4. Restaurants

AP Bar And Kitchen

814 S 2nd St, Milwaukee, WI, 53204
  • (414) 672-6000
  • Store is closed

AP Bar And Kitchen Menu

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Visit below restaurant in Milwaukee for healthy meals suggestion.

Auntie Anne’s ( 2500 N Mayfair Rd )

Visit below restaurant in Milwaukee for healthy meals suggestion.

Auntie Anne’s ( 2500 N Mayfair Rd )

  • Tiffany N.

    All Purpose is all kinds of sexy. From the vibe to the food, the drinks to the exceptional service it delivered on all fronts. My lovely dining companion (hi Rachel F!) and I ordered so many things from the menu and I have to say there wasn't one that disappointed... Dates with gorgonzola, bacon, red pepper, and molasses; beet "ravioli" with goat cheese, arugula, and soy vinaigrette; spatzle with clock shadow creamery quark, peas, and pumpkin seeds; butternut squash with brussels sprouts leaves, gorgonzola, candied pecans, sage, and brown butter vinaigrette; even the simple bread service - all of it was so, so good and I would eat it over and over again. The wine list is supremely interesting. They spend quite a bit of time seeking out exceptional choices and the server is educated on them enough to make choices easy based on a two sentences description. However, if you want to go into details they can definitely do that with you. AP is the kind of place that I visit and wish I could replicate in Denver. Well, not me, but someone in Denver. It has all the makings of a place that I would be a regular at if only I lived nearby.

    (4)

  • Tim W.

    It seems that Milwaukee really likes the whole New American Tapas scene. AP is another one of those joints. You see similar things here on the menu that you would see at other places like La Merenda and Odd Duck. The idea of tapas is great because you can share a ton of different food when you're out dining with a group. The problem is that the quality may vary between items and you can end up with one bite of something stellar and a few bites of mediocre. Here's what we tried: -Baby Octopus - Octopus was great, not chewy at all, nice char on the outside. The rest of the "salad" not so much. It was drenched in vinaigrette making everything too sour and the croutons soggy. -Fried Shrimp - Meh. Fried Shrimp. Don't understand the pickled daikon. - BBQ Ribs - Fall off the bone tender, but no strong flavors. -Blackened Walleye - Good texture and flakiness on the fish, flavor not so much... Breading on the okra was interesting... -Risotto - Not as creamy as I would have liked. Came out and it was somewhat solidified already. -Fried Chicken - Soy ginger flavor was great, just not strong enough, especially since the pieces of chicken were so thick, you got a teeny bit or crispy flavorful skin for a huge chunk of white meat. - Scallops - Scallops were cooked nicely with a good sear. Didn't really care for the rest of the dish - Foie Gras - Nice and buttery. I think my overall impression of the meal was just that it lacked a certain richness that I'm used to. Every dish was rather bland and nothing popped out or made me immediately wish I ordered multiple more of it. Some of the combinations were odd as well. That's the problem with New American. You need to come up with new innovative dishes, but unfortunately many of the combinations don't work. There didn't seem to be much organization. Often times the side portions of the dish (usually the vegetable) seemed like an afterthought and didn't complement the dish at all, or worse it clashed with it. Lastly, the prices at AP seem to be $1-3 more than other Tapas place, which can really add up when you're ordering 10+ dishes. Unfortunately, I left the restaurant feeling less than satisfied.

    (2)

  • Chad C.

    Wow, this was a pleasant surprise! I was with a big rowdy group and I tried a lot of stuff.... and I LOVED most of it. I can't find it on the website menu, but I started off with a sweet potato soup that had a goat cheese crouton. It was way better than I ever could have expected and had a nice spice that was also a surprise. I then tried the bacon wrapped dates with gorgonzola. Yum. Great sauce, too. Then it was time for ribs - which were some of the most tender I've ever had the pleasure of stuffing into my fat face. They came with an equally delicious creamed corn and some bangin' collard greens. Butternut squash - SOLID. Fried shrimp were good - not great. The only thing I didn't like was the blackened walleye - which was bland and had a bland sauce. I observed some people eating the molten chocolate cake with ice cream... and that looked very nice. The cake/soufflet was steaming. IT WAS MOLTEN. Our waitress was very personable and handled our kinda-obnoxiously-drunk table very well. My only gripe about this place? It's not the best value. I thought the portions were small given the price... as other reviews have already said. I really loved the food though and I'll continue to eat here despite the hit my wallet may take. This place makes me want to get to Crazy Water (same owners), too.

    (4)

  • Peter C.

    I'm the duke of All Purpose?! That's awesome since this place is amazing! This place came highly regarding and anticipated from fellow Yelpers since it is the same owners as Crazy Water, which is one of the best restaurants in MKE. The first time I went here, we sat at the bar where the staff was super friendly. It was great chatting with them on recommendations and cocktail suggestions. Super hipster vibe at the bar with mason jars as the cocktail shakers and amazing vintage bar lights. I have tried almost all of the speciality cocktails on the menu and have yet to not love each one. The beer and wine selections are huge too. The people next to us at the bar were really into wine and weren't disappointed by the menu. The beer list also includes craft beers, Belgium, and many other types of small or rare finds. The bar is a great place to sit if you get there late or just want a casual dining experience chatting with the bartenders. I went with a larger group and sat in the back at one of the smaller tables where you will be fighting for space. The menu changes frequently, which is truly amazing so you can go there countless times and not eat the same thing. I love the fact that they have oysters to start off with and the soups are awesome great that change daily. The entries you can either get small plates or larger plates. I have only had the small plates and then just split them between who I am eating with. There hasn't been one that has disappointed. The beet ravioli is awesome - it is using the beets as the pasta and in the middle is goat cheese. Highly recommend this to anyone that is looking to grab small plates and good drinks.

    (4)

  • William W.

    Had a GREAT time at this place. I was given a gift card so my partner and I went early on a sat. The service was EXCELLENT....get the scotch eggs w pecan mole.....and the craft cocktails were a TREAT!!!

    (5)

  • Mike P.

    WHY: North American Urban Rustic is my favorite style of restaurant. ORDERED: 1.Four different raw oysters, 2. Heirloom Carrots with ginger miso glaze, 3. Butternut Squash with brussels sprouts leaves, gorgonzola, candied pecans, sage brown butter vinaigrette, 4. Bread Service, wild flour pain de campagne, whipped feta butter, MAIN 5. Pork Belly, fried green tomato, sunny side up egg, sriracha hollandaise DESSERT 6. Cheese Plate, Saxon Homestead, Hook's Seven Year Sharp Cheddar, Carr Valley Ba Ba Blue TASTED: 1. The oysters were served with a cool presentation of a bed of rock salt with three different relishes and lemon wedges, nice to profile four species of raw oysters at once, can order single oysters as opposed to half or dozen most places 2. No carrots from my organic CSA taste this good. Carrots as candy. 3. Butternut squash dish was a nice expression of fall, really rich/salt as gorgonzola has more "bite" than a regular blue 4. The butter that tops the bread is amazing, I've seen places use unsalted butter and then add Fleur de Sel but this is unique, 5. I probably errorred in ordering this, I knew that pork belly was basically bacon but by the appetizers I was on savory salty overload, it was good but the fried green tomatoes didn't live up to my childhood memories of picking a green 'mater off the vine, dipping in flour, salt, pepper and frying in butter, these were tasteless sadly, the egg and sriracha hollandaise sauce was great, Lakefront Oktoberfest calmed the effects of the rooster (SORRY for the Jack Kerouac style review) 6. The cheese plate had a nice presentation with olives, dried quince, bread, fig spread, crackers BUT the cheeses selected were not user friendly. I work for a cheese distributor and know that a cheese plate should have mix of mild to more intense, these were not beginner cheeses, my wife didn't eat any of them too strong SERVICE/DECOR: I made a reservation via email this morning and got a response within a few hours. If using GPS All Purpose may get driven by the first time, it's an inconspicuous store front (see photo). We arrived and there was something about Yelp on the chalkboard entry way, represent!. We were seated in the back dining area which is designed really well, grays dominate with a large full wall colorful stencil piece covering the East back wall. Radiohead was playing. Service was great, waiter calling me "bud" notwithstanding, he graciously wrapped up the leftover oyster relish at my request (tacky thrifty maybe, but I have some whole grain Rocket Baby Bakery bread at home to use it on). I find it funny when service staff fills your water no mater if you want it filled, I didn't want an emergency stop along I-94 back to Wauwatosa, TOOK a while to get our check and leave but All Purpose was getting busier so completely understood. Too dim with candlelight to take photos of the plates which is rude anyway. VERDICT: Will return

    (4)

  • Alyssa F.

    Had a fantastic experience at All Purpose last Friday night. I'm already eager to go back. This restaurant has taken the place of the old Zim's or Fifth Ward Pub (depending on when you used to visit this area). They haven't done much to the space other than some cosmetic updates, but it seems to work just fine. I called a week in advance to arrange a rather large group for a birthday dinner. I was over their reservation capacity, but they were able to figure out a way to accommodate everyone. I was very appreciative of the effort they made, especially on a Friday night. When we got there, our table was ready and waiting for us. Our server's name was Anders (sp?), and he was great. Very attentive and helpful for everyone ordering different bottles of wine and menu items. The food came out very quickly as well. I specifically had the bacon wrapped dates and the beef cheek tacos. I tried a taste of the scallops, brioche and duck. Everything was delicious. My BF and I already talked about going back and ordering a bunch of different plates to try to the things we didn't get to taste that night. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for a good, fresh meal in a casual atmosphere. The only thing that's worth mentioning is that this place serves more small plate-style items, so go in expecting to order a couple plates if you are hungry.

    (5)

  • Daniel B.

    I have to say, I absolutely love AP. Been here several times, and the food and staff never disappoint. John, Justin, and Beth, I can't say enough about these wonderful people. Every time I come in, it's as though we're old friends who haven't seen each other for awhile. The manor in which this staff takes care of their guests, is equivalent to family. The food....THE FOOD! I've never had a substandard dish here. If you're not feeling the cold winter months, get yourself some pork buns with your meal and finish it all of with some desert (for the chocoholics, the molten chocolate cake is where it's at!). After looking through some other reviews of my new favorite place, I have some rebuttals to make. TO: Tim W: You're not a chef nor a paid food critic, so please just stop. Jim S: Loud and crowded? Welcome to a successful restaurant my friend. $10 for a cocktail? Yes! You have no problem paying $12 for a nice glass of wine, so why is $10 so much to ask for a well composed cocktail with quality spirits (at a higher ABV may I add)? If $10 is too much go to Applebee's. If you don't like a busy restaurant go somewhere else, or better yet stay home. Diane A: Once again, another noise complaint. Please just go to your neighborhood supper club that you love so much, and leave the fun to everyone else. Peace! (Mic Drop)

    (5)

  • Katie H.

    After having brought three different groups of out-of-town friends to AP over the past several months, I can say it's definitely on my list of top 3 faves in Milwaukee. On two occasions we were lucky enough to have Ben as our server, and his stellar recommendations and friendly service have really helped make our dining experience special. Drinks - good stuff. The bartenders take special care to make each drink "just so," even if it's a mocktail like the ones they've made me. (Side note, I never specify what I want, just ask them to whip up something. I've had a totally different and equally delicious concoction each time). Hubby says to get the Negroni, it's the best one he's tried anywhere, and he's become quite the Negroni connoisseur. Food - the menu is constantly changing so there's no real point in mentioning specifics, although I will say the burrata seems to be a staple and it's excellent. We've had the butternut squash and Brussels twice, which is probably a seasonal dish about to be rotated out whenever spring/summer finally arrive, but if you get a chance do yourself a favor and order up those veggies. Overall, AP is great for a group so you can try a large swath of the menu. We've typically gone with 2 dishes per person plus the bread service and dessert, and left full but not grossly so.

    (5)

  • J W.

    AP, blink and you'll miss it. Very warm and welcoming inside. We were seated right away and had a very good server. Cocktails were interesting and not too sweet. I liked the Surfer Blood-but could use a better name. The food is very good. (except the crab cakes, they were totally blah and they are usually a slam dunk just about everywhere. We didn't finish them.) Halibut was my favorite. Goat cheese tart was lovely too. The only drawbacks that I can see are 1. it is very loud in here. This is almost a 2 person place only. You wouldn't hear anyone at a bigger table. and 2. it is cozy! you are seated right next to other diners. Which, if you look to my right, was just fine--two different couples over the course of our visit--both were lovely and we talked to everyone. An experience like that can usually brighten your night, unless you looked to my left: The drunken snorting girl and her screechy loud friend could have ruined my night if I wasn't so tolerant of drunks and screechy-ness and we were ready for the check a short time after they arrived. But this place is too pricey and classy to put up with loud screechy drunk girls. Hope that was a fluke and not a group of regulars. I don't know yelpers, if you got seated next to a group like that at the beginning of your meal, would you ask to move?

    (4)

  • Kate M.

    Had dinner there tonight! My birthday and I wanted something different. Oh my!! Excellent drinks, service top notch. The bacon wrapped dates are to die for. We each, 3 of us, ordered small plates and tasted everything. Had the Hanger steak and spaetzle with brussel sprouts. Wonderful meal

    (5)

  • Clay K.

    I tired the brand new AP last night with a group of four which allowed us to sample a good number of their unique small plates. I have long been a fan of AP's sister restaurant, Crazy Water, so it came as no surprise that the food at AP was both creative and delicious. We started with a unique combination of watermelon and feta. While it was called fondue, there was no dipping involved. Instead a non-salty feta was melted over the top of a slab of watermelon. It's a classic combination with a twist. Delicious and fresh. The cold cucumber jalapeno soup was unique and amazing. The heat of the jalapeno is tamed by a creamy soup base with a hint of Greek tzatziki. The grilled baby octopus is served over tomatoes, ricotta salata, marjoram croutons, with a herb citrus vinaigrette. The octopus had a delicious char. Ours was just a tad overcooked. It was delicious though. The beef meatballs come in a delicious coconut curry sauce. I felt the balls themselves could use some additional ingredients. They appeared to be just ground beef. The dish is not served over any rice or other starch so I think adding bread to the meatballs could improve this already delicious dish. We all went back for every drop of the curry sauce. The kale salad (kale mission figs, toasted pumpkin seeds, buttermilk emulsion) was nothing short of fantastic with a succulent Indian spice infused buttermilk dressing. This was a real stand out. The last dish we tired was the scallops with grilled radicchio, fingerling potatoes, white peach gremolata. It was also a delicious small plate. The grilling of the radicchio tamed some of its bitterness which was balanced nicely by the peach flavors. We also tried four of the very creative, albeit a short list, cocktails. The Gabriel had us reaching for superlatives as did one other that took on an almost nectar-like quality. The space is modern, yet somehow warm with exposed cream city brick sections. It's both romantic and vibrant. The service was quick and friendly. AP has considerably more space and seating than Crazy Water. The place was packed on a Thursday. They take reservations and that's a great thing. This just in: All Purpose was included in Thrillist's 33 best new restaurants in AMERICA! Well deserved! Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Dana L.

    FAIL! I came here on a Thurs. night at 6pm. My colleague and I were promptly seated as the place was barely populated at this early hour. We ordered drinks and placed our order to share 6 dishes. Our drinks came quickly, our first 3 dishes came quickly (which consisted of bread and butter, the eggplant tartine and more bread, and the arugula salad). That's where the meal ended. We continued to sit with those same 3 plates in front of us for over 45 minutes, with no explanation or reason from our server. She continued to bring us more drinks, but never once addressed our missing items. The fried zucchini eventually arrived looking like a greasy, overcooked pile of worms, so we didn't eat that. Then our server came over to say ask us if we were still working on our plates and did we still want our remaining dishes? She told us that she had held off on getting them started. What!!!? We ordered them, we wanted and were waiting for them. We declined as we were completely over this place at this point. I had my suspicions that the party of 10 business men that were sat next to us had something to do with our order never being completed, but that's still no excuse. Their food continued to appear and they even left before us. Horrible experience.

    (1)

  • Lindsay C.

    We went to A P Kitchen for our anniversary and had the best time. Before I went, I wasn't too sure about small plates, but by the time we left I was so full! The food was delicious. My favorites were the pork buns,gnoccin, and the fried chicken.

    (4)

  • Brian M.

    Great service. Amazing food & dessert. Fantastic wine selection. Replaced Wolf Peach as my favorite restaurant in MKE.

    (5)

  • Barb N.

    Was here for Walker Point Restaurant Week. Had burrata, pork buns, scallops, and pot de creme. The pork buns were the highlight.

    (4)

  • Colleen W.

    Finally tried A.P. this week and my expectations were definitely met. The service was fantastic, the food delicious and the atmosphere lovely. Though I didn't order wine, my fellow diner was undecided about which wine to get, so the resident wine specialist gave her an impromptu tasting. The food was awesome. With a long list of items to decide on, we shared a bunch of different things, my favorite being the butternut squash (with crispy brussels sprouts), pork belly with fried egg and fried green tomatoes and the dates. We had dessert and I was pleasantly surprised by the cherry napoleon. I don't typically enjoy cherry desserts but A.P.'s changed my mind. Oh, and their cocktails were delightful.

    (5)

  • Kevin T.

    Perhaps my expectations were too high, but I found last night's dinner at AP a bit disappointing. First things first: the front door needs to be replaced. It opens out onto a small stoop and is navigable for no more than one person entering/exiting at a given time. Second: the bathrooms need to be cleaned and better lighting should be installed. The current lighting is harsh given the ambient light level in the restaurant proper. Now, onto the food... The good? The beet salad was stellar. The dressing and presentation were both top notch and the beet "ravioli" were creative and delicious. The roasted chicken was perfectly seasoned and expertly cooked. I normally do not order chicken, but the server encouraged us to do so and I'm glad that she did. The "meh, just okay" aspects? AP's risotto was fine, but for $10 you should get a proper serving, not a mini hockey puck. It also was clearly not made to order...but this I understand. The bad? The bacon-wrapped dates were worse than the ones that I make at home. They were overdone, lacked flavor, and the sauce was not good. Service was good, but water needs to be chilled or needs ice--minor nit. Wine selection is decent and predominantly European--which is nice, but it doesn't fit into the "North American Urban Rustic" theme of the restaurant. AP tries hard, but needs some work--some fine tuning.

    (3)

  • Jennifer W.

    When I got divorced over a decade ago, I thought I might not ever utter the words "I think I"m in love" again. Oh contraire! I think it's happening. Went to All Purpose with three of my favorite co-workers for our usual ladies night out (which always includes our ridiculously generous friend Sushil - not a lady.) We started at the bar with cocktails and I had a boozy concoction that got me all aglow. For dinner, we were easily seated but I must say, the place filled up so reservations might not be a bad idea. The food was, in a word, incredible. We had the cheese platter, bacon wrapped blue cheese stuffed dates (OMG), crab cakes and samosas to start. We then moved on to sharing some entrees: a baked chicken dish, gnocchi that was to die for and a cheeseburger (which I did not try, but was apparently ranked the 2nd best cheeseburger in the country somewhere recently.) But here's the real kicker: the cheese plate came with this amazing tomato chutney that was sweet, tangy, and spicy with a nice little kick. We loved it, and Sushil inquired if we could buy a jar of it. They didn't have enough to sell (though they looked into it) so before we left the waiter came out with a note from the chef - he actually wrote down the recipe for us. Wowsers! We were blown away. I haven't had a meal this great in a long time. Nicely played, All Purpose. I'll be back.

    (5)

  • David M.

    Walked in on a Friday night without a reservation, got seated right away. Suprised they weren't busier for a Friday. Service was good, very attentive. Food came quickly and was delicious. Will definitely visit again. Only complaint is price. We frequent many area small-plate eateries (la Merenda, odd duck, good kind, etc), but this is by far the most expensive. To leave full you need at least 3-4 plates per person at $9-15 that brings you to $40/person (without drinks or tip). BUT, as I said, everything was delicious and worth the $. Just cannot frequent this restaurant quite as much at current rates.

    (4)

  • Thomas P.

    We ate here several weeks ago and thought everything was good. We ate here this past weekend and it was outstanding. The tapas were exquisite with flavor combinations that stood out and demanded applause. :-)

    (5)

  • Victoria C.

    This was my first time to Milwaukee and this was by far my favorite spot. This is a place to drink and to eat, equally. It's versatile, you can get drinks in an atmosphere of a genteel bar/lounge in Brooklyn Or you can experience a culinary adventure with a Cali and European flair. The wine list is an adventure and you will find something new and extraordinary like La Stoppa Red Sparkling from Italy. I only drink champagne/sparkling wine when I am at home and would love to add this bottle to my rotation weekly. Justin, the manager, has a drink list that everyone in my party thought was phenomenal. Overheard that he brought a drink called "The Gabriel" from a friend in SF. That was the best drink that I have ever had. It was so perfectly orchestrated that I couldn't taste any gin in it whatsoever, but it was very potent and strong. A delicious compliment to the food menu. Favorites: Foie Gras Torchon- Sweet and savory Beef Meatballs- tasty coconut curry sauce Potato Leek Soup- Creamy Kale Salad-Rivals Willi's in Healdsburg Endive salad-love the grapes . This salad could be in provincial France or Californian wine country. Dates- To die for. A dessert almost. Beef Cheek Goulash- Meat lovers must. Fried Catfish- The best plate to eat with "The Gabriel". The owner, Peggy, gave me food and drink suggestions that all panned out wonderfully. No wonder she is renowned, this restaurant is amazing. The service was excellent and i will be returning whenever I am back in Milwaukee.

    (5)

  • Stephanie C.

    I found this place on Yelp when I searched "perfect weekend in Milwaukee", which as an aside had some really great suggestions. The menu seemed promising with lots of small, medium and big plates that could easily be shared thus allowing us to sample lots of different items. We ordered a bottle of wine which was a good middle of the road choice and was tasty. We ordered the radicchio salad, duck schnitzel, potato and endive, bacon wrapped dates, short rib agnolotti, the bread course and the cookie plate for dessert. Our favorite dish was the bacon wrapped dates (it's pretty hard to screw that one up) and we were most disappointed with the short rib. The pasta was a little too well cooked and the short rib was just 'meh'. The other dishes fell some where in the middle, so in other words, fine, but nothing that you're rushing back to get. The service was a little off...the waiter never returned to refill our wine glass, so we had to do it ourselves. Obviously it's not hard to pour wine, but just strange that no one came by to do it for us. Also, the dishes came out super fast and all together...that was a lot of food to have on a small two top at once. Our dining neighbor sounded like he needed to be placed into an iron lung, having massive coughing fits throughout dinner didn't really add to the ambiance, but hey, that's not AP's fault. If I come back to Milwaukee I'll probably try a different place, but if someone is looking for a suggestion for a place where they can share a lot of plates, then I would probably point them in AP's direction.

    (3)

  • Thomas N.

    Had dinner here for date night with my wife we sat at the bar. We let the bar tender help us out with choice of eats. My wife also loved her custom cocktail. We sampled a large sample of small plates all great. Service was impeccable I would tell you which eats were best but you should try it yourself.

    (5)

  • Kevin G.

    Visited All Purpose Wednesday night, and enjoyed myself so much I returned the following evening. Both nights saw good sized crowds, but the wait was never too bad. While waiting, we tried some of their signature cocktails at the bar (the bourbon and gin drinks are sublime). The servers both nights were considerate, prompt, polite and funny who both seemed passionate about the food and beverage selection. As a beer collector, the beer list was impressive and inviting, and provided a lot of new tastes. The first night we sampled the kale, that was the perfect hearty combination of the kale leaf, red onions and sprouts for crunch, complemented by a dynamic savory feta, dried cherry sweetness and a ginger vinegar for stomach pleasing tang. The dates were more full flavored dark fruit sweetness with the sinful decadence of a molasses bacon wrap. I just drooled on my phone. What's that? Want more sweet and savory combos? The feta fondue was an amazing and surprising combination. As other reviewers have commented, a "flavor explosion." As a meat lover, had to get the pork belly. The pork had a perfect rich fat balance, served with fried green tomatoes I would have ordered on their own and egg and hollandaise I would mainline. At this point, I had reviewed a good amount of the beer list. The next dish was a swordfish and my best recollection was a light delicious whitefish, deliciously buttered and seasoned. Night two I was excited for more. We started with the coconut curry meatballs. Again, as a meat guy, I was very happy with these. Initial coconut sweetness on moist, sauced beef precedes a tasty curry heat that sits on back of throat. Had to get the kale again for a good green balance, and another dish I feel bad that I forgot what it was (ordered by group) but it was veggie centric (I'm terrible with IDing greens). The wild mushroom risotto I recognized, and devoured it, savoring it's buttery, creamy, slightly cheesy goodness with a rich mushroom presence. We finished the night up with the fried catfish. Honestly, was worried, not having had catfish much believing it to be too fishy for my tastes. This was the opposite - a delicate and mild, succulent piece, lightly battered and paired with a malt vinegar that makes your taste buds say 'how do you do!' And guys, I want to go back.

    (5)

  • Andrew S.

    Today was my first time at All Purpose. I must say, the food was Magnificent.

    (4)

  • Dave F.

    We are here on a Saturday night and had a great experience. We tried the grilled octopus, the short ribs, the bacon wrapped dates, the pork buns and the heirloom salad. The short ribs were delicious as was the heirloom salad. The pork buns were tangy and very good. I enjoyed the octopus but my wife thought it was too charred. The food was uniformly good and we enjoyed our drinks. The atmosphere is trendy without being unfriendly. I also thought our waitress was the best server I've encountered in months. She was knowledgeable and helpful on both menu items and drinks. Her beer recommendations were spot on. She also did a great job of being available without ever hovering or interrupting. Interesting food served in a lively atmosphere by a knowledgeable engaging server made for a very enjoyable evening.

    (5)

  • Valerie J.

    I remember when Queens, NY got it's first Michelin starred restaurant. Everyone was shocked and yet excited. My sister and best friend loved it. I was not as excited. Why do I bring this up? Simple: AP could hold its own easily among the 1 star restaus of Queens... In fact, it could probably knock them out of the water! (Boom! Out of... or into ...the East River!?) But, Milwaukee isn't likely to get Michelin stars anytime soon. Even so, let's pretend AP has at least one! I'll start with the bad, b/c there was hardly *any* bad, and with a tweak, it could easily be fixed: The scallops (in tiger's milk, on awesome solterito salad, and with the amazing potato gaufrette) were seared in a way that made their outsides way too salty. Cutting off the exterior, you find a perfectly cooked scallop that is delicious. Remember, gang, scallops are like little flavor-suckers. If you give them salt, they're gonna absorb that! Everything else was fantastic. First of all, my husband surprised me by driving down here for my birthday dinner, as he loved the place on a prior visit. I was pumped, as I LOVE small plates - and that's what AP is all about. Hello small plates = trying more food ;) Our waiter in the adorable floral shirt was super awesome and totally helpful both on discussing the red wines by the glass, and by suggesting the fried chicken (he did not lead us astray). Our first course was tuna tartar, which was very different and unique in it's own right. It came with notable apple chunks and pine nuts, yet thanks to a hint of habanero, the sweetness was nicely counterbalanced with spice, as well as a bit of tartness. It was also super fresh, and the quail egg was a neat touch. Second up was the also fantastic asparagus salad. I loved the frisee salad, the scallion cream on the bottom of the salad was super smart, and the asparagus was delightful. The poached fried egg was fun, but I should have smothered it with the scallion cream sauce. (Yes, scallion cream sauce, people!) Next came the pork buns. Aside from them having a bit too much fat-to-meat ratio, these things were heavenly. The Pork is coated in a hoisin bbq sauce, wrapped in a fluffy (or as Theron said, heavenly) bun, and served with slices of red jalapeno and sriracha on the side. NOM NOM! So darn good! Then came the bacon-wrapped dates. I ordered this dish b/c my husband is a huge fan of dates. I cannot handle them, they are way too sweet for me. Wrapping them with bacon is like getting a helping of diabetes and cholesterol all at once. But, if you're a fan of dates, like Theron, you won't be disappointed. After that came the aforementioned scallops. Next up was a side of cauliflower which was amazing - slightly charred with fried capers, raisins, and parmigiano in some creme fraiche, this was a definite delightful journey for the taste buds. Also, while salty, it wasn't overwhelming. Last up came our fried chicken in a soy ginger vinaigrette. This was utterly delicious and the meat was perfect. Unfortunately (but not surprisingly) we were stuffed at this point! Thankfully, we took the rest to go! On the wine front, we stuck with the Veleta Nolados - one, because I can't pass up an intriguing grape blend, and two, because after a sip my husband was in love. Beware: it's 15% abv so sip it slowly. Otherwise, I can't wait to go back to AP. Not sure how often they rotate their menu, but I already have more stuff to try on this one, so I'm game for another trip to MKE for this place!

    (5)

  • Bri P.

    I love the atmosphere and ambiance of this casual-chic restaurant, but that's all. The bartender was knowledgable of the menu, both drinks and food. But he gave off a vibe like he didn't want to be there. We ordered octopus, oysters, roasted clams, asparagus salad, risotto, and creme brûlée (all apps and a dessert). Everything was subpar except the octopus which were uniquely displayed and tasted amazing. The roasted clams were HORRIBLE. They tasted as if drenched in Worcester sauce and hot sauce. I guess AP is trendy, but not good.

    (2)

  • Unyime E.

    This is a case where I really wished that yelp allowed for half stars. Recently visited All Purpose based on a few recommendations from friends. A brief summary - I really love the menu and what they're trying to do. The dishes were good, but none really wowed me to the point where I thought that I had to come back. However, the drinks and desserts were very very good. We started off with drinks. I really enjoyed the cab franc that they had available by the glass. Good red fruit and earthiness that goes well with any protein-based meal. Mixed drinks around the table were very good as well. Really interested cocktails on the menu. Then we got into the small plates. I don't remember the order in which we had them, so I'll just type off what I remember from memory. The chorizo scotch egg was a bit of a mess to me. The soft boiled egg was cooked beautifully, but the chorizo that encompassed it tasted way off from a texture standpoint. I wouldn't call it mealy, but it was looser than what I expected. The accompanying pecan mole was outstanding. One of my favorite dishes of the night was the asparagus salad. No one else around the table was really crazy about it, but I found it vibrant and fresh. There was duck confit pappardelle that the table went wild for. I thought it was good, but a little too smoky/dark. I thought it could have used a final dash of salt to liven it up a little bit and let the sauce stand out more against the heaviness of the duck. Made this observation at the table, was admonished and told that I could just use a salt shaker. Whatevs, not a fan of seasoning my own plate. I like to think that what I'm tasting is precisely what the chef intended to send out. Pork buns - awesome. Messy and spicy, just the way I like it. Real sriracha added additional heat. Big fan. There was a duck breast dish that I don't remember that well. Good, but I've recently had better. Risotto was okay, it threw me off at first as I could have sworn they added coconut milk to it or something. The rest of the table suspected that it was the unique oil they used that added a sweet element. Hard for me to assess as I was completely caught of guard. I had another spoonful, though. Scallops were enjoyed by the table. They were nice and thick with a decent sear. I like scallops, but they have to be thin with a nice crusty sear. To which I was told that I really don't like scallops. Yeah, probably. This review is going a bit long. I really enjoyed the raspberry crème brulee and the table also loved the chocolate bread pudding. 3.5 stars, can't round up. Will visit again.

    (3)

  • D S.

    Love this place! Great atmosphere! Good service. This place is hard to find. Not a fan of the location, but it's worth it. This is a Tapas place so don't expect big plates of food. It gives you the opportunity to try different dishes. Awesome Gorgonzola dates, Gnocchi, Pork buns, Chocolate pudding cake dessert and of course, The Gabriel's cocktail. My fav place in MKE so far.

    (5)

  • Sean B.

    3.5 If I complain enough maybe Yelp will fill follow Untappd and finally add half stars. slow start, great end. Maybe we were there too early, as food improved as night went on. App of bacon wrapped dates. I don't like dates, but bacon makes everything better,,, when used correctly... Fail: fatty bacon, and dates are obviously mushy, so yuck. Drinks: Really good. Oysters, good and slurpy. Fish and meat: heavy, tasty preparations. Gnocci with haibut was almost as good as Onesto. I liked the tiny piece of scallop Katie let me taste, rareity for me to like scallops. About the perfect preparation of bread pudding also to end the meal.

    (4)

  • Rick R.

    My realtor sent me a flyer from his First Weber office with a $15 off offer for AP Kitchen and Bar. Not sure why they picked AP, but I didn't care. AP was on my list to try and I hadn't been yet. The offer expired at the end of January, so it got me in the door sooner than later. So, chalk that marketing campaign up to "successful." I had to spend $35 (before tax) to get the $15 off. The three dishes I really wanted came to $34, so I added the Bread Service ($3), which was served warm and toasted with whipped goat cheese butter (yes, it was yummy!). It was either that or an oyster and I rarely order seafood from restaurants that aren't "seafood restaurants." I started with the Chorizo Scotch Egg ($8). It was cut in half and served over a pecan mole with a garnish of arugula. I smelled the chorizo as soon as the plate arrived. The shell was very crispy and while the flavor of chorizo was more subtle than distinct, there was a bit of a kick to it to let me know it was chorizo. The egg was perfectly cooked with a slightly soft center and the pecan mole was delicious. This is a dish where you really want all components of the plate in one bite. Next up, I chose the Grilled Baby Octopus ($12). I remember seeing some Yelp friends rave about it, and it's been a few years since I've had grilled octopus, so why not? Octopus can be tough and chewy. This was tender and very easy to eat. The char grilled flavor was great and the piperade (made with sauteed onions, tomatoes, and peppers) added a sweet and savory flavor to the dish, while the red chili added a little kick. It wasn't too spicy, but spicy enough to enjoy. The fingerling potatoes were perfectly cooked, nice and tender, but I don't think they fit with the dish. Maybe crispy, diced potatoes in the Patatas Bravas style would have worked better with the piperade and red chili. There was also a citrus vinaigrette, but I didn't pick up any citrus flavor mixed in with the piperade. Last up was the Fried Chicken ($14) which came highly recommended by a friend who is a major foodie. This was definitely a great way to end the meal. Wow! The chicken is fried skin on, but without the common breading often seen in restaurants serving fried chicken. For the record, I love breaded or battered fried chicken, but nothing wrong with a different preparation as long as it works. This one works! A skin-on half chicken is brined for 8 hours, then cut into quarters and fried. It is then served in a sweet and savory soy ginger vinaigrette with chopped nuts and scallions for garnish. WOW! First, the skin was crispy as I hoped. Second, the meat was super tender and crazy moist, beyond what I even hoped for. Third, the chicken would have been great by itself, but the soy ginger vinaigrette added a dimension of flavor that almost made me jump off the bar stool. I thought it was that good. No starch or veggie on the side, but it didn't need it. Get the Bread Service as your side starch and call it a day. Consider this review closer to 4 1/2 stars. I hope to make it back soon, and try some other dishes. I was impressed with the flavor, creativity, plating, and execution of the dishes I had tonight. For the most part, I thought the prices were fair for what I ordered. A tweak here, another tweak there, this is 5 stars. Super solid, though, and worth a visit if you haven't been.

    (4)

  • Carrie G.

    When you are the younger sister to the highly praised Crazy Water, you get a visit based upon reputation alone. But as any younger sibling knows. you also need to make a name for yourself, rather than stand in the shadow of an older relative. And AP does just that. They have their own identity and have earned their own accolades, of which I'm happy to echo. The interior is very welcoming and relaxing. A mix of Cream City brick and dark gray walls instill an immediate feeling of warmth. The professionalism and kindness of the employees add to that cozy feeling. The wine selection is fantastic but craft cocktails appeared to the the specialty of the house here. And a vodka gimlet ($9) was a great option. Our table started with the Fried Oysters with Horseradish Cream ($6), which were excellent. Large oysters were perfectly breaded in seasoned panko and lightly fried. And the cream had just the right amount of zip. Two of my friends ordered the Hanger Steak with Brussels Sprouts ($13) and were pleased with their selections. The steaks arrived at the temperature ordered (medium rare and medium) and the sprouts were roasted with a rich golden brown hue. Another friend ordered the Half Pound Cheese Burger and Fries ($13). The burger was cooked to order and topped with Gruyere and Caramelized Onions. The fries were thick cut and expertly seasoned. I opted for the Monkfish Entree ($16), which was served with Parsnip Puree and Roasted Cauliflower. The monkfish was pan-roasted and sadly, a bit overdone. This is a very delicate fish and when cooked with care is tender, flaky and moist. Mine was slightly overdone. Not enough to ruin the taste, but it was a bit tough. The parsnips were excellent, as was the cauliflower. The dessert of Door County Cherry Bread Pudding ($8) sounded too good to pass up, and I'm glad we decided to share one. The bread mixture was topped with a rich custard and topped with the decadent sweet cherries and bite after bit of great flavor. Our server was extremely knowledgeable and cheerful and enhanced our great meal with his expertise. The menu contains a lot of local sourcing (bonus) and I cannot wait to return to see what they offer next!

    (4)

  • Bethany W.

    First off - I hope you have good eye sight cause you can easily miss the sign for this place as you are driving around. And you don't want to miss this place. It's quaint and charming. Great date place or catching up with the girls. I sampled a few different items: Oysters - I love raw oysters and they brought theirs out with pickled red onions which was a nice touch. Though one of mine wasn't cleaned perfectly and I ended up crunching down on a piece of shell. Cheese tasting plate - I'd say this was your standard cheese plate. Small cheese portions though. If I came back is skip it and get something else. Grilled Octopus - had a really nice grilled flavor to it. Served with a sauce that has a bit of a vinegary kick but all around good. I'd order again. Fried Chicken - it's not your typical fry. It doesn't have a flour coating to it. Instead it's fried with nothing on the skin so that the skin itself it's crispy. Served over a delicious soy vinaigrette. Order this just beware this isn't your typical "fried" chicken.

    (4)

  • Phillip M.

    Winning is the only way I can describe this fantastic Walkers Point establishment. A dimly lit, unpretentious house of beautiful Milwaukeeans amusingly aroused by the scintillating aromas of what one can only ponder temporarily as sizzling pork fat, truffles and charcuterie. My oh my, if my tastebuds could speak I'm sure it would sound something akin to one of those screaming goats on YouTube. Small plates and plenty to go around, you'll definitely need a second stomach. Bacon wrapped dates, duck schnitzel, Parisian gnocchi, brussels sprouts and so much more as those were all that we ordered prior to ordering large plates. And Sweet Julius Caesar, make sure you save room for dessert...the chocolate bread pudding with caramel gelato is to die for. AP Kitchen + Bar is most definitely a go to hot spot for an ambient night out with foodies and libation lovers. Cheers!

    (5)

  • Liza Q.

    I am torn on the rating but in the end I'm happy it's in Milwaukee. The favorites: beet side, prosciutto and melon, and the duck confit pappardelle. The short ribs and whole fish mains were ok, nothing that blew me out of the water though. And for the price I thought they could have been WAAAY better. If you know how good octopus is supposed to taste, skip the octopus here, it was dry and chewy. Bread pudding dessert was amaaaazing. In summary, it's definitely a place to hit on the line of Walker Point foodies checklist but unfortunately I wasn't impressed and it was just...average compared to the others on the street.

    (3)

  • Jake B.

    Of the new American restaurants that have been popping up over the past several years, this is my new favorite. Replacing Odd Duck; The Noble; Crazy Water; and Braise. Great atmosphere. Varied menu. Decent wine list. Fun, lively bar area.

    (5)

  • Katie K.

    Review from October 2014. Well I must have the coolest co-workers ever! They bought me a $50 gift certificate when I was leaving/transferring units. Service was a bit slow considering we were one of the only couples there. Odd. I knew this was going to be a good night when we walked in and Beck was playing. I just love Beck. Probably tells you how old I am by saying that. Anyhow, Beck with my first Gin drink and honestly one of the best gin drinks I have had in town won me over. The Gabriel reminded me so much of Italy with a little Wisconsin love. Gin and aperol. Now, this is how you make a spritz! Eeeeek good! On to the food. I love dates, the husband loves bacon we usually enjoy dates with bacon. I did not enjoy these. I understand Gorgonzola cheese is a specific type of bleu cheese but these had more of the distinct taste of Bleu: strong, sharp and salty, with a strong smell verses just crumbly and a bit milder. The cheese was very overpowering. The bacon with these dates was also fatty. I loath fatty bacon. Plus the sauce tasted heavy and generic more like barbecue than molasses. The Halibut was a bit heavy but really nice. I would order this again but it is heavy so really didn't mix well with the lighter scallops we had. So why the 4 stars? Because these were the best scallpps ever. Period. Cooked perfect. Just perfect. And pesto with my scallops, why didn't I think of this. Devine. Overall I think this is a hit or miss menu for me. Dates awful. Scallops best in town. I look forward to going back and trying the baby octopus.

    (4)

  • Katie S.

    Why is it so dark in here? What are they trying to hide? Is there shady deal making going on?? Is that why it's so hard to find? The signage or any indication of you having located the right place is, ahem, sub par. Other than being dark, it was very nice inside. The staff were very nice and humored me while I was literally the first person to arrive at 5pm when they opened and then I waited 20 minutes for my friend who couldn't find it and I finally walked outside and she spotted me. The food was.......excellent. Very excellent. I would eat all of it again and again. I would like to come here again when I'm not on drinking sabbatical and really enjoy a good dinner and a drink.

    (4)

  • Daniela C.

    Stopped by a few weeks back and had just an OK experience. Again, I probably caught the kitchen at an off time, because everyone I know has said superb things about this place. I was just seriously....underwhelmed? I ordered the pork buns, which were probably the most memorable item that I ordered since....I can't really remember anything else. I think the plates I had ordered were fairly bland and just really underwhelming. The service was great. I sat at the bar and felt very attended to. I'll probably stop by again since I really want to like this place....

    (3)

  • Ilana O.

    Whipped. Honey. Goat. Cheese. Butter. The place: even though we were looking for it, we did manage to walk past it .. Just by a few feet, though. I felt underdressed in jeans and a nice tshirt..but my husband didn't mind, and apparently our money was still good there. Score. It feels classy. And less crowded than crazy water. It is loud though. A true sign of popularity. We were 10 minutes early for our 7:30 reservation, but they sat us right away. The taste: Whipped. Honey. Goat. Cheese. Butter. With the bread service. So creamy and delicious. Worth $3. We started with bread, and a drink each. We shared avocado carpaccio, duck salad, foie gras, seared halibut..... And ended with the chocolate bread pudding. I didn't end up taking pictures of the food because we were so engrossed in dividing and conquering everything. Everything tasted great and was timed really well. My face: thrilled that AP is walking distance from my home. We spent $100 on dinner for 2, so I wouldn't personally go all the time, but because they change the menu with some regularity, I anticipate we will be back again soon. Even if it's just for the bread service and dessert. Yum yum yum.

    (5)

  • Ellie B.

    I visited AP again for Walker's Point Foodie Week in August of 2014 and I bumped my rating up a well-deserved star. The service and food were delicious. I chose these dishes from the menu: Kale Salad - dried apricot, feta, toasted almond, red onion, miso dressing Burrata - sauteed spinach, brioche, lemon beurre blanc Spaghettini Pomodoro - cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, parmigiano My lovely dinner dates and I shared the two desserts: Seasonal Fruit Pie and the Chocolate Pot du Creme and they were both wonderful.

    (4)

  • Margaret R.

    Great food, pleasant service, modern surroundings! Dined here NYE with the beau and we gobbled up every last morsel. We had a reservation and were seated promptly. The place is modernly outfitted, which is hard to tell from the indistinguishable exterior. Our server was efficient and pleasant and to tell you the truth I don't remember if it was a guy or gal...which means they did their job extraordinarily well. Our glasses were kept replenished and food was always brought to the table, we had what we needed and for a romantic dinner, we didn't require any memorable banter from the server. He loved his craft cocktail and my wine was lovely. I'll never forget those teeny pork buns. Three delectable miniature tacos with ingredients paired to perfectly emulate the most delectable pork steamed bun. I was ready to order more. Instead we opted for bread service (nothing extraordinary here but tasty bread with goat cheese butter nevertheless) and Hook's 7-year aged cheddar, which was served with flatbread crackers, honey and the most incredible tomato jam. Entrees! I devoured the duck schnitzel with parsnips and he had the lamb shank that reminded me of short ribs. Considering the size of our small plates we started with, the entree-type dishes were significantly larger but not overwhelmingly so. Just enough to fill us up. Despite that, I sprung for the creme brûlée, my favorite dessert. Most places disappoint me here. AP? Not so. One of the best I've had! I suppose I should add the he ordered coffee after dinner and h seemed to enjoy that quite a bit. A delicious way to end 2014! I can't wait to return. P. S. To no fault of the restaurant, there was a large party seated next to us. We could hardly hear each other due to their immense volume, so not an ideal place for a quiet dinner for two. There are a lot of hard surfaces, so the noise just seems to reverberate. It did dampen our experience and we asked to be moved but understandably, they were quite busy with a full restaurant that night.

    (5)

  • Maria S.

    1. Awesome small plates (my favorites were the snail risotto and the scallops)9212 2. Nice decor 3 Excellent service and management 4. Diverse Beer List 5. Friendly and accommodating to us bringing our 11 month old. Bathrooms were a little gross for 6pm... I know these things matter to me.

    (4)

  • Dan L.

    In the words of Jim Carrey in Liar Liar: "I've had better." 3 stars because it's a cool little small plates place with great potential, but in a half mile radius, there are at least 2-3 other small plates places that crush this place. The food was good, not great. I enjoyed everything, and they were all quality dishes, but nothing stood out as being very memorable. We had the pork buns, venison, scallops...and I can't remember what else, but the dishes were just OK. The pork buns would probably have to be the best out of the bunch. Do they have dessert? I don't know. Our waiter didn't offer us any. Seemed in a rush to get us out. Venture over to Braise, La Merenda, or the Odd Duck and you'll be much more satisfied. AP Bar isn't cheap either, so I would say you get much more at the other places in the area.

    (3)

  • Katy S.

    Really disappointed with AP. 7:30 Sunday night dinner and we were one of only maybe 4 tables in the place. Host/manager is actually drinking a glass of rose at the stand, which I thought was a pretty bold move, but he was decently friendly so it didn't bother me too much. Look at the menu, decide on dates, octopus, asparagus salad and the duck. Dates were heavy handed, overcooked and mushy. Asparagus salad was quite good, however and the duck was cooked well. The octopus was extremely chewy, over seasoned and the salt level was unpalatable. I happened to notice throughout the meal, that the host was drinking a lot. After the initial glass of rose, I saw him then drink a glass of white wine, an additional rose, and then another glass of red. In the time we ate, he consumed 4 glasses of wine. Our server was vacant, inattentive, and offered literally no assistance. She just ran our food. Glad my curiosities were satisfied, but I will never come back.

    (2)

  • Rachel F.

    Delightful, and can't wait to return! I had high hopes for AP given that Crazy Water is one of my favorite restaurants in the city... and I'll tell you what, Milwaukee... I certainly wasn't disappointed! From the dates (rich, savory + sweet, bacon-wrapped guilt-laden goodness) to the spaetzle (balanced, comforting, creamy, and rich) to the fried chicken (I wish I could say more here, but well, simply delicious and a must-try at some point) to the beet "ravioli" (goat-cheese sandwiched with beets, a light and balanced house-made vinaigrette accompanying rocket/arugula) to the bread service to the insanely boutique-y old world focused wine list, AP does new American right. Our server was absolutely on point, as well. He was attentive yet hands-off enough to respect myself and Tiffany's lengthy and involved catch-up over dinner type attitude. Professional, friendly, and knowledgeable, to boot. Kudos sir! The decor is minimal yet lovely. Should the owners/GM happen to see this review, my one piece of advice would be to pump less jam in the space, especially earlier. While I really love the National, I found it difficult to converse at a volume I would've liked given the volume. Just a touch too high for the hour, but that's nitpicky. I really really dig AP. I knew I would, but then again, you never know until you try, do you? So try. Go. You won't be disappointed. Excited to go back, indulge in even more innovative eats and obscure wine choices, and hopefully dole out that fifth star!

    (4)

  • Corianne M.

    A clean and relaxed atmosphere fueled by seasonal creations of culinary perfection! AP Bar and Kitchen is a manifestation of the perfect dining experience. I am a food dork who worked in the service industry for more than 15 years, and I am shocked to admit that I have never been more satisfied with a dining experience. Each of the small plates uses multiple flavors and textures to elevate simple ingredients into exceptional cuisine. The Scotch Egg was especially impressive for me because I have never cared for Scotch Eggs. The soft, over-medium center is the perfect compliment to the crunchy cornflake exterior. The rustic mole swept beneath the egg blew me away! Earthy, nutty, rich, savory...seriously, I never knew THIS is mole! Every plate delivered me to a unique place euphoric satisfaction. Also, for me the timing of service is so crucial to enjoying a meal. I was beyond ecstatic that our server perfectly coursed our selections. I am not a desert person, but after dinner, we had to get the bread pudding. Again, perfectly sized, prepared, and delivered. If you love being able to dress comfortably and feel warmly welcomed while savoring culinary excellence, then AP is the place for you!

    (5)

  • Jo L.

    Recommended by a local. Visited for late dinner on a Saturday night (around 9pm) and was seated right away, after driving by a dozen times - the building has a very small sign that reads "all purpose". I liked the "feel" - dim, a bit luxurious/rustic. Good beer selection (plenty of locals), wine list, and some creative cocktails. Our table of 3 enjoyed an aged cheddar (with some creative add-ons), fresh bread with REALLY good whipped goat cheese butter (new one for me!) first. Then we shared three small plates: Miner's salad (yummy - with hazelnuts and dates), risotto (with blackened shrimp and chorizo), and gnocchi (with dill and mushroom sauce). All were fresh and executed well. Host and server were friendly and professional. Service a little slower than expected, but not bad - gave us friends more time to catch up.

    (4)

  • Lori L.

    We went back to AP for Walker's Point Foodie Week. I have to confess that AP rates for me in the top five restaurants in Milwaukee. The food pairings are incredible. From the tasting menu I had the bacon wrapped dates, spinach burrata, seared scallops and chocolate pot du crem. Others tried the kale salad, pork buns and hangar steak. All of the dishes had great flavor. I would rate their scallop preparation on par with Sanford. I tried my husband's pork bun and I thought it was better than the burrata or dates. Definitely do try the bread service with the honey goat butter because it is incredible. The only downside is that the service does not match the food quality. It is prompt in fact a little too prompt. The dishes are not given the proper presentation that they deserve. Unlike high end restaurants they don't unveil and give you the explanation of the dish. Even though I think the service does not mimic traditional high end restaurant I still give AP my thumbs up. They are a growing part of what is making Milwaukee a foodie destination.

    (4)

  • Allison F.

    Small plates. Good drinks. Everything is fresh and tasty. Bring along a couple of gal pals and you've got a great start to a Saturday night.

    (4)

  • Andy K.

    Being a huge fan of Crazy Water, I expected nothing less than a phenomenal experience. With all the great choices in the area, AP with it's nondescript frontage is definitely worthy of my dining dollar. I like that the menu is ever-changing but what impresses me most is the creative simplicity of some of the dishes. AP sports an extensive wine list and a good variety of beer. While I have not had to wait for a table later in the evening they have looked to be very busy earlier so be sure to call for a reservation. Also I noticed on my second visit that the menu was no longer broken out into small and large plates... I liked the separator. The feta "fondue" mentioned in other reviews was definitely a highlight! Cold watermelon topped with greens and vinaigrette with a fried slice of feta on top packed a flavor explosion in each bite. Another standout was the pork belly. Nice chunks of pork belly were paired with the tastiest fried green tomato I've ever had along with an egg and hollandaise sauce. This dish would make a great meal on it's own! I'm not one to go for parts but the beef cheek goulash was totally not what i expected. The server explained the whole braising process so I decided to take a risk. The sauce and cheek was very stew-liked and paired with chunks of grilled garlic bread. I'd definitely recommend the cheeks! I picked the eggplant pave because I thought it would be something that I could easily re-create at home. Nicely sliced pieces of eggplant and zucchini were mixed with tomato sauce and baked with manchego cheese on top. Yum! The only issue we had was that three of the dishes were brought out at the same time and that the server took the beef cheeks away before we could finish picking at the remnants. That said, service overall was exceptional and assistance with a wine selection was spot-on.

    (5)

  • Michael A.

    Good food, decent prices. Avoid the steak frites and octopus. Otherwise, everything else was really good.

    (4)

  • Brian P.

    My first time here, I legitimately had a hard time finding the place. There's just a decal on a glass door that's tucked into the front of the building. Step inside and you'll find a cozy, well decorated gem, which has firmly earned its spot as my go-to restaurant in Milwaukee. After AP earned its well-deserved spot in Carol Depotolla's Annual Top 30 list, it has become significantly busier, so make sure to arrive with a reservation already made. AP provides a solid, reliable, and seamless dining experience. One of the issues I frequently find at small plate restaurants is sometimes leaving feeling unsatisfied. Like somehow, the portions should have been just a tad larger. I don't have that issue with AP. The menu has significantly changed since my last visit, and I was liking the new dishes. However, I was happy to see that my old "standbys" of the hangar steak and pork buns are still featured. This place isn't just all about the food, though. One of my favorite things about AP is that it stays true to the bar AND restaurant name. Expertly crafted cocktails, a unique wine list that goes on for pages, and a solid selection of craft beers; this excellent combination of stellar drinks and delicious food allows AP to be -truly- All Purpose. Whether you're just there for a few cocktails and a plate, or ready for a full-course meal, AP fits the bill perfectly.

    (5)

  • Jen W.

    Like everyone else, I went to AP with pretty high expectations. In the past, places with this much hype have left me disappointed (I'm looking at you Odd Duck), but AP delivered. First, the service was phenomenal. There was a snafu with our reservation and the hostess went way beyond necessary to make up for it. I loved the space and the menu had lots of options for vegetarians and carnies alike. I had the burrata and mushroom lasagne, both which were solid, though not exceptionally innovative. Both were pretty huge servings and the price point is reasonable. I will definitely be back as there were a number of other things on the menu I want to try.

    (4)

  • Nick K.

    We were very impressed with AP. We had two apps and split an entree. The menu will rotate monthly I believe they said. Drinks were reasonably priced. The Watermelon Feta salad with nuts and balsamic was delicious, and so were the curry meatballs. The meatballs were a little small, and they fell apart when you cut them in half, but the flavor was on cue. We also tried the tagliatelle, with braised pork shoulder. The pork was extremely flavorful, the pasta was cooked perfectly, and the sauce seemed to be homemade and well balanced with just a hint of cheese. The place seems a little awkward, trying to be more casual while still having a fine dining refinement (Maybe? Who am I to say, whatever.) Either way, All Purpose is new to our neighborhood and we will be back again to sample more!

    (4)

  • Andy C.

    Date of visit: 1.24.14 Location: 3 out of 5 Up and coming Walkers Point offers an eclectic mix of dining, so when you have the likes of Stenys, Ashley's Q, Fat Daddys, etc. all in the same area, AP fits in just as uniquely as everyone else. The downside is that parking can be a bit hard to come by, but after a few moments of looking, we were able to find free street parking. Public transportation isn't a terrible option, as GRE runs right by. Decor: 4 out of 5 Industrial Chic. Artistically dark. Whatever you want to call it, the place looks sharp inside, even if it's not "happy" or "bright" or "pastel" looking. The only thing that I might do away with at some point based solely on a personal preference would be the mirrors in the back part of the dining room. Having lived in an 2 flat old apartment in Chicago that was built in the 50s or 60s, I understand the original intent of mirrors in enclosed spaces, but in a restaurant it just sort of creeps me out. Hey, on the plus side - the men's room had sandalwood air fresheners on top of the urinals. It also had a space heater, which is good - but the proximity of said heat rising against my nards made me get out of there PDQ (pretty damned quick), i.e., no time to smell the delightful scent of sandalwood air freshener! Customer Service: 5 out of 5 While servers did appear to be of hipster origin, they were actually quite nice, friendly, and helpful. I even did a quick beard check to see if their beards were groomed with product (a dead giveaway that they are in fact, poseurs), but alas - the only thing I remember as being somewhat droll was some of their quasi Scandinavian sweaters. In other words - in this particular instance, I really don't care what their origin story is, if they're actually hipsters, faux hipsters, hipster wannabes, etc. Doesn't matter. They were quick and attentive, and made sure that we had what we needed at each point in the evening. When we entered, we were told that a table wouldn't open up for another 2 hours and we found a place at the bar, but due to some unforseen event, a table DID open up within 5 minutes, and one of the guys ushered us there quickly. Which leads me to my * asterisk clarification: do try to get reservations if you can because the crowd on a Friday night gets dense, and we were lucky just to find two seats at the bar to begin with. Selection of Food: 4 out of 5 The menu in terms of sheer quantity isn't going to blow your mind, nor are you going to say to yourself, "oh holy cow baby calf cooked in its mothers uterine sack with the hoof still attached, idkwtf is going on here." No, the most adventurous thing on the menu here is probably the veal sweetbreads, and frankly - they're likely not going for the whole "Gastropub" experience. More just...fine American style fare. A couple types of salads including a clever take on an old fashioned, some protein (chicken, fish, steak), some seafood (rotating selection, oysters, shrimp, octopus), some cheese/butter, and a few odds and ends like dates, spatzle etc. are the ones that I remember. I mean - they even have a cheeseburger on the menu just in case you come here with a less adventurous eater. Quality of Food: 4.25 out of 5 In no particular order, we ordered: the oysters they had for the evening; beet salad; fruitti de mare (fruit of the sea); fried chicken; and, steamed pork buns. I do enjoy eating oysters that are sourced from different bodies of water because the salinity and brininess is easily discernible. The "beaujolais" oysters were the most punch in yo mouf in terms of salinity, while the Alpine Bay ones were probably the most mild and almost citrusy (a good one for people who want to get into the world of oysters). Beet salad was off the hizzy with red AND golden beets, a lovely blue cheese cream, and a pumpkin seed dressing that I will try to replicate. And fail. The fruit of the sea dish was the one weaker point of the evening. The shrimp was over grilled, which is passable in most instances, but what that meant for the octopus that they probably grilled for the same amount of time is that it was DEFINITELY overcooked/undercooked (depending on how you look at it). Octo is one of those foods that you either gotta cook super fast or stew super slow to make it tender. Ooops. Fried chicken with the ginger glaze = fangwutastic, and the steamed pork buns with fattticus pork belly inside was well, fatticus and delectable and finger licking good. Libation Selection: 4.5 out of 5 I don't drink wine, but I like looking at the lists. Holy smoke what an extensive list of glass and bottle varieties. (Note that the majority is bottles only). Decent beer list, with a few craft cans/bottles for 4$ which is a steal in these types of restaurants, and a few novel cocktails that looked interesting, but not interesting enough for me to order. Plus, Oskar Blues cans were 4$, which again...is a sure bet. Overall: 4 out of 5

    (4)

  • Kathleen S.

    First stop in Milwaukee and it was a home run. Loved the menu and the eclectic selection of shareable items. Our service was great and the food was deliciously creative. I noticed another reviewer complaining of how hot it was inside and remembered that I noticed that also. Fortunately we were seated in front so we just opened the window by us to let in a breeze which really helped.

    (5)

  • John V.

    will my updated review count as review number 69? jw. (turns out nah what a bummer.) living in the streets saving my cash to buy that jeroboam. big bottle. big list. size matters. sit at the bar alone. scroll through your phone. catch your reflection in a glass e-ros. breathe. last friday night / yeah we danced on tabletops / and we took too many shots / think we kissed but I forgot. try the dates.

    (5)

  • Elizabeth A.

    Compared to the other tapas style restaurants in Walker's Point, this one is decent but doesn't really stand out food-wise. In fact, what I remember most about the place is what put me off about it. I had made a reservation for me and a friend recently, and that afternoon I called to see if I could change it from 2 to 4 people, so our other friends could join us. They said no, which I totally understood seeing as how it was last minute. I kept the 2-person reservation, and when my friend and I arrived, our table wasn't ready. No big deal, we hung out at the bar and chatted while we waited. We got a few apologies from who I think was maybe the manager, and she offered to put a drink order in for us at the bar, which was a nice gesture seeing as how the bar was jam-packed. She asked a nearby server to put our drink order in, and the server seemed super annoyed with us, which was awkward because we weren't the ones who had pulled her aside and asked her to take our order, the manager was. Anyway, we ended up being seated after about a half hour wait, and here's the part that bothers me: we were seated at a four-person table. I understand things don't always work out as far as people showing up for their reservations on time, or a table of patrons idling way too long at their table after finishing their meal, but it just really put us off that we were told we couldn't have a four person reservation, when in reality we could have invited along our two other friends. I may give it another try, but I'm in no rush to do so, since there are so many other great options in that neighborhood for tapas.

    (3)

  • Karin G.

    I heard great things about this place and am reading all of the really good reviews on this place and I am quite surprised. Perhaps I was there on a very off night? 1. We called and left a message for a reservation and never received a callback, so our party called and they of course never had us reserved... they did reserve a table for us at that point with some prodding. 2. It was unbelievably hot in there. In my group of 7 of us we were all very uncomfortably warm. The food was mediocre... the pesto risotto was good, the scallops were raw in the middle, and the gnocchi was the consistency of glue in the middle. The hostess was kind as was the waitrress so complaints about the serivce. I will try it again as I am wondering if it was an off night and if my experience is different I will certainly make this a better review

    (2)

  • Whitney L.

    Unfortunately I was disappointed with tonight's dinner. As first time diners we wanted to experience a variety from the menu so we had a bottle of wine, 2 appetizers, 2 entrees, and dessert. Our first indication that we were going to be disappointed was the bottle of red wine that was served ice cold. It completely destroyed the flavor of the wine and we had to warm each glass in our hands to get its actual flavor to shine through. I've come to expect small portions with "trending" restaurants but I also then expect flavors to be spot on. The braised beef was flavorless, the risotto was way too garlicky, and the sauces lacked salt. For a $100 meal for 2 we left hungry and hit up a local joint for after dinner munchies, something no restaurant owner should force a customer to do. I was also less than impressed with the staff's attire consisting of old sweatshirts and and t-shirts. Needless to say we won't be returning.

    (2)

  • Rebecca S.

    This goes back to a pre-opening night. We sat at a table for eight since we were three couples. The service was excellent and the bar and wine list serves its purpose. I loved the small plates such as the cold cucumber jalapeño soup. It was fun to share at least 5 with the group. We also ordered entrees and several more small plates for dinner. I will definitely be back soon. Thanks for adding skate to the menu. It was superb and that's difficult for Milwaukee to do for fresh fish.

    (4)

  • Sarah G.

    great atmosphere! most of the menu is small plates, but there are a few larger items offered. I've been here twice and both times the food was spot on! My recent visit we had the following: charcuterie- the liver mousse is an acquired taste but good dates - amazing pork buns - delish - if you're with a group i would suggest ordering 2 (they come 4 on a plate but they're small) taco's - weren't my favorite polenta with shrimp - again amazing...the polenta was so good gnocchi with pancetta...the gnocchi was cooked perfectly! highly recommend And for desserts - the bread pudding is a much! they serve purple door salted carmel ice cream with it and it's "lick the plate clean" good Overall i highly recommend this for a double date or group so you can try multiple dishes! And make reservations!

    (5)

  • Amy J.

    I really wish I had better things to say about this place. First off, we received the worst service ever. Four of the five of us at the table have been servers, and we all agreed our server was horrible. From requesting water and cups of ice multiple times to dropping our food and even forgetting part of our order entirely - we were so disappointed. I have never been told so many excuses and apologies from a server for not doing their job well or at all.... Let's talk about the food. We ordered many dishes - Pork buns, short ribs, cheeseburgers, samosas, ricotta gnocchi, risotto, brussel sprouts, and bread. Here are the highlights: The short ribs had a great sauce, but there were only two small pieces. We wish this had been a big dish! The cheeseburger was very tasty and came with a great pickle and fries. A few lowlights: The brussel sprouts were flavorless and undercooked. The risotto was definitely heavy on the tarragon. The gnocchi was light because of the ricotta but wasn't too flavorful and was very light on the goat cheese. I don't mind paying $14 for a small plate as long as it makes me smile. Unfortunately, there was no smiling last night. Sorry A.P., none of us will be returning.

    (2)

  • Jessica L.

    Fantastic spot! Loved the burger, dates and beet ravioli. Great atmosphere. A must date spot for great food.

    (5)

  • Colleen H.

    Love AP for a fun night out or date night! It's definitely worth sitting at the bar and you may have to if you don't have reservations. They liquor and wine selection are both way above the Milwaukee average. The interior design is phenomenal - modern and eclectic, but not at all trendy. Great small plates but I'm told they have a delicious burger, as well. Go here on a night when you feel like trying something new.

    (5)

  • Jim S.

    All Purpose certainly doesn't deserve the ratings it has been getting. Here is why: 1) It is extremely loud and crowded -- we went at 8 p.m. and ended up at a table right near the bar and waiting area. I literally had to shout to be heard and cup my ears to listen. Our table was inches from the one next to us -- we saw all their food and they saw all ours...listen, people, this is not Europe and please use noise absorbing materials! 2) Food was good, but not great -- quality is critical when it comes to small plates and while it wasn't terrible, there was nothing to write home about. The ribs, burrata, dates, scallops, beets were things I could have made at home. There were not enough signature sauces or unique preparations to call it special. 3) Portions were very small for a 'small plate' restaurant. To serve 2 1/2 scallops and charge north of $10 is a crime. To serve the world's smallest burata ball and get $8 for that is unconscionable. Just 3 ribs? I love small plates and have dined all over, but these aren't small -- they are micro small. You can drop $50-70 and leave starving. At least that is what happened to us. 4) Cocktails, beer and wine -- the beer list is really great -- lots of great options. Wine list pretty good. The cocktails, though suffer the same sticker shock as the small plates. $10? This is not Chicago or NYC. There are so many other great restaurants in Milwaukee that serve better value and higher quality, on-trend offerings. I would skip All Purpose for now until they work their food model out. It just is not that impressive and not worth what they are charging. I won't be returning.

    (2)

  • Chris G.

    Great small plates that aren't that expensive. High-end food that is great to share. Oh, and you HAVE to try the Duck Salad! It's amazing!

    (5)

  • Bob J.

    Dined at AP on 7/12/14. Food was absolutely top notch. Lamb neck osso bucco could not have been better and the chocolate bread putting was to die for. Just outstanding.

    (5)

  • Alexander A.

    Food was pretty great. Though, not many vegetarian options. Cocktails were outstanding, as was the wine list. Staff was super friendly, accommodating and helpful.

    (5)

  • Amy G.

    Perfect place for a romantic dinner. We had the bacon wrapped dates, beet salad, shrimp with grits, and steak. The dates had a great balance of salty and sweet. The beet salad was my least favorite but still very good and refreshing. The shrimp had a unique flavor and quite a kick. The steak was great and the sauce memorable. The fries were heavenly. Oh and we had the cheese plate for dessert which really hit the spot. I loved that I could eat most items because I am gluten free. Only knock on the restaurant is the drinks were pricey.

    (5)

  • Pat H.

    Atmosphere was vibrant and trendy. Food was phenomenal. Our waiter, Anders, was very helpful and knowledgeable about the menu and the wines. The menu was small plates and changes frequently. Very unique selections and everything we tried was flavorful and spot on. Definitely going back.

    (5)

  • Jeff B.

    Total fail tonight. Made a reservation for my wife's birthday for tonight, a Saturday, for a special meal. But when we got there, the place was stifling hot, basically unbearable. We had to leave before sitting down. They said the air conditioner doesn't work well, but it was only 72 degrees outside, so that made no sense. We saw a few windows open, too, suggesting, they don't have A.C., that it was turned off or they don't know enough to close the windows when the air is on. Whatever the reason, I'd stay away from this place except in winter. We had a great dinner there last winter. Sadly, we won't be back there again until the snow flies.

    (1)

  • Diane A.

    Just visited this place on a week night and was disappointed. Have always been a fan of sister restaurant, Crazy Water, and expected the same with All Purpose, but unfortunately that wasn't the case. The food descriptions sound better than the food tastes. Most of the time the ingredient combinations were compatible, but the proportions weren't balanced. Too much cheese, overcooked pasta with too little of the featured ingredients, and a menu design that needs some attention. Even the wait person didn't know what one of the menu abbreviations meant... creativity gone awry??? The pacing on the delivery of the plates was way off; something really important with the small plate dining experience. While we like an atmosphere with some buzz, the noise level from the music eventually became just plain annoying. Compared to the high quality experience you get at La Merenda with its small plate offerings, this place just misses overall-- from the food to the prices. It appears that a lot of focus was put on decor at the expense of the fundamentals. Wouldn't recommend and won't be going back.

    (2)

  • Dennis M.

    Recently moved to the Third Ward and brought some friends to AP for dinner on a Saturday night. Great place, very crowded but we made reservations and had a great table waiting for us. Fantastic service, delicious food. Small portions, but was perfect to not weigh us down for the rest of the night. We will be back for another memorable night.

    (5)

  • H B.

    I'm fair and honest. I know this place has potential. Unfortunately my first go was unfavorable. While the ambiance is spot on and amazing the food and service was not quite there yet. Service was slow. Flavors and food need some tweaking. There were a few dishes that I ate that were impressive and had interesting flavor combinations. Until next time . . .

    (3)

  • Amy C.

    Had an amazing dinner here last night. Have to recommend the feta "fondue". It's not really a fondue - it's a layer of watermelon, a layer of feta and then the best flavors in the world sprinkled on top (okay, so i noticed some pine nuts, red pepper, etc...). The other dishes we ordered were good, too. The beet ravioli was good, but not my favorite. The meatballs were really good: coconut/curry. Even though I'm not a big fan of coconut usually. The bbq spare ribs were just okay, but the creamed corn that came along with it was sooooo good! Also, the marscapone chocolate cheesecake was out of this world! Definitely recommend this place!

    (5)

  • Erik S.

    always a treat the menu changes a lot but it's always prepared well and great service. definitely make a reservation. can be noisy in back. great wine list.

    (5)

  • Elizabeth D.

    This is probably my favorite Milwaukee spot and it has become our go-to place for dates. The service has always been welcoming and knowledgeable; they've never steered us wrong with wine or food recommendations. We've tried a number of dishes and have never been disappointed. Try a cookie plate for dessert; it is the perfect way to end a meal.

    (5)

  • Stephanie L.

    Soooooooooo in love with you, AP. I want you to be all mine, every day...because you'll be something different tomorrow. I love the ever-changing menu, in general, but there is great promise in what this restaurant will [literally] bring to the table. We sampled about 5 things the Sunday evening that we went, but I wanted to keep going. I always fear that the item will disappear from the menu the next time I'm there. Guess I have to go more often. But, this go, we had burrata to start. First, I personally think mozzarella should always come with a gooey surprise inside. In other words, burrata is mozzarella's naughty, naughty sister in cheese. Smear it all over your bread, take a bite, and then smear even more on. If you are like me, you will want to scoop out the center for yourself and leave the shell for your fellow diners. Most people like mozzarella. They won't notice. Besides the cheese and the bread (btw: DO get the bread service--it's $2 and comes with killer compound-like butter, feta-infused this time around), we tried the pork belly with fried green tomato, topped with a fried egg. I highly recommend smushing the yolk and smothering everything in it. Other goodies were the gnocchi, fried chicken, and scallops. They all didn't come on one plate, just so you are aware. These were items on individual plates. Perfectly presented portions that are indeed meant for sharing. That is why I enjoy places like AP. For us indecisive and food-crazed folks, you do not want to be limited to one dish. Sample around and dive in to the offerings. If I don't get back soon enough, I want to be comforted in knowing that I got to experience the majority of their menu. Well, their menu THAT day.

    (5)

  • Joe E.

    Amazing food, amazing service, great atmosphere! This is our new favorite spot, can't wait to go back

    (5)

  • Sven T.

    New to the 'hood - been getting random recommendations on where to go to find GOOD food - a las, All Purpose. Ambience was great, staff was extremely friendly and most importantly...food was delicious! The foie gras is delicious! Can't wait to go back again - this is a good find (albeit hard to find) - but do it!

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Tue

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : No
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Trendy
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

AP Bar And Kitchen

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