Lupi & Iris

I enjoyed an impressive tasting menu with wine pairing at Lupi and Iris recently. Every course delighted, and the pairings were superb! Service was kind, unobtrusive and timely. Ambience was very pleasant, quite open, and thankfully not loud (but that may have to do with the fact that the restaurant was quite quiet that evening). I may recommend for the tasting menu to change the courses to provide an amuse bouche or starter before the salad course, and have the option of either a fish or a meat course. As it was, we had salad, followed by pasta, then two main courses--each which were served with potato--and, finally, the dessert course. After eating the pasta, two mains, each with more starch, was frankly a bit too much. I'd have rather enjoyed a fun starter before the salad course. Just my two cents. The meal was spectacular and I'll surely return when back in Milwaukee

This restaurant is amazing. We were traveling from Cincinnati, and this was our first night in. We were exhausted but wanted great food. Especially this being in a new city for both my husband and I. Found this place, but didn't really look into it. We just saw it had a good rating, was close, and food pics looked great. We were terribly underdressed, to say the least, lol. We felt bad for not looking to see if there was a dress code or what type of atmosphere this place had. However, the staff did not, even in the slightest, treat us differently. They were professional, courteous, and friendly. We opted to sit near the kitchen due to our attire, and just being tired, wanted to relax and talk. The seating near the kitchen was perfect. The kitchen was open. You could see everything being prepared and the assistants and chefs interacting with the head chef. This was a well-oiled machine that worked extremely well under pressure. The food was phenomenal. My husband is not like me at all. He is very picky and reluctant to try anything other than steak, potatoes, and broccoli. However he actually ordered a pasta dish - Cavatelli con Ragu (in addition to his regular steak meal - Bavette) and it was sooo good. We both enjoyed it. I ordered the sea bass -Loup de Mer en Papillote. It was fresh tender and delicious. We are so looking forward to coming back next year for our couples trip. Well done, Lupi & Iris.

A delicious 3 course menu with many options at Lupi & Iris. The dining room was fancy and beautiful, but I also think it would have been amazing to watch the kitchen work at the kitchen bar spots. So many great options and all were enjoyed. It is heavy food, so be prepared for a stuffed stomach afterwards. The favorite of mine was the chocolate mousse cake with raspberry jam. A perfect end to a great evening! Unfortunately, I would say it is a tad overpriced compared to other amazing options in Milwaukee.

Wow! We sat at the chefs counter and had a great experience! The atmosphere/vibe of the restaurant is delightful. Server was friendly and knowledgeable, super fun to watch the kitchen work. The food was very good, this place did not disappoint at all!

We had an exceptional experience at Lupi & Iris! The food and service were both amazing. Our favorite dishes were the Corzetti and the Pez Espada (Swordfish)! We also ordered the Tartar de Beouf, Tarte au Chevre, Fazzoletti di Setta, and Bavette, and enjoyed them all! We were so happy that we came here for my birthday, and would highly recommend this dining experience!

One of the best dining experiences I've had in Milwaukee. Our server, Chanse was phenomenal. He was attentive and so helpful with drink and entree recommendations. We ordered apps, entrees, desserts and cocktails and they all were incredible.

Amazing brunch in Downtown Milwaukee. The level of service is beyond impeccable and the food is incredibly delicious. Parking is so convenient in the 7Seventy7 building, no need to even walk outside. Ticket is validated for $5 parking. Amazing experience, can’t wait to go back to try dinner.

We recently dined at Lupi & Iris and were completely blown away by the experience. From the elegant, modern atmosphere to the beautifully crafted dishes, everything was top-tier. What truly elevated the evening, though, was the outstanding service from our waiter, Ian. Ian was the perfect combination of professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely kind. He guided us through the menu with thoughtful recommendations and answered every question with care and enthusiasm. His attention to detail, impeccable timing, and warm personality made our night feel seamless and special. Lupi & Iris offers an elevated dining experience, and with someone like Ian taking care of you, it becomes truly memorable. We left already talking about when we’ll be back. Highly recommended for a refined night out—you won’t be disappointed!

The Valentine's Day special at Lupi & Iris was delightful. We tried the fried, soft-boiled egg with King Trumpet mushrooms, short ribs & polenta and a slice of a chocolate cake with fresh raspberry preserves that bursted with fresh flavor. My boyfriend said the lobster bisque was the most delicious he'd ever had, and his chocolate-cherry-pistachio semifreddo was so decadent as well. The servers at Lupi & Iris are attentive and knowledgeable, and sitting at the Chef's Table was an absolute treat. The servers and food runners will chat with you as they prepare the dishes for delivery, and you get an up close look at how they cook many of the dishes, including thee wood-fired oven and stovetop right up front. Lupi & Iris is downtown destination when you're looking for upscale dining. Once you make a reservation, prepare for an extravagant evening!

Lupi and iris lives up to the hype! I came here for my birthday and they all said happy birthday, gave me a card, and even gave me a dessert. I felt special. The whole area was modern, gleaming. Changed plates and silverware and cleaned between each app. The server seemed genuinely excited about the food. Scallops and cauliflower were very good. 2. Still that rubbery textured with a crisp brown top and bottom. Ravioli and mushrooms. 5. Very good, especially the mushrooms. Brown butter like Swordfish was the best thing we ate. It had so much components that you could eat separately. Each amazing. Panisse was also great. It was kinda a corn flour savory with balsamic and diced potatoes. The flourless brownie cake is thick but somewhat still light. I really like the walnut liquor ice cream. It was almost vanilla bourbon flavor. The apple tart cheese special had potential. There's honey, carmel, nuts, apples, philo dough, and a unique white cheese. I don't think it was for me. I also don't know if another cheese would be be better. Initially I was thinking Cheddar or goat, but I don't know anymore.

This restaurant wasn't my favorite. I enjoyed the appetizers more than my entree. The bread was good too but I feel like our entres lacked flavor. Especially my swordfish entree, but the service was okay overall. I really enjoyed the ambiance of the restaurant though. It is a beautiful space.

Came to Lupi and Iris for Valentine's Day dinner and it did not disappoint. Lupi and Iris is a large welcoming space with a very modern, open and clean look. Despite being very open and being full with a lively crowd, the noise level is quite moderate given ceiling noise treatments. Well done as too many places don't address this. One thing I would note about Lupi and Iris is that it has too many high top tables to normal height dining tables for such a fine dining establishment. This mix of tables should be rethought to provide more normal dining height tables. We had the three course dinner. The bread service was fresh. I had this scallops starter and they were fresh and tasty with savory flavorings. I had the Bavette wood oven roasted Wagyu sirloin steak as the main. Wow this was super delicious. I had the sorbet for dessert and thought it was a little too tart. We had a nice yummy Pinot Noir. Service was ok but the server Christofer G. seemed a bit awkward and inexperienced and did not know how to coordinate and sequence serving to create a pleasant dining experience befitting a fine dining establishment. Despite abruptly stopping by the table at least half a dozen times we needed to stop him from again abruptly leaving and ask about the menu to start any discussion about the food options for the evening. Very strange. Would definitely come back. While the overall food experience and environment is at a pretty high level, I hope they work on a few areas to be more consistent.

I had the most extraordinary dining experience at Lupi & Iris. We went to celebrate my birthday, and they gave me a hand written birthday/thank you card. The restaurant is SUPER cute. It's perfect for a date night. Make sure to check out the wine room for a photo op. Our waiter was phenomenal. He was funny and recommended a really good bottle of wine. The food was amazing. I enjoyed my Dover Sole, and my friend loved the seafood platter even though the shrimp was overcooked. Dessert was amazing!! They gave me a free slice of cheesecake for my birthday, and the ginger date cake was phenomenal. I absolutely cannot wait to go back.

We absolutely love this place! We try to stop here for lunch whenever we are in the downtown Milwaukee area. This time, we enjoyed the roasted squash soup which was do delicious. Creamy with a hint of sweetness. We also had the steak sandwich which consisted of tender slices of flank steak, aioli, roasted red onion, spinach and tomato on toasted ciabatta. Both were amazing. The bloody Mary's were awesome too!!!

Spectacular food, beautiful venue, amazing cocktails, and great service! One of my favorite things about Lupi & Iris is their bar and lounge area. The colors and decor really set the mood.

Celebrated my birthday at Lupi & Iris this year, starting with their happy hour at the bar. The bar opens early, but dine-in seating isn't available until 5:30. We enjoyed a glass of white wine, a Negroni, and an arancini appetizer before our reservation. The happy hour is fantastic, offering a selection of cocktails, wine, and light snacks. The bartenders were attentive and very helpful when it came to selecting a wine. Since we had an early dinner, we lucked out with a beautiful view of the restaurant and got to spend some extra time with our server, Louis, who was incredibly kind and helpful. We ordered a variety of dishes to share, and I've ranked them in order of our favorites: Corzetti: A fan favorite for a reason! The pasta was perfectly al dente, with just the right amount of chew and sauce to pasta ratio. Wood Oven Veal Chop with Anchovy Garlic Sauce: An umami-rich, tender bite after bite--this dish was decadent Olive Oil Cake: Perfect textures and light summer flavors--just the right finish to the meal. Steak Tartare: Great classic dish, but definitely ask for some flaky salt Octopus Salad: Tasty, but I wish it had just a bit more punch in terms of flavor. Arancini: A nice bite-sized appetizer, but expected a bit more in terms of quantity and flavor for the aioli I'm happy to say I finally visited Lupi & Iris, and I'll definitely be back. I'm excited to see some fun menu changes with the upcoming seasons.

First of all, what a beautiful restaurant!! It was stunning with a large dining area, view into the kitchen, private rooms, and a bar. They had a great wine selection and options. We did everything family style since the pastas come appetizer sized and split 2 apps, 2 pastas, and a main entree was plenty for us 3 girls! The octopus was delicious with a great sauce and cooked very tender. The pastas were probably my favorite both were fresh and hot and tasty. The duck was also delicious and I would get it again! We got the sauce on the side but it does come with a sauce as well!

First time in Milwaukee and knowing nothing about the local cuisine besides cheese curds, but having remembered the most recent season of Top Chef was filmed here, wanted to stop by and check out this James Beard nominated restaurant. Wow it did not disappoint. It was amazing for any city. The space was big, good ambience, had a drink at the bar before we sat down further back in the restaurant. Since we were a bigger group we ordered starters and apps to share for the table. Stars of the night - steak tartare, egg mollet, and the corzetti. Had never had this type of pasta before but they are round small thin - like coin type pastas with a creamy walnut sauce and parmigiana. HIGHLY recommend!!! But everything was absolutely delicious. And our server Lars was awesome. Great recommendations, hospitable and welcoming. Can't wait for my next work trip to return!

Loved my lunch here recently. They had a special to try smaller plates of their dishes for decent prices compared to their full dishes (~$25 for 2 choices, ~35 for 3 choices). The bread course was delicious as they brought out perfectly salted butter to pair it with. Loved the soupe au pistou, and my pasta. Opted for their olive oil cake. Perfectly portioned to cap off a lunch with. They timed the food to us so be aware if you are taking your time. Don't miss filling the meter! Lunch took about 2 hours but probably would've been faster if we ate faster. Look forward to trying them again.

Prepare to be wowed when you enter Lupi & Iris. The stunning interior is what you might find at a fine dining restaurant in New York, Chicago or LA. This restaurant is large. I bet it could easily accommodate over 200 guests. I appreciated the sound dampening ceiling that allows you to have a normal conversation. The massive open-air kitchen is in the rear. It features an incredible wood-burning oven and grill that is used in many of the dishes. You can dine at the Chef's counter that surrounds the kitchen. Chef Adam Seigel won a James Beard Midwest Best Chef Award for his work at the Lake Park Bistro in 2008. Lupi & Iris was a semifinalist for the James Beard Best New Restaurant Award in 2023. Ian was an outstanding server. When we asked for signatures, he quickly pointed out the best of the best among starters and entrees. We were also impressed by how he checked on each diner without interrupting our group conversation. The menu is described as cuisine from the French & Italian Riviera. Here's what we ordered: Starters: * Conichons - Miniature pickles * Datiles Rellenos - Ham wrapped dates Entrees: * Costoletta di Vitello - Char roasted veal rib chop * Trofie al Limone - Hand-rolled pasta tossed in a sauce of fresh ricotta, pecorino and parmesan cheeses Desserts: * Olive Oil Cake - Lemon olive oil cake, mascarpone cream, basil ice cream * Caramel Pot De Crème - Caramel custard, caramelia chocolate cremeux The entrees and desserts were show-stoppers. Incredible flavor and presentation. Lupi & Iris would be a perfect setting for closing a deal, team building or celebrating a birthday or anniversary. Can't wait to return!!

I was able to make a reservation for dinner on Saturday at Lupi and Iris and had an excellent meal. To start, we were greeted by the host and our coats were taken. They also had a cocktail lounge to get a drink while waiting for your table which I really liked. Nothing worse than being in a crammed space when waiting for a table. For the meal, their menu seemed to be more seafood forward as they had a lot of fish options but they had some others as well. We got the sword fish and lamb and both were delicious. The star of the meal was a praline mousse we got for dessert. Honestly, one of the best desserts I have had. Definitely would recommend checking this place out.

This is the place to visit! If you are thinking about going you most certainly should. Everything from the ambience to the staff was perfect! Food I will give a solid 10. We wanted to order a few things on the menu to sample. Ordered the Risotto, octopus, scallops, duck and the sole. Everything was flavorful, light and refreshing. Well balanced dishes. The duck was amazing. I am very picky when it comes to duck because I do not enjoy it when it taste very gamey but this was not the case. I will most certainly be a repeat customer and am looking forward to trying the other dishes!

Current tasting menu is phenomenal. Get a great sense of Adam's menu. Wine pairings are pretty spot on. Service as always...excellent. Great space. And not too noisy even when busy. Love this place!

Located within walking distance from the Milwaukee Art Museum, we stopped by for lunch before hand. We had the 3 course meal. It was amazing and by far the best meal we've had this year! The pork was smokey and perfectly charred. I can't stop thinking about the tangy, delicious black currant sorbet! Fun fact, growing black currant was banned for over half a century because it was a vector for a fungal infection in white pine which threatened the timber industry. This is the type of meal that's def worthy of them being a James Beard finalist.

First of all, the space itself is so cool. It has an awesome aesthetic that feels warm despite the giant space, and modern with the decor and lighting. It's in a great location right on the lower east side and perfect before going to Cathedral Square or any of the event venues in town. The service we received on Easter was outstanding. The staff worked very well as a team and we never had empty water glasses or coffee mugs, but they let us eat and enjoy in peace. Our server was charming and super friendly, probably among the best service I've had at any meal. And the food: well, no surprise as I'd been here previously for a jazz dinner, but it was fantastic. The amount of options they had for a holiday prix fixe 3-course menu was unusually large. The three of us all found different things we were excited about for each course. My shrimp and bean salad was bright and felt healthy with good, fresh shrimp. The ragu had an awesome pasta that was cooked beautifully and had a great texture to it, with a delicious bit of heat to it as well. I was also able to try the flank steak and really enjoyed the tasty char on the crust of it, with an extremely tender steak beneath. I loved my olive oil cake at the end and thought the candied lemon rinds were a nice touch for both the plating and the flavor. I'd come back here for a special occasion, no question, or a higher end date night. Their drinks are fun and they have a good wine list, so a stop just for the bar may be worthwhile sometime too.

Partly because the reviews we read about the restaurant were uneven, we debated for a while whether to dine at Lupi & Iris but finally decided to try it after hearing high praises from a foodie acquaintance. The building's exterior and interior are meticulously designed and beautifully decorated, and its facilities are super modern and carefully maintained, showing that the restaurant is aiming to be a fine dining place. As it is already over 20 months since its initial opening, the servers have presumably gone through rigorous training and seem graceful and competent. The beverage selection of the restaurant is reputed to be the best in Milwaukee, and we believe this is true. The Riesling Spätlese we ordered from the menu was one of the best Rieslings we've tried, and the non-alcoholic cocktail Mulo Rosso also had a very pleasant taste. We ordered Cappesante Dorate (seared sea scallops) as our appetizer and found it to be superbly prepared with a complex flavor profile. The quality of this dish can compare with the best scallop dishes we've ever had anywhere. The pasta dish we ordered was the very popular Cavatelli con Ragu. The ground pork clearly came from very high-quality meat, and vegetables (a very small quantity) complemented the meat and pasta well. This was a tasty dish, but it was a little too salty for us and not as unique as the seared scallops. We shared the Loup de Mer (baked Mediterranean Sea Bass) as our main dish. The chef kindly separated it into two portions for our convenience. The fish was cooked to perfection, and the many other ingredients added to the richness of the dish's flavors. One of us normally does not like to eat the skin of fish but got the courage to try it and enjoyed it. The dessert that we ordered was Torta Caprese (Flourless chocolate walnut cake with walnut-liquor ice cream). The cake was a little try, but the ice cream tasted divine. The decaffeinated expresso we had after the meal was delightful in terms of both aroma and taste. It is not common to get such good expresso from local restaurants and coffee shops. So, we were very impressed. Overall, we are extremely happy to have found this place, and we'll for sure go back. The prices are clearly in the high range but in our view fully justified given the high quality of its dishes and beverages. The attention to detail can compare to any fine dining restaurant in the city, and we also like that fact that diners can order from an à la carte menu rather than having to accept a prix fixe menu that most fine dining restaurants in the market have adopted after the pandemic.

Amazing experience! Lupi & Iris is an upscale restaurant perfect for a date night. The ambiance is great, the restaurant is beautiful and very elevated. The service was great, our waitress gave great recommendations. The food is phenomenal! We started with the ratatouille and the corzetti. The ratatouille was amazing, so fresh and flavorful! The pesto is incredible! The corzetti is a pasta that was also wonderful! For entrees I ordered the lamp chops and my husband ordered the duck. Both were amazing, very tender and flavorful! Lastly we ordered dessert, we got the special which was two cannolis filled with a lemon curd and came with a lavender ice cream. It was delicious! We also ordered the Caramel Pots de Crème and YOU MUST ORDER! This was phenomenal! We had such a great experience here! It is on the pricier side but it was worth every penny! HIGHLY recommend trying Lupi & Iris!

Great happy hour. The bar had good ambiance and the bartender was attentive and observant of when my drink was almost empty, ready to ask if I would like another. I ordered a dirty martini, a classic drink for a great price! The bartender even asked if i wanted regular olives or feta stuffed.

Insipid and Bourgeois would be a more fitting name. Have they scoured the pans since Bartolotta's kicked chef out on his can? Get with it and actually invent a dining experience worthy of Milwaukee instead of resting on old money bland and boring. Dozens of inventive restaurants are superior to you.

What a great happy hour! The drinks are amazing, I highly recommend the cosmo and just a simple gin martini with a twist. Staff is always friendly and accommodating. The noise level is always very minimal and allows you to have a great conversation with your group.

The food is great, especially enjoyed the Tart Au Chèvre (goat cheese tart) and my Cavatelli was really good. The service was friendly and good and the atmosphere was lively without being disruptive to conversation. Overall had a very good experience here, however I did have to go 4 out of 5 stars because the prices are quite frankly a little ridiculous. My Cavatelli (pasta) was nearly $40 for a portion that was normal sized - the portion size was good, just not the price for it. I've eaten similar quality pasta literally all over the globe and I was shocked at the pricing, especially for a Milwaukee restaurant. Bottom line: very good restaurant that you should check out but be prepared to spend.

Fine Dining at another level! From the moment I walked in, to being seated at the Chef's Counter and having my meal served, the dining experience was upscale, intimate, personal and vibrant. I highly recommend getting a reservation at the Chef's Counter. A very unforgettable experience. You see how important every team member's role is in the kitchen in order for it to flow as smoothly as it does at Lupi & Iris. The execution was flawless. All the dishes we ordered were AMAZING. Two stand out dishes I would recommend are Pulpo a la Parrilla (octopus), and Pez Espada (swordfish). Both dishes were cooked to perfection with the right amount of tenderness and flavor. The attention to detail on the cook time and seasoning were perfect. Lastly, the rave about their Olive Oil Cake is true. Definitely a must order to end the meal. What a memorable experience!

I went into Lupi & Iris with very high expectations. I truly thought it was going to be another over-hyped restaurant. However, I quickly realized it's 100% worth the hype. Every meal was the epitome of flavorful. I got the roasted veal chop and it was charred to perfection. That, along with the potent garlic sauce, made for a perfect dish. The meat was also juicy and cooked exactly how I like it! Make sure you save room for dessert! We got the Caramel Pots de Crème and the Chocolate Praline. I highly recommend both dishes, but if you have to pick one, I would go with the Pots de Crème. The vibe of the restaurant was perfect. It's actually huge, with so many people working there. The wine cellar, tables, trees, and overall atmosphere is remarkable! I will definitely be back for a special occasion as it's pricy and not somewhere I could afford to go weekly. However, it's perfect for a special event. I went to celebrate getting my CPA (well I got it a year ago, but we celebrated today)!

We went there to celebrate my birthday. We were promptly greeted and went to the bar for a drink. Bartenders were extremely nice, great drink suggestions and the cocktails were very good. We decided to eat at the bar because we liked how well it was designed and the bartenders were very good at customer service. The appetizers were very good, tasty and just the right size. We were unsure what to order for dinner and in speaking with 2 other gentlemen who were at the bar, and how much they enjoyed their meals, we decided to order the steak and the lamb chops. Both were sooo tasty and delicious. The amount of food was just right. Of course, since it was my birthday we had to have dessert, which was perfectly balanced. Overall an amazing night, thank you!

My wife and I went here for our anniversary and the entire experience was flawless. Our server, Chance should offer a master class in hospitality. Our scallop appetizer was cooked perfectly, as were the filet and Dover sole. Admittedly, I'm an easy arm-twist so it didn't take much coercion for me to choose their espresso martini instead of coffee following the meal. The ambiance is refined and elegant but certainly not pretentious. Will definitely come back.

My rating scale is based on if I would recommend the place to others. This was a nice high-end experience. I went with a 4 but probably more of a 3.2. It has to do with the price for what you get. The appetizer portion of pasta runs from $17-20. I ordered the Pulpo a la Plancha, which was excellent. The menu is very limited for both food and drinks. Overall, the service was friendly, the ambiance was nice, and the decor was classy modern. I just couldn't get past how expensive it is for so little portion. .

Incredible service, wonderful food and an awesome ambiance! We celebrated a special occasion at Lupe and Iris and they really took care of us so well. The staff is so friendly and really are alert to the diners needs. We got the char grilled octopus for appetizers alongside the motel mushrooms white asparagus special, both well seasoned and delicious. I got the 3 course menu with wine pairings as seen on Top Chef and my husband got the Bistecca. I am amazed at what the wood fired oven grill does to the flavor of all the proteins because it was exquisite. Their desserts were to die for, I was so happy after the meal! I highly recommend the Chefs Table seating if available. Go to Lupi and Iris for a great time, for delicious, never before eaten meals and for top notch service.

Went again for Valentine's Day this year and nearly everything was amazing. We started out with a bottle of 2019 Benegas estate cab franc and the pulpo a la plancha. I've had octopus before, so I knew what to expect, but this piece might have been over cooked because it was so tough, even difficult to chew. For our entrees, we ordered the NY strip and the 8oz filet (a special). Both were delicious! And the sauce served with the filet was amazing. For dessert we tried the caramel custard and oh my it was to die for! Our service was wonderful, a wine sommelier poured our bottle for us. I love the upscale environment inside. The coat check always catches me off guard. All in all, a great dinner, but I think we'll try a different starter next time!

Very excited to finally try something new in Milwaukee. An article came on my feed today regarding the 10 best restaurants in Wisconsin according to where the judges of top chef ate. Corzetti pasta in a walnut sauce... veal chop in a garlic anchovy sauce I'd love to give this place 5 stars but inconsistancies in seasons bring it down. My oasta was over salty. The garlic anchovy sauce was just anchovies

I have been disappointed by Milwaukee's upscale restaurants in the past and have avoided spending top dollar for just okay food. However, Lupi and Iris was well worth the expenditure. We sat at the bar in the modern, lovely space in the 777 building downtown, which was hopping on a Saturday night in the middle of November. Mike was our bartender/server, and he steered us through the menu with unpretentious good nature. He also mixed a mean cocktail. Everything tasted fantastic. My swordfish, a rare item in Milwaukee, was delicious. More restaurants should have swordfish on their menus. From salad to dessert, Lupi and Iris was on point. Prices would be considered cheap in bigger cities. For Milwaukee, you got what you paid for and left with a smile, patting your belly with happiness. Lupi and Iris is the real deal, deserving of James Beard's attention.

Okay wow yes, I get the hype. Thank you to Lupi & Iris for a delightful dining experience! I visited for lunch recently with my mom and friend, and we all raved about the gorgeous space. So many details in the design aspects, and overall lovely decor. You can tell there was a lot of love and effort put into re-creating this space. We were greeted by a sweet hostess upon entering. The front area is mostly high tops, with quaint booth seating off the right. It's evident that spaces can be partitioned off for larger groups or parties, including the private dining rooms available, equip with tvs and sliding doors. On our way to be seated in the main dining area, we passed their beautiful glass wine room that sits in the center of the restaurant. The staff was kind enough to let us peak in - so many options, all kept at the perfect temp. (note to self: return back here when not pregnant) Our server was very sweet and helped us through the menu. Be prepared to pay the high price for a finer dining experience and high-quality food, because that's what you're getting here. We started with spirit-less cocktails. I'd say 2 or the 3 we're really tasty (of course we tried each others). My favorite was the Poinsettia. I'll say the NA drinks might be the one thing a tad overpriced in my opinion. For an app we shared the roasted squash and oh my gosh 10/10. I would undoubtedly order this again. It included mint, fancy almonds, sherry vinegar, and the smoothest of ricotta. Chef's kiss. Cavatelli con Ragu Pasta & Flank Steak were shared among us for entrees - both also phenomenal. They were the kind of dishes you eat slow to just relish in the flavors, ya know? Oh and we most certainly couldn't leave without trying their beloved olive oil cake. People weren't kidding... the trendy olive oil desserts are GREAT. Very decadent. I'll note too, the bar area overlooks the kitchen, which would be such fun seating for a future visit. And they have quite large event space/dining area at the rear of the restaurant that can be used for events! Would I come back here regularly? No, my wallet couldn't handle that kind of pressure. Would I come back here for a date night or specially occasion? Oh yes please. Highly recommend this new restaurant to locals and travelers alike.

This review is for their brunch. The service, food and drinks, and dining environment are all good. We went on a sunny Sunday and they had live jazz music in the house. Their menu is pretty diverse with different options at reasonable prices for an upscale restaurant. We started with chocolate croissant and almond croissants which are definitely the best that I've had in the city - warm and very fluffy, crispy with yummy chocolate filling and almond butter filling. Highly recommend croissant lovers to try! Now the entrees - the grilled swordfish with veggies underneath was a lighter dish but still very flavorful. My husband's mom loved it. My lamb chops and my husband's steaks with mashed potato and veggies were also tasty but the sauces were all a bit too salty. The red meat dishes were nicely balanced with veggies and mashed potatoes on the side so they were more filling. I would definitely this restaurant if you are looking for an upscale but not too fancy and expensive brunch place.

When you eat out in Europe the experience is never rushed. There is always sizable pauses between courses. The perfectly spaced time allows for the meal to be the accompaniment to the company. While a business dinner I truly appreciated that we were allowed to fully enjoy the conversation and company. Now the food. Baskets of bread with rosemary topped with salt crusted butter. The appetizers - enjoyed the medley of olives, anchovy flatbread, octopus with the most refreshing salad and a very flavor forward ravioli. Next up the entree. As per normal I asked the server for a recommendation. I had narrowed it to seafood and she did not hesitate to suggest the swordfish. It was beautifully plated with lots of color making the swordfish the star. All the flavors on the plate work very well together. My dinner companions each chose other dishes and every one was a member of the clean plate club. Never have I ever had olive oil cake but rest assured this will not be my last. Thank you for the experience.

Absolutely a must visit if you are looking for upscale dining in downtown Milwaukee. Highly recommend sitting at the chefs counter for extra ambiance and trying a pasta for an appetizer. The service and the in-house sommelier was the icing on top of an already perfectly cooked ribeye steak

I was fortunate enough to have a work lunch for a team meeting that was four courses. During the meal one of our hosts did training on proper dining etiquette so take that Emily Post! The first course was the soupe au Pistou served with a small piece of bread. Hearing the proper etiquette for eating soup made me giggle because of the wiping of the soup spoon on the bowl. For fun I wanted to put the bowl to my face and slurp it down because it was that good. Next course was the roasted golden and red beet salad which again was excellent. Another fun one to eat with proper manners! Some people weren't beet fans but I loved the salad. We were given options for the entrees and I chose the Branzino Barigoule in parchment paper. By this time my stomach was on overdrive because eating this much food for lunch. The fish is served with the skin on which is proper but I am not a huge fan of eating it that way but I know it's the best way. The flavors balanced perfectly with the artichokes, potatoes, sauce and herbs. I could not eat it all because I knew dessert was coming. For dessert we had the olive oil cake which sounded bizarre at first but it was truly delicious with the strawberries and cream. Someone at our table was allergic to strawberries so they got the caramel pots de crème which made me envious. Since the chef is formally from the Bartalotta group it reminded me of their restaurants. The menus are always solid with a slight twist on regular entrees. There is nothing daring but just always a good experience from ambience to impeccable service. The most important thing I learned was do not return your entrée to the kitchen if it is not cooked correctly. Eat what you can and a good restaurant will note that you didn't eat your meal and ask what is wrong. If you return it especially if you are entertaining clients it disrupts the flow of the meal because they will be waiting for you to get your new dish. In my entire life I have returned three dishes but will not do so going forward at a fine dining restaurant - caveat - fine dining restaurant so this doesn't apply everywhere. It's definitely a restaurant worthy of garnering a James Beard nomination!

Some of the food was good, some was not good, some was excellent. All of it was way too salty. So while I'd like to recommend it based on their reputation, I can't because I didn't particularly enjoy it. Your mileage may vary, though.

This is about as upscale a place as you will find in Milwaukee. The service is superb and the food is outstanding. Be ready to fork out some serious $$$ but for a special occasion (anniversary, date night, etc), it would be hard to top this in terms of ambiance and food. They have 3 different dining area that are unique and have a different vibe. I highly recommend making a reservation at the Chef's Counter - from there you have a front row seat to watch the kitchen work its magic like a well-oiled machine, sticking in log after log to stoke the grill, flipping and searing loads of quality meats and fish, and then watching as they put the finishing touches and garnishes before they are whisked away by the servers to their excited patrons. We ordered 2 apps - the roasted squash and the Linguine al Limone. The roasted squash was superb, while the linguine was good, but not anything special. We heard the Corzetti was amazing, so I'd say go for that if you are looking for something different and unique. For entrees we went with the Swordfish and Grilled Lamb Chops. Both were phenomenal! The fish was wood-grilled steak that was flavorful and super tender. The Lamb was also delicious and the cauliflower and olive oil potatoes were divine. We ended with dessert - the Olive Oil Cake. It was good, but I found the cake lacking in flavor and wound up scooping up more of the delicious toasted honey ice cream. Ive never seen so much staff at a restaurant, and they were all very knowledgeable, attentive and friendly. Had a great experience!

Best meal I have had in a very long time. I could literally eat the lamb chops every day. Service was impeccable. A beautiful space with private party dining rooms that are beautiful. I highly recommend!!

We had reservations for a big group for a birthday dinner and were seated in a private room. Love the atmosphere here. Our server was very attentive and friendly. I ordered the lamb chops and it was cooked perfectly. This is one of my favorite restaurants for a special night out.

Lupi and Iris has been on our list to try for quite awhile. When we arrived, we enjoyed the ambiance they were trying to create (upscale but cozy), but the space honestly felt a bit too large. The space could be half as big and have a better ambiance, I would think. The service was good, nothing to complain about there. However, the food was just so......so-so. Like, it was "fine", but when you are paying this much you want much more than "fine". We got the scallop appetizer, I got the dover sole, and hubs got (a steak??? I dont remember). The plating on both the entrees was very.....here is your meat and 2 sides. I expect more from fine dining, if that's what they are going for here. For $300+ for the pair of us I expect better.

Everything we ate, from many appetizers, second and third corse pasta and steak was wonderful. Best meal I have eaten out in years. Very expensive

First time at Lupi and I wonder what the heck took me so long. A friend and I came for brunch and it was truly one of the best brunch experiences I've ever had. I LOVE buckwheat crepes, so you can imagine my delight when they had a ham and cheese buckwheat crepe with two eggs and arugula on top. I felt back like I was back in Paris. Both my friend and I absolutely loved this dish. He got the cacio e pepe with eggs and that was delicious as well. The coffee was superb, the service top notch. Can't wait to come back!

Yes. The answer is yes if you are thinking of trying this restaurant. I came here on a recommendation and am so glad I did. The service and food were both incredible. I sat at the bar and had no problem getting a seat. I do think portions are very small for the price, however the portions are the perfect size (no leftovers). I did the asparagus salad, appetizer cavatelli and chocolate praline dessert. I'm extremely full and looking forward to coming back again.

My husband and I came here for our anniversary. Everything was delicious and the service was impeccable. The hostess, server, and sommelier all wished us a happy anniversary as we arrived and as we left. We were also welcomed with a card written from the team thanking us for celebrating our anniversary there, along with complimentary bubbly to start our night and complimentary cookies from the chef to end the meal. They really made us feel like we were the only guests that night. I'm not a huge wine person but I'm learning to expand my palette in that world, and the in-house sommelier was so knowledgeable and gave us some good recommendations. Safe to say I had my favorite wine I've ever had that night -- (I'll have to look up the name and update it here once I find it!). I appreciate how the ambiance is "fancier" but not pretentious. It's literally about thoughtful food and thoughtful service -- done really well. This will definitely be a place we would love to take our friends and family visiting from out of town!

We booked this venue for our company holiday dinner and it did not disappoint. While it was on the higher end of our budget, we got everything we wanted out of this evening. The private room was spacious enough to accommodate our group of 60 or so, with room to mingle between tables. The darker lighting and candles added a more intimate and elegant feel to our dinner which was perfect. The bar staff was knowledgeable and very helpful, and the appetizers were great. For dinner I had the beef ravioli and the Bone in Strip Steak. The ravioli portion was smaller than I wanted, but it was DELICOUS. Full of flavor and so tender. The steak was juicy and well seasoned. A HUGE portion that was much appreciated. All of this paired well with the red wine and whiskies we had at our table. Following that they provided dessert and coffee service. My favorite was the olive oil cake, which was delicate and lemony and light. I could have had 12 more. I would recommend this for a quiet special event or date night.

A lot of hype for this lovely restaurant but was disappointed until the dessert. I met a friend there to celebrate our birthdays. I was running late and the restaurant was okay with us keeping our reservation. My friend was seated for our reservation and ended up ordering a couple appetizers and beers while they waited for me. Upon my arrival I was taken to the table, but not asked if I would like a drink nor if I was ordering food for dinner. I had to ask to see a menu to even order a drink. Well I got over that and decided to try the bread basket. There was a crusty French bread and an olive oil focaccia, which was excellent! I opted for the goat cheese tart and ravioli to dine on. The goat cheese tart, was definitely one of a kind! The mention of smoked trout hesitated me, but honestly I didn't taste or see any on the plate...maybe they disguised it well? The ravioli was nice with quality ingredients, but arrived to the table lukewarm. The server never asked if I wanted the half or full portion, but when we got the bill we were charged for the full portion--so I would not plan for leftovers and don't bring your super hungry spouse. Dessert was the best part, I ordered the pine nut tart for my friend's birthday and it was divine! I would return for a unique appetizer and dessert in this new hip environment, but eat the main course elsewhere. Also depending on where they seat you, you may find you're sitting close to others and their conversations. I felt as if I couldn't relax without the eavesdropping of the fellow diners sharing the booth dining setup with me.

This town has been growing on me for the past few years, and tonight was the coupe de gras. I screwed up the reservations... using OneTable, I was psyched to see an 7PM table on a Saturday night...turns out that was for Monday night. How does it happen in an absolutely chic, happening restaurant, that you can walk in off the street and get a table. Luckily a party had downsized and if we don't mind waiting 15 minutes, we can be seated at an absolutely perfect table in the main dining room. The entire restaurant is perfumed with the faint aroma of wood smoke from the kitchen, and the lighting and ambiance was just what we were looking for...perfect. Lars, our server, made some great recommendations and made the evening very enjoyable. Everything that came from the kitchen was beautiful and tasted so great. I highly recommend the chefs tasting menu. The chèvre tart, the lamb chops... just wonderful. We didn't add the wind tasting, because we had ordered some wine while waiting for the table, but that seems like a great value... next time. Yes, a little pricey, but the quality of the menu, the professional staff... so worth the treat.