Sala is a wonderful neighborhood Italian restaurant across the street from UW Milwaukee. The walls…read moreof the restaurant are covered with interesting artwork and there's a nice seating area outside. Love their homemade Sugo sauce, which is their basil parmesan tomato sauce. It's fresh and bright. I had it over short rib raviolis with cheese, onions, and garlic. Fantastic! Entrees come with soup or side salad. The salads are freshly handmade, not from a bag, and salad dressings are homemade. Very good selection of cocktails and wine as well. Friendly and helpful wait staff. Always a go-to restaurant for us and we're willing to drive across town for one of their great meals.

We stopped here on a Tuesday night. We had made a reservation so we were seated right away. It was…read morevery busy so we were glad we did. It was very loud inside the restaurant, so much were could barely hear each other talk. Sitting outside might be a better idea in the future. We ordered a Caesar salad and a house salad with garlic dressing. Both were good but I especially enjoyed the garlic dressing. For our mains, I ordered the gnocchi and my boyfriend ordered the Parmesan with pork tenderloin cutlets. Both were very tasty! The Gorgonzola sauce on the gnocchi was amazing! We both couldn't get enough of it. The Parmesan was also very good as it had great flavor and large portions.

Esterev is a cute little restaurant in the Bayview area right next to other similar trendy…read morerestaurants. 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.

Anniversary dinner- Small, intimate- but yet, relaxing and…read morecomfortable. 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.

I had tickets at the Oriental Theater and wanted to try a fish fry in the area. I started digging…read moreand came across Tess. It's a little off the beaten path, tucked away on Bartlett. I browsed their menu online on a Sunday and spent all week looking for the upscale fish fry. The entree is two tempura battered barramundi filets, several lemon wedges, and Asian slaw, and sweet potato fries. I was blown away by the taste. Everything was perfection, including my clam chowder. Since I was alone, I took a spot at the bar. They had a nice tray to accommodate the rail on the bar and make my area even. Everything was timed perfectly. The atmosphere is upscale yet cozy. The dining room only holds a few tables but there are three tables in the bar as well as a patio when the weather is nice. Overall, I had a nice time. This is a nice spot for date night or if you want a quiet spot to have a drink alone.

The room was great for our party and Jada our server was fabulous!…read more Unfortunately, 6 of the group ordered ravioli and it wasn't what they hoped for. The steak, short rib and fried rice risotto were delicious. The cheese biscuits a big hit as well.

We went with friends for the Wednesday steak special. Jimmy the owner greeted us like old friends…read more The ambiance is very old school, which we love. Our server did a great job. Very warm and friendly and very attentive....awesome job! Our steaks were delicious, very, very tender and a great value at regular price, but even better on Wednesdays! We definitely be back for steak night and look forward to trying the fish fry and the ribs. Also, Jimmy makes a very good martini! John & Julie

OMG. "Vintage" doesn't even begin to describe this place…read more Pitch's Supper Club may be one of the most unique, unbelievable, and downright astonishing restaurants I've ever had the pleasure of visiting. I love a supper club. So when people start whispering in hushed, reverent tones, "If you love supper clubs, you have to go to Pitch's," naturally, I'm intrigued. So off we went. But honey, you are not ready. Nothing can prepare you for what awaits when you climb the grand stone staircase and open a door that, if not for the sign out front, could easily belong to any house in a quiet Milwaukee neighborhood. Step inside and you're greeted by the cheerful pinging of gaming machines and a row of devoted patrons who look as though they've been sitting there since they got off work sometime in 1987. Whether they were winning anything is anyone's guess. I didn't see Jon Hamm, but the Mad Men comparison felt appropriate. Then your eyes adjust. And you begin to marvel. Every era from the 1930s through the 1960s seems to be represented here. It's part grandmother's parlor on a special occasion when the plastic covers came off the furniture. It's part mob hangout where you fully expect Al Capone to emerge from a back room behind the kitchen to settle accounts. It's part old-school supper club, part community gathering place, and somehow, against all odds, it works perfectly. The dark wood bar glimmers beneath soft lighting while a FIFA championship match plays on television. Staff and patrons alike are glued to the screen. You almost feel guilty interrupting. Then the bartender shuffles over. "What can I get you? Ladies first." And just like that, you're transported to another era. His name is Jimmy. You could honestly stop your evening right there and have a perfectly wonderful experience. Jimmy is the maestro, the magician, the historian, the keeper of secrets, the teller of jokes, and, incidentally, the bartender. In many ways, he's the beating heart of Pitch's. His cocktail-making style is fascinating, unconventional, and completely his own. The result? One of the best martinis I've ever had. Judging by the smiles around the table--and the number of repeat orders--the Brandy Old Fashioned Sweets were equally exceptional. As we headed to our table, Jimmy delivered a perfectly awful dad joke that left us in stitches. We laughed about it--and about Jimmy--for the rest of the evening. Jimmy has been a fixture at Pitch's for more than 30 years. And while I know no one is irreplaceable, I suspect Pitch's wouldn't quite be Pitch's without him. So whatever you do, Jimmy, don't go anywhere. The lovely Carmela escorted us to our table. Since we were the final seating of the evening, we immediately assumed we were about to experience the dreaded rushed end-of-service dinner. We could not have been more wrong. Enter Jane. Imagine if Flo from Alice walked straight off the television screen and into your dining room--but somehow even warmer, kinder, and funnier. Jane was extraordinary. She was patient, attentive, and genuinely delightful. Not once did she rush us, even when we became the last guests remaining in the restaurant and hadn't yet ordered dessert. She treated us as though we were the most important table in the room--even when we literally were. Jane made our evening special, and we're grateful for her hospitality. And then there was the food. Spectacular. Most of our group indulged in Pitch's World Famous BBQ, available in several forms and all worthy of its reputation. The house-made BBQ sauce is absolutely outstanding and fully lives up to the hype. One member of our party ordered the Chicken Parmesan special. The homemade tomato sauce was rich, flavorful, and clearly made with care. Served over perfectly al dente pasta, it was a standout dish and earned rave reviews from our table. Eventually, reality called. We stopped by the bar to say goodbye to Jimmy and made our way toward the door. And there was Carmela again. Not only did she walk us out, she accompanied us all the way down the staircase and graciously took a group photo for us before sending us on our way. What a night. What a memory. I can't wait to return. Pitch's may not be for everyone. If you're looking for sleek, modern, trendy, and curated, you may be missing the point. But what some might call old-fashioned, I would call authentic. The retro charm, the unforgettable characters, the warm hospitality, and the genuinely excellent food combine to create something increasingly rare: An experience. And in a world that seems determined to make everything look the same, Pitch's remains gloriously, unapologetically itself. As Rod Serling might have said: "There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition..." It is an area which we call... Pitch's Supper Club.

I went to Sorella with a girl friend to celebrate my birthday. We arrived without a reservation on…read morea Thursday evening around 7:30PM and were seated right away at a high-top in the bar area. Our waitress was friendly and attentive; we started our dinner with a glass of wine and shared the Cavatelli with "Monday Sauce" for our main entree. The Cavatelli was absolutely delicious! I loved the texture of the house-made noodles and the sauce was so good! The portion was huge so I was glad we split the meal. I'm definitely looking forward to my next dinner at Sorella!

Sorella is a great option for an Italian night out. We came here for my friend's birthday. It's a…read morebit on the smaller side but the tables have ample space. The waitress was very nice. They have a decent sized menu. We had one of the pizzas as well as the chicken main dish. Both were cooked very well. The crispy potatoes are a must.

Delicious dinner at Stella in downtown Milwaukee. The restaurant was a little tricky to find…read morebecause it's on the third floor of the Westin hotel, and the elevator had no number three on the panel. We definitely looked lost because one of the staff came to our rescue and told us to press the lobby button because that's the third floor where the restaurant lives. Stella is a large restaurant with a nice bar area, well stocked with good bourbon. We had a personable server named CJ, who was on top of everything and made our experience that much better. We started with cocktails, hubs had an old-fashioned and I had a paper plane. Stella's bread service was warm rolls with a chili garlic oil. Spicy! Everything we ordered we split between the two of us. We started with the Caesar salad which had the best anchovy dressing. Next was the grilled octopus with a creamy yogurt sauce. We could cut the octopus with a fork because it was that tender. For our main entree, we shared the bone-in ribeye. They offered different toppings, but we were glad we had it naked because it was perfect - tender, medium rare and flavorful. We chose the roasted carrots as a side and they were charred goodness. Happy to say there were no negatives to our dining experience - at all. It was fabulous!

Very nice restaurant on the lobby floor of the Westin. Elegant and well decorated. We also had a…read morevery nice server. The only reason I am providing a less than perfect rating is because the signage isn't the best and it was freezing inside the restaurant. The food was really good and it was suggested to come back for dinner!! So maybe I will!!

Had the pleasure to dine here for a birthday dinner. This place was incredible. Food was…read moreoutstanding, service outstanding, presentation, outstanding. Hadn't been there in several years, but returned and glad we did. Did the chef's surprise 7 course dinner worth every penny. Small and intimate, did not feel crowded by next table. Only complaint would be the palate cleanser was counted as a complete Course. Would have liked an actual course. Great job!

I hate Sanford, but in the best way. We called the day valentines reservations opened...a few hours…read moreafter opening, the only available reservations were at 10pm. Ok! Late dinner for us! Sanford is a tradition for us. We love getting dressed up and enjoying a coursed dining experience. We did some bubbly drinks and then perused the menu. Course 1 is an appetizer. As a pear and Roquefort tart junkie, I never try anything new and it's so unfortunate. I do wish they had the option of adding à la carte items, as there are so many app options I would have loved to try. But the tart just has my heart. My husband got the cheddar Boreg and it was amazing! Course 2 is soup. Normally you get to choose your second course between soup or salad, but Valentine's Day it's usually set. I do with they've provide another option in case the soup isn't really to your liking. The curry soup was delicious, but as someone whole doesn't really love shellfish, I would've appreciated a different option. Course 3: I got the duck and poblano stew, my husband got the pomegranate swordfish, both were great! Duck was tender and not too gamey. Stew was fantastic. I do wish they would have at least one vegetarian option though. Course 4: dessert! I had the macadamia tart and my husband had the chilled mango and passionfruit soup. Both were great! I am obsessed with their breadsticks and would like to take them home by the handful though. Seriously, can I buy them all?! lol

Morel was an outstanding experience from start to finish…read more We started with the smoked pork belly and the herbed flatbread, and both were excellent. The pork belly was rich and flavorful, while the flatbread was fresh, light, and something I'd definitely order again. The Perfect Storm was the perfect way to kick off the meal and paired really well with the appetizers. As a fellow forager, I have to say...you did mushrooms right. They were featured throughout the menu and treated as more than just a garnish. They were a star in their own right. For my entrée, I tried the Rabbit Ragout. It was my first time having rabbit, and it definitely won't be my last. It was tender, comforting, and paired perfectly with the pappardelle and mushrooms. I enjoyed it with the Ramone Flowers cocktail, whose light floral and citrus notes balanced the richness of the dish beautifully. Dessert was the Strawberry Pavlova, and one bite transported me back to Australia. The perfect ending to a fantastic meal. The service was outstanding--friendly, knowledgeable, and full of great recommendations. The dining room has a clean, modern feel, parking across the street was easy, and the whole experience was top-notch. Great food, creative cocktails, and an even better setting to spend the evening with longtime business partners who have become great friends.

Farm fresh to table food. They were amazing! Service was great, the waitress was very nice and…read morehelpful. We tried the half and half charcuterie bread, mushroom fricassee appetizer, short rib, the fish, and smoked lamb ragout. Everything was great! The gravy and puree on the short rib was something I would want to recreate at home but probably won't be able to. Morel has both indoor and outdoor seating. We sat outside on the paved patio. NA drinks were really great too!