Had the pleasure to dine here for a birthday dinner. This place was incredible. Food was outstanding, 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! read more

I hate Sanford, but in the best way. We called the day valentines reservations opened...a few hours after 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 read more

See all

The BEST fine dining experience in Milwaukee! And this is based on a combination of their innovative menu that changes seasonally, their pricing, the intimate ambiance, and the excellent service. My partner and I started coming 4 years ago for special events (anniversary, birthdays) and all of a sudden we ended up coming 4 times this year alone. I almost want to say my poor wallet but honestly, I have spent more for less when it comes to fine dining. Sanford is a restaurant that has ALWAYS performed. We usually get the Surprise Tasting Menu with the added wine pairing, it's about ~$200/pp. As someone who is pretty sensitive to stronger flavors, I love how the flavors they put forward always go well together and this is truly the only place I really appreciate how well the wine pairs and accentuates the flavors of each dish. I have never had a bad time at Sanford. There have been multiple times I've ended up at other fine dining restaurants and have been underwhelmed and I always just end up regretting not coming to Sanford instead. So, come try it and it will become your new standard for fine dining in milwaukee!! read more

See all

This was our second time eating at Sanford's. The first time was literally decades ago. The restaurant is a small building the size of a small home (probably was at one time). If you cannot find a street spot to park, they offer valet parking for $10. We had reservations for four on Thursday night at 6:30. When we arrived, we got a friendly greeting from the host/server. We were seated at a round table (probably better suited for a table of six), but it was situated in the front corner, so it was quiet. There was an HVAC vent right overhead, which caused a bit of a draft. The server did a great job of getting us settled in. After some discussion about the menu, we decided that we would try the seven-course Chef's Surprise Tasting Menu. We didn't need the accompanying wine service and opted for a couple of cocktails and individual red and white wines. There was water and breadsticks with butter as we waited for the first course. Before any of the menu items came, we were offered an amuse-bouche. While I don't recall exactly what it was, it did contain a little bit of gelatinous cucumber with some oil and seeds. I have to admit that, while I realize this may not represent the rest of the meal, the strangeness (flavor and mouthfeel) was a little anxiety-producing (have you seen The Menu?). The rest of the meal was superb. The savory courses consisted of Duck Basturma, Sea Scallops, Swordfish, Head Cheese, and Beef Striploin. I could talk about each of them separately, but you can check out the picture of the menu. I think the one menu item that really surprised us all was the Crisp Head Cheese. I myself had no hesitation, but a couple of the others did. It was delicious, with nice crispy edges -- a real surprise. The entire evening was lovely. The whole team at Sanford's works well together to make everything flow in a very organic way. We were there for three-plus hours, but it didn't really seem that long. To be sure, it's not inexpensive, but a real treat for a special night with good friends. read more

See all

If you're looking for a refined and intimate dining experience, Sanford is a must-visit. From the moment you step inside, the cozy and elegant atmosphere immediately sets the tone for an amazing night. The four-course menu was very diverse yet cohesive. Cocktail, beer and wine list was impressive also. Tried the special Cupid Cocktail, which was tart and smooth. To start, we tried a grilled pear and Roquefort tart and the coppa. The tart was a perfect balance of sweet and savory. The second course was a shellfish soup. It was very rich and flavorful, but did have a strong seafood flavor. For the main course, I opted for the duck and my partner the tenderloin. Both dishes were expertly prepared. Duck was juicy, flavorful, and complemented by a rich sauce. We really liked the texture and flavor that the grilled lettuce added to the tenderloin. Lastly, the desserts really stole the show. The banana butterscotch toffee was great if you like a sweet dish. The Drive In hot fudge sundae was like an elevated childhood treat, so wonderful and nostalgic. Overall, we were so happy with our meal and grateful to the wonderful staff who were so forgiving to us being late due to travel and a snow storm. Valet was easy when we couldn't find any street parking nearby. Cost was added to our check which simplified things also. read more

See all

One of the best 'fine dining' experiences I've had. First off, Karisa was our waitress and was top-tier. Attentive without being overly so, elaborated on dishes without rambling, etc. Excellent service. The small scale of the interior is quiet and intimate, exactly what we would have wanted in this type of dining. It is not flashy by any means, and is better for it. The menu is extensive and well thought out. The options within each course are varied to suit any mood, and I had difficulty choosing as there were many that I wanted to try. Everything we ordered was well prepared both practically and visually, and delicious. I absolutely loved the elk and venison, and the duck was to die for. I'd especially like to shout out their desserts, as they are are plentiful and delicious. The tea cake was a nice light option, and the plum tart was as wonderful to eat as it was to look at. Coming from Chicago, I've been to these style of 'fixed course fine dining' before and frequently left feeling that the food does not live up to the pomp and circumstance. The Sanford was the first that actually impressed me and made me want to return- and we definitely will. Highly, highly recommend if you're either visiting MKE or a local. read more

Excellent and exceeded our expectations. We pulled up to valet park where Joe reassured us that Larry at their lot would take very good care of our car. It was our anniversary, which they promptly and continuously referenced. Much to my surprise, my sister bought us a gift certificate which was waiting at our table. It was an intimate atmosphere where other parties were close but not crowded and encouraged some discussion about the food if one wanted to engage. We went all in and decided on the 7 course surprise dinner. Each course was better than the last served in portions that left me feeling comfortably full, although there were a few offerings that pushed me outside my comfort zone. A plate with a strawberry, yummy homemade whipped cream and a candle further acknowledged our anniversary. Next time I think I'll take control of my dinner and choose from the four course menu though. From the hostess to our primary server Christine and the many employees who strived to make it an incredible experience, they succeeded and then some. When it was time to leave, our car was waiting for us right outside the door. Easy breezy. So repeatable. Thanks Sanford for a great anniversary dinner. read more

Sanford Restaurant - New American Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

I had no idea this little restaurant was tucked into Milwaukee's east side. There is one dining room with probably about 15 tables total. The service was excellent. The food was good, our favorite was the elk steak and desserts. Would come again. read more

Sanford Restaurant - Interior - New American Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

This was our second time to sanford- we are from out of state and boy are we thankful to have found this place! it's the perfect special occasion restaurant- it feels kind of hole in the wall in its unique old house feel environment. There are only 2 menu options which is either a 4 course or a surprise 7 course option. We chose the 4 course option and then we shared each dish so we really got to try 8 courses so it was great! Each course they give you several options to choose from- everything we had was absolutely delicious! They started off with an amuse buse which was so tasty- the meal also ends with some little bite size pastry type bites. The customer service was excellent as well- they have someone bringing drinks, someone bringing food, someone changing your silverware- it really is set up super well! they are prompt and very helpful. They even had a little lemon water to clean your hands after eating the quail off the bone with your hands. i really don't have enough space or time to write about all of the variety of flavors but let's just say they were on point! We really enjoy every single dish! I don't understand how this place could have any negative reviews- it's an amazing find! Yes it is more expensive but you will leave satisfied and very very full! We didn't even have it in us to eat the little pastries at the end so we took it home. It's also nice that they have 3 oz glasses of wine as options so we pretty much made our own wine pairing with the selections we picked on the menu. I highly recommend Sanford and will be back anytime we are in town! read more

See all

My husband and I went to Sanford for our anniversary dinner. Bottom line up front, it was one of the best meals I've ever had. Sanford is fine dining food with a homey atmosphere. The food is presented artfully, and with each bite you feel like you're getting a hug from a family member. Each dish in our four course dinner was strategically structured with flavors that all married well. My husband ordered the Wellerman cocktail which he said was one of the best cocktails he's ever had. It had flavor notes that reminded me of a smokey barbecue. I had the wine pairing with each of my courses and they were perfectly paired. My first course, the smoked salmon, came with a sparkling white wine; the second course, the quail, came with a smooth pinot noir; and my meal, the elk loin, came with a velvety Malbec. The meal started with a bright-flavored amuse bouche, and the meal ended with several small cookies. The staff was very responsive, friendly, and informative. read more

Returning to Sanford after nearly 3 years felt special. It was one of the places that originally sparked our love for fine dining, and it's wonderful to say it still delivers a truly unique experience. The restaurant continues its elegant tasting-menu tradition, and we went all in with the seven-course menu--absolutely worth it. Every course was thoughtfully prepared, but the fennel beef tenderloin was outstanding, just 10/10, perfectly seasoned and cooked and the banana toffee dessert is a must! its completely unreal! The service was kind and attentive, with explanations about each dish, its roots and sourcing and overall, the evening reminded us why Sanford left such a lasting impression all those years. read more

The outside of this restaurant does not match the inside at all. From the moment you walk into the restaurant it's like you were transported to a completely different place. The service was amazing. Our server was very knowledgeable and touched on the table when needed. She gave wonderful suggestions and everything was delicious. Kudos to the chef and his team for the amazing things that they create in the kitchen! We were given an opportunity to see the kitchen and it's amazing what they can do in the kitchen that they have! Highly recommend. read more

See all

Nice restaurant right on the water with a beautiful view, and just a short drive from downtown Sanford. I was stuck in Sanford waiting on a flight to come in, so I stopped in and sat at the bar for about an hour and a half. It was the perfect spot to pass the time and relax. This was actually my second time coming here while waiting on a flight, and both times were a great experience. read more

I wanted to love it. Maybe I'm just not the fine dining type, but the food left something to be desired. Went with my bf for our anniversary, and the service was phenomenal. I appreciated the well spaced, thought out menu, but the main dish was lacking. They offered a four course menu that we opted out of due to the options. I'm not into huge portions, however I finished my main course in 3 bites! The dessert, however, was out of this world. I still think about that delicious toffee.... All in all a very pretty place with fantastic staff but I won't hurry back. read more

See all

Sanford is a great choice for an upscale dinner in Milwaukee. They are very consistent, so whenever you're going there, you know what you're going to get. Very professional service and consistently good food. They do try to push the envelope in terms of creativity, but the flavors are pretty consistently new American. They have an a la carte menu or a tasting menu. It is fairly pricey and a dinner here can take longer than other places. The ambiance is intimate. With those things being said, it's a great choice for special events like birthdays or anniversaries. read more

See all

No special occasion...really just came for a nice dinner. We made reservations ahead of time. When we were seated, we were offered the options of a 7 course tasting menu at chef's choice or a 4 course set menu. I'd say the 4 course set menu took about 2.5 hours and they said that the chef's choice would be about 3. I was able to share most of the dishes with my cousin who shared this experience. I ordered the grilled pear and roquefort tarte, foie gras, duck, and Banana Butterscotch Toffee Tart as dessert. Doing the course set menu left us full! I had opted out of the wine pairing as I had to drive 1.5 hours home. Honestly, all of the food was great. The duck was possibly the best I've ever had. The desserts are on the sweeter side but if you kind of sample everything on the dessert, the flavors meld well and cut the entire sweetness. Service was excellent and since we went when the place opened at 5, there was ample street parking. I would definitely come back to try the 7 course tasting menu next time! read more

We went for our anniversary and chose their 7 course Chefs Surprise dinner with the wine pairing added on. Upon entering and being seated I looked around and thought to myself, " what's all the fuss about". The interior decor and setting were not impressive but ok. But the Sanford is not about Decor it's about a food experience, and they certainly stand out above most restaurants I've been to. Their Wine pairings with the dishes was spot on. The servings were both delicious and presented well. After being seated initially we sat for a bit with just waters waiting for our server, but once or waitress arrived she was very informative and helpful. We had a few food preferences that we wanted to try and she went to the chef and asked if they could be incorporated in the tasting, and he did so. I would highly recommend reservations for this restaurant, as it is quite popular. read more

See all

Might be the best restaurant in Milwaukee. Sophisticated food that's super approachable. They've been doing it for years and it shows.

As usual, our experience at Sanfords was amazing. It's our way of celebrating our wedding anniversary. This was our 49th on 9/27. This has become our tradition for the last ten years. We even did there "meal-to-go" during the height of Covid. We absolutely love this place and have never been disappointed both in the staff and the food. read more

Sanford Restaurant - New American Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Sanford is a nice restaurant with some good food options, good flavors, kind and thoughtful service. To properly rate/review something like this it needs to be against other fine dining establishments. I think for a lot of people it's 5 stars compared to the standard chains and mom and pops they might frequent. But what about when it's rated against other high end places like Per Se, French Laundry, Alinea, or Smyth? Still good but not 100% the best. If those are the 5 star restaurants, then Sanford would find 4 it's ceiling. My main gripe here is the timing. We were a party of 6. We arrived slightly before 6 and left a little before 10. That's four hours which is far too long. Since each course is smaller you find yourself finishing faster and then sitting and waiting for the next course to appear. The gaps of time between courses made my table a little impatient/frustrated. The food itself was pretty good but the service fell short. The poor pacing of the meal left everyone having the same conclusion. It was good but there was no desire to go back. read more

Twenty years since we've been here- and it did not disappoint. Four course or 7 course Chefs choice were the options. We were hungry, but not THAT hungry, so decided on the 4 course. It was amazing. The duck was perfection. Gazpacho was really tasty. The Halibut was surprising- mild but flavorful. The service was spectacular, too. read more

Sanford Restaurant - Halibut - New American Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

See all

Exceptional fine dining. We just move to Milwaukee from Michigan - and were excited to score a last minute reservation. At first, we thought we were in the wrong place because it looks like a neighborhood, but we saw the valet sign and figured it out. The restaurant is warm and inviting, and were greeted and seated immediately. The team of bustling servers and tables of cozy candle lit dinner with plates of delicious food immediately set the mood for a great evening. That initial impression did not disappoint. Our server took time to ask about us and explain the menu, drink options, and wine pairings. We chose a few cocktails and then the fun began. There were so name delicious sounding options to choose from for each of the four courses - especially the desserts. We needed to make a dessert selection when ordering our main courses, because each dessert is individually prepared, so we enjoyed our cocktails and chatted, debated the many amazing sounding options, and soaked in the ambiance around us. Our server was great about answering any questions. When we had made our choices, the service was expedient and attentive, but never intrusive. Each course was well timed, well seasoned, and delicious. My husband opted for wine parings, and had a half glass with each course. I had a sip of his - and they wee all great choices. The prices for each were also incredibly fair. The amuse bouche was an olive based bite of lusciousness. We each tried each others dishes, and we were both very impressed with the preparations. We opted for the carrots and stuffed grape leaves, parsnip soup and green curry shellfish soup, duck breast and swordfish, banana torte and black tea cake. The duck was cooked to perfection. Crispy skin, rendered fat, tender and still pink/red in the center. A sight to behold. The swordfish was also handled beautifully. The vegetables were and accompaniments for each soup wee diced and caramelized with care. It's a joy to eat a meal prepared with such love and expertise. The pop of caraway and hint of rye in the carrot dish was absolutely delightful. The Bitterballen were better than any we'd ever had. What an amazing meal! My only wish would be for a vegetarian or vegan main course option. Thank you for a memorable meal, we look forward to our next visit. read more

See all

Highlights/Lowlights 1) Excellent Service 2) 2 Meal Options - 7 Course Tasting Menu or 4 Course Pre Fixe Menu 3) Great Wine Pairings My husband and I recently had a great experience at Sanford. Currently, Sanford has 2 dine in options which is a little different than what they were doing pre-COVID. Option 1 is a seven course "surprise" tasting menu. This is for adventurous eaters as you cannot request/accommodate anything on this tasting menu. Option 2 is a 4 course pre fixe tasting menu with a ton of options for each course. We opted for the 4 course menu as there were so many great sounding options in each. I also have a wheat allergy, and you are supposed to call in advance if you want to do the 7 course with an allergy. Each of our 4 courses was generously portioned and very flavorful. We both left quite full (which doesn't always happen with premium dining!). For drinks, we just asked our sever to pair a wine he recommended with each course, this was super fun and our server took us on a nice wine adventure! This is definitely a restaurant you shouldn't reserve for a special occasion as it's quite a splurge but we did really enjoy ourselves and hope to be back. Be aware that this is in Milwaukee's East Side so you may have to park a few blocks away (I believe valet service is available as well). read more

Top 3 restaurants for me in mke. Did the 4 course. Came here for a celebration, they made it super special. Came with another person and we tried to get completely different things. Got the smoked salmon, shisito pepper, tenderloin, halibut, drive in for dessert (this maybe a single best dessert I've ever had in my life). I wished I had taken more pictures! read more

See all

A year ago I wrote a negative review after a disappointing experience at Sanford's, although we had many fine dinners there over the decades. We thought we wouldn't return but decided to give it another try last night. This time did not disappoint. The food was excellent, the service impeccable and, as always, the atmosphere refined and inviting. We will look forward to our next meal there. read more

Quite creative, some high peaks, affordable half pours of wine. Very good at tarts and ice cream. Super filling. Course 1 Grilled Pear and Roquefort Tart with Caramelized Onions and Walnuts - 4/5. For blue cheese lovers, fantastic tart, nice crunch from walnuts. Smoked Salmon* with Marinated Beets and Pomegranate, Orange Pomegranate Reduction - 5/5. Salmon rich and complex. Well complemented. Course 2 Molasses Glazed Quail* with Root Vegetable Caponata, Cocoa Raisin Reduction - 5/5. I wasn't as much a fan but my wife loved this. Delicious quail. Fun to have to use your hands in a fancy restaurant. Garlic Beet Soup - 3.5/5. Tomato Beet base that's intriguing. Shrimp bites are a little odd. Bland green mix in. Course 3 Seared Sea Scallops*, Tindora Squash, Cauliflower and Golden Raisins, Saffron Lima Bean Purée - 4/5. Perfect scallops. Surprisingly complex complements that are fun so there are some great bites but the tangy sauce is too loud for a delicate bite like scallops. Grilled Duck Breast* with Maple Mascarpone Polenta, Confit Chestnuts and Peperonata Fennel Dusted - 3/5. Fine but not as good. Layer of fat on the duck not really edible. Course 4 Bittersweet "Intentional" Hawaiian Vintage Chocolate Tart, Coffee Ice Cream - 4/5. Rich chocolate tart. Complemented well with coffee ice cream. Macadamia Nut Tart, Coconut Ice Cream - 3/5. WAY too much macadamia nuts. Literally 10 full nuts. If you love macadamia nuts, you'd be in heaven. But for an average level of liking them, it gets overkill. But great rest of tart and coconut ice cream. Wine selection - 5/5. Super fun to get 3oz pours paired for each meal for only $4-6 each. Quite a good selection for each. Had a Sauterne dessert wine. read more

This excellent restaurant is still at it, and yipeeyiyay for that. We actually ate in this locally renowned place almost exactly 12 years ago and had a most enjoyable and classy meal here. This time around, the son brought his Mommy back a delicious carryout Mother's Day dinner for 4 for $190. It was a high quality 6 course dinner that came with detailed reheating instructions. Deeelightful and deeelicous! read more

Sanford Restaurant - Carryout Mother's Day dinner menu for 4, $190. - New American Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Fresh peas must have been pretty darn good at the local farmer's market last week. Every dish I ordered at Sanford included peas. There were peas in the appetizer, peas in the soup, and peas in the entree. At least there were no peas in my dessert! But just because the chef happened to use peas in everything shouldn't be held against him. Every dish was top notch and the peas were a positive enhancement, and not the dominant element on each plate. After a rather pedestrian amuse and refreshing aperitif I started with the morel and sweetbread agnolotti appetizer. For some reason, I don't believe the dish as served was quite as described on the menu. There was a pile of morels (which were really good), and there were plenty of peas and carrots in a delicious sauce, but I don't recall any pasta (agnolotti) or sweet breads. Perhaps I should have taken a picture to refresh my memory. Even so, this was a first rate appetizer and the morels alone were fantastic. Next up for me was the chilled pea and watercress soup with confit snails -- a perfect soup for a summer evening -- in fact I would say it was flawless. The slight bitterness of the watercress soup contrasted well with the sweetness of the peas and the richness of the snails. Several brioche croutons added just the right amount of texture and crunchiness. As we were awaiting our entrees we realized that we did not make any wine selections -- so we asked our server if the sommolier could pair a wine with the next course. He happily obliged and personally, I was very happy with the wine selected to go with my main course of the evening. I've always loved soft-shelled crab so that's what I ordered for my entree. The three crab were fried crisp and brown on a scorching hot pan and served on a bed of peach & ginger preserves with spring vegetables (including peas of course) and a peach reduction. Another flawless dish, rich and filling with a nice balance of sweet and savory contrasting with the umami of the crab. Finally it was time for the dessert (which you need to order at the start of your meal so it can be properly prepared and ready at the end of your meal). I ordered the Cherry Clafoutis -- something I've not had before -- but something I'll be ordering again AND making at home in the future. Door county might be known for it's classic cherry pie, but Sanford's cherry clafoutis elevates the sweetness and tartness of cherry pie to another level. Paired with cherry ice cream (which seemed to be made in house) and a digestif it was a luscious dessert. I would like to give Sanford five stars -- because this is as good as it gets in Wisconsin -- but unfortunately for them I just happened to dine at a Michelin starred restaurant in Italy a few days earlier -- so the lack of refinement in both the cuisine and service was all too apparent. Little things like seating a group of four at a table abutting the wall so the servers cannot easily serve or clear the table without reaching over those seated away from the wall, forgetting to remove a plate after a course is finished, using the same ingredient in too many dishes, and salt and pepper shakers on the table, stand out like sore thumbs after experiencing true world class dining. But I am coming back -- because my preferred way of dining is to put it in the hands of the chef and do the tasting menu. It wasn't possible this time because we were a group of four with different tastes, but next time I'm coming with friends who are committed to the tasting menu -- and I am anxious to see what the chef can do! read more

Sanford Restaurant - Menu on June 18, 2019. - New American Near Me - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

See all

I am just blown away by this place! I called Friday and was able to get a reservation for 2 for Saturday no problem. We did the 4 course menu. So many great choices (I don't eat seafood which I feel limited with course meals but I had plenty of options). Portions were great- we were feeling stuffed by course 3! Make sure you save room for dessert. Everything was top notch. Beef dish was delicious, banana tart was heavy but loved the toffee crust. My husband and I were so pleased! The place itself is so cute- kind of feels like you're in someone's home. Such a surprise with the caliber of you get. If you're in MKE area try and get a reservation here!! $95/person and we got got a bottle of wine. $300 for 2 of us read more

See all

After living in Milwaukee for 11 years, I made it a priority to go to Sanford for my birthday. Extremely happy with that decision. The pacing of the courses is a great change from more traditional restaurants that get you in, fed, and out. Plan on being there a couple hours to throughly enjoy the variable/seasonal menu. The staff was knowledgeable about the items and were able to answer questions about specifics to the dishes. My first course is the pear and caramelized onion tart was finished before I thought to snap a picture. Go in with an open mind and an empty stomach. I will make it a point to be back before another 11 years! read more

See all

Cost dining room. Great service. The food was wonderful. Every thing on the plate was artistically arranged and had a purpose. So many flavors! read more

I was so excited to try this place based on reviews as well as recommendations from friends. It did not live up at all to expectations. First, and most importantly, the meal was ill-timed. It was three hours from beginning to end. Now, that could've been lovely. But in this case, it wasn't. There were long drags of time between courses and attention to us. In other words, we were ignored for long stretches of time. The server was inept, at best. Not what I would expect for a restaurant of this caliber. While the menu was unique, the combinations of food left a lot to be desired. It just didn't make sense. Everything tasted off. Finally, I made reservations for a three-course $75 a plate meal. What I ended up paying for was something completely different. The bill was $600 for four people with a bottle of wine. Not at all worth it. I have no plans to try it again. So disappointing! read more

Last night Saturday, November 26, 2022 we revisited Sanford restaurant in Milwaukee Wisconsin. From the moment we walked through the door until the moment we left, we were taken care of with mindfulness, care and love. Front of the house beautiful manager Anne was present as well as a full team of servers including Jen and Kelly. We were especially excited because our friend Jen was the server for the evening and we were so lucky to have her. Our two person table looked both east and west. The minimalist decor has remained consistent since it's opening in the 80s: white cloth tablecloths and napkins, white serving ware elegant and simple. On Saturday nights there is a four course menu for $95. You choose one of four areas for food including dessert. You can get a wine pairing. We chose two with our first taste. We also purchased a bottle of wine. Our choices for food were the maple and fennel cured pork belly (pickled cherries, amazing acidity), and the Scottish smoked salmon for course one. For course 2, Ned chose the garam masala spice kohlrabi soup. We enjoyed the wines chosen for that dish and the dish before so much fun our server Jen then had the bottle of wine open for the main part. I got the saffron monkfish with riced cauliflower not printed on the menu. Ned ordered the fennel dusted beef tenderloin ~ awesome. The bottle of wine we chose was a Gamay from Willamette in Oregon :-) We had so much fun watching all the people. The restaurant was full warm and lovely. The food truly was sublime. And we were able to go say hello to Chef Justin and compliment the whole crew in the kitchen! Kudos team Chef Justin Aprahamian! And I will end this review with the two desserts we chose: one, the banana butterscotch toffee tart with banana rum ice cream. And, the "Drive in" hot fudge toffee nut ball with open faced milk chocolate ganache toffee bar! AGAIN, a sublime MKE supper! Honored, Mary & Ned W. read more

Amazing food, ambiance, service. A wonderful and unique experience. Highly recommended

Cannot recommend, very rude and bacon heavy. Some wonderful dishes of culinary perfection, others not so much. Took the wife out for our anniversary dinner. Waiter asks if my wife is pregnant immediately after she says she prefers her food well cooked. This spoiled most of the evening and overall vibe. We did the six/seven course meal. The scallops and fish were amazing... the rest of the dishes not so much. However it felt as if all or most all dishes had too much bacon grease in it. Both of ours palettes were overwhelmed by bacon as we finished each dish. -3.0 - Initial conversation with our server. Mood killing. 4.1 - Overall service. Great service but seems like everyone is your server. Just confusing until you under stand what's going on. 3.5 - Food. Way over priced for what you pay for. 5.0 - Ambiance was perfect! Overall bill was about $300+ with two cocktails. Rating of 1 star is primarily due to the initial conversation with our server and the bacon forward dishes. Not super glad we went once, but the ambiance was nice for our anniversary. Other thoughts: If you go here... you can't just order the entree you want. It starts at four courses for 90 dollars+ or six/seven for 125+. Would have been nice to know ahead... if you weren't as hungry and wanted an entrée and desert only. read more

We went here for the Valentines Day event. I had heard really good things and was excited about the menu. Unfortunately, the food was simply not good and I left still hungry. I had the scallops as my appetizer and they tasted weird in combination with the seasonings. The shellfish soup as the second course tasted flat out bad and didn't work enough to send back. For the third course I got the tenderloin, which while edible was just fine. Tasted like a steak you could get anywhere else for a fourth the price. The dessert was the hot fudge toffee nut ball. Tasted fine. Could have got something similar tasting in the ice cream isle at Pick and Save or at Kopps. Service was nice. Our waitress seemed very knowledgeable about the menu and the chef. I can't fault the staff for the food. They were very attentive, but I wish they had mentioned they charge for refills on Coke products. I left feeling very scammed and penny pinched. Ambiance was also fine. It's a fine dining place. White tablecloths, clean, lots of silverware. Don't know if the lights were dim because of the Valentine's event, but it was kind of dark. Bathroom is way out of the way, but very clean. Overall it's the food that makes it a 1 star for me. It is absolutely not worth the hype by any stretch. And I really implore anyone reading this to spend your money elsewhere. It's not a good experience. I would have preferred a night in with a bag of chips, frozen pizza, and ice cream from a tub. read more

Great food. Great service. Pricey, but worth the splurge. Very cozy. Every course that I had was excellent. The desserts were superb. A hit with my group of diners. read more

My wifu surprised me with this for my birthday! It was amazing to pick up this kind of meal. Four course customized meal for $75 per person could be steep but for a special occasion totally worth it. I would call ahead to see what they have going on the day of. The best organized pickup at a restaurant thus far. Call when you get there and they will bring the food to your car. read more

See all

Rarely do I go to dinner somewhere and am still thinking about it days later. Sanford sets the standard for Milwaukee fine dining. From the food to drinks to service, everything here is extraordinary. My group attended and we all opted for the 7-course surprise tasting menu with wine pairings. We stayed for three and half blissful hours. At the start of each course our server, Allison, gave in-depth explanations of what we were being served, often giving anecdotes about where the food and wine come from. She was charming, engaging, ready to answer all of our questions, and even allowed us to come to the back to see the kitchen! This seems to be Sanford's specialty-- assuring that their front of house staff is educated on every aspect of the dish and having them convey it in a way that makes you feel like you met the distributors yourself. The service team works cohesively, making you feel constantly cared for and helping the entire meal run smoothly. To anyone who visits, I cannot recommend the multi-course options (4 or 7) more highly. Chef Justin elevates so many dishes by incorporating home grown flair into quality ingredients. From 5-year aged kimchi that he himself made to displaying his passion for beer in the reductions on the plate, it's clear that each dish includes a special flair connecting the entire meal. Beyond the food, the wines are tactfully paired and allow you to try a wide range of styles and flavor profiles. It's important to go into your Sanford experience willing to expand your knowledge and horizons, spend the evening dining, and spend a little extra to treat yourself because it is SUCH a treat to dine here. read more

See all

Great fine dining spot in Milwaukee. We had their Sanford cocktail which had a fruit and bubbly mix, kind of a take on a Belini and very nice drink to start. The Amuse Bouche was a nice little starter for the taste buds. I had the Salmon as the first course and liked it. The prosciutto salad was very tasty. The tenderloin was also very tasty and a decent portion, very savory but also very pepper forward. The lady had the scallops and I had a bite, they had a nice zesty taste maybe ginger forward and quite a contrast with the tenderloin. I finished with the Apple Tart and liked the tart. Overall food was excellent. Service was top notch. Not sure what some comments are in here on decor, the decor is appropriate and fine. Overall a top spot. read more