Last week we thoroughly and completely enjoyed a meal at Mother's. They blend flavors, spices, sweet, savory in super tasty and inventive ways. Pureed edamame, delicately crunchy rosti, sesame paste, tender beef on curry, orange wine mango with trout, jasmine with chiffon sponge...just some of their outstanding items! Small plates so trying multiple things is easy. The staff were exemplary - attentive, helpful, informative... all while being fun and nice ! Chef Vanessa spoke with us about her path to Mother's. Her story is inspirational. We are so happy to find this amazing cuisine in a restaurant that supports diversity and community. We have our next reservation already ! Thanks Vanessa and team for touching our souls thru food ! read more

The food is absolutely fabulous!!! Wait staff is attentive and knowledgeable regarding the menu. Bar is the best ever! read more

I moved to Milwaukee from LA 18 months ago. Living in Venice Beach, I was spoiled to eat the food of local chefs Antonia Lafoso, Brooke Williamson, and Shirley Chung. Now I can add to my list the James Beard nominated Chef Vanessa Rose. Wow the food at Mother's is off the charts. What a delight. The mosaic steak was a symphony of textures, temperatures, and flavors. Like nothing I've had. The curry gnocchi was the most pillowy pasta I've ever encountered. The one that almost made my mind collapse was the trout. I normally don't bother with trout as it's usually kinda lackluster. The trout Vanessa made for us at Mother's was hands down one of the best pieces of fish I've ever eaten... and I ate my way up the California coast for 30 years. Get in now while it's still possible to get a table. This is as good as it gets. We got the honor of being food nerds when Chef came to the table and talked sauce with us! The cocktails are nearly as transcendental as the food. Just ask for a recommendation and drink it! Wow. All the stars. read more

genuinely thought I would enjoy this place more since it was nominated for a james beard award and only opened last year! while interesting with unique dishes, not sure it entirely met my expectations. the restaurant is situated in like an old house? felt like I was eating in what could be used as a bedroom but overall very interesting concept. the dishes are all tapas style, meant to be shared, and I agree with what our server said with ordering 2-3 dishes per person. while definitely on the pricier side for a restaurant, each dish includes tip and tax already -- done the european way! dishes are ranked from my most favorite to least: - gnocchi tikki masala: my favorite dish! I fear I may be a cauliflower stan now.... - hoisin pork belly: the pork belly wasn't overly fatty and I thought the risotto-like spread it was under was a great pairing - mapo tofu shakshuka with poached egg: I do looove shakshuka and thought this was a fun twist on a mapo tofu dish. appropriately spiced as well. perfect poached egg. a bit salty though - cabbage: good, but not what i was expecting? I liked the potato puree spread it had going on the side - steve's soup: mix of cauliflower, celery and other veggies that formed a very creamy soup base with pork shoulder like pieces on top. pretty salty tho so it was hard to fully enjoy. they do switch it out so ask your server what the day's special is! we came fairly late in the day so I was bummed to not be able to try the red snapper since they had run out. that seems to be a popular choice! the dishes all seem to be rotated out perhaps depending on the season so it's nice that they've got a variety going on read more

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Called me 2 hours before my reservation to cancel. Heard mixed reviews about the ownership of this place, I guess they were true.

Cancelled us last minute (and others) for repairs that were due to poor upkeep on owners part & let go hard working staff promised to be part of profits once they got off the ground- only to have lied & restaffed in days!!! Not a good member of our community read more

First time here. It's a historic building on the south end of Bay View. A big old white building (previously called the White House) with a small parking lot on the south side. We had reservations at 6:00 on a Saturday night. (It was cold, a little drizzly, and windy out.) The front entrance has several steep steps, and when you walk through, you are literally at the host station. They were going to seat us right behind the host station, but we knew it was going to be a problem as people went in and out. We asked to be seated a little farther from the door, and after a bit of discussion (it sounded like this was going to be a little issue), they were able to find a table for two in the parlor. So glad! Got settled in right away with menus and waters. Our server did a good job of getting us up to speed on the menu, the service, and the cocktails. They did a very good job throughout the evening (thanks, Roberto). We settled on the Window Seat (Beef Tallow and Rosemary Washed Vodka, crazy but true) and the Night Clubbing (with espresso-infused Campari). Both were very good choices. We decided that we wanted to start with three dishes and then regroup if we needed more. These included the Bok Choy Salad, Cumin and Cinnamon Braised Pork Shoulder, and Venison Tartare (Dijon Ice Cream?). The Bok Choy Salad was a real surprise, with the entire collection being so bright and flavorful. The dates had a meaty quality. The dressing with Nuoc Cham was savory with just a bit of heat. We both decided that we could have made an entire meal of that. The Pork Shoulder came next and was a good portion, with the meat tender and flavorful. The Quinoa Polenta was interesting, but I can't say that it was something I would seek out. I have had Beef Tartare before, but this was a first for Venison Tartare, so of course I just had to order it. What struck me first was that the entire thing (not just the Dijon Ice Cream) was very cold, almost frozen. I tried a couple of bites, and it was so cold that unless you let it sit in your mouth to thaw out, it was somewhat tasteless. I spread it around the plate to thaw out, and it was a big improvement. It's a good-sized portion, and even after loading up on the three pieces of bread, there was still plenty left (maybe a couple more pieces of bread?). There were a couple of desserts that we would have loved to try, but we were full and had a performance to attend. So we will have to wait until next time. Really enjoyed our first dinner. Loved the inventiveness of the menu. The staff all seem to really care about the business and the diners. With the placement of the front door and the draftiness of the dining room, we will likely book our next dinner when the weather turns warmer. read more

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What a gem of a place located in a street corner in a historic house in Bayviee. This place had a cozy but spacious feel. They were festive with Halloween decorations and had a gothic feel. I tried the lamb jerk dumplings and tofu. Highly recommend. They both had unique flavors especially the lamb. The tofu had a nice crispy texture to it with the soy based sauce glazed over it with scallions. I also tried a mocktail version of La Pucelle, it wasn't explicitly listed in the mocktails section so you can order a mocktail version of some the alcoholic cocktails. For dessert I tried the Panna Cotta, it was my first time ever trying it and tho go get it was really good. It had a pomegranate sorbet scoop on top sprinkled with frankincense laid on a bed of shaved ice with the creamy base at the bottom of the bowl. It was refreshing! The waiter was very helpful, he explained how they served food and drinks and when I asked about I n residents for the dessert he was able to describe them in detail. read more

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Some things were good and others were meh. Wouldn't go back here. Creme brûlée was the best thing we ate throughout the evening and the mushrooms were good. The cabbage and eggplant tostada were fine. Sadly, We sent back the red snapper after 1 small bite, the fish was SO fishy and inedible. Not that I expect anything back, but we were still charged for the whole plate which wasn't cheap, and not offered anything to replace it which I feel is a general courtesy at dining establishments. Also the table we were seated at was not appropriate for dinner. It was an uncomfortable metal garden table that has holes in between the design that could fit 1 maybe dish at a time . The chairs to this table were also metal and uncomfortable. Not a good experience overall read more

This place is so unique and I'm so happy it's within walking distance from my house. How is this place unique? First everyone is paid the same wage front to back of the house even the owner and chef. Second all of the prices include tax and gratuities. Third everybody works 45 hours a week so nobody gets burned out. Fourth the place is owned and run by LGBTQ+ folks. The head chef V is trans and supports the community. Finally there is a witchy theme if you look at the menu. Also there is a statue of Hecate, one of Lilith and others in each room. The menu is limited and rotates seasonally. I had the jerk lamb fried dumping which wasn't spicy at all. Great flavor and a very unique combination. My friend had the carrot cake and I took a bite of it.. They flavor profile was unexpected and was excellent. They combine things that aren't typical but make them great. If you are homophobic this is not your place but you will be missing out on a great new restaurant that in my opinion definitely takes the place of Ardent. Many of the employees were alum's. Did I mention that if you buy a 100 gift card you get an extra 20 bucks? read more

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Highlights 1) Amazing Service 2) Great Food 3) Food Allergy Knowledgeable Welcome to the neighborhood Mother's! We tried the pop up experience at Ardent this past winter and were thrilled to see that Mother's was joining BayView permanently. We mentioned in our reservation that it was our anniversary and were immediately greeted with a champagne for my husband and an NA wine for me! This was such a thoughtful touch. The menu is small plates and my husband and I split about 5 plates plus dessert which was perfect. Every dish was bursting with flavor! The staff was really knowledgeable about my gluten allergy and had a menu with all of the gluten friendly options ready to go (there were ample options!). A few Star dishes for us included the fried tofu, pork shoulder, and beetroot chocolate cake. We are already planning our next trip back! read more

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We went to Mother's Sunday brunch partly to watch the Drag Show. The cost of the show was $30 for a table of three (presumably 10$/person), which we learned when we paid our bill because the restaurant's website didn't seem to say whether there is a charge for the show. Two of us had never gone to a drag show before, so we appreciated the experience. The brunch menu looked quite innovative, involving some unusual flavor combinations. The three of us ordered 4 dishes. Chili Chicken & Waffle. The fried chicken was strongly flavored, which we liked, and was our favorite. Oeuf Foo Young. The dish was presumably meant to be Chinese and French fusion, with some vegetables in the omelet and a heavy dose of butter flavor. We liked it alright, although we tend to add more flavorings to our own fried eggs at home. Mapo Tofu Shakshuka. I wouldn't say that the restaurant had a great Mapo recipe because the sauce gave a overwhelmingly soy sauce taste, quite different from the Middle Eastern dish of Shakshuka that tends to have strong tomato taste. Cheddar Bay Biscuits and Gravy. This dish was rather plain, and none of us wanted much of it, even though one of us did finish due to hunger. read more

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Mother's is a cute, eclectic, witchy spot with an interesting menu. The food was delicious, but the combinations weren't things you see everyday. The service was great. The waitstaff explained the European style billing/tipping and gave great recommendations on food. The chef came around and introduced themself to us. All around will be coming back over and over. read more

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Fantastic meal at Drag Brunch this morning! The menu was unique. Each item that we had was absolutely delicious and layered with flavor. The drinks were yummy and fresh. The service is delightful. The Drag Queens are so good. Arrive hungry, thirsty, and ready to be entertained. Leave satisfied. PS. Don't forget your singles/small bills for the talented Queens! read more

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This was one of the best meals I've had in Milwaukee, hands down. Maybe my favorite. Mother's is quirky, whimsical, homey, and so damn delicious. The food? Wow. The burrata? Unlike any I've ever had. Drench me in that sauce! The tostada?!? Salty, umami bomb. Delightful. The tortelloni and gnocchi were also at the top of my list. The drinks were delicious! Great job Will. The Medici will go down as one of my favorite cocktails. I love a cocktail. I can be adventurous at times, but I love a classic. So, I was nervous to try a cocktail described as "a caprese salad in a glass," but OMG! It was like the gay version of a Bloody Mary. Perfect. The "Mother of the House" was also delightful. The smoky goji berry was a great touch. Service? Charming. The staff is so sweet and helpful, and you can tell that not only do they love working there, but they're proud to work there. They know the food and drinks, and they're passionate about it all. Plus, you have a drag queen hostess (sadly out of drag) who makes you feel right at home. I can understand people might say it's slow, but I thought it was "relaxed," and perfect for tapas. The vibes? I felt like I was at my friend's guncles' house. The color, the warmth, and the lighting. Queers do lighting well. Support queer business and queer folks. Support businesses that clearly pay their employees well (tax and service is included in the price), and help keep a bit of fairy dust in Bay View. The neighborhood needs more gay establishments. We'll be back. Often. read more

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I enjoyed this location so much that I am writing this in the car home. We went here for a celebration dinner. We had cocktails, gnocchi, buffalo legs, mushrooms, fish, and the almond flower dessert. everything was good. Favorites: Y'all do not sleep on the Medici cocktail. I absolutely loved it. My other favorite was the gnocch. I will think about that for awhile. The space was warm and friendly. The service was lovely too. If you are contemplating going, stop thinking and book it now. read more

Mother’s - Medici cocktail - New American Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

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Food is absolutely incredible. Approachable casual vibe yet the food is taken to the next level. I don't think you can go wrong with anything you order. As we overheard one customer ask Chef Vanessa how do you incorporate such magic into this dish. The layers of flavor incorporated were just delicious and unexpected. Chef Vanessa took the time to talk to each and every table. A courtesy that didn't go unnoticed. Vanessa spent time informing us of their culinary background, what drives them, and the historical significance of the space. Servers were outstanding as well. Can't wait to go back. LGBTQ friendly. A welcoming space for all! read more

Mothers is The vibes: old Victorian in a way, but in the best way possible. Cozy, great music in the background. Great spot for date night. Service: immaculate. Will was our server, which also included bartending and hosting. The timing of the small plates were perfect, everything about the service was perfect. The Cocktails: NUTS. INSANE. Unique as all get out. If you are into trying very different cocktails, this is the spot. I got the La Pucelle, which was bubbly and refreshing. The Food: the menu is small plate based and has a lot of European aspects to it. My husband and I got the Madeira mushrooms with Crostini-- heaven. The creamy sauce paired perfectly with the umami flavor of the mushrooms. Next, we got the "Girl Dinner"-- delicious charcuterie board with generous portions of cheese and the mini cornbread squares were my favorite. Lastly, we ordered the eggplant tostada-- this could've been split 4 ways, super rich but so delicious. I highly recommend this spot, I can't wait to try other dishes next time! read more

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Loved it! Was meaning to go for a while. The food, drinks, and staff/service were all amazing! Ambiance was like a new take on a familiar venue as I'd been here a bunch of times before it was Mothers over the years! read more

The owner cancelled our reservation 3 hours before we were supposed to arrive to celebrate my daughter's birthday! I called to see if I we could come at 5:30 instead of 6:00 and he spent 6 minutes telling me that I was going to be charged because 4 days earlier I had changed the reservation from 5 people to 2 people. He went on and on about a messaging service that I was supposed to have used through Open Table and that they were waiting to hear back from me and that he had had a really terrible day. When I told him the only message I got was confirming that they had received the change in the number of diners and could he please tell me if we could come at 5:30, he said that we were no longer accepted! I asked if he was really canceling our reservation - after my daughter repeated that it was her birthday he said yes! Can I rate this a negative number?? read more

Myself and my group of friends went to dinner for the first time tonight and the food was delicious! Highly recommend the Red Snapper and Pork Belly and the Saffron Eggs were heavenly! The service was delightful and plates were brought out at a great pace! Excellent restaurant! read more

Food, service and interior were amazing. I loved the innovative menu. This small plate restaurant is perfect for a very special night out.

Just an amazing evening at this place, food so innovative and staff so passionate about what they do. Love the different cultural takes on fresh ingredients. Always impressed at each visit! Keep up the great work! read more

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We went to Mother's to visit with family and the atmosphere was so inviting. The food (small plates) was nothing short of delectable. We enjoyed the creativity in both the carefully curated food and drink menus. The staff made us feel welcome and comfortable. All in all I would say this restaurant is a 10/10. We will definitely go back and often recommend it to our friends. Very LGBTQIA+ friendly read more

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Made Valentine Day dinner reservations at Mothers a month ago. Got a text to confirm reservation the night before. Showed up and was told there was a special tasting menu going on and we are not allowed in. We never received a call to tell us this and we confirmed the text they sent us to confirm. Every other nice place are all booked. Mothers could made a little effort to contact us and ruin a special night we ha planned. Do better, be nicer people read more

must have been there on an off day. very expensive, poorly presented and prepared fancy food that did not satisfy. I could see the good intentions and enjoyed the diversity in the staff. but the food was a complete disappointment. read more

Hands down one of the most creative and innovative menus in Milwaukee with staff eager to provide a positive experience for all.

Wow wow wow! First of all, as an almost 9 year vegan/vegetarian, the tofu I had at Mother's was probably the BEST tofu I have ever had. Insanely moist on the inside with a nice fried outer shell. Tofu from restaurants are usually dry/not as moist, or the taste and texture seem the same as if they came straight out of the package. But not this tofu! Everyone at the table, vegetarian or not, was blow away. We tried many dishes and they were all amazing. Such unique and beautiful flavors and all with immaculate execution. I didn't get photos of most of them, so I also included some photos from brunch I had there a few weeks ago, which was also very good. The building is beautiful and historic. The private room for special parties was insanely gorgeous and vibey. The service is so friendly. There is a really unique and comforting community vibe that seems to extend beyond a typical business. Highly highly recommend! read more

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