everything about it from start to finish. read more

This place never disappoints. It's one of our favorite dining places in Milwaukee. The food is always top notch and the space is beautiful. The thing that really sets this place apart from other 5 star food choices, are the workers. They are always very welcoming. I would recommend trying to get a seat at the Chef's Table. It's a unique experience. read more

A friend and I made a reservation online for brunch here on a cold spring afternoon. We were promptly greeted at the entrance and seated by our host. The interiors have a sophisticated and elegant vibe, much like the crowd this place attracts ;) great for elevated brunches. I was slightly disappointed by the menu as I found it to be limited and lacking vegetarian and vegan options. Over half the menu had cocktail/alcohol options to choose from, which is great if you're looking for a less food more alcohol type of brunch experience, I however am not that type of a brunch-er, hence the slight disappointment. The service was great and the food tasted okay, but definitely not worth the price you pay for it. I'd go here again if I was looking for a large variety of alcohol options for brunch, but definitely not if I wanted a hearty brunch experience. read more

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A true gourmet paradise: fresh and high quality creations without the pretentious vibe. In fact, loved this place so much that we went back the week after. The restaurant is very open and has a clean and relaxed vibe. Every course was delicious and unique. You can taste the freshness in each bite. This is not a restaurant you come to for a stuffed feeling. Instead, it's a cullinary journey. The service was also great. They also are very allergy aware and understand ingredients in the dishes (one of the people in our party had some food allergies). This is always relevant because dining should not be a stressful experience for anyone. Looking forward to returning soon. read more

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We went back here last week and this to me is the best I have had in Milwaukee. Every single dish is perfectly balanced, full of flavor, and just the right size. We tried a few of the appetizers, a few of the pastas and 3 different entrees. Everything was spectacular. It was my birthday and they basically gave us 2-3 different bite size dishes complimentary. We sat at the chefs table and they just kept bringing us over different bites. The asparagus salad was excellent along with the beef carpaccio that was great as well. They had a snap pea salad that was super fresh and refreshing. I believe the pasta we had was a walleye pasta where the fish was cooked to perfection. The pork tenderloin was great. Perfectly cooked as well. This is definitely a place to check out. It is definitely the best I have had in the city and the service was outstanding as well. Sit at the chefs counter. read more

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Amazing quality for top to bottom. Every dish was well executed. The pork skewers were a big hit along with both ricotta pastas. Also the brick chicken and pork chops. Even beet salad and I am not a beet fan. Excellent eclectic wine options. Ashley provided attentive service throughout the meal. Nice open kitchen layout. Bit hard scape design so slightly loud for conversation. This is definitely an A level restaurant. Heard the menu changes often so lots of variety with consistent excellence. Wish we had this great option back home. read more

The service at Birch is amazing. The staff is so kind, accomodating, and attentive. The food overall was inventive and I enjoyed each tasting experience. I do think the chicken entree didn't hit the mark as much as I was hoping it would due to the sides (some sort of lettuce, apple slices, and a sweet, creamy mustard sauce). I wish the chicken came with a more substantive side dish. I loved the ravioli and would highly recommend the other pasta dishes as well. My group shared plates which was a great way to try different starters and pastas. I also loved the mezcal drink they had. The flavor balance in it was incredible. I believe it was some sort of mezcal negroni. Overall would be happy to go back and try more menu items but wouldn't seek it out as a top option. read more

I have mixed feelings about this review, it should be a solid 5, I'll explain. The food and presentation was outstanding. The flavors from the grill smoke was wonderful. The service was that of a high class restaurant. Our waiter was entertaining and knowledgeable about the Dishes and the Wines. The setting and style of the restaurant was modern and comfortable. So why only 4 stars, the seating is disgustingly dirty, I wouldn't put a chair this dirty out at a yard sale out of embarrassment. When you spend close to $400 for dinners and bottles of wine you expect a certain level of cleanliness. read more

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the food was excellent, fresh, and unique menu. Beautiful interior, modern design. Unfortunately thr service was pushy and rushed. we came to enjoy an evening, and our waitress told us we had to order the main course along with appetizers, because they took time to prepare. while we were trying to enjoy the appetizers she came over almost every minute to check on us, we felt pressured. brought out our fish and pasta trying to pick up our dishes before we were done. When we told her we were not finished she showed signs of being upset and still left our food which then became cold since we were not finished with first course. if you're paying that amount of money, guests should not be rushed, but feel relaxed. This ruined our experience at Birch. read more

This place is good!! After hearing that it was named one of the best restaurants my boyfriend and I decided he had to go! We went to their Valentine's Day 3 course menu and both through it was really good! I got the fish (I was impressed by the creativity with this dish!!) and my boyfriend got the steak, which we both thought was a little small. I loved the touch of the little cucumber sandwiches to start and thought my dessert was really good! The ambiance was a little lack luster for my taste, not real vibe and tables kind of all over the place but the service was good overall. I would recommend. read more

Birch - Chocolate tart - New American Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Skirt skirt, ya boy's back! 5 stars. My boy Stevie had been sweatin' me about gettin' into this place for weeks, but as most of y'all know these pockets been hella skinny as of late. Well ya boy done did it, hit that big triple 7's while playing the slots at Mobile and decided to do it right.....table for 2 please. Ate right at the bar. Charming ass mustached chef Zach with the plug all night taking me on a culinary journey that I was not expecting. Foie Gras, Pig-face flat bread, Roasted Sweet Potato, all made the cut. Pastas, a brick of chicken and Pork chop. There was not one dish that missed. Make sure you save room though, these fools kidnapped the pastry chef from Ardent(first they lose ramen now the pastry chef!!!!!!! Bye) Anyhoo. Get in here if you can. Make them resos and treat these people right. read more

We really enjoyed our dinner at Birch. We were running a little late and they were still able to accommodate us. Due to time constraints, we opted to order from the al la carte menu. We loved every dish we ordered. The tomato and stone fruit were probably my favorite, along with the pasta. I personally like how much space the restaurant allows between tables. It was nice not to be right next to another table. Next time I would definitely do the tasting menu. read more

Fresh and creative food. The menu was interesting as you were able to create a 3 course meal. Loved the interior and ambiance. Service was great as well. I would be interested in trying their tasting menu next. read more

We stopped in on a rainy Thursday night . Sat at the chefs bar , service was top notch, tasting menu was one of the best we have had in the city. We did not leave hungry. Flavors,sauces top notch and intriguing flavor combinations. Loved the interaction with the suis chefs and the warmth from the kitchen read more

Wow! Absolutely wonderful place, it's great food, staff and atmosphere. Our table of 4 had the tasting menu. It was well worth it and we will do it again. read more

Birch - The tasting menu. - New American Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

What a great restaurant. The service was outstanding. The atmosphere was extremely fresh and new. The food was stupendous. The entire dining experience ranks among the top five I've had. We had the tasting menu with paired wines and it did not disappoint. The presentation and flavor profiles were spot on. If you're in Milwaukee, this is a must try! read more

10/9 Wow! congratulations on an outstanding experience from start finish. The food was AMAZING and the hospitality was impeccable. 10 stars. Anderson's read more

This is a review for Birch - but we were still hungry after dinner. So we paid our $100 bill, walked down the street to El Tapito taco truck and finished with two amazing tacos. Corn tortilla topped with cilantro, onion, lime. 2 were steak and 2 were lengua (tongue) both were exceptional. Warm corn tortillas, fresh cilantro, red onion, super flavorful salsa one spicy (green chili) and the other less so. These hit the spot and at $13.75 for four (4) tacos were less than the tip I left at Birch (great service) so read on for my Birch experience... All the other reviews nail the interior. Cool, modern, etc. Food menu selection was limited, small I would say. I think there were 4 pasta options, 4 meat/seafood options and a few other appetizers/small plates. We started with a Ketel and lemonade and a Gummy Vortex beer with the Steelhead Tartare. The tartare was good, but needed a rice cracker or something to compliment it, just alone it was fine there was Dikon or Radish to give it some texture but it was missing a cracker to bring it home. For dinner I had the contramar which is a full trout laid out and this one had some smoke and baked. Topped with some appropriate greens to make my own fish taco. Dinning partner had the ricotta pasta (ravioli) it said there was pork in it but we both lacked to find it in essence or physical manifestation. Both were tasty but we were left wanting. Bread, larger portion, something. In short, if you are hungry this might not be the place for you, if your just a little peckish and you have cash to burn yeah go have dinner here. read more

We stopped at Birch + Butcher for Friday night date night! In search of some cocktails and plates to share - and that is just what we got. They sat us outside, as we asked, in which it was a beautiful night so we were surprised no one else was on the patio! It's a great little spot. Our server was very sweet, attentive, and conversational! She brought me a delicious gin cocktail from their menu. It had black tea simple syrup, lemon and lavender! My husband has a classic old fashioned, so can't go wrong there. We were recommended 3-4 plates to share overall. It was nice that she could stagger them out to come one at a time. First came our bread plate (great couple of selections but definitely for more than just two people), then the amazing lentil salad (literally YUM), third was the mushroom risotto (neither of us were big fans of to be honest, just a bit bland), and lastly the whitefish (with a sauce I cannot remember but loved it)! Overall, it was a very nice night with great food and service. Prices are definitely on the higher side of average I would say however. Stop in and enjoy!! read more

Birch - New American Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Lightening was great for dinner. Had the ricotta pasta and it did not disappoint but was a small portion. Delicious appetizer - we had the beef skewers! A little spicy but not too over bearing. read more

Birch - Cheesecake - New American Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

This place was recommended by a person I respect, but I was very disappointed. The music is way too loud. The menu is derivative and uninspired. I ordered the chicken which was just ok and was over a sauce that tasted like cheap mayonnaise. The side vegetables were woefully undercooked. I give two stars instead of none because the cocktails are good and the service was excellent. read more

Very solid experience at Birch on a weekday evening, Tuesday to be exact. No issue getting a table at the counter facing the open hearth. Staff was friendly, perhaps a tad aloof but they got the job done. The food was stellar. We started with the baked foccacia, two hearty pieces served with whipped riccotta? Wish we had ordered two portions because our next dish had an amazing sauce we wiped up with the last of our bread. That was the jalapeno and stuffed ravioli. Great play of flavors, not much heat from the peppers but definitely a lot going on in this dish. Had the smoked trout tacos, fish was great and had excellent smoky flavor. Homemade tortillas accompanied it. Only complaints here would be add a few more tortillas, the 4 small ones are not enough, and perhaps something to go with the fish and sauces, which left the tortilla fairly bare. Still, killer flavors. For dessert we had a lemon curd mousse? Candied ginger and soaked oranges. Should have got two as I was grumpy having to share with my wife. Will return and do the chefs tasting in the future. Could have a bit more options for wine and beer as well but overall very happy and the interior is gorgeous. read more

We went to Birch this summer for brunch on one of the first weekends they were back open for brunch. We sat outside and they were kind enough to let us relocate from a table in direct sunlight to one with more shade after about 20 minutes. We both had the Birch breakfast and I had the grapefruit mimosa. I ordered my eggs poached, they were a little runny but breakfast was overall good and well priced. The mimosa was a good size and very tasty. We looked at the dinner menu on our phones while waiting fit breakfast and definitely decided it would be great to go back for dinner! read more

We stopped at Birch + Butcher on a Saturday afternoon after seeing a matinee at the Marcus Center. We were looking to enjoy some cocktails and light bites. One thing I would note: while they're listed as being open all day. They don't actually serve food from 2-5pm on Fridays and Saturdays. We arrived at 4pm, which wasn't a huge deal as we were happy to linger over cocktails at the bar until 5pm. I think they maybe don't typically get patrons at that time, so our reception was somewhat awkward. I say this to convey that I would probably not recommend arriving during the hours of 2-5pm. We began with their averna cocktail, which I would recommend to bourbon lovers. It's strong but the averna offsets the bourbon with a fragrant sweetness. It is delicious. Once 5 o'clock rolled around, we ordered some bites. We got their charcuterie + cheese board (divine), bbq parsnips (thanks to all who recommended this! SO amazing. Perfectly charred, with the smoky taste offset perfectly by the fresh and creamy greek yogurt), and the marinated beets (served with whipped goat cheese, pistachios, and arugula). We enjoyed all of it. We sat at the bar throughout our experience and received lovely service. The prices are on the higher side of average. Get to it! read more

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Insanely delicious. I don't even have the words to truly explain the amazing tastes I experienced here tonight. Go. Just go. Service was great. Everything- spot on. read more

Food is a 5/5 Ambiance is a 5/5 Server was a 5/5 Service was a 3/5. This restaurant was rated Milwaukee's #1 new restaurant so I was excited to try it out. I brought my friends from Chicago here who have never visited MKE. It did not disappoint! It is now my favorite brunch place. The food is fresh and unique. We tried the chocolate walnut banana bread that comes with salted butter. It was absolutely delicious. Same with the cinnamon roll (but if deciding between the two then get the banana bread). We ordered the rosemary biscuits and gravy, naan with chorizo spread and ricotta, avocado toast, pulled pork dish, rosemary bagel and poppyseed bagel. All of the entrees were unique and left me wanting more. This is also my new bagel spot; I've never had such crunchy yet soft bagels that were baked fresh. However, the reason I gave this a 4/5 instead of 5/5 was because it took a long time to get our food. When it came, both the bagels were the wrong ones. The server noticed as well and fixed it right away and apologized about the wait. Katie was awesome! We didn't mind too much about the mishap, it wasn't her fault anyways. Parking - street available or a surface lot that is very cheap. read more

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Really excellent mid to high tier dining in the city. Great wine list and cocktails. The Ramp Martini was specifically a unique and tasty treat! Almost a take on a dirty martini but seasonal. We got the farm vegetables, beef carpaccio, and garlic focaccia for starters. All were fresh and impeccably prepared. For mains we split a ricotta and fresh pea pasta with the walleye in a green gazpacho. The walleye was perfectly cooked. We finished with the canele cake which was my least favorite dish but still very good! Just a bit chewy for my taste however that's how it is supposed to be. The service was great. Portions were perfect. Ambiance was lovely for a date night or a casual Friday dinner like we did. Next time will try the chef's counter seating! read more

Unbelievably amazing food. We enjoyed the tasting menu at the Chef's bar. Each dish had a perfect blend of flavor and was beautiful. Enjoyed the cocktails too! Highly recommend! read more

Birch - Violent Femmes cocktail - New American Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Some of the best food I've ever had. Flavors were interesting and absolutely delicious. Above all, what stood out was the service. We were treated like family and my aging Grandma almost cried at the kindness of the chef we were watching cook. Now my favorite restaurant and could not recommend it enough read more

GREAT service. I was very impressed with our server since we came in with a party of 10+ girls and we all arrived at different times. she was able to do separate checks for everyone, never seemed flustered, and we didn't wait an unreasonable amount of time for any of our food or drinks. They had a good selection of your basic drinks that you want on a brunch menu, and some of their own creations. I'm pretty sure that between everyone in the group we ended up ordering one of everything and every drink was a hit. The food was incredible! Good portions, good quality and flavor. I like that the options were unique without being so different that they are unrecognizable food items (you know what I'm talking about, when you are reading a menu in English and it's like Chinese with all the crazy food lingo!) The most notable thing, however, was-as my friend exclaimed when we arrived, "I love the ADULT menus"- on the back of all of the paper menus there are pictures to color in, and some word searches. I seriously told my friends, even if the food were complete garbage, I would come back just for this. Thankfully, the food was incredible also so full satisfaction from me all around. read more

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Aidan our server was a delight - amazing service & so knowledgeable! We enjoyed sitting at the bar and watching the chefs cook. Delicious tasting menu, some dishes a little salty, but can't wait to be back. Loved the grapefruit spritz and all of the desserts were divine. The green minestrone was the BEST SOUP OF MY LIFE!!!!! Oh and everything came out hot and that really stood out to me as a positive. read more

Excellent ambience, service, food. 5 star experience! Indoor/outdoor dining with open concept kitchen. Can't wait to go back to try more of the menu. read more

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The food here is so simple and yet so inventive, and the flavors really pop. It's a place where I never know what I'm going to order, and often eat vegetarian dishes even though I am very much not a vegetarian. The service is always stellar, too. Probably my new favorite restaurant in town. Absolutely loved the cucumber salad with edible flowers and the ricotta filled pasta last night. Can't wait to go back! read more

Birch - Cucumbers - New American Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Easy to grab a table, nice service, great daylight. Food was fresh. Coffee was good & my cup was always full. Farm bowl was pretty good but was looking for more seasoning in the farro chickpea mix. read more

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Came here on a Friday night and got a table for two. The place is clean with nice decor and has a really nice outdoor area. We first had a couple of drinks at the bar while waiting for our table, we got there a bit early. Great selections, kind staff. Once we were seated, we got a couple appetizers and then our meals. Everything came out at perfect times, and was cooked perfectly. We had the steelhead trout app, charred beef carpaccio, contramar inspired grilled fish, beef flat iron steak and followed it all with coffee and a piece of cake. 5 star service accompanied the excellent food. Well done, fantastic experience for both of us. read more

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Best food in Milwaukee. The tasting menu was so good. Flavors I have never had together that worked perfectly. Mixtures of textures and temperatures.... I would give more stars if I could. read more

Great food and vibe. Excellent and interactive staff including the chef. Not large portions, but taste and presentation are excellent.

Our 4 year old devoured 2 plates of noodles, and both our kids loved the carrots and focaccia (and the desserts!) All food was delicious, and everyone was very helpful and attentive. Lovely restaurant. Thank you, Birch! read more