"Once a weekend-only tasting menu restaurant within Dandan, Dan Jacobs and Dan Van Rite’s Third Ward Chinese food spot, Esterev has now found a voice and vibe all its own on the recently-burgeoning north end of Bay View. In the Kinnickinnic Ave bones that used to house C-Viche, diners find a seasonally changing four-course tasting menu, with built in options and side trips (enhancements might include a caviar tater tot), for $80. Liver mousse or shrimp toast could make way for truffles, which might lead to winter squash with red curry or sausage in boudin blanc. Whichever way one wanders, it’s easy to trust the Dans to bring it all home. Jacobs retains rockstar status after a strong showing in last season’s Top Chef, and along with Van Rite, the duo has been named James Beard semifinalists for Best Chef Midwest — though locals hardly needed another reason to buzz about the food. Best for: An intimate celebration." - Todd Lazarski