4. Restaurants

Pastiche Bistro

3001 S Kinnickinnic Ave, Bay View, WI, 53207
  • (414) 482-1446
  • Store is closed

Pastiche Bistro Menu

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  • Patricia M.

    My new favorite restaurant in Milwaukee! Living in Chicago for 5 years, I got used to fine restaurants and fantastic food. I've tried all of the 'new' spots in Milwaukee, and although its great that there are more places to dine at, I couldn't find anywhere I left thinking 'Wow, that meal was amazing!' That was, however, until I found this place. Pastiche had everything I need. Tasty food, great wine selection, friendly service, not pretentious, and the food is more than tasty. It's flavorful and dainty! It's clean and I don't leave there feeling guilty with what I ate. I love it there! Recommended to make reservations.

    (5)

  • Denise P.

    Very disappointed. First time here. Greeted poorly, and not warmly welcomed to sit at the bar. We Wanted to check it out and enjoy a glass of wine and were asked to "close out" because another couple wanted to Dine at the bar. The bartender had us go upstairs to the "lounge" with "couches and free cheese " to finish our drinks. Once upstairs there was 1 couch and about 3 chairs, all full. It was more of a retail area with bottles of wine for sale. A checkout counter and No free cheese. Needless to say, we left and won't be returning. Don't bother visiting this establishment unless you have reservations. Then you might be welcomed warmly and your money more valued.

    (1)

  • Doug P.

    Nothing to criticize here. Pleasant, relaxing surroundings, outstanding service and delicious food. I had a lamb T-bone with lentils and haricot vert and my wife, the skate wing. Nice wine selections with a wine shop upstairs.

    (5)

  • Katie S.

    How do you day...."Can I try everything?" in French? I'm a well established Francophile. I love France, the French, and their fine food (and their wine, too, but it sounded cooler because they all started with F). I cannot believe I haven't been here before. The food was very good. I would call it very classic French cooking. There's something about French food that tends not to render people speechless, but it is simultaneously satisfying and just makes you feel good. Maybe that's all the wine they cook with, though? We had the mushrooms on toast, which were ok. The french onion soup was all of everything it should be and more. Top marks on that. My husband had the steak au poivre and I had the pork mignon. The steak was pretty good. My pork was pretty ding dang tasty. The little teeny cocktail glass of pickles and olives was fun. The bread and butter....come on, you can do better! Crusty on the outside, chewy on the inside is how this is supposed to be! And the butter was ice cold...have you ever tried to spread ice cold butter? I know you have, because this isn't the only restaurant getting this wrong. It doesn't work! To finish off, the crème brulee, which had the prefect texture, but not a lot of flavor. This is a tiny place. Only ten tables. You should absolutely make a reservation. They were getting by with a bartender, hostess, and two servers. And they were working it. Our server, Frank, was well versed in the food and drink and a very nice helpful guy. There is a wine shop upstairs, and you can wait there until your table is ready, or you can just go hang out there and/or buy wine. This is a very solid French offering for the Milwaukee market. Tres bien.

    (4)

  • N V.

    The two stars is an average between their food and their service. It really is a shame that they strongly recommend you have a reservation yet when I tried to call for one this Friday, the woman on the phone rudely sighed (yes- I actually heard your frustrated emission) huffed and then threw me a time. Really? I cordially thanked her and said I would call back. Then I promptly took my business elsewhere. I was there about one year ago and had the Ratatouille. At that time we had no reservations, sat at the bar and the service there was great! Even then, the hostess had an ill disposition however, I brushed it off in the spirit of trying something new and celebrating the end of a long work week. For the food I would say it was a 4 star. Of course the food being what it is and them being popular probably makes my little experience and the lack of my patronage insignificant to them. You be the judge. I hope they read this and actually do something about it so that others can enjoy the food without being roughed-up. Personally, I don't believe any food regardless of how good it is (not even a 4), is worth bad personal service. If enough people comment on their excellent service I MAY at some point try again. But then again there are so many places to dine well. Update. Oh and I read over the "not recommended" reviews. Interesting read. Seems I'm not alone in my opinion about the attitude in this establishment. Interesting how they all ended up on the "not recommended" list. Ugh. Now I am truly disgusted.

    (2)

  • Sarah T.

    The atmosphere in this place is perfect. Comfortable, classy, simple, and intimate. Perfect for a relaxing meal with friends or a date night. The food, on the other hand, was disappointing. Which was completely unexpected and unpleasant since I'd heard so many amazing things about Pastiche. My boyfriend and I both ordered a special (the lamb shank with green beans and mashed potatoes) on the night of our visit. He also ordered the frog's legs as an appetizer, and they were excellent! The same couldn't be said of our entrées; the lamb shank was incredibly bland. No salt, no seasoning whatsoever. Just a chunk of meat that tasted a little odd (I've had lamb shank many times before -- this didn't taste like lamb). I'd like to give Pastiche another try, but because the food is so expensive, I'm not sure that I ever will.

    (2)

  • PJ C.

    Pastiche has an extensive menu of French classics. The coq au vin and casolette are full of meat and very flavorful though the chicken in some cases was a bit dry. The Pastiche salad was tasty with a wide range of ingredients like nuts which made for a good salad. The entrees were all good and reasonably priced. We even tried a couple desserts like the pot du creme - which was like fudge in a bowl - wow! The server did a nice job with our group of six. No wonder my siblings who live in Milwaukee often return to this place.

    (4)

  • Pamela M.

    Outside I pull open the door and people are leaving, as I hold the door for them to exit I ask, "How was dinner?". Man says, "Great, as always". I walk in, employee behind bar says, "Pam?". (I called that same day for a two top reservation at seven o'clock) "Yes!", I say. These scenarios tell me Pastiche is a neighborhood place. People know people. Patrons come back over and over. If you want a quaint neighborhood place that's a great value ... Look no further! This effing fantastic French Bistro is in southside's sweet spot: Bay View. It's no more cost per entree than it is at shitty Applebee's or Chili's and One Hundred times the food (respectfully). Do it now. And call ahead, it's small and cozy, remember. I indulged in: Oysters Bone marrow Frog legs Mushrooms Wine I want to go back to try one of my favorite things in the world: French onion soup. The frog legs I prefer without breading, but I know I'm in a special segment of people. And I'm ok with that. I eat things the average Jane or Joe do not. Maybe on a slow weeknight I can ask for special preparation... Pastiche is an unbelievable gem. Prices were mostly at or under $20. For what you are going to get... I left so happy :)

    (5)

  • Melissa M.

    I really enjoyed my experience there. The food was phenomenal and was topped with great service. We even had the pleasure of meeting the chef/owner. A lovely experience and we plan on returning.

    (5)

  • Rachel G.

    This is the cutest place. Was lucky enough to enjoy it with 2 other couples for a group date. Dinner was fabulous--everyone loved their food. And dessert--oh the dessert! Boyfriend and I shared a lemony tart with cups of hot coffee post dinner and it was the most satisfying. The food and wine were perfect. But what gave Pastiche its big win was the service and atmosphere. I don't think I've ever had a more perfect dining experience. A group of six can be loud, especially when this particular group gets together. We were seated next to a window (which had these perfect little half-curtains), away from other diners--hard to do, in a place as quaint as this! Our waiter practically made the night. He was incredibly patient and cordial. We never felt rushed to order, eat, or decide on dessert. We had reservations for 7pm on a Saturday and didn't leave until well after 9. Never have I sat at dinner for over two hours and felt like the wait staff wasn't rushing me. He made himself invisible, yet showed up just when you needed him, especially for his recommendations on food and wine. It was so awesome and refreshing. I will be back for more!

    (5)

  • Zack F.

    It may be a small place but dynamite comes in small packages! Everything we are was just wonderful. Frog legs, oysters, bone marrow, the wine and the entree thing I can't recall the name of that had all of the meats. And I mean ALL of the meats. It's a lovely setting for an intimate meal that you'd have to be crazy not to enjoy. There is a wine store up stairs as well if you're looking to buy. Another nice feature is the proximity to few neighborhood staple bars. The Palm is next door.. So, nice dinner then across the street for some nice scotch and BAM!! You're all set. 4/5 because intimate also means cramped.

    (4)

  • Katie K.

    100th Review! Closing out 2014 with another favorite local establishment. The husband and I decided to pop in for Tapas Tuesday. Pastiche suggests reservations, but I am just to lazy for this. Why would I think at 5pm, opening, they would already be busy. Well, yes, they were. So be more proactive than I am and call ahead. We waited, yes, waited for two open bar seats at 5:30pm. Worth the wait, oh yes indeed. We started with some Hush Puppies. Little crab falafel like rolls with an excellent green goodness sauce. Yum! I then tried the Salmon--very tasty. I wasn't a fan of the pork belly, a bit too much excess fat. The gentleman next to me, well his looked really good. So hit or miss, I guess. Pork Tenderloin, just delicious. I let our waiter pick my wine, this usually works best for me. Spot on. Dessert, creme bruele of course. Possibly the best in Milwaukee if our server is to be believed---yes, believe. Bottom line, this is an absolutely great place to hang out with the husband, or take a friend to kick back, catch up with some wine, solid food. Mussels on Monday, Tapas on Tuesday, Excellent regular menu on all other nights.

    (4)

  • Lori L.

    It was difficult for me to write this review because I don't want people to discover what I have known for years that Pastiche is an amazing restaurant with great prices on fresh seafood dishes. This review is a culmination of over 20 visits to Pastiche with only one or two slightly negative experiences. First, always look at the seafood special because it is typically one of the best items on the menu. Another seafood dish that is on of my favorites is the skate wing (Raue Au Beurre Noisette) which is a steal at $20. The owner gets his seafood flown in fresh daily so you can't go wrong. I highly recommend their pates, french onion soup, escargot, tomato/mozz salad, cassoulet, osso buco, lamb, pork mignons, and the creme brulee or the lemon tart for dessert. The menu does change periodically. Here are a few tips: - Get reservations this place gets packed - sometimes bar seats are available - Try their Tapas Tuesday to get a good sampling of the tastes - Give their nightly specials a try - Get a Small Shops United card (free) and use it to rack up free gift certificates - If you like pate, call ahead and take out some for your next party Our service has always been top notch with only a couple of glitches in the multiple times we have visited. If you have an issue please bring it up to them because they are very accommodating. The owner often pops out to tables to check on your dining experience.

    (4)

  • Carrie G.

    Pastiche is the equivalent of an old friend. A good friend; very reliable and enjoyable and always there when you need it, no matter how long it's been. The food and the service have always been excellent here. And my most recent visit was no exception. This quaint little French inspired (cafe curtains, dark wood on butter colored walls) Bistro may not be exactly what one would expect in this area of Bayview, but then again, why not? The atmosphere fits well in this very unassuming and relaxed neighborhood. After being cheerfully greeted by a member of the wait staff, we were promptly seated and the excellent service experience began. I've learned to always check the chalkboard for specials ($18-$28), as those dishes are truly special here. A frequent special is a monkfish dish, which is fabulously crafted and present on a bed of rice for $22. To my dismay this was not an option on my most recent visit, but moon fish was. A bit of time searching google promised that the taste of this fish would be equally as good. It wasn't just good, it was great! The white, tender, flaky fish steak (similar in texture to swordfish) was expertly seasoned and seared and then served on the most fantastic bed of sweet pineapple rum salsa. The dish was finished with tasty roasted potatoes and vibrant green seared asparagus. If you are any type of dessert person, Pastiche is the place to ensure that you save room. All desserts ($6-8) are worth every scrumptious calorie. Most recently I opted for the Cherry Clafouti. The thin and dense crust was topped with a wonderful cherry cream filling and a dollop of Purple Door Vanilla. My friends also very much enjoyed a delectable flourless chocolate cake, a lemon tart and profiteroles, which were also served with the flavorful Purple Door. Even those that don't opt for dessert often will find something fulfilling here. During prime dining times the noise level can be a bit overwhelming, as can the room temperature, especially on warm summer days. Always good to visit and old friend, and Pastiche will certainly be there for you too!

    (4)

  • Kate L.

    I've lived in bay view for over 2 years and cannot believe I hadn't been here yet. The place was warm and inviting, the service was wonderful, and the food was some of the best I've had in a long, long time. Started with the charcuterie board, which was chocked full of meaty goodness and a complete steal at $10. After recommendations from the server, I opted for the steak au poive and I literally could not shut the hell up about how amazing it was. Boyfriend got the pork mignons which were also great. Both were cooked perfectly and came with flavorful veggies and this square of potatoes that I would murder someone for. With so many new trendy restaurants popping up that seem to be hit or miss (and quite expensive for teeny tiny food I can't always pronounce), pastiche was a wonderful, classic experience. 2 beers, 2 wines, an app and 2 entrees for about $80. And we left full and happy. With leftovers! Can't beat that. I need to go back to try the French onion soup immediately.

    (5)

  • Lesley W.

    I've reviewed Pastiche's dinners before, but since I've had the chance to try their wine tastings upstairs and happy hour, I thought I'd come back with an update. First, the wine tastings -- they always have a fantastic selection and their hosts know all the details about the selection. There's usually so many options that I don't get through them all. The line can get a little long, but you can always duck into the front room and grab some cheese and crackers. The happy hour is only offered at the bar, and includes half off wine by the glass and most appetizers (except oysters - which we got anyway. They were worth full price!). On my most recent visit, my friend and I split oysters, escargot, potato batonettes, and mushroom toasts. Everything was exceptional, including the service.

    (4)

  • Lauren S.

    Confession: I had written off Pastiche before ever giving it a try. It struck me (based on nothing) as highfalutin, inaccessible to a non-Francophile and prohibitively expensive. It's not cheap, and it's not low-end, but I was wrong to expect Pastiche would be pretentious. Now, if I'm going to spend hard-earned doll-hairs at a nice restaurant in Milwaukee, I'll happily do it at Pastiche. Why? - Atmosphere. Warm, intimate, good for a date or a night out with someone whose company you enjoy. I expected Pastiche's interior to be ultra-trendy but instead was greeted by a much more traditional, homey (but not down-home) setting. Only 10 tables, and even on a weeknight the place was full. Reserve ahead. - Service. The hostess was super friendly. We had a reservation but they were still waiting on a table to open, so she directed us to the wine shop upstairs (hey, who knew that existed?) where we could wait in the meantime. The girl working at the shop was also very friendly, offered us a tasting right away, and was knowledgeable about the wines. Prices on some bottles were surprisingly not horrifying; you could escape the place with a bottle for as little as $10. - Food. We went for Tapas Tuesday. REALLY REALLY good, and I mean everything. We started with a cheese that was $5 and came with crackers, honey and assorted berries. I expected the typical small plate portion of cheese--maybe two bites worth--but instead we were served a generous slab. Other highlights: Lamb sausage and pretzel spaetzel with mustard cream sauce; veal sweet breads; fingerling potato salad. Dessert: the cherry claftois was incredible. People at the table over also caught me eyeballing their profiteroles, which looked damn good. - Prices. Again, not horrifying. For two people sharing four tapas, a cheese and a dessert, with one beer and a glass of wine, our bill was just shy of $60 before a $10 City Tins discount. I expected the damage to be much worse. Don't judge fancy books by their covers is the lesson, I suppose, for me. I look forward to trying Pastiche again for dinner.

    (5)

  • Jen T.

    If you like escargot, french onion soup and creme brûlée, check out Pastiche. I have only been here once, but would love to return and check out more of the menu. ESCARGOTS BOURGUIGNONNE: consists of six escargots baked in garlic butter with toast points - very flavorful PASTICHE ONION SOUP: classic onion soup topped with a baguette crouton and melted gruyere - very cheesy and perfectly seasoned

    (4)

  • Emon D.

    This is my 4th time here and it's definitely not going to be my last! From their ambiance to their knowledgable staff and obviously, great French dishes, I will always recommend this place. I started off with a glass of rosé which was recommended and it was definitely a great start. That followed by my predictable frog legs appetizer and then their salmon main course. Every one of those dishes was prepared to perfection and I had the privilege to compliment chef and owner Michael Engel in person as he made his rounds around the restaurant. To make a long story short, I think everyone should try Pastiche at least once. DO IT! :)

    (5)

  • Heather T.

    I was very pleased with my experience at Pastiche. My expectations were met, if not exceeded. We made reservations for 6 o' clock, last night (Monday). It actually seemed pretty busy for a Monday night. The ambiance of the restaurant is casual but upscale, like most bistros. The service was lovely. Their wine list was wonderful. They offer a variety of wines, european and some American wines, but mostly french. We started off with a bottle of a red blend from Spain which was fantastic! I ordered french onion soup, of course, and my friend ordered escargots. Now, I do admit I am pretty picky so I wanted nothing to do with eating snails. But after a couple minutes of staring at the snail in disgust, I finally just ate it. Wasn't bad. We were waiting for a bit for the rest of our party to join and ended up polishing off the bottle of wine before ordering entrees. Good thing we ordered another, this time a red blend from cotes du rhone. For my entree, I ordered the pork mignons. With apricots, dauphinoise potatoes and veggies. It was also wrapped in bacon and cooked to a perfect medium. The sauce was rich and sweet, but not overly so. My friend got the duck which was also delicious. Now, I had been looking at the dessert menu even before ordering my entree and had my eye on the cherry clafoutis. Oh my god. If that wasn't one of the most delicious desserts I have ever had. It's some type of cherry cake/pie hybrid thing. The cherries were perfectly tart. The cake-like custard something was so so delicious. I cannot give this dessert justice simply with words. It was topped with Purple Door vanilla bean ice cream. Our server was very helpful and genuine. I thought it was really cool that they poured water out of recycled wine bottles. I can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • April K.

    The food is amazing and the setting is very quaint! Love the wine selection!!

    (5)

  • Cheryl C.

    Another fantastic meal. Had braised lamb shank so tender, juicy & flavorful. Charcuterie plate with 2 different pâté, prosciutto & salami and only 10 bucks! Why people go to Chilli's or Applebees when you can get a upscale and flavorful delicious French dishes for the same amount of money . You can taste the labor of love in every bite.

    (5)

  • Isaac S.

    I have finally had the chance to try this restaurant. Overall it was very good. It is priced right for what you get. At French restaurants, I always order the onion soup and this one was exceptional. I ordered the cassoulet as an entree and my, it was good but I don't think I would have needed to order the soup as I could only finish about 2/3 of the entree. The service was cordial. Even though we didn't have reservations, we called ahead and were able to get a large table for three as long as we left before the first reservation came. I appreciated them accommodating us last minute. I would return.

    (4)

  • Joe P.

    Descriptive phrase: perfect French dinner date. Two of us came by on a Friday night around 6 and were lucky to grab a spot at Pastiche's small bar area. The interior is cute but small, so make reservations or chance the bar. We started with their special Sangria that night ($8), which was put together in front of us perfectly by the young bartender. She also brought me my glass of Bordeaux, Chateau Haut Rian ($8), just one of their extensive wine list (also an impressive array of whiskeys). Everything on their menu sounds appetizing and interesting. We opened with an order of Frogs' Legs ($9); when in Rome - errr, Paris, right? Four battered and fried legs came out on a bed of greens with a side of remoulade. We'd never had frog legs before, and while the Ms didn't enjoy the small bones, I found the legs to be quite tasty; like a barely-gamey, barely-salty chicken wing. Would definitely order again, as they made a foreign dish very approachable to a new audience. I have to say that my Lamb Navarin ($19) was expertly executed. It featured a bowl with generous portions of whole carrots, root vegetables, pearl onions, new potatoes, and green beans, all acting as a bed for the chunks of lamb and topped with two slices of baguette. The dish was so well put together; it was beautiful in its simplicity. And the tastes and textures just fit like a glove. I'd definitely recommend the lamb, but I myself would have to say the Ms' Pork Mignons ($18) were even better. Pastiche Bistro is a gem, hidden down in Bay View. The ambiance, the quality, and the portions are all generous. It's an immediate-add to both my recommendation list and personal stops.

    (5)

  • Jamie P.

    I chose this place for my birthday dinner on October 4th and I was pretty blown away by the food.

    (4)

  • Nick T.

    Great atmosphere and food! The staff is very accommodating and really makes the experience enjoyable.

    (5)

  • Justin E.

    I took my family here to celebrate there first visit to Wisconson. The restruant is very small and it states multpile times on their website to make reservations. I highly recommend if you are going to eat here you should make them! It is a bit dimly lit so it was challenging to read the menu. The decor was very nice and fit the restruants vibe. The bar selection was great it was the first time since moving to Milwaukee a year ago that someone actually made me a proper whisky sour with my favorite bourbon. I had the potato and leek soup. It was good personally I prefer my potato soup a little chunky but it had good flavor. My relatives each had the seasonal salad special and raved that it was delicous. They said the dressing on the salad perfectly complimented the greens and veggies. I ordered the duck with chorizo and orange. It was perfectly cooked and the sauce was delcious. My relatives ordered the Coq Au Van and the Steak. My mom usually does not eat beef but said the steak was cooked perfectly and was great. My aunt liked the Coq Au Van it was just a huge serving and she could not finish all of it. We shared a lime tart for desert that had a pefectly cooked crust and the filing was a good tangy lime but the carmel sauce balanced it out perfectly. Our waitress was very attenantive. The only bad thing I can say is that it is so small its a bit loud so its hard to talk. The price is worth the food. I will be coming back again, maybe with a date?

    (5)

  • Steven E.

    I had been wanting to try Pastiche since they opened (I only live a couple of blocks away). So when my daughter told me she was taking me there for Father's Day, I was very excited. The experience did not disappoint. The decor is pleasant and relaxed; only about 10 tables. Lots of wood and some of the old architecture is still intact which surprised me (the place used to be a hair salon and kind of ratty). We had early reservations (4:30pm) so we were the first in door and seated immediately. We ordered a bottle of Burgandy and escargot and fresh oysters for an appetizer. The snails were delicious and perfectly cooked. The Blue Point oysters were wonderful; briny and fresh. I was going to order the Ris De Veau, but they apparently sold so much the night before they didn't have any prepped. Instead, I went with one of their specials which was grilled quail in a chanterelle mushroom sauce with mashed potato's. I've never had quail before and I have become a fan of it. It was spiced just right and grilled to perfection; skin crispy and tender and luscious inside. The sauce was perfect with it. My daughter got the other special which was a type of lamb stew. She really enjoyed it and said she would order it again. For desert my daughter ordered the Profiteroles which look like little creampuffs but filled with vanilla ice cream. I got the hazelnut tart with a nice strong cup of coffee. The tart was so smooth and creamy, it reminded me of really good fudge. Throughout the meal, our waiter was attentive but not bothersome. All the food was brought in a timely manner and it was just a really enjoyable meal. I will definitely be going back.

    (5)

  • Kyle T.

    Tried Pastiche after hearing good things. I was disappointed. I had the daily special salad, which was forgettable, and for my entree I had the coq au vin, a classic French dish that should be strong at any self-respecting French bistro. It was bland and the chicken was dry. One of the worst coq au vin I've had. The atmosphere was also disappointing. It was a surprisingly old crowd. There are many better French bistros in town.

    (2)

  • Sarah A.

    The food and wine is always perfect. I often get the specials, Pastiche is the best place for seafood in the city! The skate wing is perfectly cooked and just right amount of breading. I cannot wait for the return of the scallops. Don't miss the cheese platter or dessert at this place!

    (5)

  • Jennifer C.

    I have gone here a couple of times, both by myself and with a group. The service I have had have been very good. The waitstaff were very attentive and informative. The food I have had here have been amazing and the flavors in the food are great. Since I can be picky about my food, to say that I really like all the food that I have tried here is pretty good. I would recommend this place to people who like good food.

    (5)

  • Lauren M.

    (First of all - get your food lovin' friends City Tins. It forces them to go to places they wouldn't think of off the top of their head and ups their Yelp cred.) My husband and I came to Pastiche for a little date night and easily made a reservation the night-of. When we arrived, we were greeted and promptly seated. It took all the willpower in the world to not down the delicious almonds they leave on the table - om nom. Get the French Onion soup - it melts in your mouth and the broth is jammed packed with flavor. Give me a french baguette and big bowl of the soup, and I would have been set. My husband got the cassoulet, which certainly didn't skimp on the delicious meat. My chicken was good but not great (sorry - my chicken love lies with the Bacchus) and the wines we enjoyed were fantastic. I also really appreciated that Pastiche uses Purple Door as its ice cream supplier. Purple Door definitely kicked the profiteroles up a notch.

    (4)

  • Bradley J.

    Went there on Valentine's Day. Great service with a very welcoming atmosphere and a great selection of wines. The food and wine were both amazing. The french onion soup had a great taste and had a very crispy gruyere cheese on top. The duck breast was absolutely phenomenal. I am usually a very slow eater, but I dominated my duck plate and was considering licking the rest of the plate just so I could get a couple more drops of the sherry sauce (might have to if I wasn't on a Valentine's Day date). To top of the meal I shared an excellent Crème Brûlée that had a great sugary topping and a very addicting custard. I would highly recommend this restaurant. They also have Tapas Tuesday which I am looking forward to attend very soon.

    (5)

  • Michele N.

    Sometimes, just everything goes right! 6 of us shared the Skate as an appetizer - off the charts! All entrees were amazing. Our server was fun, pleasant and very efficient. Not too noisy. Comfortable ambiance. Reasonably priced. 5 out of 5 stars from me! Looking forward to our return!

    (5)

  • Chris V.

    Heard good things of this little place on KK in Bayview. We've been impressed with the dining options and creativity in this southside Milwaukee community and were not disappointed here. Our server was well trained as to the menu and properly attentive, so much so when I dribbled a small spot of gravy down my front, he noticed from across the room and in seconds quietly appeared with a Tide Stain Stick to remove it. As to the food, I have the Cassoulet, a dish of white beans, with pork shoulder, belly, and smoked shank, duck confit, sausage and lamb. It was delightful. My wife's pork tenderloin filet was a generous portion and likewise delicious. While I rarely order dessert, I did have the Cherri Clafoutis which was excellent. One small complaint as to policy that is understandable, but easily can be remedied. We came a bit early as we noticed they had half price apps and wine until six. We planned on getting a drink and perhaps an app at the bar and take advantage of that advertized special. Unfortunately, since we had reservations we could not be served that, either at the bar or at our table which was waiting for us. The bar is small and they wish not to have it too crowded with patrons who will later take a table. They should offer that same special, however, the those who will soon be dropping $75/person at their tables. A small embarrassment that could be turned into a plus if handled differently. All in all, I would return and trust that it would be enjoyable once again.

    (4)

  • Sadie T.

    Pastiche is located in Bay View, a trendy area, on KK. It is a cute bistro, good "date atmosphere". Intimate and non-intimidating. They menu is french-inspired, modern cuisine. I had high hopes. Vegetarian fail. I went here with my mom and aunt. They would probably give 4 stars, but Sadie T. is writing this review. There were exactly 3 vegetarian options on the menu: a cheese platter app, ratatouille entree, and portabella mushroom ravioli entree. All the salads had meat of some sort. All the sandwiches had meat. That week in particular I was really into sandwiches, particularly panini-types. I asked if the ham and cheese sandwich could be made with avocado instead of ham (avocado was mentioned elsewhere on the menu as an add-on). The server crinkled up her face and had what appeared to be an inner debate. She then said she didn't think they could do that, no. I asked why not or is there some way they could modify. She crinkled again. Then she said they pre-make these sandwiches the night before to let the flavors meld, oh and also they are out of brioche bread. Finally she said maybe they could put cheese and avocado on top of a baguette but it would be an open faced sandwich. I ordered the ravioli, frustrated. She should have said "let me ask the chef". But she didn't. She should have not crinkled her face, and she should have offered options. If she were my employee and I owned Pastiche, I'd be darn unhappy that this customer, and Yelper, was treated this way by the server. Additionally, there were only two servers in this packed restaurant at lunch time. Our server barely had time for us, and was very slow on water refills. The ravioli: double yuck. First, the pasta had clearly been sitting under the Salamander because the top was dried out and crispy, not charming qualities in pasta. Worse, the filling inside tasted like the portabella's gills had not been removed. If you've tasted the gills before (the dark underside) you know they taste like dirt (because they are full of dirt!). The marinara sauce was okay, but nothing spectacular, and the spinach was unpleasant. Overall, the dish tasted bad, was small, and lacked nutrition or flavor. I won't be back, and I won't recommend it to a friend. In 2013 in Milwaukee, and especially in Bay View, restaurants are expected to have real vegetarian options. For goodness sake, Culver's in Sheboygan has a veggie burger. And a restaurant of this caliber should accommodate simple requests by customers.

    (2)

  • Unyime E.

    Went here because it's where our CityTins wheel landed on. Upon arrival, I was surprised by how small the place was, maybe only ten tables or so. The menu looked intriguing and the wine list had some very nice, affordable options. We started off with the onion soup. Probably the best I've had in Milwaukee to date. The soup was very slightly sweet with a great onion taste. Of course, being from Wisconsin, I loved the very thick layer of cheese coating it. Finished in the stove, the cheese had some nice toasted areas that added to the complexity of the dish. My entrée, the duckling breast with chorizo sausage was outstanding. The sausage casing had a great snap and cooked perfectly, and the duckling had an immaculate sear that provided a nice crunch. Cooked to a perfect medium, the duck's richness actually overpowered my Burgundy - but the sacrifice was well worth it. I would venture that this is the best dish on the menu, but I'll reserve the proclamation until I have the steak au poivre. My wife had the scallops. Meh. For dessert I had to cherry cafloutis. I was a bit disappointed. I was expecting a bread/cake-like texture, and what I received was a something akin to a very heavy pudding with muted flavors. I'll pass on that next. I agree with the service observations of many here. I wouldn't call them rude, I think they're more aloof than anything else. While they did check on us frequently and ask how we're enjoying our dishes, not once did they refill the water.

    (4)

  • Chad C.

    A nice restaurant in an area that is in need of nice restaurants. We had to wait a little bit for our table even with a reservation, but the wait wasn't long and I kind of expected it based on the previous reviews I've read. It's a small place like the Noble so you'll probably have at least a short wait most of the time - reservations recommended. We started off with the sausage, polenta, and apple appetizer. I would never think to combine those three things, but I was intrigued by it and I'm glad I gave it a shot. The sausage was very tasty and had some nice spice to it, which was smoothed out by the polenta and then sweetened up a bit by the apples. Very enjoyable. I then had the crab cake salad. The crabcake itself was nothing spectacular, but the dish as a whole WAS. The bacon, cucumbers, and dressing turned this into a very delicious and unique salad that I will definitely be ordering again next time. For an entree, I had the spare rib bourguignonne. It was delicious as well, but I was pretty disappointed with the portion size for $21. I guess my 32 years in America have gotten me used to oversized portions, but for $21 I expected more. The quality was definitely there, I just would've liked more quantity. For dessert (I shared everything I ordered at this meal, ok? Don't judge me), I had the pear semolina cake. It was EXCELLENT. I love all pear-y things, and this was very good. It possessed an interesting texture, felt light, and tasted wonderful. It would be hard for me not to repeat this dessert next time. Service was excellent, we briefly met the owner who was a very nice man and one hell of a chef. Looking forward to another visit here. If I could give it 4.5 stars I would.

    (4)

  • Brian H.

    From the outside, you'd never know Pastiche existed. It's a small corner shop-style place with their logo/info painted on the windows. Fairly nondescript and doesn't really stand out from the rest of the storefronts in the area. And this is unfortunate because Pastiche is actually pretty excellent. I came in with a decently large group (seven adults) on a Sunday evening. We made a reservation, but it looked like we didn't really need it (it wasn't too full while we were there). They had a 7 person table ready for us when we got there, and sat us immediately. Our server was very friendly, offered up specials, and we ordered soon thereafter. All of our food was received in a timely manner, and everyone in my group thoroughly enjoyed it. I personally had frog legs as an appetizer, duckling breast with chorizo and orange as an entree, and creme brulee for dessert. I thought all three were excellent, especially the duck. The portion size was much larger than I expected, and the duck was done *perfectly*. So, all this praise and only 4 stars? Here's why it missed it's 5th: -First off, our waiter, while very friendly, seemed more interested in his dramatic routine as a server than being attentive to our requests. Multiple times, we had to call him back to the table as he turned away because we weren't done ordering. We also asked him for recommendations, to which he responded "everything is good, just close your eyes and pick something at random." That's absolutely not helpful. Finally, our check was split among two cards, and he ended up charging half of the amount to one of the cards twice. We luckily caught the error and had it corrected (or so we presume at this point) -While I very much so enjoyed my food, I felt the seasoning was a bit heavy-handed. It tasted great, but afterward I felt like my taste buds were overstimulated. I think it would have been just as delicious with a little less seasoning. -The table placement of our table was extremely awkward, which made it impossible for our server to clear plates without requesting that we pass them to him, assembly-line style. Additionally, we were right next to the door, and everyone in our group commented on how our feet were cold. Overall, I think Pastiche is quite good. They're on the pricier side of most of the food I've experienced in Milwaukee, but as much as I think they seem a little pretentious, I think the value is still quite good here. I think it'd be a great date place (the majority of the patrons seemed to be older couples), but probably not as good for groups or families with younger children. Definitely worth a try!

    (4)

  • Jeremia F.

    Came here with 2 other peeps and was able to score three seats at the bar which seemed like they were reserved especially for us. The place was packed full on this Friday night and I felt lucky that we got these seats. I would recommend reservations next time since we really didn't have a fall back plan in place. The service we received from the bartender was spot on perfect. I was thankful for his professionalism in dealing with one of them members of our group who is typically on the loud side. The only thing we each ordered was an entree. I had the Cassoulet which was tremendously good. Remember folks this dish is meatastic and very filling. I loved how hot this dish came out and the aromas and savory flavors. If you like meat I highly recommend this dish. I also tried some of the other folks entrees, The Ratatouille was something I thought was a animated children's movie, turns out it was one of the best veggie dishes I have sampled in a long time. This dish was also served piping hot with fresh veggies. Then the Sweet bread were good, I guess if your into that. Oh and the maracona almonds and olives served before dinner at the bar were a very tasty accompaniment Have you ever have a Maracona almond??? Well I hadn't and now I'm totally hooked. This place really made for a great finale to my Milwaukee dinning experiences over the past few days.

    (5)

  • Shannon C.

    I'm quite bewildered by the one-star reviews. Pastiche is my favorite restaurant in Milwaukee. Why? Because -- The food is excellent. Every single bite is perfect. -- The drinks are fantastic. -- The service is spot-on. I've never had a bad experience with a waiter, hostess, or bartender here. I actually met the owner once and he was quite friendly. If you want to get lunch and only have an hour to do so, maybe you should try a restaurant that doesn't take the time and effort to make high-quality food.

    (5)

  • Shannon S.

    Once a month, Pastiche hosts a wine tasting on the upper level. A few friends and I went for the event (which was great & recommended) and were quite hungry after. We hoped up to the bar for a few appetizers. After a moment of sitting, the bartender looked up at me and said "Yes?" How about "Hello." or even "What may I get you?" Get off your high horse, guy. After several minutes of looking at the menu and no further attention from the bartender, we decided to go elsewhere. Was hoping to try some food as the reviews seem consistent. The service needs some work though - I'd rather go elsewhere.

    (2)

  • Chris H.

    I'm writing based on my latest experience. Last night my wife and I went out for Tuesday Tapas night. The food was very good. I especially enjoyed the smoked duck, the only dish I was not really pleased with was the venison. It was not bad, just OK. The service was OK. They didn't do anything wrong, but I didn't feel as though it was on par with the food. Great Old Fashion by the way. My first time there was right after they opened and we had such bad service we hadn't been back in 3+ years and we live around the corner. This trip added it back to the list of places to go.

    (4)

  • Erin A.

    We had a large party and an early reservation. Lots of first-timers in our group - and they loved their Pastiche experience. Our server was good - and pretty much stayed out of the way. The food was delicious - the trout almondine was perfectly done. I'd go back for it again in a heartbeat. All in all, one of my favorite restaurants in Milwaukee.

    (4)

  • Teresa T.

    Stumbled upon Pastiche Bistro on a chilly July night and had a heartwarming dinner that knocked out socks off. Quaint French bistro with some delicious well executed dinners. We had the French onion soup, creamed cauliflower soup, cassoulet, and the special of seared scallops over truffles mushroom risotto. All were amazing. Great wine list at affordable prices. Hoping to go back soon

    (4)

  • Mike W.

    Our first dining experience here was very pleasant. The charcuterie plate had a number of excellent offerings from chicken liver mousse and pork rillette to a number of locally made salame. Very good. The beet salad with the breaded fried chevre was delicious. The cassoulet and the sweetbreads were both superb. The desert special was just what was needed to top off a perfect dining experience. The staff was friendly and courteous and the service was great. Apparently this place is no secret as every table and bar stool was full. We'll be visiting again soon!

    (4)

  • Brianna N.

    A quaint, romantic date night that won't completely break the bank (including the pricing on bottles/glasses of wine)? I'm in! Here's what's good: - French Onion Soup (is this ever really "bad"? There's was super tasty, stinky cheese and all.) - Complimentary olives and Marcona almonds (I love complimentary anything.) - Coq au Vin (paired with spaetzle? Yes, please!) - Steak au Poive (pepper-y perfection!) - Creme Brulee (again, how could this ever be terrible?! but there's really is exceptional.) - Anodyne Coffee! - A cozy, dimly lit, French bistro atmosphere What's left to be desired: - Featured spring greens salad with pomegranate seeds, sweet peppers, goat cheese, pistachios. Sounded delicious, but ended up being rather bland. - Frog legs w/ remoulade. It's probably not their fault, I don't know if I could ever love frog legs, but we're adventurous and gave 'em a try anyway. I wouldn't get them again. - Drafty and cold at times inside the restaurant. (Damn this winter.) - Service. Super friendly, but our server forgot a fair amount of items and charged us for an extra wine. Would I go back? Certainly. Especially with their handy dandy punch card system: get a punch for each $30 spent, and once you're card is filled, score a $30 gift certificate!

    (4)

  • Meredith S.

    This, in my opinion, is the best restaurant in Milwaukee. Their oysters and service are out of this world! In all honesty, I think Pastiche is a bit out of Milwaukee's league. I'm not sure that this restaurant is as appreciated as it should be.

    (5)

  • Erica K.

    I came here with a colleague for lunch yesterday and had a very strange experience. This was my first time dining at Pastiche and my first impression is that it was a darling little bistro- just as I had expected. The hostess was nice and seated us at an empty table near the window. I'm sure this was partly due to being seated by the window, but it was freezing. Our waitress informed up that the heat would be kicking in soon, though it never really did. I was here on my lunch hour (keyword being "hour) and an hour and half after placing our order, we still hadn't received our meals. We had to put they directly into carry out containers because we had to get back to the office. The waitress (who was sweet) said she asked the chef when our food would be out and he didn't answer so she came back to us with no answer, which I find unacceptable as there were only 15 people in the entire place. Thankfully we had ordered soup which finally came out after about a half hour and although the Gruyere on my onion soup was quite burned, I was so hungry I didn't send it back. We expressed our concerns to the waitress who kept saying she was just the messenger and we should email the owner. She also comp'ed us the soups because of the wait. Since I couldn't eat my food until later in the day when it was no longer fresh, I can't give a completely fair review. I had the pork and mozzarella sandwich which was good even later but was probably excellent right out of the oven. It was breaded, so a little mushy reheated, and served on texas toast with chips. If I ever return (only for a leisurely dinner, not lunch) I would try it again. They do not take reservations for lunch because they "want to cater to the in and out business crowd" but they clearly need some improvement if they want to attract that customer.

    (2)

  • Elizabeth D.

    A great choice for French food in Milwaukee. The oysters and escargot are both excellent. I've been here four different times, and the last time, my boyfriend and I were awkwardly seated at a table that was set for 8. Other than that really weird experience, I've found the atmosphere here warm and inviting.

    (4)

  • Colin S.

    I have been here three times and I love the ambience and the food. I was very disappointed with Tapas Tuesday. We ordered the baby octopus and ended up getting quid heads...come on...a restaurant of this stature needs to have s chef that knows the difference between squid and baby octopus. Squid heads do not equal to baby lobster. The dish was also grilled and smelt of starter fluid. Even though I love the place and the rest of the food, this is enough to make me never go back.

    (3)

  • Julie E.

    The food is excellent. Our guest and I had salmon. Atmosphere is pleasant but a little loud for me. We were surprised at how clueless the bartender was. Didn't make much of a brandy manhattan...in Wisconsin...are you kidding? But the food is outstanding and portions appropriate and not overwhelming

    (4)

  • Laurent M.

    The food is simply excellent, and the service is very good . Everything I've tried was so good. The restaurant is nice looking and there s a very nice atmosphere. Every time we've been there, at the end of the night the chief came out of his kitchen and ask every single table what they thought of their dinner and if their food was good. To me it shows that they care about what they serve you. One of the best French restaurant in town

    (5)

  • Joseph M.

    I subtract a star only for the difficulty in getting a seat here. There were four of us eating so we got to sample a wide selection of foods. To start, we had frog legs and oysters. I believe it was my first experience with frog, so I can't say how they compared to others. However, we all enjoyed them as they were flavorful, juicy and certainly tasty. The oysters were fresh; served on ice with a modest choice of sauces. These disappeared quickly. For entrees 4 dishes were selected, although two were daily fish specials. Both excellent but I can't say they'll be on the menu again. I had the rabbit. It was nicely roasted, tender and moist. The risotto paired wonderfully with it; complimenting the rabbit but it could have stood on its own. Service was outstanding, our waiter helped with wine selection and was very attentive without rushing us. Pastiche isn't the cheapest eat in Bay View but it's one of the better ones (which is saying a lot). This isn't someplace to stumble into after a turn at the Palm but rather a wonderful, cozy environment in which to truly enjoy food.

    (4)

  • Rick R.

    Tonight's dinner started with a mini crock of French Onion Soup. Probably in the top two, if not the best, French Onion Soup I've had in Milwaukee. The broth had great flavor. Feel free to dip a slice or two of the french baguette that you'll receive. My entree was a special of the day, Sturgeon and Crab Risotto. Mushroom risotto covered in a parmesan cream with large chunks of shitake mushrooms. The grilled sturgeon was placed on top with crab meat and shaved parmesan covering the sturgeon. Very good, but I would rate their Duckling breast with Chorizo and their Cassoulet above this dish. I haven't had a bad meal in four visits, and I doubt I ever will.

    (5)

  • Tomas F.

    good food and intense wine list. loads of street parking. Very small rustic restaurant with a soul. I had the Cassoulet. All the other food that I saw being served was looking good. Also I feel for this level of quality the prices are very reasonable. The menu was very good and I will be back. I ate at the bar which was small, maybe seats for 10 people at the most. Bartender should quit. He is not built for being a bartender. Not social at all, rather grumpy. Maybe work at Home depot!!!! Hes the only reason this did not get a 4 or 5 star.

    (3)

  • Ricardo D.

    I had an awful experience, they had an oyster special (coming from some river in the east coast, big mistake never have river oysters), they where the worst oysters that I ever had, to make things worst there was a live insect on them; it was awful after complaining to the waitress and the manager, the manager didn't think too much of it! And gave us a glass of wine?!? I didn't want to ruin a weekend night dinner with my girlfriend so went on and ordered food, the food was not great. Needless to say I have never intended to go back!

    (1)

  • Matt X.

    Early on a Thursday evening my GF and I stepped inside to inquire whether they would be able to seat a pair without a reservation. Before we could say much of anything, a horrorstruck hostess glared at us from across the room. Mind you, we are a pair of 40-ish office workers, me still in my tie. The middle-aged hostess is unable to hide her disdain for us. We politely inquire about seating since the place is nearly empty, and the best she can reluctantly offer is the bar. What she clearly wanted was to usher us back out onto the street. I have never been more unwelcome in any restaurant, bar none. We will never step into this place again. Stay away.

    (1)

  • Erica G.

    Great french food from a French Chef and classically French trained kitchen staff! Been here twice now on a date night with my best friend and loved it both times. It's a small place with no more than 10 tables so you must make reservations. The specials are always great, including their cocktail of the night. Recommendations: - Don't get the duck salad: this is the only dish I haven't been wowed by. - Save room for dessert, they have a great selection and all of them are great! - Try the specials for the evening!

    (4)

  • Anthony S.

    Delightful ambiance and intriguing cuisine selections. Since we were late for our resi, however, I felt that the staff was rushing us to finish our meal. Hence, I am downgrading them one star.

    (4)

  • Joanna T.

    Had dinner here last night, and it was great! I decided to branch out and get away from the classics. My starter was spicy merguez sausage on polenta. The spicy sausage contrasted very well with the creamy polenta. I had never tried rabbit before and was apprehensive. Rabbits are cute and cuddly, right? Well, they are also DELICIOUS - very rich flavor, not at all gamy. It was served on a lovely mushroom risotto. A few minor issues. Service can be iffy for sure. Our waiter was GREAT but we had to sit at the bar for awhile and the bartender/waiter there was slow and incorrectly charged us for our drinks. And the apples in the tart tatin are still mushy.

    (4)

  • Jennifer A.

    Every meal I've had at Pastiche was fantastic; I made reservations in advance. The dining space at Pastiche is intimate and cozy with dim lighting and delicious aromas drifting about. It is a great date spot but also good for a quiet conversation with friends too. Bar seating is available for a quick drink and a meal before a show or for casual, solo diners. The dress tends to be more contemporary and stylish business casual to formal. Historically for me, the service tends to be good, but quirky: the friendly waiter rushes by constantly muttering his to-do list or the hostess jets around frazzled, but efficient. Frankly, if they manage to fine tune their service to their food quality they will knock it out of the park for me. Food quality. Ah yes, the food. The kitchen knows what they are doing and then some. I've had the opportunity to experience several fantastic meals here. Some of my favorite tastings include everything from the table snacks to the wine. When you arrive, you are greeted with house-marinated olives and a dish of almonds. They are simple and delicious and great snacking while waiting for more. Soon you will also be greeted by warm, crusty bread complete with lightly salted butter. The Pinot Noir, DeLoach Barrel Cuvee ($5) is a good red wine option. They also do have many specials and wines by the bottle if that fits your needs better. For appetizers, I am always pleased with the Merguez Sausage with Polenta and Grilled Apples: two spicy lamb sausages grilled and served over soft polenta with grilled apples and a sherry reduction glace ($8). I can usually make a meal of this, and have on several occasions. It is a perfect combination of spicy, savory, sweet and creamy. I recently tried one of the newer additions to the menu, Chicken Liver Mousse served with crostini and fresh berries ($8). The kitchen did a great job spicing the mousse and combining all of the ingredients on the plate into one bite is tasty and a wonderful texture. For entrees, I am just going to throw down the trump card for me: Duckling Breast with Chorizo and Orange seared medium-rare*, topped with chorizo and orange segments and finished with a natural sauce flavored with Pedro Ximenez sherry ($22). You may mistake this entree for a medium rare slice of filet mignon, however, to your delight, you find a perfectly cooked piece of duck breast. The chorizo and orange are perfect compliments and I appreciate how the haricots verts (green beans) are never overcooked and have a nice bite left to them. The tiny stack of scalloped potatoes is also quite indulgent and comforting. For those looking for something that they may not find in many restaurants around Milwaukee, the Ris de Veau Strauss veal sweetbreads, sauteed and served with a mushroom Marsala sauce ($19) are also quite tasty. The Truite Amandine, aboneless, locally-raised trout, dusted with seasoned flour, pan-fried and finished with slivered almonds tossed in browned butter ($19) is also not messing around. I really can go on and on about the food here. It's that good. Again, with the intimate setting considered, please make reservations to make sure you have a seat waiting for a great meal. I like to add my own touch of class and wear something fancy. Bring your best guy or gal for a nice dinner together or grab a few friends and enjoy good food and conversation. The staff is knowledgable and the kitchen skilled - they can suggest a fine beverage to compliment your menu choice or guide you through their favorites if you simply cannot choose. Bon Appétit! Note: Leave a few extra minutes for parking on the weekends. Street parking on KK can be a little tricky and they do not have a private lot.

    (4)

  • Katie D.

    My husband and I dined at Pastiche this evening. It was good! We sat at the bar which was nice. We ordered glasses of wine and the duck confit salad to share. The duck was dry and the blue cheese was a bit overwhelming in some bites but nice overall. The snacks, olives and almonds, were tasty and went well with our salad and drinks. For dinner, my husband ordered a special dish with scallops, shrimp, and a white bean ragout. He enjoyed it a lot. The scallops were cooked perfectly and the dish was tasty. I ordered the coq au vin which was good but hard to see at the bar due to the dim lighting. The spaetzle was good as well as the broth and veggies and my husband said it was one of his favorite chicken dishes he had ever had. For dessert we had a trio of cream puffs with ice cream. The ice cream was good--basic but solid, but the cream puffs had been frozen with the ice cream so they were not as delicious as they probably had been fresh. The chocolate sauce drizzled over the top was tasty. Overall, it was nice. I don't know if it will be a place we go regularly, but overall the food was good and service was fine. I'd probably give them a 3.5 if I could.

    (3)

  • Scott O.

    My wife and I dined at Pastiche recently for our anniversary. Can't wait to go back soon. I phoned in my reservation 4 weeks ahead of time just to be sure we'd have a table for our anniversary dinner. When we arrived at 7:30 the hostess told us she didn't have our name on her list - uh oh - but that she had a table open. Crisis/potential argument diverted. I typically call ahead to confirm my reservations but it slipped my mind on this day. Our waitress introduced herself promptly and went over the specials. I stopped listening after she mentioned the seared scallops with risotto and asparagus. That's like the trifecta of excellence for me. I spent some time looking at the regular menu and wanted to order everything, but I stuck with the scallops. My wife wasn't too hungry so she ordered the Merguez sausage appetizer, which was served on a bed of polenta with a side of grilled apple slices. We started with some fresh Virginia oysters. The oysters were really tasty but we had some decent sized bits of shell in half of them. And one wasn't shucked to remove the meat from the muscle, so I had some trouble removing it. Aside from the great taste, the quality of the preparation was a disappointment. Our entrees arrived in a timely manner after we finished the oysters. The scallops were without a doubt the best I've ever had. Perfectly seared with a light coating of salt, pepper, and a touch of rosemary. There were 5 of them, which I consider a generous portion. I could've eaten 10. They were ridiculously tasty. The risotto was perfectly cooked and the asparagus was snappy and delicious. My wife's lamb sausage and polenta was also very good. I didn't try more than one bite though because I was face deep in my plate of scallops. For dessert we shared a chocolate hazelnut tart served with caramel sauce. Damn good. A perfect ending to the meal. Our waitress, whose name I forget (but I recall that she's a world traveler) was top notch. Attentive, but not overbearing. Knowledgeable, but not pretentious. If all waitresses were like her I'd be a happy diner. All in all, the night was a great experience. I'll definitely be returning to Pastiche soon.

    (4)

  • Brian M.

    Oh sure, we move away from Bay View and this place opens up! My first impression of this place was that if it had been a restaurant in France, the tables would have been half the size and there would have been twice as many of them. The could use more room for people waiting for their tables though. I had to try their Onion soup and I was not disappointed. It had a very nice smokey flavor that made it just a bit unique. Not as good as Jacque's, but right up there. I'm on a scallop kick right now. Pastiche's was as good as you can find being 800 miles from the ocean. The saffron rice that the scallops are served on have a nice risotto quality to it. Our waiter was great, very helpful and we never felt rushed. No issues with the service here once we were seated. Please don't even think of coming here without a reservation, there's no chance you'll never get a table without one. Bay View needs more serious restaurants like Pastiche. I look forward to returning and trying other things from the menu.

    (4)

  • Daniel M.

    The final act of my Pastiche story is that we had an awesome time with great food. But based on the opening scene, you'd never guess it. So we are bumming around town trying to figure out where to have an early dinner. Pastiche, I say! We walk in the door. Before we can even take in the adorable quaint-ness of this gem, before we can even smell the culinary creations brewing in the kitchen, we get a disapproving death glare from the hostess, whom we would later learn is the girlfriend of the owner, when she sees that we have the nerve to bring a 5-month-old into the restaurant. Then, (the nerve!!), we didn't wait for her to ask if we had a reservation, we told her we were just going to sit at the bar. With a baby!! How ridiculous!! Our little human behaved herself flawlessly, as she always does, and we smugly sat back and watched miss snooty pants drink her wine and judge us. The owner's son was tending the bar that night, and he turned it around for us, big time. He was relentlessly friendly, super helpful, and just an all around nice guy. We drank fantastic wine from an awesome list, and we ate based on our bartender's recommendations. I had the sweetbreads and my life will never be the same again. It was one of my top 10 entrees of all time. I also got to try the duck breast which was delicious, and there was also some kind of Hawaiian fish special that was good too. I love this menu for the fact that they take the classic French staples and they do each of them perfectly and creatively. We topped it all off with a cherry clafoutis and a lemon meringue something or other, both spectacular. We left with our happy and quiet baby, beyond satisfied with the food, drinks, atmosphere and price. A solid four stars, not five, on account of the fact that any high school hostess at Applebee's would be an upgrade.

    (4)

  • Brady G.

    What a find! One of my friends was visiting for the week so we decided to go to a nice dinner. We had been told that we would need reservations so we called ahead...not really giving enough time. We were very pleased that the staff accommodated us so we were able to get dinner. The place was packed! I had the bacon wrapped pork which was spot on coupled with a glass of the special wine for the evening. Loved the decor of Pastiche. It almost felt as if we were eating in someone's home which was nice and relaxing. The food was worth the money. Definitely going to put Pastiche on my go to list.

    (4)

  • Andy S.

    I think this is my new favorite French restaurant! Everything was tasty, and the food was beautiful. I could eat their frog legs all day, French onion soup was great too.

    (5)

  • Justin E.

    Amazing place! Met up with a friend on a Monday evening...luckily I called beforehand to make a reservation: the place only has 10 tables so any dinner, any night, and the place fills up quickly. There are a few spots at the bar but I can only assume these are the 'unfortunate few' that didn't call ahead :) Before we ordered, there were a few apertifs set out: a ramekin of almonds and a mini martini glass of Nicoise olives. Wine list was pretty extensive; reasonably priced but I wish they sold more of the bottles by the glass. I started with the soupe a l'oignon which was superb and my friend had the duck confit salad (he said it was so-so). Our waiter was extremely knowledgeable about the menu items so I trusted him when I ordered the skate wing with capers...super delicious. My friend had the Nicoise chicken breast and loved it. We were too full for dessert but maybe next time.

    (4)

  • Geoff S.

    We've been enjoying the great happy hour specials at their bar now for several months - we always seem to be there on Thursday evenings - happy hour between 4 and 6pm (half off appetizers and half off glasses of wine). They have a fantastic wine selection, with a great deal of red, white and sparkling to choose from. Their onion soup is great as is their "shrimp de jonghe" (I think that's spelled correctly?!). We love the crusty bread, the little martini glass of olives and the little dish of salted almonds too. Along with the excellent food and wines, we must keep coming back because of the bartender on Thursdays - Valerie. She makes it a very nice evening and we really enjoy chatting to her. Not sure if she works other nights too........... See you soon, Valerie and Pastiche!!

    (5)

  • Amy L.

    It has been a while since I have been at Pastiche but I wanted to make sure that I chimed in with my praise of this unassuming yet truly delightful eatery. The wine: very nice and varied wine list - also reasonably priced.. The servers are very helpful in picking out an appropriate vintage. The food: I have yet to be disappointed by an entree but my favorite remains the duck breast with chorizo. Many restaurants do duck poorly but it is a wonderful choice if done well. Pastiche does duck very well. The desserts: All truly delightful - really the pastry chef deserves a huge pat on the back here. I usually opt for the chocolate creme brulee. I would not normally order a chocolate creme brulee as it seems somewhat of a travesty to me but this one just melts in ones mouth and transports one to a heavenly place. Ahhhh, is the only response to such transcendent yummy-ness.... The service has always been attentive without being obtrusive. All in all, I am so pleased that Pastiche continues to thrive. They deserve their success....

    (5)

  • Clay K.

    I finally tried Pastiche. I have heard all kinds of good things about this place and it did not disappoint in any way. I think a few of the reviews here really don't understand bistro dining. I have eaten at many European bistros and this is true to form. Bistros are small, modest, European-style restaurants. They tend to be loud and somewhat cramped. They are not supposed to be "fine dining" where you have the trappings of luxurious seating, a hostess stand, etc. Bistros also tend to be very moderately priced and that is the case here. In fact, I was really pleasantly surprised by the reasonable prices. We got there a little early so we went upstairs to the wine shop to taste a few wines and wound up pouring a full glass up there. We could have also waited at the small bar downstairs. We started with Salade Lyonnaise (frisee lettuce tossed in a light dressing with bacon lardons, Roquefort, a lightly poached egg and fresh-baked croutons) and it was outstanding. Very faithful to the dish as you would find it in Paris. We then had the caramelized onion tort. It was absolutely delicious. For an entree we had a dish I really love and know of no other Milwaukee restaurants that serve it - Cassoulet (a classic French dish of slow-cooked white beans with pork shoulder, duck confit, smoked pork shank, sausage and lamb). I go out of my way to eat this dish when in Paris or in New York. This is, without reservation, the best one I've ever had. Some places add a pastry puff top to this dish, Pastiche does not but instead tops the entire stew with a duck breast that is so tender it simply falls off the bone. The smokey flavor of this dish was absolutely wonderful. We had a few glasses of wine from their large and very reasonably priced wine list. This turned out to be not only one of the finest meals I've had in Milwaukee in a long time (much better than the over-rated Braise) but also a serious value. I will gladly return to this fine eatery.

    (5)

  • Alyson M.

    Wonderful experience. I love that it is family run, quaint, not to mention the delicious food. The french onion soup and the pork shoulder were delicious. Nice wine menu and lovely desserts. I'm looking forward to eating here again. This is making my Milwaukee favorites list.

    (4)

  • Donald C.

    We stayed at the University Club and cabbed it down to Pastiche...15 min or so, $15 or so...completely worth it. I had an oyster on the half shell appetizer and my wife had an arugula salad and both were excellent. For the main courseI had wing of skate with capers....lightly floured and then sautéed. Perfect. Flavorful, cooked to perfection, and well matched with our Cheverny. Mt wife had a special, halibut, and loved it. The atmosphere is pure bistro: small, loud, energetic, and exactly what I would expect. The waitstaff was helpful, but a little distracted since the power was off. I was told the kitchen staff was using headlamps and working in the dark. No matter however, as the evening was perfect. Want great bistro? Don't miss Pastiche!

    (4)

  • Vanessa M.

    Absolutely horrible service. Slow. Rude. Not accommodating. I'm from LA and I will never come back or recommend this place to anyone. Food decent. Not worth your time or money. You're better off at Noodles.

    (1)

  • Virginia P.

    Absolutely will not visit Pastiche again, and will not recommend it to anyone. The wine was OK, but the food tasted over-salted. Most importantly, we found the owner, Angela, to be extremely unprofessional. she interrupted our dinner four times to brag about her trips to France and tell us about her personal life. This was our first time there, mind you, and we by no means solicited this conversation. I was there to have a romantic Friday night dinner with my husband. There are so many other great restaurants to visit in Bayview, Walker's Point, and the Third Ward. I recommend taking your business elsewhere if you're looking for an enjoyable experience.

    (1)

  • Renee S.

    Let me rationalize my low rating. I liked the food a lot. It was good. It was fresh and very tasty. I'm a vegetarian and I thought my selection was great. And my food was awesome. The atmosphere was nice. The wait staff were super friendly and accommodating. The parking (off street) was good for a Friday night. I have no complaints about the food, the drink selection, the service, or the atmosphere. In fact, it was all really very nice. The cleanliness of the bathrooms is the reason I am rating this establishment low. They are disgusting for what this beautiful place should be (I'll spare you with details. Please know that I'm not a clean-freak by any means!). If the owners and the wait staff think that the bathrooms look "OK" to be used by patrons, I seriously worry about what the kitchen might be "acceptable" to cook in...and that makes me feel a bit grossed out. Sorry.

    (2)

  • Jillian I.

    I have been visiting Pastiche since it opened in 2010, and it is still one of my FAVORITE restaurants in Milwaukee. The experience begins at the door as you walk into an intimate space that is instantly comforting at the same time energetic. The entire restaurant holds only 10 tables, so I recommend you make a reservation, any day of the week. The full menu is served at the bar and I have had many of my meals there. Service is always attentive without being overbearing (a MUST when trying to maintain conversation at your table). And the food...where do I begin? I have traveled and lived all over the world and this is the French Onion Soup I dream of. The Duck Tagilatelle is at the top of my list (all pastas are made on site) and the seasonal arugala salad is busting with flavor. I always suggest asking the servers for their suggestions as there are daily specials not on the menu that are diverse and creative. I think it's important to note here that Pastiche works with, and supports BRAISE: A Restaurant Supported Agriculture program. A percentage of all their produce, meats, cheeses and dairy come fresh from Wisconsin family owned farms. Very cool!! The wine list is well put together, high quality and well priced. To sum it up, I have never had a bad experience here (and I eat lunch or dinner at Pastiche about 6x/month). The price is FANTASTIC, especially for the quality food. I enjoy supporting a neighborhood restaurant that takes itself and it's customers seriously. But not too seriously.

    (5)

  • Sarah F.

    This was a great drop in on a cold night. I was alone so I sat at the bar and enjoyed the company of all the staff that was very attentive. They start you off with a side of salted nuts that were mmmm. Next I had the escargots for an appetizer. For dinner I had the beef short ribs (a rare choice for a lean gal like myself) but a perfect one! I highly recommend stopping here if you're looking to pay that little extra and want your money's worth.

    (5)

  • Bryan L.

    Really good stuff. Great onion soup! A bit pricy for portion sizes in my opinion. The service is amazing. Can be a little heavy on garlic with some entrées.

    (4)

  • sara b.

    My friend and I walked in at prime time last Friday night without reservations and the intimate little restaurant was packed, which we totally expected. However, due to our impeccable (and fortunate) timing, a couple got up from the bar as we were walking in so we were able to cop a squat there for dinner. I ordered the Osso Bucco and she got the scallops. Both of our dishes were marvelous. (Side note: I recently ordered the veal at Sanford and the dish at Pastiche was better, in my opinion.) Our bartender was attentive and so nice we decided on an after-dinner martini rather than head out after our meal was done. This wasn't my first time at Pastiche and it definitely won't be my last. It's a perfect setting for any reason you might need to find a nice place to eat: Date night? Check. Something special to celebrate? Of course. Taking a client out? Go here. Just you and a gal pal needing a casual last-minute Friday night meal? Yes! Each time I've received amazing service and top-quality food. All in all a great dining experience at a place that is quickly moving up the ranks as my favorite Milwaukee restaurant.

    (5)

  • D H.

    Just had dinner there for the first time with my husband. We ordered the onion and goat cheese tart, pan-seared skate with daphne potatoes, crabcake salad, and the panna cotta with fruit compote. All very delicious. Our server/bartender Nick was great, gave us a lot of knowledge on the food we were eating and encouraged us to come back for Tapas Tuesday. We will see you soon!

    (5)

  • Lisa E.

    I highly recommend this place to anyone. This is a smaller restaurant but it's cozy. The staff was very friendly and gave good suggestions from the menu. Before we ordered our meal we were given olives and a warm French baguette served with butter. This was a great start to our meal because we were starving. We ended up ordering the venison osso bucco and the scallops. As always the food was amazing. I have dined here a few times and I have not been disappointed by the food or the service. Great place for a date or catching up with a few friends.

    (5)

  • Nicholas B.

    Kind of wish I could give it a 3.7... not quite a 4 but definitely not a 3. We stopped in here on a whim about a month ago only to be slapped with a 2.5 hour wait. We decided to try something else and stop back with a reservation. No complaint about this, just making the point a reservation is a must. Fast forward to last weekend, I Made a Friday 8:00PM reservation at 2:00PM same day. Based on Yelp reviews, I tried the French Onion soup and enjoyed it. Not the best, not the worst but I would get it again. The ambiance was nice, but got loud with a larger group that showed up midway through our dinner. I was pleased with the Monkfish that was recommended by the server, but it was unfortunately served over a so-so risotto with mushrooms the consistency of leather. With that being said, the wine list was very nice and I look forward to going back soon.

    (4)

  • Jc C.

    My friends and I went on a Sunday night for a nice, complete dinner. It was quiet and comfortable, nice ambiance with a casual feel. We started out with the Brut that they had on special which was pretty standard. We shared the frog legs and escargot; frog legs were a bit too battered and fried, but still tasted fine. Escargot was good. I had a beet salad that was quite good, but I'm partial to beets. The entrees we ordered were rabbit leg, bacon-wrapped pork mignons, and the duckling breast. I had the duck and it was outstanding. The one thing I would change is that it was served with some kind of small sausage cut into thirds and the taste clashed with the rest of the dish so I didn't eat that part, but everything about the duck and the green beans and potatoes au gratin was perfect. We finished with a creme brulee and some kind of cherry bake, both of which were delicious and well-presented. I would definitely come back, but be forewarned that they do NOT accept American Express (which was very surprising).

    (4)

  • Dona M.

    Rude,Rude,Rude!! Arrived at the restaurant at 5 P.M. It was empty. wW were told we could eat there but wehad to eat quickly because they had reservations at 6 P.M. Needless to say at 6 the restaurant was still empty and when we left at 6:45 only 2 other tables we filled. Never going back since the food was only OK on top of everything else.

    (1)

  • Kevin T.

    I've been to Pastiche three times and had to eat at the bar twice due to lack of reservations. Based upon my last experience, I think that dining at the bar was a better experience than in the dining area. ...as others have mentioned, the service here needs work. The hostess seems frazzled and definitely doesn't have a lot of front of the house experience. Her lack of cool seems to spill over to some, if not all, of the servers. There is definitely "pressure" to leave after you are done eating--which is the least "French" thing about Pastiche. If in France, you would have to hunt down the wait staff for the check. Here, they drop it on your table upon retrieving your dinner plate, which they take before you are typically done dining. Service issues aside, the wine list is very good and reasonably priced. The food is good--not great--but a very good value and definitely superior to what you would get at many other areas restaurants. I actually think that Pastiche needs to raise their prices and reduce the need to flip the tables as often each night. I might be alone in this plight, but I would easily pay 50% more for dinner if not rushed and if the quality of the food improved even just a little bit.

    (3)

  • Bridgette M.

    I can't think of a single complaint, which is indicative that Pastiche deserves every single star I've given them. We were running late for our reservation so I called, and even so when we walked in the door we were greeted warmly by the hostess who immediately brought us waters and a dish of almonds and olives. The atmosphere charmed me immediately with it's warm colors, dim lighting, and spacious tables. Upon discovering it was my first time our server kindly explained the menu and highlighted a few exceptional dishes. He was also very patient when I explained I know nothing of French wine but am familiar with one of the Italian bottles on the list, and promptly explained what french wine would be comparable and even how the flavors would differ. The wine, a special I can't recall now, was ideal. We ordered the charcuterie plate, on recommendation from a friend of a friend, and I suppose the only suggestion I would have is to add some kind of starch - be it crustinis or baguettes, the plate needed something to complement the cold cuts of meat. Next time I'd probably go for some of the other appetizers because they looked to be a little more complex. The arugula salad came out at the perfect time. The combination of duck, orange, dried cherry and blue cheese was incredibly complimentary. My dining partner ordered the pork mignon and it was excellent. The dried apricots it was garnished with were divine, as was the potato dauphinoise. I had a scallop special with Alaskan crab and a shrimp bisque, and was quite pleased to find they were perfect in consistency and seasoning! I've been so disappointed with scallops in Milwaukee it was frankly refreshing. And to the best part! Dessert was AMAZING!! You absolutely must save room! We ordered the lemon meringue and the hazelnut chocolate tart and both were so good we finished them despite that we were stuffed. In contrast to other reviewers, I never felt rushed to get out, and we had an almost 3 hour dinner. I can't wait to go back to Pastiche and think I'm in danger of being a regular wine and desserter.

    (5)

  • Laura F.

    I went to Pastiche with two good friends to celebrate my friend's impending nuptuals. We wanted a nice long meal with good wine and a relaxed atmosphere. Pastiche definitely met my expectations. We had no service issues. The hostess was pleasant if not warm. She directed us to the bar to wait until our table was ready (we arrived ten minutes before our reservation). We ordered a nice bottle of wine and were seated quickly. Our waiter was really great. He was friendly and knowledgeable, and very attentive, without hovering. They had three intriguing fish specials, which each of us ordered. The food was also quite good, but I was slightly underwhelmed. Maybe my expectations were too high. I enjoyed everything, but none of us were exactly raving about our meals. I mean, everything was really good, just not exceptional. I will definitely go back though. Definitely a nice addition to Bay View.

    (4)

  • Amy M.

    Delicious food, great food choices.

    (4)

  • Jim A.

    Thanks Yelp for steering us to Pastiche!! They did not disappoint. Loved the decor and overall ambience of the place with a French theme of course - small, intimate dining room with a nice looking bar done in wood. The server recommended some wines that turned out to be excellent. As appetizers we went for the charcuterie plate and the French onion soup. Both were very good. Fresh made pâté on the charcuterie platter was a big hit. Onion soup was perfectly gratineed and the broth was tasty and sweet without being overdone with salt. I had the coq au vin and my wife tried the server recommended pork mignon. Both get high marks for plate presentation and taste. Very yummy. Desserts were also very good. The Belgian chocolate creme brûlée was a wonderful twist on the classic vanilla. Chef stopped by the table to chat and the service overall was knowledgable and attentive. If you are looking for French in Milwaukee this is a good choice!!!

    (4)

  • Christine B.

    I dined at Pastiche a couple weeks ago and it was one of the best meals I've had in awhile. I had the duck and my date had the rabbit. Both were outstanding--my date actually complained that the food was 'too flavorful'--not sure how that's bad, but take it as you wish. We started with the frog legs (never had them before, but they were pretty good) and finished with the chocolate ganache cake (delicious!). The place is VERY small though and since it's been pretty popular so you definitely need reservations. We managed to call at 6 on a Friday night and get reservations for 9:30 that night, but a friend had tried to get reservations for a Friday night a couple months ago and they were booked for three weeks out. I noticed a lot of people complaining about the service--ours was fine, nothing spectacular, but definitely above average. Our waitress was foreign and the dining room a little loud so it was challenging at times. My only complaint is the wine. We each ordered a glass of the two wines they had on special--at the waitresses recommendation--and neither one was very good. Considering they promote themselves as a wine bar, I was a little surprised by that. Otherwise, a great dining experience and I will definitely be returning!

    (5)

  • Patrick P.

    Cramped, loud, phenomenal food and attentive service. Reservations a must. When I called for a table of five I was given the choice between 4:30 or 8:30. We took the 8:30 and our table was ready when we arrived. I wouldn't advise bringing babies or toddlers here. We ordered everything from lamb, to steak, to tuna, to rabbit to pork: all dishes were prepared well. Highly recommended.

    (4)

  • David Z.

    Returned again with friends. The bean soup was lackluster and mostly vegetables. The bottle of Cabernet on special was excellent. The four entrees (rattatouille, coq au vin, seared ahi tuna, medallion of pork) were appreciated by all. An engineer friend dining with us said that the acoustical problem (extremely high noise level so everybody is just shouting) can be fixed rather easily. Not sure why this probelm is not being addressed since the general word on the place is that if you want to hold a conversation after 6:00 p.m., forget it. An espresso machine (they're not that expensive) would certainly be a good addition here.

    (4)

  • Anthony P.

    So for the last three years, French is what I do: Been there twice, eat too much of the food, drink too much of the wine, and otherwise indulge in anything culinary, gustatory French. Enter this small, quaint little bistro in Bayview that is, according to everyone I talk to, THE place to have an authentic french meal and still walk away with enough money in your pocket to pay the mortgage. We corked a bottle of Marc Hebrart with the escargot, which arrived promptly. The waitress seemingly hadn't had experience opening champagne, it overflowed two seconds after a huge "POP!" and spilled over the table as she ignored it and started to pour. Our onion soups arrived piping hot, but lacked the caramelized sweet deliciousness I typically expect from french onion soup. The Frisee salad arrived as course "trios," and was delicious, especially with the bacon lardons and poached egg. Our bottle of Bouchard set us back just a sliver over what the venue paid for it, and the waitress successfully poured without a drip - although she was completely inattentive to the bottle thereafter. My date had the Cassoulet, I had the Pork Mignon. The pork was wonderfully done, and the highlight of the meal. Cooked perfectly and wrapped in bacon with fall squash and apricot sauce. The Cassoulet was wrapped to go home. The meal commenced with a walnut cake that yet again lacked a level of delicacy and finesse that the french typify. I asked the owner-lady if my glass pour of muscat could potentially be a corked or sunburned bottle, and after a quick sniff, she handed it back and assured me it was okay...wrong answer. Pastiche is A-OK. Next time I would sit at the bar and have a glass of wine with some appetizers, but unless you're easily impressed, potentially not the place to electrify a new date or enjoy a long, romantic evening a'la francaise. PRO: The most affordable wine list I have seen in the city. Simple, straightforward bistro cuisine offered at an affordable price. Great atmosphere: warm, comfortable, inviting. CON: Service needs to step it up just one notch. Food needs to be tweaked with the seasoning. Management needs to understand that the customer is their first priority: always. DETAILS: I liked the olives and almonds at the table and the dimness of the lighting. I disliked how the waitress wasn't able to calm down and compose herself tableside, regardless of how busy she was.

    (3)

  • Alissa T.

    One of the best meals of my life! Excellent service, great wine. Don't take your chance, make a reservation.

    (5)

  • Valla H.

    The restaurant is a bit loud & the seating tight, but the food is very good! Plus, if you are a United Mileage Plus Dining Member, you get extra points here!

    (4)

  • Antonio H.

    Lovely restaurant. Very french feel. Semi-attentive wait staff. Cassoulet is perfect for big meat eaters cuz there's a LOT of meat in it. The cucumber and chevre salad with frisee should really be called the frisee salad with scant bits of cucumber and chevre; I am not a rabbitt, Mister Pastiche. So why am I giving this place only 2 stars? Because no meal is worth waiting over an hour for just the entreé. Those chairs are WAY too hard for that, mon frere.

    (2)

  • Robin K.

    thank you to Jane, the bartender, who supported our every request for wine and food at the bar tonight. We ended up going upstairs to buy in the wine store after dinner based on the wine selections Jane offered us. Lemon tart dessert was delish, and I am NOT a dessert eater typically. Hubby says the pork loin w/ lobster stuffing was amazing. As a vegetarian, the menu is limited, but what I had was very good. I'd go back for drinks and apps in a flash, and invite others to drink and dine with me!

    (4)

  • Kim S.

    This is my new favorite restaurant. We've been here twice in 2 weeks. First trip was for lunch and we fell in love with it. A charming little place that has a great feel to it. Service was exceptional on both occasions lunch we started with the French onion soup which was delicious, very flavorful broth topped with a crouton and Gruyere cheese. Also had the Croquet Madame which was one of the best we've ever had. We had been told about the Tues.Tapas night so we went back to try it. It far exceeded our expectations. We arrived at 5:30 (BTW, you should definitely make a reservation), 4-6 Mon. - Thurs. is their Happy hour, 1/2 price wines and 1/2 price appetizers. We started with the French onion soup....again. Next up the Merguez Sausage with Polenta and Grilled Apples, you get two spicy lamb sausages that are grilled and served over polenta with grilled apples and a sherry reduction glace. This was spectacular and I would definitely order again. Also had the Potato Batonettes with a garlic aioli. If you love homemade fries you've got to try them, they were delicious and the garlic aioli went really well with them. Next we tried the Shrimp De Jonghe, you get six nice size shrimp in garlic butter with breadcrumbs and lemon, They were very, very good. Last item off the appetizer menu was the Escargots Bourguignonne. You get 6 escargots in a yummy garlic sauce with toast points. I wish they sold the garlic sauce by the glass, it was that good. At this point with only the 2 of us we were very full but just had to try the mussels in a curry sauce from the Tapas menu. I told my husband I'd help him eat a few of them but that's it. Well, there's no way you can stop eating these and we ended up fighting for the last one. They were to die for!!! I usually like my mussels in a wine sauce but our waitress on both occasion recommended the curry sauce. Am I glad we went with her suggestion. They only have the mussels with the Curry Sauce on Tues. night all other nights they have them in the wine sauce. Once again I can't say enough about the service. Kira was our waitress and I would highly recommend her, She was extremely knowledgeable about the wine menu which really impressed us. This is one you have to try. I can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu. :)

    (5)

  • Alison H.

    Delicious! Beautiful little spot in Bay View. It was busy for a Wednesday evening so I would suggest a reservation.

    (4)

  • Barbara K.

    My boyfriend and I have been here a few times, and usually when Val is working the bar. The food is generally pretty good; the service, except at the bar, is sporatic at best. The attitude of the servers, hostess etc, is also average at best. We don't go here anymore due to staff, and up/down food. Obviously other reviewers were there on a "good nite", as we've had several unhappy experiences here.

    (2)

  • Christopher M.

    The food here was delicious in my opinion. Pair that with reasonable prices, and I am giving it five stars. It is quaint and feels a bit like crazywater, and is one of the only nice restaraunts in the area. The amount of food was just right. The chicken encroute appetizer was yummy as was the swordfish special. We had the bread pudding for dessert which was great and better than most I have had. It was fairly full, so make reservations when you can and now that if you are 15 minutes or more late, you are SOL.

    (5)

  • Amanda W.

    Went this past Saturday night, with reservations (witch I highly recommend) and had the best time ever dinning in Bay View. Pastiche sets a standard that ALL Bay view restaurants should follow: Well prepared, reasonably priced food, with outstanding service! They really pay attention to details, like seating you a tiny glass of olives, and tasty almonds. Order seafood there, they chef/owner cooks it beautifully.

    (5)

  • Toni S.

    Feeling great after an amazing dinner @Pastiche & great service as well! We visited their new wine store & picked up a few treasures.......a good night, all in all.

    (5)

  • William U.

    Ok ii have been wanting to go back to pastiche but walk ins are very difficult. The place is small and they fill with reservation many nights. So I really liked it, service was great, food was pretty good. But I just was not swept off my feet. In a place like this I lie to be transported by the food. Our appetizer was excellent and my wife loved her dish. But to me the steak frites was just average. I ordered medium rare and it was pink in center but it was not too juicy. The frites tasted mostly like oil. Maybe my expectations were to high going in but I just wasn't swept away. This actually surprised me. Even the chocolate mousse was salty, more like Creme brûlée. Nothing was bad of course. And if my wife were writing this review it would be much more positive. I think for steak frites I will head to coquette next time. It is excellent there. And next time at pastiche ill try something else.

    (3)

  • John F.

    Two strikes and you're out! My wife and I have dined at Pastiche numerous times since it opened in March. This restaurant, which started out with creative a menu, has "jumped the shark" in its first 9 months. My 1st strike (bad meal) was several months ago when I was served a raw quail, and the staff/ nor chef made any attempts to apologize. There has always been a palpable edge here but nothing like our experience last night. Strike 2: My business partners and I tried to have a relaxed early dinner last night, but I knew we were in trouble when our waitress (who was personable) told us that she had to turn the table 2 more times tonight. Angela, the hostess/pastry chef/ owners girl friend, made it very clear to us that she wanted us out. Rude isn't a strong enough world to describe her actions. Nice treatment for a table that ordered two bottles of their most expensive Cabernet, mediocre, luke warm food, and had a bill of $ 200.00 for 3 people. Our waitress was obviously pressured to rush us out. She asked my partner 3 times, while he still was eating, if he was done with his meal. The constant stares, and audible comments (from Angela) of "I will seat you as soon as THEY leave" was it for me. Bottom line: If you enjoy mediocre food served in a rushed and pressured atmosphere, Pastiche is your place. Otherwise there are plenty of good quality restaurants in Bayview to choose from.

    (1)

  • Marilyn K.

    My experience was bad!! The hostess was so rude, she told me that having a reservation doesn't mean anything! She said we should assume the people dining before us might stay for up to three hours. I had my mother with me who is in her late 70s. We had to stand for quite some time. The hostess continued to make us feel very uncomfortable while we were waiting. I will never return!!!!!! As a side note our meals were average!

    (1)

  • Jenny K.

    Absolutely fabulous everything. Get the specials if they sound appealing to you - I had the scallops special when I was there, and it was out of this world. Wine list is excellent and reasonably priced. GET A RESERVATION - no chance of getting in at a decent time on a weekend if you don't. Great special occasion, romantic spot in Bayview. Can get loud since it's such a small space - don't come here if you like very quiet dinners.

    (5)

  • Erika B.

    Enjoyed my visit to Pastiche immensely. The server was incredibly well-informed about the food and the wine menu, and the chef/owner stopped by our table to chat. While the carmelized onion tart and frittes appetizers were good, it was the special I ordered (beef cheek with vegetables in a traditional savory wine sauce) that was incredible. Definitely looking forward to another visit, though I'm told that lunch is a better value than dinner, with most dishes coming in similar or more manageable portions than their dinner counterparts, but for around $10-12 a plate.

    (4)

  • C G.

    Great potential, friendly service but kitchen kept making mistakes and our server had to apologize and cover. We will go back to give it another shot.

    (3)

  • Mary D.

    I've heard lots about this new little place, and we were excited to try it! The atmosphere is warm and cozy, very homey with French posters on the walls and a cute bar. By 7:30pm the place was packed and got pretty loud. The wine list is extensive and affordable. I had the beet salad (great, but could've used pecans for texture) and the tuna with ratatouille. The dish had amazing flavors but unfortunately was not hot. After we finally got the server's attention, she took it and brought it back quickly. The shaved parm that had been on top had been melted, and the medium-rare tuna cooked to medium. That said, the flavors were still awesome, and I would order that dish again in a heartbeat! My sister had the chicken breast nicoise and loved it. The staff was relaxed and friendly. It was my sister's birthday, and it would have been nice if they had brought her a little dessert to celebrate, but they didn't. Overall, I really liked this place, and would definitely go back for a relaxing, casual meal with friends. If my meal would have been hot, I would've given it 5 stars!

    (4)

  • Trina B.

    Right off the bat their customer service sucked. As I walked in a lady in a red dress stared blankly at me, in fact, I had to ask her if she worked there. I wasn't dressed inappropriately, in fact I was reasonably gussied up and conservative. I just got home, and the whole time I was there I was irritated with their lack of attentiveness to me. Yes, granted I it was extremely busy, granted I sat at the bar, I was dining solo and everybody at the bar around me was getting a ton of attention! All they did was place my food in front of me and say enjoy as they were walking away. The bartender didn't ask me how my food was until I was nearly finished because he was having such a great time talking to the people around me, all of which, had been there for much less time than I had. The best thing they have going on for them was their younger waiter who was working, and I'm kind of under the impression he was a bus-boy. I got a double Hendricks and tonic, their soup of the day, and ris au veau. The drink was good, although as far as I know, generally when you order a double, it should be served tall, which it wasn't. Fine with me, I ordered Hendricks for a reason. The soup was close to sub par, as the corn had a very strange, almost slightly chewy texture. The ris au veau (the veal with dijon mustard sauce on sweetbreads and asparagus) was pretty mediocre as well. It took me a while to figure out what the sweetbreads were. I originally thought it was overcooked, hand-made pasta. Then I thought it was some sort of over cooked legume before i realized what it was. In all fairness, during this internal debate, I was being too critical. The veal itself was good, and not that I don't love grey poupon (the mustard sauce was this dish's selling point to me) but it tasted like they had just quick slathered it on, and it didn't taste homemade at all. For a thirty dollar meal. I had better expectations. I also want to add on, that I'm hoping that this summer won't be like last summer. I live nearby and their order form from Confora bakery was consistantly blown into my yard multiple times throughout the season. I cut them a break since they were just starting up their business, but after their slack on service tonight, if it happens again this summer, I'm definitely going to complain.

    (2)

  • Jim F.

    The quality of the Milwaukee restaurant scene often amazes me for a city our size. I had never heard of Pastiche but my wife wanted to give it a try. This place is a gem! We had no issues with service. The dining room is perfectly preserved or restored, and the wooden bar is amazing. Most importantly, the food was outstanding. Base on other Yelp reviews, I had the rabbit (first time ever) and my wife had the duck breast. Both were outstanding; the duck reminded us of the dish they used to have at Lake Park Bistro. Dessert was equally yummy. Another great place to try in Bayview.

    (5)

  • George O.

    Always enjoy Pastiche. Tonight had a glass of Sangiovese, salad loyanaisse and lamb t-bone with braised lentils. Comfort food for a chilly night. A tip: Unintentionally, I think, Pastiche will hustle your dining time, unless you slow the pace - order deliberately, ask for a little extra time with each course, get refills on coffee and just flat out tell the server, you're going to sit and chat for a few minutes. For me, dawdling improves the evening's enjoyment.

    (5)

  • Michael O.

    We showed up sans reservation, and we then realized just how small of a place Pastiche is. The hostess asked us twice if we made a reservation, and there was a long awkward pause as she tried to find a spot for our group of four. It kind of made me feel like we were silly for not having called ahead. I feel like reservations are/should be a thing of the past. Either way, I will go back and check it out. Our bartender was very friendly and knowledgeable. He gave us some very good details on some wines we were interested in, and he recommended a very nice, not too spendy choice for our group. We waited at the bar, had a bottle of wine, shared a cheese platter, and then left. Not the restaurants fault, but we definitely waited more than the 20 minutes we were told. The other diners seemed to be having a great time, and the food we saw come out looked good. As i mentioned, none of these reasons would keep me from going back there. It was just a bit different than what we expected that particular night.

    (3)

  • Kit V.

    Delicious dinner, attentive service. We returned to Pastiche with some misgivings; recent user reviews had excoriated its service. We wondered if success had ruined it. That's not the Pastiche we experienced last night. We were seated within 5 minutes of our reservation. The waiter was attentive, engaged, knowledeable and funny. The special arugula salad was deliciously spicy. All four of us chose the cassoulet, and we were not disappointed. Its slightly smoky taste included chicken, sausage and a duck leg. We drank a deleicious and reasonably-priced Cote du Rhone. Our desserts (creme brulee, chocolate hazelnut torte and chocolate ganche cake) were to die for. All in all, it was a very satisfying experience. We will return, and will continue to recommend it to friends. It's noisy, but that's the vibe Milwaukee restauranteurs seem to be promoting these days. It's no worse than many others.

    (5)

  • Mike K.

    Don't try lunch, if you have a large group(more than 6). They will not take reservations or try to accommodate you, even if you call ahead, as they suggest. And if the one table for eight is already taken you're out of luck. The staff is cold and unsympathetic to your plight.

    (1)

  • Melissa P.

    If you go without reservations, be prepared to be treated like a peasant. Too snobby for the South side. We didn't even stay to eat.

    (1)

  • Phil M.

    Food is good. Device was also good. A good place for a special meal without breaking the bank.

    (4)

  • Mike J.

    Went there for lunch on January 11, 2012. Prices were very reasonable and waitstaff were courteous. Room temperature was pretty cool, be sure to wear something warm. My wife ordered the Trout Amandine and I had the special of mushroom risotto with seared scallops and shrimp. Both plates were amazing. Service was timely. You can tell that a skilled chef has prepared your meal. Flavors, textures, layers of goodness... they were all there. The fish and seafood were cooked to perfection... velevety smooth. We rounded off the meal by having Angela's Lemon Tart with Meringue and Caramel Sauce... simply amazing. I'm not even a big "lemon" guy, but I would insist that you try it. If Pastiche keeps this up it will be the new hot spot to eat in Bay View. We will be back for sure. 5-stars!

    (5)

  • Sandi S.

    Tonight was my first time dining at Pastiche Bistro... with excitement for a good "French" dinner, my husband and I made a 5:30 reservation to treat his mom for her birthday. We arrived at about 5:40, admittedly late and entered through their front door to be greeted by no one. There was no front table to wait - instead you literally enter through the restaurant smack dab in the middle of the restaurant with diners enjoying their "fine" dining all around you. We wandered to the bar area, with our 8 week old daughter and about 5 minutes later a woman emerged from the kitchen with a clipboard. We indicated we had a 5:30 reservation and we were told that our table was not ready and she did not know how long it would be until it was. We could; however, wait in their wine bar until it was ready. This was something I noticed she did with EVERY diner that entered - my assumption being that they want you to enjoy their expensive wine while you wait for your table since there is no where else to stand in the restaurant to wait. The hostess is very cold, very rude and doesn't really seem interested in giving you a warm welcome. I have seen this reviewed by many and I would certainly agree. The last thing I wanted was to feel out of place the second I arrive and then be told to take my 8 week old baby to the wine bar because you don't want deal with me while I wait for a table that should have been ready for us 10 minutes ago. Finally we were seated and waited on within a few minutes. My husband and I ordered the french onion soup, our mom the potato leek soup special. For dinner our mom had the lamb, my husband the scallop with saffron risotto special and myself the chicken coq au vin. The potato leek soup was enjoyed just fine, but both french onion soups were delivered charred. Literally, the cheese that is melted on top was delivered black. I have never in my life seen such a sight! And because of the burnt cheese the entire bowl of soup tasted just like that - burnt cheese. I sent my first bowl back and asked them to prepare it "less burnt" and it was returned in the same bowl, the same as my first with the cheese scraped off top and a new slice of cheese microwaved over it. Unfortunately the black burnt edges from the first piece were still stuck to the edges making this professional "cover-up" very obvious. Other than the cheese mishap, the soup would have been enjoyable - so maybe ask for it without the cheese? Dinners for my husband and mom were enjoyed by them; however my coq au vin was absolutely tasteless. I so wanted to enjoy a wonderful French treat - one of my favorite meals and intead had a bite of that and the spatzel underneath and nothing shared a bit of flavor. I even passed it off to my husband for a taste and he, too, agreed that my meal lacked in flavor and had dried out, overcooked chicken. To our surprise, the waitress came over and asked if my meal was okay and when I indicated that it was not very well cooked she said, "Sorry. Would you like me to wrap it up for you?" So - needless to say, take your business some where else. Meals average $15-$20 before any appetizers, wine or dessert (probably around $45 a person after all that!). Better luck elsewhere!

    (1)

  • Stephanie L.

    I was tempted to give a full 5 stars on this one, but stopped short because of the dessert. I'll get to that later. Let me say that it was well-deserving of its 4 stars though. The visit was due to an early birthday celebration, and I was happy to enjoy the fete in France. Pastiche makes you feel like you're sitting in a farmhouse--an upscale one--in the French countryside, gathered in la salle a manger with your family and friends. In other words, it's perfectly intimate and warm. Every meal among our diners was piping hot and full of rich flavor. Ma grandmere was in the kitchen making my ratatouille. I do not think I have ever had a meal at ANY restaurant where the temperature was as if they had just taken it off the stove or the oven. This was a first, and a very happy one. The cassoulet received top honors from my fellow diner, as did the pork mignons. The pork tenderloin was "moist," and the diner "never had pork that good before." The Michel Gassier Cercius Cotes du Rhone was unbelievable! It complimented our meals and was like liquid dessert. Our server had precise timing when it came to refilling our glasses. She was even more so with the timing on bringing the dishes to the table. Even with all of the hustle and bustle, the masses were happily chanting the praises of Pastiche in between bites. They did not skip a beat, even with it being a busy night. The brakes came on, or tapped rather, when the profiteroles came out. That was my choice for the birthday treat and fin to the evening. The French are known for being genius pastry chefs and, in my book, are the founders of the pastry. The pastries at Pastiche have come up short twice now. My fellow diner was recalling a profiteroles that he ate while sitting at a cafe in Paris. He stated that the chocolate sauce was so good, he wanted to "rub it all over his face." The chocolate sauce quality and taste were lacking here, and the puff pastry was had the consistency of cardboard with a little ice cream in between. My one and only recommendation to Pastiche is to hire a fantastic pastry chef, and they will receive that last and final star that will indicate perfection.

    (4)

  • Karen J.

    Lovely meal--went on a Saturday night and most of their specials were seafood--great contrast to their mostly meat menu. I had the duck, which was cooked perfectly. Others had the seafood and were very pleased. Waitress was knowledgeable about the types of fish as well as the other menu items. The food came on the longish side, but when it arrived, the presentation and the first warm bites were great! Reservations are highly recommended--we saw 3 parties turned away for the night because they were completely booked.

    (4)

  • Adam J.

    I recently visited Pastiche for dinner for the first time last week. The menu is full of French standards like Coq au Vin and Duck a l'Orange. There were quite a few specials when I visited, including a giant roasted lamb shank that made me reconsider my order when I saw it coming out of the kitchen. I had the Coq au Vin, my dining companion had the swordfish special with 2 sauces and some deliciously prepared green beans. The chef visited the dining room about 3/4 of the way through our meal and asked us how our food was - which was an excellent touch as well. Overall, the food and wine were delicious, the service was good, and the prices were reasonable for the quality of food. I will definitely return. Pros: Delicious Food, Quick Service, Excellent Wine List, Reasonable Prices Cons: Somewhat quick to push you out the door.

    (4)

  • Maria S.

    We stopped in at Pastiche tonight on a whim. Although we didn't have reservations they accommodated us in a full restaurant. The first surprise was a well rounded wine list. For a restaurant of this caliber I was expecting high prices. Wines by the glass where 5-9 dollars and they had quite a few sparkling wines which is always a nice surprise. When seated you get a small bowl of olives and nuts. The bread they serve is simply fantastic, it's warm without being dry and the butter melts right on. The salads were dressed perfectly. We told them we would be splitting an entree and they didn't miss a beat, they brought out the entree on two plates and didn't charge for it! The meal was truly outstanding. The beans were perfectly blanched keeping the crispiness, the side of potatoes au gratin were a tasty mix of russet and sweet potatoes with both garlic and nutmeg. Finally, the salmon was topped with a sauce of such perfection that I found myself slowing down so I could keep enjoying it. The dessert was of course amazing as well and quite fairly priced. The music was a little loud for my dates taste but I loved the tunes and the ambiance. Hands down one of the best restaurants in Milwaukee. You must dine here. Also, rather than asking that you not use a credit card, they offer a 3% discount to those paying in cash. Very Cool!

    (5)

  • Cale W.

    Went to Pastiche Last night, (opening night) and aside from a few opening night Glitches, the food was fabulous and pretty Reasonable I had a beet and Chevre Salad to start ($4.95) and then the Braised Lamb which was fabulous, cooked to super tenderness with a nice array of vegetables ($19.95). for desert I had a Creme Brule which was good and once again Reasonable ($5.95) but nothing different than any other Creme Brule i have had elsewhere. The wine list is Fabulous with several bottles under $20 which is always nice. I'm glad to see that Bayview now has a nice French Resturant option, we have quite a few good restaurants in Bayview but nothing that is higher end. hopefully pastiche sticks around and becomes a Bayview fixture.

    (4)

  • Jen D.

    My first experience with Pastiche was good (I had a vegetable pasta dish), although my husband wasn't that impressed (he had pork medallions). That was when they first opened so I thought we would give it another try. This time, it was not that great for either of us. I love their French onion soup, but that is about it. Depending on where you sit too, it is really, really cramped. They really do not offer much, if anything for a non-meat eater (fish is ok for me, sometimes) and the dish that I previously had was no longer offered. Also, the food is a little bland. I would love to love this place since it is so close to home but, sadly, we will not be back. I cannot justify that expensive of a meal and not feel satisfied when I walk out. Perhaps I would go back for the soup and a salad? Definitely not any entrees.

    (3)

  • brenda w.

    I have really enjoyed every meal I have had here but there are some service issues as well as some weaker menu items. The French Onion soup is amazing and at $5 for a crock a great deal. but I tried the pumpkin soup and it was very bland. I have enjoyed some of their fabulous desserts but be aware they are not all equally delicious. On our last visit I ordered the apple tart and was very disappointed, it was just blah and most of it got tossed. I did not send it back but expressed that I was not happy with it and that is as far as it went. I did not want to make a fuss but I was charged for it and not offered a substitute so I said nothing. On the other hand the hazelnut torte was just lovely. And friends who ordered the lemon dessert still talk about it months later. Of course on that visit the server told us she had to be back to wash dishes in an hour and wanted to go home which I thought was odd. All in all the food is mostly wonderful but the service is not always all it could be.

    (4)

  • Steven K.

    Wow...simply wow! The food was excellent and our server was amazing. We celebrated our anniversary there, and we couldn't have picked a better place. The Pork Osso Bucco I had was so tender my fork cut right through it. Bravo to Chef Mike!

    (5)

  • Katrina S.

    One star, with reservations. First impressions were fantastic. The food especially was worth it. Appetizer was the Frog Legs with garlic and lemon butter (originally advertised with aioli, what gives?) But the flavors were fantastic and the crumb coating on the frog legs was crispy and better seasoned than the meat underneath. We also had the Beet and Chevre salad. The beets were hard, bitter, and abnormally crunchy and dark. Not a great choice. Recommended by my fellow diner is the Shrimp and Sea Scallop entree. It is small portions of high quality seafood over a large bed of egg noodle. Obviously they're making up for the lack of seafood on the plate with a lot of noodle, but the scallops were perfectly prepared with a hearty crust. For dessert, I enjoyed an apple tart tatin which was overly sweet. A caramelized/bruleed topping that was then covered with a 'checkerboard' design of caramel sauce. It was too much. Served with a tiny scoop of delicious vanilla ice cream, it was palatable. My dining partner enjoyed a sumptuously dark chocolate mousse with fresh berries, also recommended. It sounds like I really enjoyed this restaurant, and I did. The reason for my one-star rating is I and my dining partner observed the chef/owner meet and greet every single patron in the restaurant except us. And if there's one thing that negates delicious cuisine, it's a haughty, pretentious, son of a b.... chef. Pardon my French. To comment on the wait staff: For some reason, our waiter began the meal being incredibly attentive and ended the evening by being nigh-on impossible to find. For a restaurant of this size (max capacity 48 people), it's unacceptable. The waits between courses became absurdly long, and especially when it came time to settle the check. The bartender seemed incredibly professional and level-headed, and obviously cared much for quality wine service. Otherwise a top notch staff with some errors but much detail to attention (replacing silverware between courses, removing glasses and plates when finished, etc.).

    (1)

  • J L.

    I came in without a reservation and was seated at the bar. Next time I will make a reservation for sure, I didn't realize how busy this place gets but had a really wonderful dining experience. The bartender, Yesh, could not have been more welcoming and attentive even though she was really busy. We were just walkins, but were treated like regulars. Do yourself a favor, order the Osso Bucco, it'll be the best you have ever had.

    (5)

  • David T.

    I was visiting Milwaukee during the Labor Day weekend. I was looking for a place to treat my mother for lunch. I heard good things about Pastiche. I dropped by during the evening of 8/30. I ordered a Rhone wine and, explaining I was looking for a place to take my mom, asked to see their lunch menu. It was impressive. I ordered a glass of Rhone wine. I sat next to a chalkboard menu advertising sangria. I asked the bartender if they made their own. "I don't know. I love wine. I don't want to have anything to do with it." OK. I had my iPod with me and noticed that there was a login for Pastiche. I asked the bartender for the password. "Don't know." OK. I cashed out and told the bartender that the lunch menu looked great and that I was looking forward to bringing my mom. He grabbed my money and rolled his eyes. I don't know what to think but beware of leather-vested bartenders.

    (1)

  • Larry O.

    Didn't live up to high expectations. Nice location, nice ambiance, fine service, but all four diners felt that some portion of their meal was over-salted, even though one of us (me) specifically asked for a lower-on-salt serving. Other aspects of the food were fine but not stellar. Prices were quite reasonable for the quality of the food and the preparation. Worth giving a chance.

    (3)

  • donna o.

    I have dined here 4 times and have had exceptional food for the most part. What irritates me the most is the hostess has no idea how to manage tables. The second time we arrived very early and asked about a table. She said nothing was available. We stood for maybe 5 minutes and two people sitting at the bar said they were leaving and we could have their spot. In conversation we were made aware that this guy works for them (fix it guy or something)and was just having an early cocktail. Duhhh, don't you think the bartender knew this?AND, we were there for 1 1/2 hrs and I counted- 6 tables remained empty the whole time!!! Second time, arrived and had planned to sit at the bar and have a meal with a girlfriend. The hostess again was SO rude! My friend wanted to leave but we stayed and had a great meal. Ya know, it's all about a little give and take...why don't you take the initiative and say that the table is reserved for 6:30 and it would be OK to seat someone if they feel they will be out of there by that time. To leave 6 tables, some of them 4-6 tops, you're losing out. I just don't get this place and the hostess, obviously without a clue.

    (3)

  • otto v.

    The highlights were a nice German Riesling and the asparagus salad. The house salad was bland and missing many of its described ingredients. When we requested additional balsamic dressing, we were brought some bland concoction that was not emulsified/mixed: cheap balsamic and cheap oil. Couscous was well made and flavorless. Rum-soaked scallops were too dry and insufficiently sweet; not enough to keep the staff from helping themselves to one, along with the salad, when we had it packed up. Halibut was dry, tasteless and overwhelmed by the sauce which tasted of little other than lemon and dill. Strawberry parfait marscapone was way past its due date: fruit was flavorless, cream and cheese was dried out and spoiled sour. The vodka tonic was made with something other than fresh Grey Goose and was awful with its metallic aftertaste. It was the perfect finish when they charged me for two of this simplest drink instead of the one I guzzled to help me forget the meal. A well-written menu that's way beyond their ability to execute. Far better joints to spend $100+ in Miltown

    (2)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :4:00 pm - 9:00pm

Specialities

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

Pastiche Bistro

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