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We've been here twice. The first time when it was only a tasting menu and more recently, where it's now more of a classic menu (but they still have the tasting option). The first time we came, the food was all great, definitely on the pricier side. More recently, the food was still really good, but I think we enjoyed the small plates more than the entrees! It was our anniversary and they gave us a card and champagne toast which was nice. The interior is beautiful and the staff were all very nice and explained each dish to us! Definitely quality ingredients.
Booked a reservation for a Saturday at 5pm. It was a postponed celebratory dinner with the hubby and little man. I obviously foreplayed the menu before and honestly nothing jumped out at me but we decided to try it anyways and I'm so glad we did. We got a few drinks (Modest Porcupine, With Aplomb) and another vodka celery flavored drink which I currently do not see listed on the menu. The celery drink was a stand out and I don't even like celery. We loved it so much that we decided to make celery cocktails at home! For dinner we got the following Morel & Marrow Toast - the toast was soft and squishy but still perfectly crispy, rich with umami Doppio Ravioli - always a big fan of the double ravioli, thickness was ideal and cooked to perfection. The orange came through but not overpowering Pizza Special - I can't remember the name but it was a red sauce with some type of pepperoni, fresh ricotta, it wasn't anything crazy but little man devoured it. Would get their pizza again, it was a good starter Fried Rabbit - the rabbit liver mousse was the star here Rhubarb Tart - not too sweet (preference), fantastic texture We also were surprised with some chocolate chip cookies. These were on the crispier side with little chew but I don't discriminate against CCC. Little man approved of all menu choices besides the adult beverages. Our server was excellent, attentive and very informed on the menu. We'll be back for sure!
10/10 no notes Not stuffy, not formal - expect elevated food and service with amazing flavors. Their garam masala chicken liver mousse is one of the best things I've ever eaten - EVER.
Service 5/5. Fantastic, so knowledgeable. Show up early to find parking around this place. You might have to park on a side street and walk less than minutes. Neighborhood is poppin with a lot of restaurants. Food: Loved the chicken liver mousse! And the goat cheese cheesecake? They have a rotating menu so what I speak to might not appear. The chicken liver mousse was so full of flavor and the puri added a crunch. The dessert was not too sweet, had a bit of sugar crumbles that added texture. Not overpowering with the goat cheese flavor but you hint at it. Well balanced! The chicken was meh. A little overcooked. The gnocchi was definitely the Star. A bit tangy for my liking because of the collard greens, but the gnocchi was pillowy and so easy to chew through. The carrot appetizer was fine. Nothing special. Gave me impossible meat vibes if that's what you want although sometimes I'm looking for the vegetable to shine the way it works instead of making it taste like meat. Nothing bad to say about it, was just surprised.
Love the ambience, and the attentive service. Inventive dishes! The broth and bread is not to be missed, I personally enjoyed the rabbit liver from the fried rabbit leg dish ! Very smooth creamy texture, flavor paired well with the pickled grapes. Overall enjoyed our night here but did find dish a bit on the salty side for us.
First time here. I had wanted to come before, but then they had the massive flood and remodel. Our server said it was actually a blessing because the new version is a real upgrade. The restaurant is not that big. When we arrived, on what had been the coldest night of the winter, we were seated right next to the front window. I was a little concerned, and the server apologized for the chill, so I kept my quilted vest on. It was about half full when we arrived, and the noise level was good. The design is upscale yet casual. The staff are knowledgeable and professional, without any unnecessary pretentiousness. We got started with a couple of craft cocktails. I usually get an Old Fashioned, but I went with the Fall of the Empires Manhattan, which was strong, tasty, and lasted the entire meal. My wife wanted the Haute Toddy, but this version includes chili, and after a quick discussion about the heat level, they made her a regular Hot Toddy, which was also excellent. Our server did a great job getting us settled in. The menu is set up with three courses, each offering four or five interesting selections. The descriptions are brief, and the server did a great job filling in the details. We were not familiar with some of the items, and they helped us understand what we were ordering. We decided to share one item from each course, knowing we would probably need to take something home, which we did. We chose the Celeriac Salad, Hamachi Crudo, Orecchiette, Casarecce, Bass, and Wagyu. I could go into long detail about each of these and how amazing they were, because they truly were. Every dish had a thoughtful combination of flavors and textures. The portions were surprisingly generous, and by the end of the first course we realized we would have a hard time finishing everything. It was tough to pick favorites, but for me the Orecchiette stood out. It is made with chicken gizzards, which reminded me of my mother's cooking. As kids we used to fight over the gizzard. A very underrated organ, and it was so, so good. The entire evening was excellent, with one small issue. We had a 6:00 reservation and a performance at the Rep at 8:00. I thought ninety minutes would be plenty. We were on good pace until the third course. It took longer to arrive (and the restaurant was busier by then), and we had to rush. We ended up paying before the third course arrived, and the end of the meal felt hurried. We did not get a chance to consider dessert, though they brought us a couple of delicious chocolate cookies. Not sure if they do that for everyone. Would definitely come back. Next time we will plan for more time.
A very cozy and welcoming spot, perfect for date night, small friend or family gatherings, or even dining solo. The menu is on the smaller side, but every dish feels intentional and well thought out. We visited with our picky 2.5-year-old, and everyone left happy and well-fed. Broth & Bread The presentation feels homey yet refined. The monkey bread arrived warm--cheesy, slightly crisp on the outside, and soft on the inside. Excellent. The broth reminded me of my mom's chicken and shiitake mushroom soup (we're Chinese), though it leaned a bit salty. Slightly less soy sauce or salt would make it better. Gnudi If you've never had gnudi, my husband described them in a way that made me laugh but was surprisingly accurate: they taste like green-scallion-flavored hot sponge cake. The scallion flavor in the broth is strong, and the dumplings soak up that intensity. Would not recommend if you don't like scallions. Winter Squash A comforting vegetarian wild-rice dish. The hazelnuts add great texture. Simple, healthy, and satisfying. Bass We loved this, and our toddler ate most of it. The crispy sourdough on top is a such a clever touch, and the creamy tartar-style sauce pairs perfectly with the sea bass. Dessert We tried both the pancake and the hot chocolate, and both were delicious. The hot chocolate is especially memorable: layered textures and flavors from top to bottom, and every scoop feels different.
We came to celebrate Valentine's Day a little bit later in the month. It was totally worth the wait! The restaurant itself is small with only a few tables, but you know you are getting excellent food and service. The vibes are upscale, but somehow does not feel snooty. They have alcohol removed, wine, which was perfect! The broth and bread was savory and incredible. We got a couple plates from each section of the menu. Everything was absolutely incredible! For our final dishes, we got the steak and fish which were both amazing and cooked to perfection. The olive oil cake was sublime. We will absolutely be back! Also - because we told them we were celebrating Valentine's Day a little bit later they brought flowers at the end, which was so sweet. The chocolate chip cookies I believe are complementary at the end of the meal and are perfect.
Truly a complete dining experience that excelled in ambiance, service and food. Loooved the cozy ambiance right as we walked in, our server did a great job describing each course and what some of his favorites are. apparently they used to serve 3 course meals but now run things a la carte. on friday night they had a special drink & dessert amaretto menu so ofc we had to try them all!! Both drinks were very strong but still went down so smoothly - caviar tater tot: probably our second fav dish!!!! this was like one giant hash brown with caviar on top. delicious - mussels: i always get mussels any time it's on the menu, and the broth was unique & had a big flavor kick to it. wish they gave a few more mussels though!!! - casarecce: can't say i was entirely impressed with this, made me wish we ordered the pelmeni instead but it was the pasta special of the night so we went for it. Still a good truffle pasta though - bass: Just ok to be honest. I liked that it was so light but I expected the skin to be crispier and for there to be more flavor throughout the whole dish - wagyu: third fav dish of the night! wagyu had a lot of flavor and the sauce genuinely reminded me of the steak we've had at birch before. enjoyed the mix of crispy and soft brussel sprouts! the waygu's edges were very crispy - amaretto dessert: dessert our fav dish of the night!! so light, the thin cracker was crispy, perfect way to end dinner - cookie: complimentary cookie at the end of the night. delicious!
Trying EsterEv for the first time! The restaurant has a cozy non-assuming interior decoration, tucked in Bayview. Street parking is plenty if you are willing to walk a few blocks. We didn't order the soup and bread but it came to our table by mistake and we had it complementary. The monkey bread turned out to be my favorite! The chicken soup is a little too salty for my taste but it has a good flavor with a tangy aftertaste. Our appetizers were the carrots and scallops. The carrots were not what I had expected, it was more of a crudite style, raw walnuts and raw carrots grounded with some spice. Not my favorite to be honest. The scallops are excellent, 3 pieces with a vinaigrette foam and kombu oil. The main dishes are bass and chicken. The chicken is a much bigger and heartier plate than the bass. If you are hungry the bass is probably not enough to fill you up. We were quite full towards the end so we didn't order desserts. But two chocolate chip cookies were given complementary. Overall, pretty good. Much better than Dandan in my opinion. Will be back probably!
Stopped by for a celebration dinner with my wife earlier this week and loved just about everything. It was a wonderful experience. We started with the bread and broth, which was excellent and Chef Dan even greeted us and told us a story about how the broth is his mother's chicken soup recipe. It was such a nice surprise. Then we had the rigatoni which was incredible. I would go back just for those first two items. Our mains were the risotto and the rabbit which were both also really good. For dessert we ordered the milk and cookies which my wife enjoyed, not knowing that they also give you a chocolate chip cookie when the check comes. That cookie was perfect, one of the best I've ever eaten. The service was tremendous, the bartender was so nice and everything about our meal was exactly what you hope for with a celebratory meal.
EsterEv did not knock my socks off. It was good, but 50% of the dishes were mediocre. My opinions are always biased, as we have a place in the 11th Arrondissement of Paris, a Mecca of creative cooking. Every block has a tiny restaurant with an innovative kitchen, producing food that will make you go sockless. You dine well in the 11th for about 50 Euros per person. With cocktails and two glasses of wine, our bill at EsterEv was over $300. That's a lot of moolah for unmemorable food. We did get to meet the incomparable Dan, who came around to visit with each group, a magnanimous gesture for a celebrity chef. That was worth a few bucks. His love of Wisconsin and appreciation for down to earth Milwaukee is all over EsterEv. On returning, I would sit at the bar, have one or two bites, several drinks, and leave happy. No more degustation menus at EsterEv for me. My favorite taste of the evening was the soup, a savory Asian inspired broth, that was nothing like matzoh ball soup, but had the same medicinal effect. The chicken liver toast deserves its well advertised popularity, but both the cappelletti and sunflower were odd, with a disquieting taste. I guess I applaud the creativity. The lamb was good, but nothing I haven't tasted in the past, while the walleye hit the strange button again, and we both didn't understand the dish. Desserts were fine, but again, nothing memorable. Service at the bar by Casey was professional, and reminded us of the service the Casey provides at Goodkind. We live in Bayview and cherish having a restaurant like EsterEv in the hood. It's a gourmet spot without airs. I just wish the food tasted better.
This is my first time doing a fine dining experience in MKE. I think it's always hard to justify spending "so much" for "so little" with these experiences, but it's safe to say that this place is worth it and definitely gave more than we bargained for! We booked a two-person reservation about a month in advance and I would advise you to check at least a week before your planned day to ensure you get to experience this place. The menu outlines a 4-course meal with optional wine pairing. I went in early July and chose: Steak tartare: 3/5, I enjoyed how light this was but it came a bit salty. Taglionlini 5/5, soo creamy and yummy! I wish I had more of this Duck 5/5, really enjoyed all the textures with the duck and the vinaigrette really helped cut all the fat from the meat Rhubarb 3/5, this reminded me of a yogurt with a tart jam at the bottom, flipped and served to you. Nothing special but enjoyed it as a meal "ender" We came in with the idea that we would only get 4 courses but were surprised with a bread and soup pre and two amuse bouches at the very end. I had a great experience and would recommend this to anyone wanting to try an elevated food scene!
Anniversary dinner- Small, intimate- but yet, relaxing and comfortable. Have a few large tables for groups (5-8 people)... Attentive staff. Cocktails were delish and different. Refreshing for a summer evening. We loved all our dishes and as served were explained what was being placed.... It was wonderful. Thank you for a lovely evening. read more
Esterev is a cute little restaurant in the Bayview area right next to other similar trendy restaurants. The decor reminded me of a modern farmhouse design. We had a reservation so we were able to be seated right away but the restaurant was not very busy for the most part for a Tuesday night. The space is small but the tables weren't on top of each other. The menu has multiple parts to it similar to Italian style where there's a first, second and main course. The Virginia oysters were large and had a more briney taste than sweet taste. The sauce that came with was good and cut the briney essence. I really liked my steak and it was cooked perfectly medium rare. My husband got the chicken stuffed with sausage which was okay. All of the ingredients tasted fresh and the food was well made. Staff was very helpful and friendly. I would definitely go again to try another dish. The bill was pricey with two entrees, two drinks, a dozen raw oysters, appetizer and dessert which ran $218 without tip. read more
Thank you Dan Jacobs for the chefs counter experience really made my Top Chef dreams come true . Truly wonderful service, food quality , and you seem to be a generally wonderful human being. I hope EsterEv continues its place in bayview for the foreseeable future. We are lucky to have you in Milwaukee. You add depth to our culinary scene. If you haven't been to EsterEv yet, GO! read more
We've been here twice. The first time when it was only a tasting menu and more recently, where it's now more of a classic menu (but they still have the tasting option). The first time we came, the food was all great, definitely on the pricier side. More recently, the food was still really good, but I think we enjoyed the small plates more than the entrees! It was our anniversary and they gave us a card and champagne toast which was nice. The interior is beautiful and the staff were all very nice and explained each dish to us! Definitely quality ingredients. read more
Booked a reservation for a Saturday at 5pm. It was a postponed celebratory dinner with the hubby and little man. I obviously foreplayed the menu before and honestly nothing jumped out at me but we decided to try it anyways and I'm so glad we did. We got a few drinks (Modest Porcupine, With Aplomb) and another vodka celery flavored drink which I currently do not see listed on the menu. The celery drink was a stand out and I don't even like celery. We loved it so much that we decided to make celery cocktails at home! For dinner we got the following Morel & Marrow Toast - the toast was soft and squishy but still perfectly crispy, rich with umami Doppio Ravioli - always a big fan of the double ravioli, thickness was ideal and cooked to perfection. The orange came through but not overpowering Pizza Special - I can't remember the name but it was a red sauce with some type of pepperoni, fresh ricotta, it wasn't anything crazy but little man devoured it. Would get their pizza again, it was a good starter Fried Rabbit - the rabbit liver mousse was the star here Rhubarb Tart - not too sweet (preference), fantastic texture We also were surprised with some chocolate chip cookies. These were on the crispier side with little chew but I don't discriminate against CCC. Little man approved of all menu choices besides the adult beverages. Our server was excellent, attentive and very informed on the menu. We'll be back for sure! read more
Service 5/5. Fantastic, so knowledgeable. Show up early to find parking around this place. You might have to park on a side street and walk less than minutes. Neighborhood is poppin with a lot of restaurants. Food: Loved the chicken liver mousse! And the goat cheese cheesecake? They have a rotating menu so what I speak to might not appear. The chicken liver mousse was so full of flavor and the puri added a crunch. The dessert was not too sweet, had a bit of sugar crumbles that added texture. Not overpowering with the goat cheese flavor but you hint at it. Well balanced! The chicken was meh. A little overcooked. The gnocchi was definitely the Star. A bit tangy for my liking because of the collard greens, but the gnocchi was pillowy and so easy to chew through. The carrot appetizer was fine. Nothing special. Gave me impossible meat vibes if that's what you want although sometimes I'm looking for the vegetable to shine the way it works instead of making it taste like meat. Nothing bad to say about it, was just surprised. read more
Love the ambience, and the attentive service. Inventive dishes! The broth and bread is not to be missed, I personally enjoyed the rabbit liver from the fried rabbit leg dish ! Very smooth creamy texture, flavor paired well with the pickled grapes. Overall enjoyed our night here but did find dish a bit on the salty side for us. read more
First time here. I had wanted to come before, but then they had the massive flood and remodel. Our server said it was actually a blessing because the new version is a real upgrade. The restaurant is not that big. When we arrived, on what had been the coldest night of the winter, we were seated right next to the front window. I was a little concerned, and the server apologized for the chill, so I kept my quilted vest on. It was about half full when we arrived, and the noise level was good. The design is upscale yet casual. The staff are knowledgeable and professional, without any unnecessary pretentiousness. We got started with a couple of craft cocktails. I usually get an Old Fashioned, but I went with the Fall of the Empires Manhattan, which was strong, tasty, and lasted the entire meal. My wife wanted the Haute Toddy, but this version includes chili, and after a quick discussion about the heat level, they made her a regular Hot Toddy, which was also excellent. Our server did a great job getting us settled in. The menu is set up with three courses, each offering four or five interesting selections. The descriptions are brief, and the server did a great job filling in the details. We were not familiar with some of the items, and they helped us understand what we were ordering. We decided to share one item from each course, knowing we would probably need to take something home, which we did. We chose the Celeriac Salad, Hamachi Crudo, Orecchiette, Casarecce, Bass, and Wagyu. I could go into long detail about each of these and how amazing they were, because they truly were. Every dish had a thoughtful combination of flavors and textures. The portions were surprisingly generous, and by the end of the first course we realized we would have a hard time finishing everything. It was tough to pick favorites, but for me the Orecchiette stood out. It is made with chicken gizzards, which reminded me of my mother's cooking. As kids we used to fight over the gizzard. A very underrated organ, and it was so, so good. The entire evening was excellent, with one small issue. We had a 6:00 reservation and a performance at the Rep at 8:00. I thought ninety minutes would be plenty. We were on good pace until the third course. It took longer to arrive (and the restaurant was busier by then), and we had to rush. We ended up paying before the third course arrived, and the end of the meal felt hurried. We did not get a chance to consider dessert, though they brought us a couple of delicious chocolate cookies. Not sure if they do that for everyone. Would definitely come back. Next time we will plan for more time. read more
A very cozy and welcoming spot, perfect for date night, small friend or family gatherings, or even dining solo. The menu is on the smaller side, but every dish feels intentional and well thought out. We visited with our picky 2.5-year-old, and everyone left happy and well-fed. Broth & Bread The presentation feels homey yet refined. The monkey bread arrived warm--cheesy, slightly crisp on the outside, and soft on the inside. Excellent. The broth reminded me of my mom's chicken and shiitake mushroom soup (we're Chinese), though it leaned a bit salty. Slightly less soy sauce or salt would make it better. Gnudi If you've never had gnudi, my husband described them in a way that made me laugh but was surprisingly accurate: they taste like green-scallion-flavored hot sponge cake. The scallion flavor in the broth is strong, and the dumplings soak up that intensity. Would not recommend if you don't like scallions. Winter Squash A comforting vegetarian wild-rice dish. The hazelnuts add great texture. Simple, healthy, and satisfying. Bass We loved this, and our toddler ate most of it. The crispy sourdough on top is a such a clever touch, and the creamy tartar-style sauce pairs perfectly with the sea bass. Dessert We tried both the pancake and the hot chocolate, and both were delicious. The hot chocolate is especially memorable: layered textures and flavors from top to bottom, and every scoop feels different. read more
We came to celebrate Valentine's Day a little bit later in the month. It was totally worth the wait! The restaurant itself is small with only a few tables, but you know you are getting excellent food and service. The vibes are upscale, but somehow does not feel snooty. They have alcohol removed, wine, which was perfect! The broth and bread was savory and incredible. We got a couple plates from each section of the menu. Everything was absolutely incredible! For our final dishes, we got the steak and fish which were both amazing and cooked to perfection. The olive oil cake was sublime. We will absolutely be back! Also - because we told them we were celebrating Valentine's Day a little bit later they brought flowers at the end, which was so sweet. The chocolate chip cookies I believe are complementary at the end of the meal and are perfect. read more
11 months ago
Truly a complete dining experience that excelled in ambiance, service and food. Loooved the cozy ambiance right as we walked in, our server did a great job describing each course and what some of his favorites are. apparently they used to serve 3 course meals but now run things a la carte. on friday night they had a special drink & dessert amaretto menu so ofc we had to try them all!! Both drinks were very strong but still went down so smoothly - caviar tater tot: probably our second fav dish!!!! this was like one giant hash brown with caviar on top. delicious - mussels: i always get mussels any time it's on the menu, and the broth was unique & had a big flavor kick to it. wish they gave a few more mussels though!!! - casarecce: can't say i was entirely impressed with this, made me wish we ordered the pelmeni instead but it was the pasta special of the night so we went for it. Still a good truffle pasta though - bass: Just ok to be honest. I liked that it was so light but I expected the skin to be crispier and for there to be more flavor throughout the whole dish - wagyu: third fav dish of the night! wagyu had a lot of flavor and the sauce genuinely reminded me of the steak we've had at birch before. enjoyed the mix of crispy and soft brussel sprouts! the waygu's edges were very crispy - amaretto dessert: dessert our fav dish of the night!! so light, the thin cracker was crispy, perfect way to end dinner - cookie: complimentary cookie at the end of the night. delicious! read more
Trying EsterEv for the first time! The restaurant has a cozy non-assuming interior decoration, tucked in Bayview. Street parking is plenty if you are willing to walk a few blocks. We didn't order the soup and bread but it came to our table by mistake and we had it complementary. The monkey bread turned out to be my favorite! The chicken soup is a little too salty for my taste but it has a good flavor with a tangy aftertaste. Our appetizers were the carrots and scallops. The carrots were not what I had expected, it was more of a crudite style, raw walnuts and raw carrots grounded with some spice. Not my favorite to be honest. The scallops are excellent, 3 pieces with a vinaigrette foam and kombu oil. The main dishes are bass and chicken. The chicken is a much bigger and heartier plate than the bass. If you are hungry the bass is probably not enough to fill you up. We were quite full towards the end so we didn't order desserts. But two chocolate chip cookies were given complementary. Overall, pretty good. Much better than Dandan in my opinion. Will be back probably! read more
7 months ago
Stopped by for a celebration dinner with my wife earlier this week and loved just about everything. It was a wonderful experience. We started with the bread and broth, which was excellent and Chef Dan even greeted us and told us a story about how the broth is his mother's chicken soup recipe. It was such a nice surprise. Then we had the rigatoni which was incredible. I would go back just for those first two items. Our mains were the risotto and the rabbit which were both also really good. For dessert we ordered the milk and cookies which my wife enjoyed, not knowing that they also give you a chocolate chip cookie when the check comes. That cookie was perfect, one of the best I've ever eaten. The service was tremendous, the bartender was so nice and everything about our meal was exactly what you hope for with a celebratory meal. read more
10 months ago
8 months ago
EsterEv did not knock my socks off. It was good, but 50% of the dishes were mediocre. My opinions are always biased, as we have a place in the 11th Arrondissement of Paris, a Mecca of creative cooking. Every block has a tiny restaurant with an innovative kitchen, producing food that will make you go sockless. You dine well in the 11th for about 50 Euros per person. With cocktails and two glasses of wine, our bill at EsterEv was over $300. That's a lot of moolah for unmemorable food. We did get to meet the incomparable Dan, who came around to visit with each group, a magnanimous gesture for a celebrity chef. That was worth a few bucks. His love of Wisconsin and appreciation for down to earth Milwaukee is all over EsterEv. On returning, I would sit at the bar, have one or two bites, several drinks, and leave happy. No more degustation menus at EsterEv for me. My favorite taste of the evening was the soup, a savory Asian inspired broth, that was nothing like matzoh ball soup, but had the same medicinal effect. The chicken liver toast deserves its well advertised popularity, but both the cappelletti and sunflower were odd, with a disquieting taste. I guess I applaud the creativity. The lamb was good, but nothing I haven't tasted in the past, while the walleye hit the strange button again, and we both didn't understand the dish. Desserts were fine, but again, nothing memorable. Service at the bar by Casey was professional, and reminded us of the service the Casey provides at Goodkind. We live in Bayview and cherish having a restaurant like EsterEv in the hood. It's a gourmet spot without airs. I just wish the food tasted better. read more
2 years ago
This is my first time doing a fine dining experience in MKE. I think it's always hard to justify spending "so much" for "so little" with these experiences, but it's safe to say that this place is worth it and definitely gave more than we bargained for! We booked a two-person reservation about a month in advance and I would advise you to check at least a week before your planned day to ensure you get to experience this place. The menu outlines a 4-course meal with optional wine pairing. I went in early July and chose: Steak tartare: 3/5, I enjoyed how light this was but it came a bit salty. Taglionlini 5/5, soo creamy and yummy! I wish I had more of this Duck 5/5, really enjoyed all the textures with the duck and the vinaigrette really helped cut all the fat from the meat Rhubarb 3/5, this reminded me of a yogurt with a tart jam at the bottom, flipped and served to you. Nothing special but enjoyed it as a meal "ender" We came in with the idea that we would only get 4 courses but were surprised with a bread and soup pre and two amuse bouches at the very end. I had a great experience and would recommend this to anyone wanting to try an elevated food scene! read more
A truly unique tasting experience. Each plate has exquisite flavor from start to finish. The wines paired with each plate were excellent, with some unusual combinations that worked very well. My favorite dish was the truffle pasta "pillows", closely followed by the olive oil ice cream desert course. The service was impeccable, delicious food, beautiful tasting room. If you've never had a tasting menu experience, start here! read more
8 months ago
10 months ago
This was our first time here, and I liked that the decor matched the part of town they are in - simple, chic, and casual. All of the servers were very knowledgeable, and our main server was a bundle of joy - you could tell he really loves what he does. I came with a group of three people, and we decided to order three different things from each course and share bites and I highly recommend this method! I liked being able to try more things, and there were some dishes that were absolute flavor bombs that were fun to experience, but you probably wouldn't want more than one or two bites. (We did all start with our own Caviar Tater Tots though - the server described it as the best McDonald's hash brown you'll ever have. $22 is steep for one, but worth it!) We were obsessed with the bread and broth starter that had seaweed oil and a few other notes that just blended so perfectly together...can we have the recipe please?! They also have a extra dessert bite after the final course which was a nice surprise and finish to a lovely meal. I would definitely come back here! read more
The best high end meal we've had in Milwaukee since we've moved back. Seriously good. On par with Chicago's food scene. Reimagined staples ( tater tots and chocolate pudding ) and some unique and delish plates ( mushroom pasta and kale wrapped walleye) were really wonderful. And the wine parings were perfection. Fabulous service and homey ambiance- I love the plants everywhere. And the custom plates really add a touch of extra care to the dining experience. read more
An amazing experience! Everything was complex yet purposeful. Our server was informative and helpful. The vibe is unpretentious which made for a more comfortable opportunity to explore new tastes. There was nothing on the menu that was intimidating or not worth a try. read more
Our meal at EsterEv was possibly the best dining experience I have ever had in Milwaukee. We were seated and provided with an already marked-up menu identifying which items were gluten free and nut free. We enjoyed the Employee Cocktail of the Month (Julepe) with our bread and broth course and then were off to the races! We decided to partake in the beverage pairings and both "enhancements" which were great additions to the traditional tasting menu. All the food was delicious - not a single morsel was remaining after any dish. Menu highlights included Enhancement #1 (Caviar Tater Tot), Sunflower Risotto, Duck, and last but certainly not least, the Chocolate Caraibe dessert. The service was excellent, the courses were timed perfectly, and we could not have enjoyed ourselves more. If you are looking for an over the top Milwaukee dining experience, this is the place to be! read more
2 years ago
Chef Dan and his team are absolutely top notch! My partner and I didn't have a reservation, so we sat at the bar and had a truly warm and welcoming experience interlaced with some fun and lively conversation with the bartenders throughout our meal. As is fairly typical for my partner and me, we opted for the tasting menu and all the add-ons we were offered. Since we don't live anywhere near MKE, we would probably do this again every single time we dine at EsterEv, but if we lived in MKE, we would probably show up more frequently, always sit at the bar, and go in for some onesie-twosies instead of the entire menu. At the start of our meal, Chef Dan came out and chatted with us briefly and told us about the amuse bouche which was a beautiful taste of broth and some delicious bread and butter and from then on it was perfectly timed, perfectly executed, and, perhaps most importantly, perfectly delicious! I cannot recommend this restaurant enough. I have been to several Michelin starred restaurants and plenty that should be starred, yet I have never once loved every single bite from a tasting menu experience until now. This restaurant was the first time I can honestly say that I loved absolutely everything we tasted. Take a gander at the pics and let them do the rest of the talking for me. read more
1 year ago
11 months ago
2 years ago
Absolutely delightful evening with phenomenal service! We did the wine pairing along with our service and we were happy we did. We sat at the bar and had such enjoyable conversations with both bartenders, really inviting space to enjoy a lovely dinner service. Highly recommend! read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
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5 years ago
EsterEv is really a fantastic dining experience! I loved that each course was introduced by the chef, who gave us some of the background behind it. For example, probably my favorite course on the menu was the steak tartare. This was described as a nod to the infamous "cannibal sandwich". It was definitely an upscale version of that Wisconsin classic - with puffed beef tendon taking the place of the bread. One of the most unusual aspects of the dish was the strawberry incorporated into the tartare... I was very skeptical about that addition, but it was terrific! Definitely the highlight of the meal for me. I've attached pics of the menu (it constantly changes, I understand - so don't expect all of these dishes if you go) and the individual dishes. Some of the ones that really stood out (mostly for good reasons) were: - The snack course's chicken liver and strawberry jam sandwich cookies - yes, you read that right. As tasty as it was unique! - The aforementioned steak tartare of course! - The dumpling in broth made with the whey left over from making the previous course's cottage cheese. - The Murray cod - an extremely pretty dish that tasted as good as it looked. - The Wagyu. This was the only slight hiccup in the meal for us. Just because the XO sauce that came with the dish was so potent that it really overpowered the beef. - The pavlova. This was a bit of a head-scratcher for the first couple of bites. What threw us off were the pickled gooseberries - so tart and savory. My wife and I both had trouble deciding if we liked it or not, but I finally came down on the side of liking it quite a lot by the time I finished the dish. Amy... not quite so much, but it did grow on her. As I said at the beginning of my review, this is what I'd consider a dining experience more than just a dinner. If you love being surprised and (almost always) delighted by a string of beautiful and delicious dishes, there's no better choice in town than EsterEv! read more
Came here with a few close friends per their recommendation. This restaurant is inside the Dan Dan restaurant. A small intimate space with beautiful wallpaper and pictures. The wait staff were very knowledgeable and kind. The tasting menu was very reasonably priced for an 8 course meal. The wine pairing was also just $45! A great deal! The courses were all very delicious and the wine pairings were fun and complimentary. My favorite course was the green garlic and koshihikari rice and the cod with turmeric coconut curry. But to be honest, all the courses were very good. The portion sizes were perfect and we were able to enjoy all the courses. There were two dessert courses and the rhubarb puff pastry was something to remember. I could eat that everyday! Overall, I had a wonderful experience and would recommend others to go for special occasions or for a just a special night out! read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
EsterEv is a brilliant tasting room within DanDan. This was probably the best experience I've ever had doing a tasting menu. Both of the Dans would come out with every course, and one of them would explain what we were eating and what he was trying to accomplish with the flavor combination. It was so fun to hear his backstories, and it added a lot to the meal. I had the drink pairing with my meal, which was fun but can probably be skipped. All but one were white wines. One cool thing about the meal is all the plates are made by one of the servers - and they're really unique and pretty! The courses change all the time, but the meal we had this weekend was amazing! It starts with snacks, and one standout was the most creative deviled egg, where the egg white was merengue. Another amazing snack was this chicken liver with raspberry crunchy mousse bite. It was one of the best things I've ever eaten. As for all of the mains, standouts for me were the beef tartare, this pierogi filled with amazing cheese, and the American wagyu steak. There was also a salad course and a fish course, which were good as well. There were practically three desserts - this incredible squash made to taste like caramel apple, a chocolate with passion fruit dish, and a few little cookies and chocolates. To top off the whole thing, they give you banana bread to take home! The night takes about 3 1/2 hours, and is so enjoyable the whole way through. The service is impeccable, the chef commentary is enlightening, and the food is some of the best I've ever had. If I could give EsterEv more than 5 stars, I would! read more
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Do you do a private dinner for a party of 2?
