We recently moved to the area and wanted to check out Johnny's. I have to admit, I was a little…read moreapprehensive. After talking with some locals, I got the impression that Johnny's best days might be behind it.
It happened to be my birthday, so we made a reservation for 7:15 on a Friday night.
Food:
As you would expect from a steakhouse and supper club, the menu is extensive, with plenty of appetizers, steaks, seafood, and even pizza.
We started with cocktails. I ordered the Sangria special, while others had the Mint Margarita and the Peachy Keen Smash. All of them were very good, with delicious flavor profiles and enough alcohol to let you know you were having a real cocktail.
For an appetizer, we ordered the Crispy Brussels Sprouts, finished with hot honey and pomegranate seeds. They were delicious. Crispy just the way we like them, served hot, and generously portioned.
There were plenty of great entrée choices, and we settled on the Lamb Chops for me, because if lamb is on the menu, I'm probably ordering it, the "Best in Wisconsin" Pork Chops, and the Scallop Cacciatore. Each entrée came with a nice house salad and warm bread.
The lamb was excellent, heavily seasoned with rosemary, nicely charred, and cooked to a perfect medium rare. The roasted potatoes and carrots were also very good.
The pork chops really were some of the best we've ever had at a restaurant. Both the broiled and breaded versions were excellent, and it was hard to pick a favorite.
The Scallop Cacciatore was also good. They used quality scallops and seared them nicely without overcooking them. The pasta sauce, however, had more red pepper flakes than my wife preferred. She loves scallops but isn't a fan of spicy food, so this probably wasn't the best choice for her.
We wanted dessert, so we made sure to leave room and took plenty of leftovers home.
The Brandy Alexander was made perfectly. They use scooped ice cream rather than soft serve, which gave the drink a thicker texture with a few small chunks of ice cream. The tiramisu was also excellent. It was served at room temperature, had a distinct coffee flavor, and wasn't overly sweet.
A very nice finish to an excellent meal.
Service:
We received excellent service throughout the entire evening. From the moment we arrived and for the next couple of hours, we were consistently well attended to.
Everything was well timed, from the water and cocktails to the entrées and dessert. The service was efficient without ever making us feel rushed.
Since they asked whether we were celebrating a special occasion, they surprised me with a complimentary strawberry cake for my birthday. Our server was friendly, efficient, and helpful throughout the evening.
Thanks, Patty!
The manager also stopped by a couple of times to check on us, which was a nice touch.
Atmosphere:
It's a beautiful setting. The woodwork, windows, lighting, and overall design are all very well done. The restaurant feels polished and well cared for without making you feel like you need to dress especially fancy to enjoy it.
There was one thing that detracted from the otherwise beautiful atmosphere for me. A couple of televisions over the bar are visible from parts of the dining room. That's not something I expect during a fine-dining experience, and I found them distracting.
On our next visit, I'll ask for a table where the TVs are either out of view or less noticeable.
Overall, this was an excellent experience. Aside from the television issue, it was a lovely evening with outstanding food and service.
Johnny's definitely exceeded my expectations, and it's a place we'd be happy to return to.
