Meraki
939 S 2nd St, Milwaukee, WI, 53204
Meraki Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Milwaukee for healthy meals suggestion.
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Visit below restaurant in Milwaukee for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
939 S 2nd St
Milwaukee, WI, 53204 - Phone (414) 897-7230
- Website https://www.restaurantmeraki.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :4:30 pm - 12:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : No
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Trendy
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
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Becca M.
My husband took me here last night for my birthday and I really enjoyed our meal. I personally really liked the decor- I love high booths (which they had plenty of), nice dim lighting, cool chandaliers- basically really nice ambiance. Our waitress was fine, we sat at the chef's table which....I don't know what I was expecting but it wasn't as exciting as I was anticipating. Next time I'd probably sit at a table. The food was really good- we ordered one of the cheese options- which I must say- everytime my husband and I go out we get suckered into the cheeseboard and it was really nice that you could order just cheeses ala carte and not spend 15 bucks on a cheeseboard and realize that you literally could have gone to the store and bought the cheeses yourself. We also ordered the okonamiyaki with eel on top- really delicious. I think maybe a little too much mayo, but the umami flavors were spot on. As one of the snacks we ordered the "man eating kimchi" which was a really nice inexpensive way to start the meal- the kimchi was delicious and could have eaten 2 of these. The last plate we ordered was the potato gnocchi which was good. The pesto was delicious and the manchego cheese added nice saltiness- I think I determined I am generally not a fan of gnocchi as it just feels dense and I'd rather either eat a piece of pasta or a potato. I would say the only real downside of this restaurant that on a Friday night it was little quiet which I found surprising since Walkers point is a hotspot for lots of new fabulous restaurants and Meraki fits in that mold very well. I really want them to succeed so I'm hoping that this is a small fluke and more people come here soon- I'd hate to lose such a lovely new restaurant. Go try this place!
(4)Blake A.
Oh Meraki, I really wanted to like you. Since we were all dressed up for an event and we needed dinner, we decided to stop out at Meraki since we had never been before. At 7:30 PM on a Tuesday, the place had only 6 other diners in the restaurant. This is not out of the ordinary at any place on a Tuesday, so that wasn't a sign of anything obvious. Anyway, we had the pick of seats pretty much, so we chose to sit at the "Chef's Table". That was probably a mistake, because we were down near the heat source side of the kitchen. In a suit, it was a bit warm for me. I started off with the Corpse Reviver #3. It seemed to be a bit heavy on lemon, as that was the dominant flavor. As per the aroma, it smelled of bergamot... perhaps a blend of Lillet Blanc and lemon creates just that. It was OK, but not balanced or exciting enough for $10. Between the two of us, we tried the Poached Egg, the Tandoori Lambchops, and a Fried Fluke. I'd tell you exactly what we had, but Meraki's website menu hasn't been maintained in 2 months. From what I can recall about an ingredient list, the Poached Egg was served with a creamy loose polenta, cheese, and a duck glaze. It was pretty good, and their polenta was tasty. As per the Tandori Lambchops, there were two chops, one of which was over-cooked slightly. It was served on a bed of diced vegetables and everything had a cumin-rich Indian inspired sauce. Finally, the deep fried fluke... it was served with fava beans and a really sweet sauce. The fish was perfectly cooked, but the dish lacked balance. More salt/umami/sour would have greatly balanced out the really sweet sauce that doused the vegetables. So, it is the little things that I can nit-pick on... and I will mention what we experienced. 1) It was a Tuesday with only a few diners in the place. Every dish should have full attention and be spot-on-perfect. Instead, preparation peeling five pounds of garlic ensued. That didn't bother me, it was the lack of attention when there was attention to be given on the details. 1a) When the bill was brought, it was quickly snatched back from us so the vinyl cover could be cleaned. This was a put-off moreso than the menu being dirty. A lot of time was available to clean it before it arrived at the table... 2) The kitchen, while it being nice and open, it is also a downfall. The fry-o-later and heat sources should be behind some sort of hidden area as to keep the fryer grease aromas from wafting throughout the restaurant. Also, it would help to keep the heat down. 3) The seats were too low to the ground at the "Chef's Table". I also had to crank my feet back because there was too little room to put them in front of me due to a wall being there. This made my legs hurt. I'm 6'0" tall, but my shorter wife also noticed this as a problem. 4) Ordering of the meal was awkwardly asked of us. I get it, you serve "family-style" platings here. As a diner, it should just be brought out in an order that makes sense given the dishes ordered. You as the restaurant should know what that ordering should be. Just do what works, and don't ask. All in all, I think there are a great deal of restaurants that do me better. Fix the small details, Meraki, you're SOOOO close. I'm rating against the experience to value to details.
(2)Rick R.
I had my first visit last night. There were so many great looking items in the Small Plate section, we just ordered four of those, along with two Snacks, and left satisfied. We started with the Snack specials of the night, homemade tator tots ($5) and Rabbit Terrine ($5). Both were easily worth the $5. The tots were like deep fried mashed potato bites with a soft center and crisp shell. They were also appropriately seasoned with salt. The rabbit terrine was soft and topped with mustard seeds while sitting on a molasses garnish. Next we ordered the Poached Egg and the Tandoori Lamb Chops, both dishes were $10 each. The Poached Egg was served over polenta and a garnish of greens, which was supposed to be arugula but they were out. The polenta wasn't as creamy as it should have been and the arugula would have added the peppery bitterness that would have balanced the dish nicely. The greens they used served no purpose. The lamb chops had a good flavor, but one had too much fat and very little meat. Finally, we ended with the Celery Root ($10) and the Okonomiyaki Pancake ($8). The Celery Root dish included roasted and pickled celery root, a deep fried egg yolk sitting atop celery root mousse, and watercress, wild greens, and a parmesan chip all mixed with a caramelized celery vinaigrette. It was our favorite dish of the night. The Okonomiyaki Pancake was a savory pancake made with squash, onions, and cabbage and topped with kewpie mayo, tonkatsu sauce and nori powder. The pancake itself needed something to add savory flavor. The combination of toppings would benefit from less mayo and more tonkatsu sauce. The pancake was our lest favorite dish of the night. Nothing was really great, but everything was good, including our service. Our server had fun exchanges with us once she realized we were fun people and there to enjoy a great experience. Sitting at the chef's counter adds to the fun experience, and I recommend it. Four small plates and two snacks split among the two of us for $24 each plus tax and tip was very reasonable. We had no room for dessert. I noticed the prices of the entrees were lower than menu prices I saw online earlier this year. It would seem they are trying to address the pricing complaints. I felt that we experienced a great value last night, and I certainly would go back again. If you haven't been and are up for something different, give Meraki a chance.
(4)Shannon M.
We had a great dining experience at Meraki. Started out with half price bottle of wine (Monday's & Tuesday's). Moved to the Polenta, the squash ravioli (awesome), then onto the Goat 45 and lastly our favorite of the night, Swordfish over friend plantains and Puerto Rican rice .. Melt in your mouth gooood! The ambiance is great. Service was wonderful.
(4)Pat M.
Was extremely excited to try Meraki. Place looked great. Loved the big bar in front. Had a great server. We ordered duck wings, tenderloin, and a few small plates. Food was tasty and well presented, however it was hard to appreciate it because it was gone in 3 minutes. The portions were extremely small. Left disappointed. Had to cook another full dinner at our house when we returned home.
(1)Jen K.
This restaurant is a hidden gem. Once the word gets out, it will be packed. There is an extensive variety of creatively prepared dishes to choose from. Arrive hungry! The menu is designed for sharing, but we appreciated that chef could accommodate any dietary restrictions, even for shared options. The service was excellent and our group enjoyed the entire experience. I highly recommend Meraki!
(5)Sara S.
Finally got out to have a dinner at Meraki last night with a good friend. It was a Friday night and getting a table at a restaurant in Walkers Point or Bayview can be tough. We arrived for our 7:45pm reservation and to our surprise, the place was "dead" for a Friday night. Red flag? Was this a sign of what was to come? Hell no, why does no one know about this place?!?!?! Our server, Carrie, was spot on. And long story short, my friend and I enjoyed a wonderful and reasonably priced bottle of wine plus a wide selection of small plates and cheese and homemade bread. The atmosphere was lovely, food was excellent, so many interesting combinations of flavors and creative and unique options to choose from. I would absolutely go back. This place is a hidden gem. Get your butts over to this restaurant if you're looking for a new place to try.
(4)Jesse D.
Went there 12/29 for a date night with the wifey. Started at the beautiful bar with some "snacks" which consisted of house-made cheese nips and pickled vegetables...excellent. Moved from the bar to the dining room sitting in the booth across from the chef's kitchen. I had no idea that the place was an interactive experience - and I was pleasantly surprised. The staff was very knowledgeable about the food and drink, presenting us with many options that were bound to please our taste buds. We opted to try as much as we could - as it had been over 4 months since we had gone out for a date. We started with the Poached Egg which was exceptional - I could see myself eating that for breakfast or dinner anytime. We moved on from that to the Hot Bread which was their spin on a vegetable, cast-iron grilled pizza! YUM! I imagined that a combination of Poached Egg on top of the Hot Bread would be a visit to heaven...in fact it was, as there was a little leftover in the dish which I scooped up with some of the bread. For dinner, we opted to try the Hare and Duck Wings - both were excellent. I would recommend that you get in there soon to try the hare as I was told it was in limited supply and would be off the menu for a few years (apparently they are only hunted semi-annually). We tried several desserts, of which the cheesecake was my favorite. It melted in my mouth like butter and the orange sauce was a perfect compliment. We were offered the opportunity to tour the kitchen and see all of the fun equipment they use at Meraki. It was truly an experience. The staff was excellent - from the GM - Bob, to the Bartender Kevin and our Server Tim. The owners were present, friendly and extremely helpful. I would recommend this place to anyone that is looking for a great American meal with a modern twist! THANK YOU! We'll definitely be back!
(5)Kurt H.
One of the best dining experiences I've had in Milwaukee! The atmosphere is fun and engaging, and the food is spectacular especially the desserts (I ordered every one). I will be back.
(5)Laura B.
Love this place! The things I had (the poached egg, the hot bread, the cauliflower, the mussels) sounded so simple, but they elevated them to extraordinary. The combinations were inventive. Serving gingerbread cake with a butternut purée sounds crazy but it's oh so delicious! Next time I want to try something like the hare, because I have a feeling these guys know better than most what to do with it. The open kitchen created a fun experiential vibe, and the decor is sophisticated - great date night destination. The cocktails are tasty and pack a punch (another date night plus). This is a quality-over-quantity place, and I was fine with price and portion. If you want food you'll be eating for three days, go to the Cheesecake Factory; if you want food you'll be dreaming about for three days, give this place a try.
(5)Michelle C.
Love this place! We had delicious cocktails (my favorites were the Meraki #1 and the Pug Sutherland) followed by an amazing meal of several small plates. The Hot Bread is a must-try, with kale-walnut pesto, cranberries, and pecorino cheese. Very garlicky! The Roasted Cauliflower was wonderful as well. We loved the prawns and the Abalone Mushrooms with gnocchi. I only wish we had had room for dessert.
(5)Mike C.
Meraki. My first instinct is to pronounce it like Milwaukee. I mean, it's got three syllables, starts with and 'M' and ends with a vowel, but no. It's not pronounced like Milwaukee at all. It's more May-RAH-kee. Or something like that. However one wishes to pronounce it, it may be easier to call it that really cool, quirky place on 2nd Street in the parking lot of 201 W. Walker. How do I know that address so specifically? Because I worked at 201 W. Walker for nine years. Since leaving that premises in August 2014, Meraki has moved in. Never did I think that this bland, unlovely building that once housed the offices of the Allen-Bradley union staff could be turned into a contemporary restaurant. I figured it was destined for a wrecking ball, front-end loader and dump trucks before it could be turned into an attractive, usable space again. I'm glad I was wrong. I love what they've done with the place. It's become one of the more unique dining spaces in the 414! I particularly like the large and long chef's table. We often prefer counter dining to table dining, and at Meraki, this allows a full-view opportunity to see what's going on in the kitchen. I will admit, however, that we're in the minority and peering into the kitchen may not always be a good thing. It can be a little like looking up while Michelangelo paints the Sistine Chapel and noticing his butt crack instead of his masterpiece. "Hey, Mike! You know a belt wouldn't be a bad idea every now and again. Sheesh. Was your dad a plumber!" But while you chortle, Michelangelo continues to create art. That's a bit similar to dinner at Meraki, only they're creating edible art. Adhering to the shared plates concept--one that I love--Meraki offers a wide variety of unique sounding dishes that are hard to find. I find it to be a pretty good value too. We dined on the pickled vegetables plate (only $3!), onion compote and elk spedini. I indulged in two drinks and my wife only one and we settled with a bill just under fifty bucks. Not bad. Not bad at all. Plus it was more than we could comfortably eat. The spedini was served in rolls of three and one of those rolls came home with us. Everything was great. Good service, excellent drinks (try the Kentucky Ginger) and wonderful food. About the only complaint I had was aural--I could hear music from the dishwasher's space clashing with the dining area music. Neither was very loud, but combined, that produces a cacophony that unsettles me. It wasn't horrible and it should be noted that this is the price of chef's table dining. Had we dined in the table area, I doubtfully would have noticed it. Thanks for proving me wrong, Meraki, about that building and providing a new, unique dining venue in Walker's Point. It's too bad you weren't there when I worked in the building next door--you would've regularly had really regular regular!!
(4)Isaac S.
Ugh. I want this place to work! Positives: Waitstaff-professional, helpful, friendly Hostess-same, professional, helpful, friendly Bread--actually really delicious. Negatives: Atmosphere--it seemed like we were in a former retail store. It felt a bit disjointed and cold. The dance music on a bad sound system didn't help either. Prices--yikes. I felt ripped off here. Portion sizes were tiny yet prices were high. I was hungry leaving here and I spent $40 on my food with multiple courses. Food--I wasn't impressed. I ordered a sausage dish and it was very salty. My companion ordered something else that I cannot remember and it was just really small. The only thing that stood out was the bread. My companion and I agreed. Unfortunately I wouldn't return.
(2)Paul S.
Eight of us went together and we are not all easy to please. One of our guests owns a gourmet food business. We shared 9 dishes: a celery salad with a celery mousse and deep fried egg yolk, tandoori lamb chops, pork buns, glazed carrots with some type of ash, roasted cauliflower with fried capers, a Japanese pancake, paperdelle with short rib and arugula pesto, scallops, and flat iron steak. We also ordered two desserts - a molten white chocolate cake and a dreamsicle inspired orange mix of desserts. Simple review there were 16 thumbs up on every dish. We couldn't remember when we've tried that many dishes and loved each one. I would honestly be happy to eat any combination of the dishes and I would be happy. One suggestion via service. The server should have been more proactive in helping us order for 8. For example, when we ordered a salad there was no way that would reach the table: he should have told us most dishes would work for 4 and that the lamb chops for example only work for 2 people. We figured it out eventually but would have been good to just order two of everything from start It was fairly empty for a Friday night which concerned me. I hope they are doing well and thrive. They should. It will join our regular rotation of favorite Milwaukee restaurants and we don't accept new entrants to that list easily.
(4)Sofia I.
Stopped in for dinner tonight with a small group of friends and we all left knowing we would be back! Upon entering we grabbed a drink at the bar. Quite a nice selection of wines, beers, and craft cocktails. I had a nice glass of wine while the Mr. had the Kissy Suzuki. Delicious! Food was fantastic and we had a great table right in front of the open kitchen. Everything we tried from the flat iron steak to the amazing house pasta with poached egg was phenomenal. Capped the night off with the coconut ice cream cookie sandwich. Yum! Looking forward to our next meal there.
(5)Clifford H.
I've had the pleasure of eating here a couple of times. Get the hot bread. The cheese nips are fun. The ling cod with squash purée was fantastic in its simplicity. The same goes for the poached egg with asiago polenta. Crispy pork shoulder was an interesting play of a simple cut being elevated. Desserts were lots of fun. The gingerbread stout cake with brown butter butternut squash was so great for the holiday vibe. I don't normally like sweets either, so I'm glad my wife convinced me to try the chocolate filled beignets. I agree with other reviewers that there is a risky feel to the menu, it doesn't speak to the chicken breast and pasta crowd. It's sort of what I liked about the place. Making snack crackers out of aged cheddar takes a familiar comfort item and makes it interesting, challenging. The drinks menu seemed solid, interesting, but I'm more of a beer guy. They had about 5 draught options, it was cold and I remember liking the few I'd had. It may not be for everyone, however I for one have never left the place broke or hungry.
(5)Anthony C.
Let me start off by saying I loved the atmosphere and ambience of this restaurant. It feels upscale without requiring you to be upscale. The bar is dimly lit and sleek. The kitchen is open so you can watch the chef create and plate some beautiful meals. The restaurant prides itself on its shared plates. However, the amount of food they serve is too little to be shared. Even the large plates are big enough for only one person. So be prepared to spend twice as much as you planned just to get full. I had dinner with a date here, and we had one small plate and large full plates and neither of us were full. Otherwise, the service was adequate, and the meals were well crafted. The wine list is pretty good too.
(3)Kay C.
Visited Meraki twice. Once, just to see what it was all about and have a cocktail and then the second time to enjoy a cocktail and a couple of small plates. I like the place - cool, casual, comfortable. The bar is separate from the dining area and has almost a supper club feel. The bartender was knowledgeable and friendly. They have a nice selection of craft beers on draught, as well as quite a few signature cocktails. The cocktails sound fun but I could put one down in one gulp, so I opted for beer. Our dining experience was fun as we sat at the Chef's table or basically the counter with the view of the "presentation kitchen" as they call it. We ordered a couple of beers and four different small shares - pickled vegetables (yum), onion compote with cheese (yummier), and elk spedini (yummiest)...I said four, but our waitress forgot the roasted cauliflower...she took our order without writing it down...not going to bust her because we had enough to eat and I am sure we would have remembered if we reminded her. We'll get it next time. Everything on the menu is unique...don't expect to see fried cheese curds, sliders and flatbread pizza. Be open to trying something new. - that's where shares work the best. We were one of the last diners of the night, so we didn't get that much of a "show" by sitting at the counter of the presentation kitchen. We saw a bit more of the clean-up and shut-down. But I can imagine it would be more interesting earlier in the evening. We'll be back to check it out. I will also make sure to leave room for one of the desserts next time. The Cookies & Milk looks awesome.
(4)M M.
A bit overpriced for the experience, but the venue is cool. My girlfriend and I took some friends from out of town here on a weeknight just before the holidays. We ordered a few small plates, a couple of large plates, and two rounds of drinks. There were some highlights, but overall the food was not memorable, and for the price I expected more. The squash dish was phenomenal, with excellent flavors. However, at $30, there were three small pieces of squash, which fell under the large plate category. None-the-less, if you happen to dine here, I recommend this dish. The potato fritters were also delicious. I tried to order the hare tenderloin, but the were sold out. This seemed odd, since the restaurant was empty, but we ordered a different hare dish. It was the largest by far, but was salty, and a bit gamey - which was expected. Overall, I would recommend Blue Jacket before Meraki. However, Meraki is a new restaurant that provides a bit of variety in an up and coming neighborhood.
(3)Sarah A.
First time diner, was happy but sad to see the dining room a little empty. I found this place when I was out at braise. I thought my meal was pleasantly surprise at every turn, I started with the poached egg which had a weird consistency but great flavor. Next, the pork dumpling outshines the poached egg with perfect balance of salty with sweet. Then my partner and I shared scallops and flat iron steak both perfectly season and accompanied by flavorful sides!! Special note of excellency on the mustard greens. Some downfalls, for the prices I expected a little more formality, more than t-shirts for the waiters and my food delivered on trays. They also tried to provide fresh utensils for each course but always gave too many and the tables were sticky due to the finishing not because they were dirty. Also though I didn't need my dinner companion would have appreciated the options of salt and pepper on the table.
(4)Melissa H.
This restaurant was highly recommended and so disappointing. Cheese and chive puffs were so salty. Martinis and wine were the smallest pours I've ever had in a restaurant. Pasta was undercooked. Swordfish was overcooked. So dimly lit you can't read the menu let alone see what you are eating. Incredibly under whelming and no where near worthy of the prices.
(2)Rena R.
We had reservations at another restaurant we had not been to and accidentally mistaken this for that and it was amazing. The roasted carrots and poached egg over polenta were to die for. Every time we go to a new restaurant in Milwaukee with a promising menu we find ourselves a bit let down. So much build up for under seasoned and under prepared food. Not this time. This restaurant needs to be added to your must try list...don't forget to order a barbarossa after you ask to sit at the chef's table and watch all the action unfold!
(5)Farzad D.
Enjoyed the Elk, the Cauliflower and the Night at the Movies desert. Drinks were well balanced.
(4)David W.
Our first visit. Loved the variety of small dishes. Surprising tastes and textures in every dish. Must try hot bread, sunbee oyster mushrooms, roasted carrots. Will certainly return with friends for another fun night. Highly recommend!!
(5)Sarah M.
I had a great experience at Blue Jacket so was looking forward to trying Meraki. It was a huge disappointment. The presentation of the plates, silverware, and napkins was just bizarre. The serving sizes were TINY. The worse was the elk which was considered and priced as a "large plate." It contained two very small pieces of meat. That's it. No garnish. No side. Four of us ate four large plates and four small plates. We left still hungry. So hungry we went down the street to another restaurant and ate again. Prices either need to drop or portions need to increase. Too many good places in Milwaukee to leave unsatisfied.
(1)Whitney S.
While I wish every new restaurant in milwaukee would prosper, after my dinner last night at this restaurant, I don't expect it will last. Starting positive-- great cocktail. I had two of the signature sidecars. They were wonderful. Our server was also excellent. The menu is challenging. A lot of interesting items from hare to elk to black cod. It however doesn't have any "safe" items for those who are less adventurous. We chose the hare tenderloin, which took the flavor of the bacon, but was still gamey. The Hawaiian shrimp was just weird, the balance of seafood and the curry just didn't work for me. Of the three dishes, the pork shoulder was the best , but again texture was off--it was made like a meat loaf into a cake with mustard and garlic. Nothing I would reorder. Nothing wowed me . And, it's a pretty expensive endeavor as a trial. Save your money.
(1)A G.
I like the atmosphere and was looking forward to trying this new place. It was good; like other reviewers, I agree the portions were small and the dishes were pricy. We kept ordering dishes because we were hungry - it was more like a tasting than a meal. One beer each and for the two of us it was north of $100 and we didn't leave full. The menu items were interesting and I think it has promise, if they can align the prices and portions.
(3)Maggie W.
I came here tonight with all the girls in my family as a send off for me going back to LA. I am a very open minded person and like trying new places, which is why I thought this place would be good. The menu is very small and is labeled small shares and large shares so one would think this is a place to order a bunch of things to share.... Not so much. The portions are way too small and extremely overpriced. $25 for three shrimp.... Mmmmm no, and I live in LA where everything is expensive! We are in Milwaukee after all and the rabbit, elk and sweet breads..... (Look that one up if you don't know what it is) are just not appealing. Anyway this place really does have potential, cool ambiance, okay location, just needs a menu redo perhaps.
(2)Rob W.
I loved this restaurant! The interior is modern and cozy with a really nice setup. There's a great bar space in case you just want a drink and a snack. But it's well worth sitting down in the dining area for a meal. There are booths and a counter that face the open kitchen, so you can watch the chefs make your food right in front of you. The waitstaff was very helpful and informative, and the food was excellent! I enjoyed everything our group ordered, but the roasted apple and parsnip soup, potato "fritters", and squash really stood out. The portion sizes weren't large, but I felt like I got my money's worth. I highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Melisa C.
Fun to find a great new restaurant in a fabulous area! Went for dinner on a recent Tuesday night - sat at the chef's table area. Exceedingly kind and friendly server who helped us through our meal - gave us tips on ordering and a little history of the restaurant. Food was very good - excellent ingredients and interesting preparations! Restaurant was clean and well appointed. I agree with many of the other reviews here - the prices are a little high for some of the portions - but it was still a very pleasant experience - would definitely make a plan to go back here again!
(4)John A.
I think it is incredibly brave to start a new restaurant in December. Meraki has a lot to offer and is worthy of a visit. Everything we had was fresh, inventive and pleasure to eat. Let me start with the snacks, its a category on the menu, listed there is pickled vegetables. One of Chef Chad Meier's fun things to do is to pickle. Fennel, sweet peppers, onions, butternut squash and wild blueberries are the current dainties. Pickled wild blueberries, they are like a little tune stuck in my head, must have more. We really enjoyed the rabbit, the menu has two variations at the moment, one a perfectly cooked tenderloin wrapped in smoky bacon, served with roasted root vegetables (such as carrot and parsnip) dusted with charred leek and apple. Your eyes tell you chocolate, but your other senses aren't convinced, it was a novel preparation and we had to ask. These lay alongside of Brussels sprouts and walnuts lying on a bed of delicate whipped blue cheese cream. The other rabbit is a nice piece of rabbit confit roasted by open flame and presented with cranberry beans and dumplings with a cider broth. I really can't decide which preparation I enjoyed more. An open hearth oven is used to roast meats, seafood and vegetables. We also split an order of roasted prawns, there were two gigantic prawns served with black rice and a subtle green curry potato & scallion salad. We are going to have to return for the mussels. Meraki also has a talented pastry chef we tried two of her productions one was a ginger stout cake with sweet pan roasted squash a bourbon caramel sauce and eggnog ice cream from Purple Door creamery, it was perfect. The other dessert chocolate filled beignets with pomgranet reduction and seeds was light and fun. The wine list is under development, so only wines by the glass are available at the moment, but what we had was very good and matched the food well. I tried one craft cocktail a whisky ginger and it was very good. The restaurant is well thought out, with a very generous open kitchen bar (think orchestra seats in a theater) backed by two large booths (the balcony) the kitchen is the stage. Behind the booths and separated, by a partial wall is standard dining. I also liked that the bar was separate from the restaurant. When you enter from 2nd avenue the bar is right and the dining area left. The chairs are some of the most comfortable seats I have sat upon in a restaurant. The menu will change frequently as the chef revealed that he likes change. Look for house cured boquerones in the near future. The only reason I don't give Meraki 5 stars is because the bar is still being stocked so wine selection was limited.
(4)Adam L.
I love supporting all the new restaurants popping up in Milwaukee, and it has been a long time since I felt like a first time visit was such a dud. The location and space are great, and my first impressions while waiting at the bar for the rest of party to arrive was good. The space is smartly designed, the bar with a street view in the front, and the dinning area in the back. Once we were seated we basically had the place to ourselves, which surprised me considering it was New Years Eve and I had heard some buzz about the chef. Our waitress was pleasant and patient, but the food came out at an odd pace (like if Wolf Peach was drunk driving) with many items repeatedly going to the wrong person or couple. And for the actually eating part, the food is a no go. I agree with many others, the servings are incredibly small for the price, but more importantly the food was forgettable at best. No flare for presentation, the main parts of the dishes were often overpowered by gravy, salt, or sogginess instead of crispiness. Milwaukee has become a place where great and interesting food has become readily available at all price points, with Walker's point quickly becoming the center of the food scene. With so many other amazing establishments within walking distance of Meraki, I would be surprised if they can make it without serious changes to the menu and presentation. My pick's for alternatives: La Merenda: small plates/tapas The Noble: smart food pairings/flavors, dining atmosphere, and amazing pricing Wolf Peach: a come as it's ready, order at your own pace meal, with an amazing view
(1)Emily F.
Easily the worst restaurant I've been to in Milwaukee. The hare confit was so salty that we simply could not eat it. The razor clams were rubbery. The prices were absurd. Our group of 10 surely would never ever under any circumstances return. Ever. Go to braise or AP or the noble! They are fantastic!
(1)Johnny B.
Ate here when they first opened and came back for a second helping. Really pleased the portions increased dramatically. The food was once again uniquely prepared and presented. Shared the bread, onion compote and potato fritters, but the pork shoulder was too good to share.
(5)Charles M.
Great ambience. Beautiful restaurant with wonderful, imaginative small plates. The duck wings and the flat bread are to die for!
(5)Anne H.
The food and the atmosphere were terrific. I would only change one thing. I would have the people preparing the food dressed more professionally. The kitchen is in open view and it would be better if the staff looked more presentable.
(5)Mathew F.
Went there last night for dinner. Spend around 100 for two people and left very hungry and disappointed in the food. One of our dishes came out cold. We are fans of blue jacket but this was a let down.
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