New American$$$bay-view
Goodkind on South Wentworth Avenue in Bay View is a small-plates kitchen with cocktails and whole-hog charcuterie since 2014, no reservations taken.
Signature: Crispy potatoes, Whole hog charcuterie
Order: The crispy potatoes with herb aioli and a charcuterie plate from the daily butcher list.
Tip: Walk-in only; arrive at 17:00 or 21:30 for the best chance at the bar.
International$$$bay-view
Odd Duck on South Kinnickinnic Avenue in Bay View runs a rotating small-plates menu pulling Korean, Indian, Mexican and Italian influences across one dinner.
Signature: Roasted carrots, Pork belly
Order: The roasted carrots with seeds and yoghurt and whichever pork belly preparation is up.
Tip: Sister room and bottle shop The Vanguard sausage bar across the street if Odd Duck is booked.
Steakhouse$$$$downtown
Carnevor on North Milwaukee Street is a modern downtown steakhouse serving dry-aged Allen Brothers cuts and Japanese Wagyu, with a cocktail bar at the front.
Signature: Dry-aged ribeye, Wagyu tasting
Order: Dry-aged ribeye for two and creamed spinach; a brandy Old Fashioned at the bar before sitting down to dinner.
Tip: Bar runs late on weekends; reservations on OpenTable a week out for the dining room.
American diner$$$downtown
Five O'Clock Steakhouse on West State Street has been a Wisconsin supper club since 1948, with bone-in steaks broiled at 1700 degrees and a relish tray.
Signature: Bone-in ribeye, Brandy Old Fashioned
Order: Bone-in ribeye and the relish tray; a brandy Old Fashioned at the bar first.
Tip: Friday and Saturday book a week out on OpenTable; the bar takes walk-ins from 16:00.
Mediterranean$$$$downtown
Lupi and Iris on North Van Buren Street is Adam Siegel's Mediterranean room with views of the lakefront, wood-fired pizzas and Provencal seafood plates.
Signature: Wood-fired pizza, Charcoal-grilled fish
Order: Charcoal-grilled whole fish for two and the wood-fired focaccia to start.
Tip: Patio seats face the Calatrava; book sunset on OpenTable two weeks out summer.
Italian$$$third-ward
Onesto on North Broadway in the Third Ward runs an Italian menu of hand-rolled pastas, wood-fired pizzas and natural-wine pours, opened by the Cibo team.
Signature: Hand-rolled pasta, Wood-fired pizza
Order: Whichever pasta is being rolled in the open kitchen and the Margherita off the wood oven.
Tip: Sister room Cibo nearby; both share the same pasta program and chef.