Questions on Sanford's (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)
Hello all. I will be heading to Sanford's in a couple of weeks, and was wondering what past restaurant goers thought/recommend? I saw that they had 2 different tasting menus. One is a seasonal menu, and the other is a "suprise" menu where you put your 7 courses in the hands of the kitchen. Would you recommend either of these? What's not to miss off of the regular menu? Any input is welcome :). I am very excited to FINALLY make it to this restaurant.
By pastry634
on Aug 9, 2008 01:21 PM
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I have heard wonderful comments from people that have done it both ways. When we were there we ordered off of the seasonal menu and had a superb dining experience. We also have friends that choose the surprise menu. And they were floored with the selections. There was something, my apologies for not remembering quite what it was, but my friend did not like the item in the past. The server said that she should try it and if she didn't like it they would bring something else out. She absolutely fell in love with the presentation and now loves it.. I think it may have been a beet preparation but I'm not 100% sure.
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Awesome. See, I really want to try the surprise menu, but am too afraid that I won't like what they bring out. Does the surprise menu rely heavily on the seasonal ingrediants? Or is there really no focal point of the dishes?
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Anyone else have opinions on Sanfords and/or their tasting menus?
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I'm not really sure how they devise their surprise menu. You probably could call them up and ask them. But of course don't call during peak dining hours.
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Cool. We were thinking about going on a Thurs. Do you think reservations are needed if we plan on getting there right when they open?
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Just to be on the safe side I would recommend reservations. A lot of business people take out their clients during the week . When you call for reso's ask them about their surprise menu. In my experience they have always been very helpful.
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Sorry to break in -- in what city & state is this restaurant located?
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Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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Yeah, its in Milwaukee. The chef, Sandy D'Amato, won the James Beard award for best chef in the midwest a while back, and zagat just rated Sanford the 11th best restaurant in the country. Its surprising how unknown this restaurant is even in the Milwaukee area. The Bartolatta ones get all the fame :)
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D'Amato also has another restaurant, a French Bistro styled,Coquette, http://www.coquettecafe.com/ located in the Third Ward. And a bakery The Harlequin http://www.harlequinbakery.com/
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I guess we will be going this upcoming Monday. My dining partner insists that we won't need reservations because "With this economy, paired with the fact its a Monday, we won't need them." Do you think this is true? I'm half-tempted to make them anyway just to be on the safe side.
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Well, I guess I don't understand the logic. You know you are going so why not make the reservations? You can call ask your questions and make the reservations therefore letting Sanford's know how many servers they may need/not need for the evening.
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I like the way you think, living4fun. If only my partner could think that way as well...oh well, I'll call and make the reservations.
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Enjoy your dinner and report back. Are you from the area?
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Yeah, I live just outside of the Milwaukee area. It takes about a 30 minute drive to get into the heart of the downtown area, so I try to get down there whenever I can. I got there more when it didn't cost $4 a gallon :/.
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Living4fun, I need to ask you opinion on one more thing. This is not only a special occasion, but the first (and maybe only) time we will make it to Sanford's for a long time. Would you suggest ordering the tasting menu or off the regular menu?
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I would look at both menus and decide what appeals to me. When I was there , it was several years ago, we ordered off the regular menu and had an outstanding meal.
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