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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.
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.
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.
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!
4 years ago
AMAZING. Every single thing tasted perfect. 9 courses tasting menu. Dan came out and chatted with us. Smaller intimate venue. read more
Everyone thinks of Dan Dan and forgets that EsterEv is a hidden gem in the restaurant within a restaurant concept. My group of friends did an "EsterEv" takeover with 18 of us eating on a Tuesday night. Chef Dan Jacobs and his team did an incredible job with dealing with the multiple food allergies and restrictions with my group. The 10 course menu changes monthly and is a very reasonable $80 per person. I did the wine pairing as well that added $40 and it was well worth every penny. Words can't describe the incredible experience that the team gave us. You can do this with a smaller group; however, you will sit with other people so it would be fun to experience this with other "foodies". We all debated our favorite items and the decisions were difficult. My favorite dessert was the deconstructed mimosa that had a champagne sorbet with grapefruit and a the yogurt mousse. It was so delicate and was perfect after eating such a decadent meal. The pork collar was another winner with the incredible mole verde sauce. Chef Jacobs explained that this was his foray into Mexican food and it didn't disappoint me at all. He can cook that way every time! The ribeye and the steak tartare were right up there with the pork collar. The only uneven experience was the trout because it was "fishy" for some. However, this was a minor issue and nobody really complained because some really enjoyed this entree. The service was impeccable with the team serving everyone at the same time. Chef Jacobs came out for most of the courses and explained the concept behind them. I love a chef who interacts with the guests. After the experience I definitely put EsterEv in the top 3 restaurants in Milwaukee. Go before everyone discovers how incredible it is! read more
4 years ago
8 years ago
We had an incredible dining experience here on 8/3/18. I didn't call until earlier that week for a reservation so I was surprised that they were doing dinner service (I think it's only once a month?) and they could get us in. Getting to the food and dining experience- first off, I want to say that even though EsterEv is a semi private dining room inside of DanDan, an Asian restaurant, the food is not Asian inspired at all. It is still cooked by Dan and Dan, or in our case, just one of the Dans because the other one was off. I was surprised when we arrived and there were only 2 other couples dining at EsterEv that evening. It made me wonder whether the hype has died down or maybe the word hasn't gotten out as much as I thought (it certainly had to me, from many people). Whatever the reason, it made for a wonderful dinner for 6. It was a great sized group of strangers to be able to talk and converse together all throughout dinner. The dining tables are excellent for this- they are not a long rectangle but more a short, fat rectangle that allows 2 people on each end and 3 on each side. It made conversing much easier. My husband opted for the wine pairing ($45) but I did not, so I can't comment much on that. He didn't rave about anything so I think he may have been happier ordering his own wine. Even though I didn't pay attention to the sommelier, I did appreciate that she, the chef (Dan), and the pastry chef all came out to personally describe each course to us. I especially liked how much Dan was willing to interact with us and let me ask questions about where he was from and what brought him to Milwaukee. The food and service was perfectly on point. I do wish we would have had a piece of beef instead of a second pork dish. And I would have preferred more savory dishes, fewer desserts (3 out of 10 dishes were dessert). I still enjoyed them though. Course 1- Snacks- carrot & hummus, caviar tator tot, deviled egg - 8/10. The deviled egg was AMAZING and the tator tot really good. Could do with something else other than the carrot & hummus. Course 2- Cauliflower- Apple, smoked trout caviar, chanterelle. 10/10 Course 3- Gnocchi- peas, mint, spinach, truffle- 7/10. I didn't particularly care for the texture of the gnocchi but still delicious. Course 4- Steak Tartare- Worcestershire, fried egg, mozzarella, aleppo- 7/10. Not bad but I've had better steak tartare. Course 5- BKTR- pork belly, kale, tomato, radish, sourdough. 10/10 Course 6- Trout- corn, peppers, green garlic- 10/10. This was my favorite dish of the night, the trout was to die for. Course 7- Pork Shoulder- eggplant, zucchini, spring onion, chorizo. 9/10. Course 8- Sour Cream- cherries, honey. 8/10. Course 9- Caramel- chocolate, popcorn. 9/10 Course 10- Dessert snacks- gummy, cream puff, chocolate melt away- 9/10. I LOVED the cherry filling of the cream puff. It was so good. I didn't care for the gummy. Overall this was one of the better tasting menus and dining experiences I have had. It's pricy so it's not a place you would regularly dine at but so worth it if you can make it in. We'll definitely be back in the future. Oh, and 20% gratuity is included on your bill when it comes out. They are kind enough to circle that and point it out to you so you don't make the mistake of double tipping. But additional gratuity for an extraordinary meal and service is never a bad idea. read more
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Unique for Milwaukee: a type of a pop up, communal dining and good value compared to other cities. Food is well executed overall. Few courses too spices. BUT, this is an example that one person can dampen the experience with this type of seating. read more
4 years ago
9 years ago
This was a great experience. The food was amazing and very creative. It was a nice communal experience at a big table in the back of Dan Dan. We did the wine pairings along with the meals and the waitress did a great job of explaining the pairings. The menu changes so we will certainly be back. read more
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