Welcome to The Original
At The Original, located in Milwaukee, dining transcends mere sustenance; it’s an experience. The restaurant prides itself on its cozy, neighborhood vibe while delivering upscale dishes at mid-range prices. Here, fresh, high-quality ingredients shine, as evidenced by fan-favorites like their expertly cooked duck and perfectly seared scallops. The curated craft cocktail selection, including standout offerings like the Black Manhattan and Brandy Old Fashioned Panna Cotta, adds a delightful layer to each meal. With attentive and engaging service, The Original is a gem that invites guests to explore flavors and connect with the passionate team behind this remarkable dining establishment.
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2498 N Bartlett Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53211, United States Hotline: +1 414-763-4811
Welcome to The Original, a culinary gem located at 2498 N Bartlett Ave, Milwaukee, WI! This charming restaurant beckons food enthusiasts with its warm, inviting atmosphere—a perfect blend of old-school coziness and modern comforts.
As a food reviewer for Restaurant World, I've had the pleasure of diving into the delights that The Original has to offer. Customers rave about their experiences, describing the vibe as laid-back with a focus on friendly service. Reviewer Lauren Hogan summarizes it beautifully: "Great spot with low-key, friendly vibes." Here, the dining experience is about more than just food; it's an opportunity to indulge in meticulously crafted dishes and exquisite craft cocktails made with an impeccable selection of liquors.
- Flavorful Highlights:
- Brussels Sprouts Appetizer: Deep-fried and drizzled with honey and pistachio, a perfect starter that many have praised, though some noted it could be a tad oily.
- Signature Entrees: From perfectly cooked steak to luscious duck, the entrees are celebrated for balancing upscale flavors with mid-range pricing. Customers have lauded dishes like sous-vide short ribs and seared scallops for their freshness and preparation quality.
- House-made Desserts: Don’t miss the bread cheese dessert or the innovative Brandy Old Fashioned Panna Cotta—culinary creations that encapsulate the restaurant’s commitment to local flavors and unique twists.
- Craft Cocktails: The cocktail menu is eclectic, offering customers a chance to explore unique flavors. As Ryan Sheridan points out, "Craft cocktail selection is impeccable," making it an essential part of the dining experience.
- Community Engagement: The Original shines in its personal touch, with the owner often engaging with patrons, providing a memorable experience that keeps them coming back—something Lauren Domski cherished during a birthday celebration at the restaurant.
The ambiance here is marked by a charming decor and a friendly staff who genuinely care about your dining journey. Many guests, like Nick Kochelek, mention the attentive service that enhances the overall experience. Reviews consistently highlight the exceptional quality of each meal, making The Original a standout destination in Milwaukee.
In summary, The Original is not just a restaurant; it’s an experience defined by exceptional food, thoughtful service, and a welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re a local or just passing through Milwaukee, make it a point to visit. You’ll walk away with not just a satisfied palate, but also a deeper appreciation for quality dining.
For reservations or inquiries, feel free to call +1 414-763-4811. Don't miss your chance to enjoy a meal at this delightful establishment!
First time here and had a great meal! Food was delicious, cocktails were fantastic, service was excellent. Great spot with low-key, friendly vibes.
Food and service were phenomenal. We had the brussel sprout appetizer which was deep fried with honey and pistachio which was slightly too oily. For the entrees; the steak was perfectly cooked and I couldn't get enough of the poule with herbs and house made Cesar dressing. My wife got the duck entree, which was cooked medium rare, kept its gamey flavor while capitalizing on the fat with a veggie puree backdrop. The suggested cocktails for each entree were excellent and paired perfectly with the dishes we ordered. We capped off the evening with the bread cheese dessert and split a tawny port. Awesome experience overall, and on Valentine's Day to boot! An absolute gem on the east side. Upscale protein at mid range prices. If you're in Milwaukee, make your way to The Original!
True definition of a family establishment. It is incredibly impressive what this team churns out. Craft cocktail selection is impeccable - Black Manhattan on menu or Vieux Carré off…you’re welcome. Service is both attentive but also engaging and conversational, be open and try something new here, it’s worth it. Everything is clearly prepared fresh and with the highest quality ingredients. I would post about the meal but am sure their menu changes over regularly, but in the event you can get it, definitely check out the short rib, Brussels sprouts, leak and potato soup, duck, perfectly seared scallops/order anything. Thanks for a great experience and see you soon!
This place is a must to check out and frequent when you are craving some craft cocktails and high quality food. The owner served our group who was there for a birthday, and it was a blast to laugh with him and learn a bit more about his vision for the place. It was a beyond memorable experience for us all. Amazing array of liquors behind the bar. A great spot to come even for a few drinks and appetizers at the bar! P.s. Brussel Sprouts, House Cured Salmon and the Scallops are all a must as well as the Brandy Old Fashioned Panna Cotta for dessert!
Super charming restaurant with old school cozy neighborhood vibe. Meals were varied and all were well prepared and tasty. Fun, friendly, attentive serve team ... we had a great time and look forward to returning!
Nothing short of excellent. This place doesn’t follow in the footsteps of popular high end restaurants in Milwaukee, it leads the way for excellence. Food, service, atmosphere and all around a perfect experience. Service is super prompt and attentive, they know the menu, and know how to treat people. It was our first time here and without a doubt, we’ll be back and have more friends along the way.
Had a very nice a great experience at the Original. We were out of town guests and we went online and saw the Original. Great atmosphere, great service and great food! The staff was super friendly and welcoming! I wish they had another restaurant by my home town! Next time I go back to Milwaukee, I will make it a point to go back to see some very nice people and enjoy a great meal!!! I would recommend the Original to anyone, you will be very pleased!
Had our first dining experience last night and it was excellent. The drinks, the food and the service were all spot on. If you go you have to try the Brussels sprout appetizer, like nothing we have had. All the entrees of scallops, fish (sturgeon) and pork chops were done to perfection. Can’t say enough good things about this place. We will be back! 8/21/2018 update Had our second meal at Original and it was equally good. It was a beautiful night, so we sat on the expansive patio, that was very nice. They don’t have Sangria on the drink menu but they were kind enough to make me one. Yummy.