The Diplomat
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The space is larger than it looks from the outside and it's lovely! Love the decor and layout of the space. Our server was very nice and attentive to our table and gave great menu suggestions. We really enjoyed our meal and were pleasantly surprised. Our favorites were the Salted Cod Hashbrown, Roasted Beet Salad and the Trout. The trout was definitely the star of the night. The carrot puree that came with it was the best ever!
The Diplomat has been on our list of places to try, so when our friends suggested a night out and picked this spot, it felt like a bonus. One of the reasons I was especially excited was all the hype surrounding the Diplomac Burger. Ironically, it wasn't the best thing we had that night. Food: We started with craft cocktails. The Diplomanhattan for her and the Wisconsin Old Fashioned for me. Both had great flavor profiles, generous pours, and easily lasted the entire meal. The menu is entirely tapas-style, so we ordered items meant for sharing. We chose a mix of starters and entrees, which arrived in a typical staggered order. Our selections were the Haystack Parsnips, Sourdough Bread, Onion Salad, Diplomac Burger, and the Knife & Fork Chicken. Everything was excellent with one small exception, the Diplomac Burger. It may have been because we cut it into four pieces, so you lose the satisfaction of picking it up and taking a big bite. For me, it also came down to the meat-to-bread ratio. I've had many excellent Milwaukee burgers without the extra middle bun, and I'm also not a big fan of shredded lettuce on a burger. That said, the item that completely stole the show was the Knife & Fork Chicken. It's fully deboned, spatchcocked, and pan fried in cast iron. Absolutely fantastic. I wish I had left more room, because the portion was generous and I would have happily eaten more. The accompanying sides were all noteworthy as well, especially the biscuits with honey butter. You would think we were completely stuffed, but then we saw Peanut Butter Pie being served to another table. That sealed it. We ordered one to share between three of us. Just enough to satisfy our sweet tooth. Service: Service throughout the evening was excellent. We were seated promptly and set up with waters. Our server checked in early, walked us through the menu, and patiently answered our many questions. The pacing between courses was spot on, and the two-plus-hour meal flew by. Thanks to Anna and the rest of the team for taking such good care of us. Atmosphere: It's not a large space. You enter into the bar area, where the bartender was quick to greet us. The bar itself is spacious enough to comfortably enjoy a full meal. The dining room is through a separate doorway. Lighting was subdued without being dark. The restaurant was about half full, and the noise level stayed reasonable. The interior design leans European, with dark wood, intimate seating, and distinctive wall art. An excellent experience overall. This one is definitely on our list to return to. Next time, I would start with the Knife & Fork Chicken and take it from there.
This is a common refrain in my reviews about how long I've planned to visit a restaurant, bar, or brewery. Surprising to me. The Diplomat is directly across the attest from my hairdresser. Naturally this was a sign from the gods for me to finally pay a visit. The bartender was incredibly helpful and friendly. I sat at the bar and took in the beauty of the space. I had a phenomenal gin and tonic, but nothing to eat this time. I will definitely visit again and again. And bring some friends along!
So, we had a gift card for the Diplomat and went on a Friday night. I really liked the place. Service was good, food was excellently prepared, and the place had an eclectically cozy vibe. Dishes are not huge so you can order a few things and share. We tried the roasted beet salad, salt cod hash brown, The Diplomac, and oeuf en meurette. Looking forward to going again to try other items on the menu.
The food is great here. But I find the seating not the most comfortable. Service is good. I don't know why but I feel like the burger this time wasn't as good.
this place gives fine dining crossing into supper club vibes. everything here is meant to be shared which I love!!! our server was great but the staff as a whole could've done a better job clearing off our dirty/done dishes from the table. they would bring out the next dish and then we would have to clear out old plate to make space for the new one -- I just expected more from a nice establishment my favorite dishes in order of preference: (all of this was shared between 2 people) - salty cod hash brown: crispy, the dill sauce was great to pair with the cod - brussels sprouts: refreshing and light, with this peanut based sauce. so unique!! would highly recommend - peanut butter pie: so rich in flavor, great way to end dinner - sourdough: butter was saltier than I liked but the toast was perfect. comes out quickly to satiate your initial hunger - trout: the orange sauce was so airy and complimented the trout well - diplomac: not bad by any means but we were disappointed. wouldn't get again probably the drinks were honestly just ok, probably my biggest knock of this place. would've liked some tastier cocktail options here!
We had a large party at this restaurant. The food and drink came out fast, everything is shareable. I like the chicken liver mousse. The fork and knife chicken is a whole chicken, very large for 4 people which is slightly on the expensive side. The beet salad tastes good but I am not sure it is decorated in a way that it only occupies 1/3 of the dish while the other salad is a full plate dish. If you want to offer a smaller dish, please use a smaller plate. We thought it was leftover. Drinks are great. Ambience: 10/10 Food: 9/10 Pricing: 9/10 Service: 10/10
What? I've never reviewed The Diplomat?!?! Are you serious?! You can see from the photos that I've been here several times, which means I like it, duh! Most recently, I ordered the Lamb Cheeks, which were super tender and delicious, served with shallots, radish, and casteltrevano (say that 5 times really fast) olives over a creamy tahini sauce. Yum! I also ordered the Diplomac and added fries because both are always a good idea, and I had their Banana Bread for dessert because I've already had their amazing Peanut Butter Pie and Chocolate Mousse, and the banana bread was equally amazing! Maybe next time I'll just come in for all three desserts and a bottle of wine! I also enjoyed a glass of vino de naranja from Rodico and great service from Shea! Surely, you've been here, right? If not, just do it already!
Came to The Diplomat for dinner one night and was able to try the New Glarus Brewing Co Spotted Cow beer. I wish you could get this outside of Wisconsin! I also tried the octopus appetizer on fregola and the grits main with pork belly. Both were tasty and the octopus was tender. Service was super friendly and helpful but very slow. I was dining solo and sat at a high top but would opt for the main dining area!
Yum! Intimate setting, rotating seasonal menu and many plates designed for sharing. With the sharing concept in mind, my table split the diplomat fries and daikon salad. Both were excellent! We also had a variety of cocktails ranging from wine to margaritas. Rating this a 4 as the service to obtain our drinks was a little backed up and when I had inquired if my burger could be cooked well done, the staff had to check with the chef to make sure "there was enough time." I would easily bump this up to a 5 with improvements on time and how a patron would like their meat cooked. Thank you!
James Beard award winning chef lived up to its name The overall atmosphere of the restaurant with plants, cookbooks, and low lighting provides a cozy vibe. We came on a Monday thinking we would not need a reservation. They had to ask the chefs/staff to make sure it was okay that we came as a walk in, so I would highly recommend getting a reservation here ahead of time. You can tell everything is made fresh as everything came out piping hot. The overall menu is meant for shared plates and they change their menu often so there's always something new to try. The salt cod hashbrown was perfectly seasoned with a good crunch. The diplomac - their twist on a Big Mac - was one of the best burgers I have ever had. I had seen amazing reviews about their peanut butter pie which I'm so glad we ordered. The flavor with the caramelized bananas was melt in your mouth good.
I can see why the Diplomat is considered one of the best places to eat in the Midwest! I have some temporary food allergies and have been unable to eat out as usual for the past couple of months, and I mentioned it to the staff not expecting them to accommodate or go out of their way. I figured if anything, I could enjoy a few drinks and probably a salad. The staff and chef were so accommodating--it was unexpected and so sweet of them to work around some of the ingredients. Aside from that, the food was also delicious! I had the trout dish and my husband had the Diplomac (pictured). He said it was tasty and the hand cut fries were a real treat. I love supporting local businesses, and I can't believe it took me so long to make it in for dinner. I look forward to coming by again for a drink and food in the future. Once I am able to eat more items, I look forward to exploring more of their menu. Definitely check them out! You will see why Chef Dane is considered a gem in the Midwest.
Service was a bit slow, got our food before we got our drinks. However once we got both, they were really good. Good ambiance!
1 month ago
Yelp asked "What went well?" Idk probably everything. Since the moment we arrived, everything was smooth sailing from attentive servers to the food arriving. Everything we had was phenomenal, especially the desserts (we had 2). For two who didn't want to overeat (and overspend), we ordered soba noodle salad, single filet trout, short rib lentil pie, banana bread, and peanut butter pie. You're definitely paying a premium dining here, but the attention to detail and flavors was well worth it. I will be back to try their burgers!!! read more
Aside from the hair in my drink, I generally enjoyed the food here! I went in during a weekday and was pleased by the ample, comfortable bar seating. The food was inventive! The tartare was memorable and yummy, though the bread could've been crispier. The burger was phenomenal, truly outstandingly delicious. But the star of the show was the peanut butter pie, I would come back just for the pie! Unfortunately, I found a hair in the bottom of my drink, just as I was enjoying the muddled fruit from my old fashioned. I remain confused by the fact the hair didn't appear to belong to myself or the bartender - how did it get there in the first place? And what if I hadn't taken the time to enjoy the fruit at the bottom of my cup? Though the bartender and another staff person agreed to remove the price of the drink from my tab, perhaps management may benefit from a conversation not only about maintaining high standards and love for the food served, but also in moments where errors (like hair in food) occur, how to go above and beyond rather than doing what I consider to be bare minimum. read more
As always, late to the party. Diplomat had been on the "try" list forever and we finally made it in. Interior - gorgeous. Very Deco/MCM warm woods, vintage cool. Whoever did the design work - respect. Food - our impetus for going was seeing oeufs murette offered which I never see and love with all my heart. Sadly, it wasn't available but there were so many other delicious things. Deviled eggs and pretzel bites (with cheese spread) to start - channeling Wisco classics. I had a delightful pasta and mister had barramundi. I DO NOT LIKE FISH. This barramundi broke me - it was so delicious and not fishy. If you can make me like fish you deserve all the stars! Drinks - we had a gorgeous prosecco that was surprisingly complex. Thumbs up. Service - super knowledgeable and friendly. We later realized it was the chefs wife - hats off to this dynamic duo for a delicious evening!! read more
The space is larger than it looks from the outside and it's lovely! Love the decor and layout of the space. Our server was very nice and attentive to our table and gave great menu suggestions. We really enjoyed our meal and were pleasantly surprised. Our favorites were the Salted Cod Hashbrown, Roasted Beet Salad and the Trout. The trout was definitely the star of the night. The carrot puree that came with it was the best ever! read more
18 days ago
The Diplomat has been on our list of places to try, so when our friends suggested a night out and picked this spot, it felt like a bonus. One of the reasons I was especially excited was all the hype surrounding the Diplomac Burger. Ironically, it wasn't the best thing we had that night. Food: We started with craft cocktails. The Diplomanhattan for her and the Wisconsin Old Fashioned for me. Both had great flavor profiles, generous pours, and easily lasted the entire meal. The menu is entirely tapas-style, so we ordered items meant for sharing. We chose a mix of starters and entrees, which arrived in a typical staggered order. Our selections were the Haystack Parsnips, Sourdough Bread, Onion Salad, Diplomac Burger, and the Knife & Fork Chicken. Everything was excellent with one small exception, the Diplomac Burger. It may have been because we cut it into four pieces, so you lose the satisfaction of picking it up and taking a big bite. For me, it also came down to the meat-to-bread ratio. I've had many excellent Milwaukee burgers without the extra middle bun, and I'm also not a big fan of shredded lettuce on a burger. That said, the item that completely stole the show was the Knife & Fork Chicken. It's fully deboned, spatchcocked, and pan fried in cast iron. Absolutely fantastic. I wish I had left more room, because the portion was generous and I would have happily eaten more. The accompanying sides were all noteworthy as well, especially the biscuits with honey butter. You would think we were completely stuffed, but then we saw Peanut Butter Pie being served to another table. That sealed it. We ordered one to share between three of us. Just enough to satisfy our sweet tooth. Service: Service throughout the evening was excellent. We were seated promptly and set up with waters. Our server checked in early, walked us through the menu, and patiently answered our many questions. The pacing between courses was spot on, and the two-plus-hour meal flew by. Thanks to Anna and the rest of the team for taking such good care of us. Atmosphere: It's not a large space. You enter into the bar area, where the bartender was quick to greet us. The bar itself is spacious enough to comfortably enjoy a full meal. The dining room is through a separate doorway. Lighting was subdued without being dark. The restaurant was about half full, and the noise level stayed reasonable. The interior design leans European, with dark wood, intimate seating, and distinctive wall art. An excellent experience overall. This one is definitely on our list to return to. Next time, I would start with the Knife & Fork Chicken and take it from there. read more
10 months ago
This is a common refrain in my reviews about how long I've planned to visit a restaurant, bar, or brewery. Surprising to me. The Diplomat is directly across the attest from my hairdresser. Naturally this was a sign from the gods for me to finally pay a visit. The bartender was incredibly helpful and friendly. I sat at the bar and took in the beauty of the space. I had a phenomenal gin and tonic, but nothing to eat this time. I will definitely visit again and again. And bring some friends along! read more
So, we had a gift card for the Diplomat and went on a Friday night. I really liked the place. Service was good, food was excellently prepared, and the place had an eclectically cozy vibe. Dishes are not huge so you can order a few things and share. We tried the roasted beet salad, salt cod hash brown, The Diplomac, and oeuf en meurette. Looking forward to going again to try other items on the menu. read more
9 months ago
this place gives fine dining crossing into supper club vibes. everything here is meant to be shared which I love!!! our server was great but the staff as a whole could've done a better job clearing off our dirty/done dishes from the table. they would bring out the next dish and then we would have to clear out old plate to make space for the new one -- I just expected more from a nice establishment my favorite dishes in order of preference: (all of this was shared between 2 people) - salty cod hash brown: crispy, the dill sauce was great to pair with the cod - brussels sprouts: refreshing and light, with this peanut based sauce. so unique!! would highly recommend - peanut butter pie: so rich in flavor, great way to end dinner - sourdough: butter was saltier than I liked but the toast was perfect. comes out quickly to satiate your initial hunger - trout: the orange sauce was so airy and complimented the trout well - diplomac: not bad by any means but we were disappointed. wouldn't get again probably the drinks were honestly just ok, probably my biggest knock of this place. would've liked some tastier cocktail options here! read more
We had a large party at this restaurant. The food and drink came out fast, everything is shareable. I like the chicken liver mousse. The fork and knife chicken is a whole chicken, very large for 4 people which is slightly on the expensive side. The beet salad tastes good but I am not sure it is decorated in a way that it only occupies 1/3 of the dish while the other salad is a full plate dish. If you want to offer a smaller dish, please use a smaller plate. We thought it was leftover. Drinks are great. Ambience: 10/10 Food: 9/10 Pricing: 9/10 Service: 10/10 read more
What? I've never reviewed The Diplomat?!?! Are you serious?! You can see from the photos that I've been here several times, which means I like it, duh! Most recently, I ordered the Lamb Cheeks, which were super tender and delicious, served with shallots, radish, and casteltrevano (say that 5 times really fast) olives over a creamy tahini sauce. Yum! I also ordered the Diplomac and added fries because both are always a good idea, and I had their Banana Bread for dessert because I've already had their amazing Peanut Butter Pie and Chocolate Mousse, and the banana bread was equally amazing! Maybe next time I'll just come in for all three desserts and a bottle of wine! I also enjoyed a glass of vino de naranja from Rodico and great service from Shea! Surely, you've been here, right? If not, just do it already! read more
Came to The Diplomat for dinner one night and was able to try the New Glarus Brewing Co Spotted Cow beer. I wish you could get this outside of Wisconsin! I also tried the octopus appetizer on fregola and the grits main with pork belly. Both were tasty and the octopus was tender. Service was super friendly and helpful but very slow. I was dining solo and sat at a high top but would opt for the main dining area! read more
1 year ago
Yum! Intimate setting, rotating seasonal menu and many plates designed for sharing. With the sharing concept in mind, my table split the diplomat fries and daikon salad. Both were excellent! We also had a variety of cocktails ranging from wine to margaritas. Rating this a 4 as the service to obtain our drinks was a little backed up and when I had inquired if my burger could be cooked well done, the staff had to check with the chef to make sure "there was enough time." I would easily bump this up to a 5 with improvements on time and how a patron would like their meat cooked. Thank you! read more
James Beard award winning chef lived up to its name The overall atmosphere of the restaurant with plants, cookbooks, and low lighting provides a cozy vibe. We came on a Monday thinking we would not need a reservation. They had to ask the chefs/staff to make sure it was okay that we came as a walk in, so I would highly recommend getting a reservation here ahead of time. You can tell everything is made fresh as everything came out piping hot. The overall menu is meant for shared plates and they change their menu often so there's always something new to try. The salt cod hashbrown was perfectly seasoned with a good crunch. The diplomac - their twist on a Big Mac - was one of the best burgers I have ever had. I had seen amazing reviews about their peanut butter pie which I'm so glad we ordered. The flavor with the caramelized bananas was melt in your mouth good. read more
10 months ago
7 months ago
I can see why the Diplomat is considered one of the best places to eat in the Midwest! I have some temporary food allergies and have been unable to eat out as usual for the past couple of months, and I mentioned it to the staff not expecting them to accommodate or go out of their way. I figured if anything, I could enjoy a few drinks and probably a salad. The staff and chef were so accommodating--it was unexpected and so sweet of them to work around some of the ingredients. Aside from that, the food was also delicious! I had the trout dish and my husband had the Diplomac (pictured). He said it was tasty and the hand cut fries were a real treat. I love supporting local businesses, and I can't believe it took me so long to make it in for dinner. I look forward to coming by again for a drink and food in the future. Once I am able to eat more items, I look forward to exploring more of their menu. Definitely check them out! You will see why Chef Dane is considered a gem in the Midwest. read more
1 year ago
Service was a bit slow, got our food before we got our drinks. However once we got both, they were really good. Good ambiance! read more
5 months ago
5 months ago
The Diplomat continues to be one of my favorite spots in Milwaukee. The restaurant is cozy and well appointed, a welcome change from some of the other trendy spots nearby. We consistently have great service and our waitresses have been incredibly knowledgeable about the menu and numerous dietary restrictions and allergies. Finally, the food is awesome. The salt cod hashbrown is not to be missed and I would vote The Diplomac as one of the best burgers in Milwaukee. read more
Went to The Diplomat for dinner on a recent visit to Milwaukee. Once we managed to find parking in the very congested neighborhood (no on-site parking) we had a good dinner. Service was attentive, food was good, and the overall experience was nice. read more
10 months ago
6 months ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
My fiancé and I got a gift card to the diplomat for Christmas and we're so excited to use it! After I engagement, we decided to use it to treat ourselves. I have to say the rainbow trout really made me want to come back and order it again. It was perfectly crispy and flakey and the grapefruit added a perfect pop of frThe cod hash brown is a MUST order, I've never seen or tasted anything like it. The drinks were great and the waitstaff was friendly and helpful. Overall a great experience. The interior decorating made you feel like comfortable and intrigued. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
1 year ago
Yup. 5 stars. It exceeded expectations. Friend and I got a table outside in the evening sun- delightful. Service was prompt and friendly. Food was fantastic. Beet salad- yum. The trout was the star- crispy skin and lentils on the side. Wowzers. The short rib was very close to being as good as my husband's- which is saying a LOT read more
1 year ago
Food was excellent, service was wonderful, ambience was great portions were lacking. Four of us shared multiple dishes and left hungry. read more
The Diplomat is absolutely one of the better dining experiences available in Milwaukee. The dining room is a retro upscale ambiance that was perfect for either a group of friends who are getting together or for date night. The service was prompt and extremely friendly throughout the entire night, and we were there for a few hours without feeling rushed at all--very accommodating. A group of eight of us ordered an assortment of appetizers, entrees and desserts and the portions were large enough for everyone to share a part of each dish. The food was amazing as expected with unique flavors! They also had a great bar with an assortment of mixed drinks on their menu. Definitely a must try in Milwaukee! read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
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More info about The Diplomat
815 E Brady St
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Lower East Side
Directions
(414) 800-5816
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Visit Website
http://www.thediplomatmke.com
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Ask the Community - The Diplomat
I have been trying to find a restaurant here, that serves octopus sautéed in butter and garlic. Not squid, but octopus and conch also in the same sauce. Remember not squid or calamari,Any ideas?
The diplomat
