4. Restaurants

Meritage

5921 W Vliet St, Milwaukee, WI, 53208
  • (414) 479-0620
  • Store is closed

Meritage Menu

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Visit below restaurant in Milwaukee for healthy meals suggestion.

Auntie Anne’s ( 2500 N Mayfair Rd )

Visit below restaurant in Milwaukee for healthy meals suggestion.

Auntie Anne’s ( 2500 N Mayfair Rd )

  • Amanda M.

    We haven't been to Meritage for a while. Overall I thought it was very good though I didn't LOVE my dish. I think I picked a bad dish. Everyone else had picked their plates clean. Everyone at my table ordered specials, except for me.. so looks like Specials might be the better way to go. The drinks were good (loved the special summer menu drinks). Thanks for a great time.

    (4)

  • Tammy M.

    Sometimes restaurants are just magic, and Meritage is that. The food is great, the service casual and the size makes it always seem like a party. It's everything a neighborhood bistro should be. We love to pop in and eat at the bar - the bartenders are friendly. Bonuses - Non smoking and a patio in the summer, always good vegetarian entrees, nice wine list, good call brands of liquor, lovely desserts (if you have room!)

    (5)

  • Scott O.

    Went to Meritage on a cold night with my wife and a couple of friends. First time visitors. Each of us were wowed. It's a totally unassuming place, not trendy or fancy or anything like that, but the food... wow. Fantastic. And isn't that what your'e looking for in a restaurant? When the food is as good as it was during our evening out, the walls could be decorated with Phil Collins posters and I'd still enjoy it. The regular menu items made for some tough choices, and then when we heard the specials we faced even harder decisions. Meritage is a true food-lover's restaurant. Highly recommended.

    (5)

  • Ali K.

    My latest favorite Milwaukee restaurant! Seasonal & local menu, good wine list, attentive and professional service team and a creative chef: I love it. The only wired thing is the frequent diners punch card. A restaurant of this caliber doesn't need a punch card! That said...I am collecting punches.

    (5)

  • John H.

    First time here was a great experience. Made reservations online and they were ready for us upon arrival. We decided to sit at the bar for a drink and the the bartender was very friendly and attentive. We ate outside in their back patio.Very nice atmosphere. The food and service were excellent. It's a great neighborhood establishment.

    (5)

  • Ashley D.

    My boyfriend took me to Meritage on a date. This restaurant is somewhere you could feel comfortable taking a date, or the whole family for such creative dishes! I had a seafood like stew- fall bouillaboise filled with yummy shrimp, mussels, fish, and squash-- very good and worth trying. I think the pork gnocchi my boyfriend had was very tasty. A very unique and savory twist on the pasta.It was my birthday, and I guess my boyfriend/ waiter coordinated but they brought out bread pudding with a candle for me. The bread pudding had raspberries and blackberries topped with a vanilla bean like sauce. Absolutely great. Though my favorite was the appetizer-- eggplant fries! I've never had anything like it. They provided a yogurt like sauce for dipping as well. Service was really great-- they attentively filled up my water glass without asking and our waiter provided helpful suggestions throughout the night. I'd definitely come back!!

    (4)

  • Andrew + Aleah D.

    My fiance and I are lucky enough to live right down the street from Meritage so we dine here somewhat regularly. It's one of our favorite restaurants. Menu changes seasonally with specials every weekend and other nightly specials T-Th. While the service can be a little hit or miss (although I have to say it seems to be improving), the food is pretty much always outstanding, and you cannot beat the prices, both on food and on bottles of wine! In my experience, the specials are always the best items to order, especially the steak entrees, OMG! The owner and chef, Jan Kelly comes up with the most amazingly delicious and creative menu items. She's extremely talented and we consider ourselves lucky to have such an excellent and affordable restaurant so close to home! Tips: Judd is probably our favorite server and tends to staff the front section. Specials tend to run out quickly so go early! This upcoming year will be the third summer Meritage's patio is open out back, which I'm not sure most people even know about it. It's been a work in progress for sure and hopefully they will have resolved their issues with bugs as it kind of ruins the experience.

    (5)

  • Wayne D.

    This place just never fails. Nice fusion options along with terrific seasonal classics. Value to price ratio is off the charts.

    (5)

  • Julie L.

    Food just ok at our last visit. Calamari steak so tough we need a steak knife! Hoping for spectacular received an average meal.

    (3)

  • Chad C.

    I should preface this by saying I had a special wedding rehearsal brunch menu, so I don't know if the food I ate is available on a regular basis... but I can say it was very good. I had the crab cakes benedict, which were not the greatest crab cakes I've had but were still solid. I also tried some corned beef hash that was pretty good and some bananas foster french toast with marscarpone whipped cream (JACKPOT) that was the best thing I ate. They also had some delicious homemade-looking apple butter on the table. I had a triple chocolate cake dessert that was extremely rich and delicious. This review is likely a placeholder until I return for the regular menu... but I liked my first experience here. The atmosphere is very warm and the waitstaff was very attentive.

    (4)

  • Francie S.

    Was not blown away by the food or atmosphere. Wasn't bad, just would not pick it over all the other wonderful restaurants in Milwaukee

    (3)

  • Rick R.

    I went back for Tapas Tuesday tonight after seeing the menu items listed on Facebook. Aubrey G. happened to be there tonight, so I had the pleasure of meeting him. He recommended the Red Cabbage and Smoked Duck soup, so I started with that before hitting up the Tapas specials. The soup was a perfect balance of salty and bitter, and the duck was very tender. It was a great start! Next up was the Rushing Waters trout spread with tostones. The trout spread was delicious with a slightly salty flavor and pleasantly noticeable pieces of trout. The tostones were very thin and crispy, lightly salted and strong enough to hold the dollops of trout spread that I applied. If eaten alone, the tostones would need more seasoning, but the intent is to eat them with the spread, so they were seasoned appropriately. The Mini Chicken Pot Pie arrived next in the form of a light and crisp puff pastry cube, and the first thing I noticed were the amazing aromatics of the rosemary and other fresh herbs sprinkled on top. The thick, creamy chicken gravy surrounded tender pieces of chicken and diced carrots and other veggies, all with a balanced flavor. I closed out dinner with the Lamb Pizza. Again, the aromatics were amazing, but unfortunately, this was not the same Lamb Pizza I enjoyed here on my July 2013 visit. Missing from this version were the egg plant puree base and tahini sauce, which combined, helped offset the otherwise over-powering flavor of the feta cheese that seemed to dominate on this visit. Tahini sauce was mentioned in the description but was missed or applied in an amount too small to pick up. On my last visit it was drizzled over the top. That would have helped. I suspect I paid more than $6 the last time I had it. I would pay more for it again if it meant getting the same flavors from that prior visit. Other than that, the lamb was tender and the flatbread crust was thin and very crispy, yet strong enough to hold up while eating. The side chickpea salad was lightly, but sufficiently dressed. All of the tapas were $6. There were several other items that caught my eye in the appetizer section alone, such as the Duck Nachos and Firecracker Roll. I'll have to figure out a way to get back and try them before the menu changes, which I suspect will be soon with more fresh ingredients becoming available with the season. Wednesdays feature a 4 or 5 course meal featuring a different country each week. Follow Meritage on Facebook or check their website to find out what country and dishes are being feature that week.

    (4)

  • Allysha H.

    Meritage has been on my radar for over a year and I was finally able to make my way there last weekend. WOW, it did not disappoint! While the restaurant itself is small, my suggestion would be for 2-4 people without getting crowed, it has a sweet, "at-home" type of ambiance. Like many of the reviews state, there are a few things at are outdated, but personally, I think it adds to the charm. We went the night before NYE, so it was busy and servers were hectic, but remained absolutely friendly and helpful. Our server, Rochelle was particularly wonderful as she helped us pick wine for our meals and generally made the evening very enjoyable. I love a rotating menu and this one does not disappoint! For an appetizer, the smoked duck nachos are the way to go. Not too filling as they use (what it seems to be) fried filo dough instead of tortilla chips, what would be a really heavy appetizer turns into a light teaser. Just be careful! They have some kick and while you are talking to someone and not paying attention to what you have grabbed, you can chop down on a chili and have your mouth explode. For dinner, I had to try their NYE special that they decided to debut that evening; beef tenderloin with a bourbon peppercorn reduction, crab hash, and sauteed swiss chard. Hands down, the most tender meat I have ever had. I didn't even need a knife; no joke. It was buttery and smooth, cooked to a perfect medium rare. My husband and the Rabbit Stew which was also cooked to fall-off-the-bone tenderness, and hearty for a winter evening. Finishing off the night we had their 3 layer chocolate cake, which was a flour-less chocolate cake, with chocolate mousse, and finished with a chocolate ganache. Very rich, but a great way to end the meal. Meritage quickly became another restaurant in our "date-night" rotation, I cannot wait to be back!

    (4)

  • Joanna T.

    If I could, I'd probably give Meritage 3.5 stars, but I\m rounding up for excellent service. I had dinner here after they opened but hadn't been back until last night for no good reason really. The interior is warm and welcoming with a surprisingly large bar. As one might expect from a place called "Meritage", the wine list is quite good. It's not huge, but thoughtfully compiled and most people will find something that they like. There are a good number of by-the-glass options - price points seem $1-2 higher than elsewhere though. Tuesday is "Tapas Night" so in addition to the regular menu and 3 nightly specials there were 6 tapas to choose from for just $6 each. I ended up with the pork liver mousse tapa to start, followed by a stuffed porkchop entrée. Liver mousse - solid. It was quite a generous serving for $6, easily aplittable between two people. My porkchop - well...it was a large piece of meat but there was a lot of fat and gristle to fight through, I do mean fight as the chop itself was rather tough which was disappointing. The stuffing was described as Italian sausage and fig - I didn't taste any sausage as it was overpowered by the sweetness of the figs. The sides were great though - sautéed swiss chard and crisp, perfect eggplant fries. We opted for dessert at Cold Spoons across the street but the options here sounded really interesting, especially a sweet/savory take on bread pudding that involved brie and a wine reduction. Service was outstanding - attentive without ever being intrusive. Overall, I think that the way I'd describe Meritage is "thoughtful" - the chef/owner is clearly passionate about turning out interesting, creative dishes that pair well with wine or cocktails. The prices for the quality are very reasonable, with almost all entrees less than $20.

    (4)

  • Kelly R.

    Cozy & intimate, Meritage delivers a lovely ambiance along with delicious cocktails and tasty (+ unique) small plates. Recently walked over on a chilly night and enjoyed a yummy Old Fashioned along with the Duck Nachos (not a huge portion, but enough to share with my dining companion and feel like I satisfied my snack craving). The duck meat was incredibly tender and I loved the sweet & spicy sauce; a great pairing with the crisp wonton chips and veggies on top. Our server was friendly and attentive, as well. I am looking forward to my return, as many of the dishes sounded interesting. On Wednesday nights, they are currently featuring a "Destination" theme - a different part of the world each week for a special menu. Construction is currently making parking on Vliet a mess, but no fear - it will be moving soon, and parking abounds on the side streets. This Washington Heights spot is definitely worth the visit!

    (4)

  • Al S.

    My wife and I dined here during the PGA Tournament at Whistling Straights. We sat in their patio area in the back of the restaurant. It was cozy and charming. Started with great cocktails and duck nachos as an appetizer. Fabulous. Our waitress, Rochelle, could not have been nicer and was very helpful as we made our selections for dinner. Good wine selection as well. We can't wait for our next trip to Milwaukee to return to this neighborhood gem!

    (5)

  • Mandy H.

    Always a treat to dine here...but last night was not my night. My husband and I shared a wonderful appetizer of heirloom tomatoes 2 ways with burratta and goat cheese. It was great...and nothing beats an heirloom tomato. For my entree I ordered a special - it was striped sea bass with red potatoes and cremeni mushrooms . My husband had the Waygu steak with goat cheese mashed potatoes and kale. (He never touched the kale.). Sadly my bass was dry except for one little part. I ate most of it but I wouldnt recommend it. Our server mentioned the dryness to the chef and he said he would watch out for that next time. My husband said his steak was good.. not anything special. We both loved his potatoes. The best part of the evening was the wine, the tomatoes and our wonderful server. We have to travel 40 minutes to eat here and last night wasn't worth the trip I guess every restaurant has a few bad moments.

    (3)

  • Sandra Z.

    I want to give this place 3.5 stars, but I'm rounding up rather than down because I've had more excellent dinners here than average dinners. Unfortunately, the last couple times have been closer to average. The service is always excellent. Their attention to detail is evident. The food always looks lovely. The menu can be slightly adventurous, changes seasonally, and is generally vegetarian friendly as well. Most entrees are priced under $20, which is very reasonable for the quality. Nice place for a date or casual dinner with friends.

    (4)

  • Tyan S.

    Meritage was wonderful! Friendly and attentive staff, good food, cozy room. The menu gave several options for different palates. There were menu items for the more adventurous. I had the Fall Bouillabaisse which was fantastic! The seafood was tender, nothing overcooked, and the broth was flavorful - great sopped up with the bread. My husband had the Smoked Bison Brisket which was delish and tender. Parking is tough over there with construction but worth it.

    (4)

  • Joe P.

    Descriptive phrase: fine dining in a casual setting. Meritage is a quaint spot in Wauwatosa that Katie K. and I had dinner at a few weeks back. We were looking for a Friday night fish-dish, but in a fancier setting than most fish fry halls. Meritage delivered. Our reservations were ready right when we showed up on time. I'd recommend making reservations, because Meritage is a small space with limited seating. It was full when we arrived, with a smattering of maybe 20 tables and some bar seating. They've done a nice job of making an old, almost house-like building appear upscale but not stuffy. The service also was very welcoming and a bit laid-back and easy to talk to. We opened with the Roasted Pear and Fennel Crostini ($9). Katie adored this dish, which featured a few crostinis topped with blue cheese crumbles, pear slices, fennel, and shallots. I thought the crunchiness mixed interestingly with the sweet pears and slightly-salty cheese. Both of us ordered different specials. Katie's was a seafood crepe ($12). I can't recall what was all inside (shrimp?), but she gave it high marks. My kebab special ($23) was also exquisite: 2 large skewers with plenty of perfectly-grilled red pepper, onions, and swordfish on a bed of saffron rice and intermixed with a few mussels. While I found the mussels to be a bit too gummy for my taste, the rest of the entree could not have been better. Slight grill marks on the veggies and fish, as well as the freshness of the swordfish, all contributed to a solid dish. I'd personally lose the mussels and drop a couple of bucks to highlight the kebabs. Meritage is a nice place to come in Wauwatosa to enjoy delicious food with just a bit of class without heading downtown.

    (4)

  • Isaac S.

    Good solid food. The service was a little slow. The restaurant was about 60% full. I wouldn't want to come when it is sold out. I tried the home-made soda and it was basically already made syrup mixed with carbonated water. Not an impressive start. Then came the food. It was well-prepared and delicious. I would return. One thing I didn't like was the floor. It was old and looked extremely dirty. Time to replace it.

    (4)

  • Alex P.

    Do not get the fried rabbit it's bad news. The greens on the side were not fresh or crisp. What's the point of the dry waffle? Everything else was okay, not that impressed really. The server was very knowledgable and friendly but like I said not that impressed.

    (3)

  • Han N.

    I took the girlfriend here for dinner. Seeing all the positive reviews I thought I was going to have a decent night. The night was great except for my dining experience at this fine local establishment. The dinner was great with wine and aps until we had our entree. I had a dish I thought you can not miss, salmon. It was the night's special. I recommend they keep it off the list. The salmon was laced with sodium and the veggies weren't any better. It was easily the worse salmon meal I've ever eaten. I live in Florida and I love eating seafood. Salmon is the easiest fish you can cook. Serve it raw to me and I can easily give you at least 3 stars. 20 bucks for the salmon was a joke. My advice. If you want good atmosphere for a romantic date, this is it. If you're looking for good food, head to another fine establishment.

    (1)

  • Justin L.

    Affordable, delicious, simple local eatery...pretty much sums it up for me. The restaurant and the food they serve comes across as 'high class food/dinning at home.' If you are dining with just two...I would recommend sitting by the bar. If not, I would recommend making a reservation as the restaurant is very small. Sitting at the bar is also dangerous as their drinks are very tempting and they have very good cocktails as well as super attentive and kind bartenders. Food here is plain and simple. Yummy and they do not try to over present their food like art as they let their flavors do the work. French Fries w/ Clam Dip: you kinda HAVE to get this...everything about this appetizer just scream perfect to me. The fries are the perfect size and with the perfect crispy-ness. The clam dip sauce wasn't overly savory so that it was overwhelming. It was just delish! Can you tell I love fried foods? Goat Cheese Souffle: The taste and presentation was all there...all nicely browned. The taste wasn't overly pungent with goat cheese. Just enough for you to taste it and light and fluffy to enjoy. Only thing I would say is that it was a little on the gritty side. Scallops w/ Risotto: The scallops were okay and probably my least favorite of the list. The scallops didn't look the freshest (you can tell when the scallops are breaking apart) and they were a little over seasoned...salty. The risotto was a little gritty as well. Pork Saltimbocca: The pork medallions wer perfectly cooked and were served plain and simple with garlic mashed. A decent entree. They had a few dessert item on the menu and we went with a chocolate cake...this was pretty typical but I did love the chocolate ganache on top and the home made whip cream...home made is also BEST! Overall a great restaurant when you don't want to cook at home and want to enjoy some company. I'll be back for more food especially since it's up the street from me.

    (4)

  • Jennifer B.

    We love Meritage and its ever changing menu. We look forward to tapas on the patio this summer again. The wait staff is always very friendly and prepared to answer any questions.

    (5)

  • Jessica O.

    We had to cancel our reservations last minute (due to a sick little one) and the folks at Meritage hooked. us. up. We had family up visiting for my husband's birthday, and the plan was to celebrate at Meritage. When our son got sick, we cancelled the sitter, and decided to call to see if there was any way we could order for five people to-go. Now...Meritage does not really do take-out...so don't call them and tell them that I told you to, but when I explained the situation, they did a little bit of checking back and forth with management and the back of the house, and said that they could do it for us. Everything was packed up with so much TLC. Sauces that would have made things soggy were individually wrapped, garnishes and reductions that would have decorated plates were in little side ramekins, it was lovely. Things got cold kind of fast, which is why I definitely don't recommend trying this to-go, but we were stuck at home, and happy to still be enjoying a lovely dinner together. We got a bunch of small plates to share, and a few of the entrees. Since the menu changes seasonally, I won't go into too much detail, but some of the highlights were: - roasted pear and fennel crostini - the perfect blend of juicy pears, tangy blue cheese, and sweet fennel with a suuuuuper thick red wine reduction. - polenta - some of the creamiest I've ever had - fried chicken and waffles - topped with coleslaw and red pepper jelly - a super fun combination - wild boar ribs - fall-off-the-bone tender - specials of the day - a veggie risotto (perfectly creamy and delicious) and a salmon with curry, yogurt, and cauliflower (best cooked salmon that I have EVER had) We had a few of the staple entrees as well, and nothing disappointed. Meritage knows what they're doing in the kitchen. Flavors and blended masterfully, and everything tastes fresh. But I was really blown away by how they went out of their way to prepare food that was not at all designed for take-out the best they could at the last minute. I tried to be super nice about asking, giving plenty of opportunities to say no, but they really came through for us. We will be coming back for the full in-house experience as soon as possible.

    (5)

  • Laurel C.

    Do yourself a favor and get to Meritage. The ambiance is very relaxing, with the small dining room and candlelit tables. The menu changes seasonally, and they offer 2 or 3 specials each night in addition to the menu. I've eaten here several times, and usually order whatever vegetarian special they offer that night. That's not to say the regular menu isn't appealing as well, it's just that the specials always sound amazing. I've never had a bad meal. Everyone I introduce to Meritage loves it as well. I've never heard a complaint. Cocktails are delicious. My friends and I tried each other's drinks and could not decide which was the best. We think Meritage should offer a flight of cocktails. Service is friendly. Our server tonight was Judd. He is so personable and funny. Made us feel really welcome, and didn't rush us at all. I think Meritage still may be off of a lot of people's radar, but if is spectacular.

    (5)

  • andrew r.

    This place is AWESOME and never disappoints. The bar knows what they are doing, nice wine list and the food is deliciously seasonal, fresh and prepared to perfection. Awesome date night spot, weekend spot too...wish they had a patio.

    (5)

  • Kelsey P.

    Ended up at Meritage on a Tuesday night and lo and behold - it was $5 tapa night! We ordered all of them (clams, roasted garlic & pita, beet salad, indian pizza & salisbury steak) along with some mahi tacos & the scallop cake (because how could you not order the scallop cake?). The scallop cake really is an all star dish. I've had it quite a few times and it's consistently good and always makes me wish I ordered two. The tapas on the other hand didn't really do it for me. Pita showed up twice in the set of them (they recommend that you order all of them plus mahi tacos for a meal). I would have been fine with that had the pita been a nice freshly made one - but it was definitely not made in house. The indian pizza was the best of the bunch and could have been my favorite....if they had actually made the "crust" (pita) themselves. The drink menu is in and of itself is reason to come back. There is an extensive wine list along with probably 15 mixed drink options that are inventive and interesting. I had the regal which was bourbon and some sort of honey chrysanthemum liqueur. Loved it. The service was also spot on - I got a new set of silverware & plate with each tapa and my water glass was never empty.

    (4)

  • Mike C.

    I've lived within two miles of the building that houses Meritage for over 18 years. I've seen this building host some very odd and interesting businesses during this time. (Remember "The Highlander"? Clever name because this building resides near Wauwatosa's Washington Highlands neighborhood, but when you went inside and discovered drinks named "The Quickening," "The Sorcerer," and "Connor's Favorite," you suddenly realized that the owner probably scoured the country looking for a neighborhood named Highlands so he could pay freaky homage the sci-fi fantasy movie series, Highlander. Weirdo.) Fortunately a skilled chef decided to make the space at 5921 W. Vliet Street her restaurant's home and finally give the property some decidedly un-weird stability and contemporary quality. I've eaten at Meritage a number of times and always found the food and service to be quite good. The menu is varied and interesting and the draught beer selection small, but high quality. They've got a nice wine list, too. A few dishes that I've tried and enjoyed include the earthy appetizer, Wild Mushroom Bread Pudding; the healthy sounding entree, Rushing Waters Trout; and the south of the border, soul-satisfying Machamentales Stew. The atmosphere is quaint, casual and slightly romantic. Al fresco dining on their back patio is available and highly recommended on nice evenings. If you like to shop for art while eating, the paintings on the wall are available for sale, though I must admit, the price tags are distracting and certainly lessen the romantic ambiance of Meritage -- it makes me feel as though I am dining in a Pottery Barn. I'd suggest to Meritage's management a inconspicuous note on the menu or sign reminding patrons that the art is local and for sale and to please ask the server if interested. But maybe that's just me. Others may see it as "Cool! They support local art!" (The paintings are tagged Art & Soul -- which is the gallery across the street.) I've noticed that the flavor profiles preferred by the chef tend to be subtle and sweet. I know the food is prepared with thought and great skill, and years of spicy Mexican and Thai food have probably seared my taste buds, but if I could nudge the chef a little, I'd nudge her to bring a little more savory and bold to the table. My comment is above is purely subjective. If you dine here, you will most likely be very happy you did. Lastly, as said in the movie The Highlander, "The can be only one." And if there can be only one business at 5921 West Vliet Street, I'm glad it's Meritage. My good friend, Connor MacLeod, agrees.

    (4)

  • Michael P.

    On Mardi Gras, I was looking for a lesser populated place to stop in and enjoy the fare associated with the celebration and really didn't want to end up at a bar where everyone was just looking for an early-week excuse to tie one on. Meritage fit both of those wants and was conveniently across the street from Valentine Coffee and the Times Cinema; the next destinations for this evening. Every Tuesday is $6 Tapas Tuesday, and a Mardi Gras flair was theme to this night's selection. We paired the frog legs, the remoulade deviled eggs topped with mussels, the crawfish etoufee puff pastry, and the duck nachos (a regular starter menu item) with a Like Minds Coffee Stout, some white wine, and a Sazerac. The food was perfect (I recommend the nachos), but the Sazerac was made marginal by being served on the rocks. All-in-all a really nice experience.

    (4)

  • Nina J.

    Damn We LOVE this plave. Always delicious. Simple elegance is the standard and is ALWAYS exceeded. Hard to imagine a better place for Valentine's dinner.

    (5)

  • Rachel F.

    Meritage: a lovely spot that's absolutely approved by this particular food-appreciator. Not so concisely, then: I've heard lots about Meritage, and for quite some time now. This 'Tosa restaurant has always been on my radar, though in the five or so years its been open, I've somehow managed to not make it the 8 or so minutes via 94 to give their particular brand of particular a whirl. Until last week. Observations? A lovely, curated wine list. A nice/innovative list of specialty drinks. An intimate-ish sized dining room, decor/ambiance both home-y and a touch outdated. The patio? To die for. Completely and utterly charming. The service? Carefully crafted and absolutely knowledgable. Attentive, sweet, and present. I had our server (whose name escapes me now, but she was so good... dang!) pick me out a red that paired well w/ my entrée... and she was right on the money with her Grenache selection. The food? Killer "foodie" (god do I hate that word) selections that ranged from prosciutto-wrapped rabbit to lamb rillettes, pickled vegetables and charcuterie to mahi tacos and vegetarian offerings (their special of the evening was a veggie trio stuffed with cheeses, etc... so good)! Will I be back to Meritage? Absolutely.

    (4)

  • Kelly B.

    I recently moved to Wauwatosa, and have tried only a handful of their restaurants. My boyfriend has been bugging me to try this one for ages now, and finally on Friday, I gave in - and boy am I glad I did. I made reservations, the day of, with no problem. They were for 7:30, so around 6:00 we went to the restaurant to enjoy some wine at the bar. It was full already at 6:00 so we had to stand, not a problem considering what a small place it is. The bartender was very attentive and informative, without crossing over into pretentious and invasive. We ordered a bottle of red wine and a "moody blue" cheese plate. We never refilled our wine glasses ourselves, he was always watching - which was impressive for how full the bar was. The blue cheese was exactly as described, tangy with an understatement of smoke. It came with a couple pieces of bread, a few crackers and some dried figs. After we finished catching up, we wandered over to the hostess for our table. We were seated quickly and our server approached immediately. Marie was very fun and engaging and jumped right in answering our questions. She was spot on with her drink recommendations and we were heartbroken to hear that she was moving on from serving here. I tried the cherry limeade, which as Marie described, was an 'alcoholic sonic slushie'. My friends got the Bridge Burner Beer and the Elderflower drink. We ordered the warm goat cheese spread as an appetizer. It was goat cheese, asparagus, vidalia onions and cherry tomatoes. This was accompanied by warm toasted pita bread. The appetizer did not last long at our table. For entrees we were all across the board. My girlfriend got the bison chinese salad. This was not at all what I expected. It was a crunchy edible bowl, thick chinese noodles, perfectly cooked bison - not at all the overwhelming amount of greens and two chunks of meat that you're used to being served. I got the Phyllo Dough Pillows. It was a vegetarian option - which I regretted after tasting my guests meats! - and it was wonderful. It came with a sort of greek salad, which I thought was a little strange, I wish there'd been more entree and less salad. My boyfriend got the pork tenderloin and ribs, which I about fainted when I tried. The pork, which I am not usually a fan of, was cooked tremendously well, and was dripping with juicy flavor. The ribs literally fell off the bone. By the time desert menus came around we were already in food coma heaven, and barely made it back to the couch to wind the evening down with Mrs. Doubtfire. I cannot wait to go back to Meritage and use the $20.00 Clean Plate Club coupon we earned that night. Close to home, and quality food/service, this will definitely be one of my go-to restaurants from now on.

    (5)

  • Jason C.

    This place was fantastic. We went on a Tuesday and took advantage of a couple of tapas specials for appetizers. I had a pork tenderloin entree which was the best pork tenderloin I have ever had. Seriously... I now realize I need to buy proper pork tenderloin and cook it right. This thing changed my life (at least in terms of pork tenderloin). Our waiter was friendly and everyone in there seemed to be having a good time. Prices are reasonable for such fresh and tasty food. I love the neighborhood too.

    (5)

  • Aubrey G.

    Thurs. nite, 6/21/2012, we went to Meritage, a mere three blocks from our house; a special trendy restaurant we frequent two to three times a year. We really love the food here, the beautiful bar, the fancy cocktails (large martini glasses) and a bountiful wine list. This evening, we sat at the bar and were served by bartender "Dave," who is a serious minded, service oriented gentleman who answered our questions about the menu and specials of the night with authority and, then, opined, pointing us in the right direction. (Thanks Dave). Appetizers on this visit: Scallop cake that was wonderful. We've seen it on the menu before but never tried it. Crispy on the outside, moist and luscious inside, a new favorite of mine. Fried green tomatoes encrusted with crispy panko flakes, dressed with a luscious remoulade sauce served with thick slices of pork belly (think thick cut bacon). Outstanding. Main course: (Daily menu item) Filo dough, vegetable stuffed "Spring Pillows" - eggplant, zucchini, summer squash, broccoli, onions and (maybe?) some type of pepper with goat cheese. Wonderful. (Special of the day) - Sliced pork loin and center cut baby back pork rib combination that was outstanding. It was served with a sauce that was great, but for the life of me, I can't remember the particulars. Dave is an excellent bartender. If you eat at the bar with him, he pays attention to detail and keeps an eye on things - a real asset to Meritage and one's dining experience.

    (5)

  • Lynn T.

    I have loved this restaurant in the past but tonight was a horrible experience. A very rude hostess wouldn't seat us us though there were 6 empty tables. Inexcusable. And she proceeded to ignore us so we couldn't check on the wait. We won't be back soon

    (1)

  • Maria S.

    Meritage is one of those restaurants that confuses me a bit. I absolutely loved the food. I want to state that now so people don't get confused. Amazing food. Back to my surprise. The food is high quality and beautifully plated. The prices are on the moderate to high. The fried green tomato salad and butternut squash ravioli (with maple onion glaze) were to-die-for. That ravioli would honestly go on my list of top 20 best things I have ever eaten. The dessert was also awesome. Lemon tart with rhubarb sauce - yum yum. The service was good, but what shocked me is that it was good in the "neighborhoood pub" kind of way. While Meritage's drink and food menu says "nice evening out" their decor and chatty friendly servers say "neighborhood restaurant". I don't even think I wouldn't have noticed except my husband and I were on a date to celebrate our anniversary and were looking for a more intimate experience. Again, I loved everything, I thought the service was amazing the food even better. I have no real complaints, I just like to inform people because it was suggested to me as a romantic spot, I'm not sure I would categorize it that way. I am super excited to go back for their Tues-Wed special which is 6 dollar small plates. This will end up on my rotation.

    (4)

  • Lauren M.

    I've been waiting to come here ever since we moved to the neighborhood, and, boy, am I glad we did! Quaint, adorable atmosphere with some super friendly staff. We enjoyed several small plates - ricotta gnocchi with scallops (my favorite), fried chicken and waffles (my husband's favorite), wild boar ribs and potato and leek salad - and left delightfully satisfied. The drinks here are unique and expertly crafted. Meritage is perfect for an easy, relaxed date night.

    (4)

  • Erica R.

    When I called Meritage a week in advance to schedule a reservation, I was nervous when they told me, "we don't have any reservations yet, so pick your time." I kept thinking that there was no way this place was going to stand up to the hype on yelp. Boy, was I wrong. We went to Meritage and the place was packed. So packed that they had to send people away. The place is pretty small, but they have it organized in a way where you don't feel cramped. The food was amazing - I had the lamb and it was just fabulous. This is a great place to take your friends or family members - there is a robust but small menu so you don't feel overwhelmed by the options. Service was great as well. Would definitely recommend this place! Erica

    (4)

  • Nancy R.

    The Meritage patio is a well-kept secret. You cannot see it from the street and when you are inside the restaurant you would have no idea there is a patio out back. Reveal the secret password to the maître'd and enter Shangri La! The area itself is huge, surrounded by wooden porch railing and shaded by a spreading tree. An adjacent greenhouse reflects the strings of party lights as night falls providing an atmosphere as comfortable as my backyard. But the atmosphere is not the only great thing about Meritage! Many Yelpers have commented on Marie. Who is this efficacious epitome of serverdom? Could she be real? I can attest to the fact that Marie lives up to everything that reviewers have said. She has the mile-long Chef's special not only memorized, but makes your mouth water as she recites them! She treated us like old friends she had invited over for dinner in her backyard. So how about that Chef's menu? From appetizers to tapas to entrees to dessert, everyone at our table fully enjoyed their selection. My personal favorite was the charcuterie of pickled veggies and specialty meats! So many delicious flavors and textures! I cannot wait to return to Meritage. Thank you Rachel, Stephanie and Charlie for introducing me to this place. Thank you Marie for making our dinner on the patio so enjoyable!

    (5)

  • Jen M.

    Love this restaurant! Great seasonal menus using local ingredients plus they have great martinis.

    (4)

  • Barry L.

    Just an amazing New Years dinner! Every selection was just so great from the lobster bisque to the melt in your mouth tenderloin with crab hash! Finished off with an egg nog bread pudding that started the new year right! So glad we found this place. 2 cocktails, appetizers and entree with a shared dessert for under $100!

    (5)

  • Erik A.

    So Good! So Good! So Good! This place has so much delightful goodness it would be hard to fit it all into one review. However I'll say A) great and fairly priced wine list. It's so rare to find wines by the bottle that aren't all in the $40 and up range, and Meritage has a great, well curated wine list B) excellent service and knowledge of the menu. This should be a must at any restaurant, but is far too rare. Our server knew the menu well and could talk easily about some of his favorite items C) Flavoring in the entrees and appetizers was remarkable. The absence of excessive salt and real, rustic, earthy flavors led me to comment (on a Thursday night dinner) that I'd like to return on Friday or Saturday. Alas, I did not, but I will return to Mertiage soon, hungry for more!

    (5)

  • Courtney K.

    I was searching on yelp for a place for my boyfriend and I to go to for Valentine's day and when I typed in "date night dinner" in to the search bar Meritage was one of the first options. We looked over the menu and decided this was the place. Best decision we've ever made! Meritage is a great restaurant to go to for a date night or special occasion. It has a great romantic, intimate ambiance. The food is just WOW! Words cannot express how amazing the food was. We had the smoked duck nacho appetizer and I had some sort of pork dish with risotto and he had the braised lamb shank with veggies. We love to find local places to go to and we were both extremely impressed with the meal and the service. One of the best meals we have ever had. I would recommend looking at their menu before going. It is a local restaurant with that gets their produce and meats from local farmers so many of their dishes are seasonal.

    (5)

  • Sadie T.

    Meritage was a City Tins discount restaurant ($10 off) We arrived at nearly 9pm on Friday. We were seated right away. The restaurant looks like a store front and the windows were completely steamed up. The inside has great ambiance, classy and romantic. Great date place. The menu had several appetizers and perhaps 10 dinner options. Three were vegetarian friendly, plus a vegetarian special. I like this. Our server, Marie, was awesome. She embodied everything good about Tosa - friendly, funny, and completely without any sense of pretentiousness. She was perfectly attentive. I ordered wine, a pretty generous serving for the typical $7 bar price. Boyfriend ordered some dark beer that came in a brand glass. I ordered the pumpkin gnocchi. It came in a butter sauce with root veggies, including brussel sprouts and perhaps turnip, small carrots, etc. All sauteed very nicely, still with a crunch but also caramelized in the sauce. I did not taste pumpkin. The gnocchi itself was larger than I am accustomed to but delicious and pillowy nevertheless. Boyfriend ordered the bison enchiladas. Came stacked instead of rolled. He enjoyed. Bison is a very interesting offering. He enjoyed it. Overall, Meritage fully met expectations. Interesting menu selections with a few uncommon items but still all recognizable words.

    (4)

  • robert s.

    The swordfish sounded like a perfect spring special but I went with the short ribs since it is still cold in Milwaukee. No looking back on this entrée, it was amazing! Plus the service at both the bar and table were excellent.

    (5)

  • Barry T.

    Took friends to dinner this last Tuesday at Meritage. I had never been there before and chose it because my friends live in Wauwatosa. I am from Okauchee and it is hard for me to leave the Lake Country area for anything. That being said, we really enjoyed the service (Jud was our waiter) tapas, entrees, ambiance and the wine. I am now looking forward to my next visit. Did I mention the wine was $20.00 for bottle? Seriously, I am sold on the place.

    (4)

  • Steve S.

    We enjoyed this nice neighborhood restaurant. Pork Saltimbocca, Spinach Salad and Greek Salads were very good.

    (4)

  • Xander C.

    I had the distinct privileged of watching the staff at Meritage put on a highly impressive show a few weeks ago. This little gem on Vliet surprised me by having an advanced and sophisticated menu with the backdrop of a really well run operation. I was working at an event hosted by Meritage and got to sit back and watch as the restaurant sprung to life. The service was incredible, I have seen quite a few comments about Marie, and I had the chance to connect with her right when I arrive. Not only was she a great personality, but you could tell that she has a lot of love for the restaurant and its patrons. While I had initially planned on not eating at Meritage, the second that I heard their specials menu, I knew that was a long forgotten option. The Asparagus Bisque was INCREDIBLE. The flavor profile of the asparagus did not overtake the creaminess of the soup, which in my opinion asparagus tends to overpower pretty much anything (which isn't necessarily a bad thing), and the New York Strip with Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes were awesome. As I watched the restaurant wind down at the end of the night, it was fun to see couples and group of people sitting around and enjoying each others company, while it seemed that no one felt rushed or out of place as the dining rom was being turned over. Great food, incredible service, and a wonderful atmosphere made for a very fun evening.

    (5)

  • Lori F.

    Sure, Meritage has a Zagat rating of "Very Good to Excellent" with comments ranging from "a welcome addition to the West side" to "can't wait to go back." They're soon to be named among the "Top 25 Restaurants" this week by Milwaukee Magazine. And yes -- friends have recommended we eat there many-a-time in the past... but we failed to heed their call. After our first visit, we realized just how silly we were. When we arrived at the restaurant, we were seated promptly. Our waiter, Peter, was an absolute joy. Friendly and knowledgeable, Peter put his 25 years of restaurant service experience to work from the get-go. He started off by walking us through the prix fixe farm-to-table menu: * Spinach salad with buttermilk apple cider vinaigrette * Portabella mushroom pizza with feta cheese, spinach, and roasted tomatoes * Choice of entrees: Bison ribeye with roasted fingerling potatoes and vegetables OR Vegetable paprikash with tofu, broccoli, carrots, and celery root * Meritage's signature dessert: Chocolate Lover's Cake The spinach salad arrived at the table with a glass of Charles DeFere Brut -- a delicate, yet concentrated, champagne with elegant bubbles and a pleasantly toasted aroma. It paired beautifully with the spinach salad -- which featured locally grown (and stored) apples, local greenhouse spinach and red onions, with a delightfully sweet-tart buttermilk dressing. The portabella mushroom "pizza" also paired nicely with the champagne. Composed of a grilled portabella mushroom cap, tomato-based sauce, sauteed spinach, roasted Roma tomatoes, and feta cheese, this dish reminded us of the sort of starter you'd find served in a Napa Valley eatery. The dish was bursting with flavors -- salty, sweet, and briny -- with the flavor of freshly cracked pepper lingering on the finish. Even the bed of watercress on which the "pizza" was served seemed to complement the dish swimmingly. Our entrees were similarly impressive. The vegetable paprikash was a virtual cornucopia of late winter vegetables -- celery root, broccoli, carrots, and tofu -- encircling a mound of rustic mashed potatoes. The sour cream-based sauce was perfectly balanced, with just the right amount of paprika, giving the dish a warm, yet sweet, flavor. The wine pairing, an Argentinian Malbec from Nieto Senetiner, turned out to be a well-rounded, honest wine with a surprising amount of character. Soft spices and pungent blackberry flavor mellowed into an oaky finish that seemed to balance well with the warm notes of the paprika. The grilled bison rib-eye was perfectly cooked to a medium-rare -- and covered in richly flavored sauteed wild mushrooms. It was accompanied by a generous helping of sweet, roasted fingerling potatoes, more of the roasted Roma tomatoes, and a luscious pile of roasted celery root. The dish was paired with a Wisconsin gem -- Big Mouth Red by Stone's Throw Vineyard -- a wine bursting with cherry flavor, augmented by a bit of pepper on the finish. And then there was the dessert: Chocolate Lover's Cake. Although we were nearly too full to move, we couldn't resist this sumptuous treat. Layers of flourless chocolate cake, chocolate mousse, and chocolate ganache came together in a chocoholic's dream that was further topped with whipped cream and a sprig of mint. It was even more perfect when paired with Ramos Pinto Porto Riserva (Portugal) -- an unfiltered ruby port with sweet cherry notes and plenty of complementary chocolate flavors. Chef Kelly herself stopped by our table and took the time (when asked) to talk with us about her philosophy in bringing farm-fresh produce to her restaurant table. Kelly has been involved with "restaurant supported agriculture" programs for almost three years now. She was a founding member of "Braise RSA" -- the brainchild of David Swanson -- an organization which provides the infrastructure for local farmers to easily distribute and sell to restaurants and businesses who support local food in Southeast Wisconsin. She also supports local farms and businesses like Growing Power, Sassy Cow Creamery, Simple Soyman, Yuppie Hill, Pin-Oak Ridge Farms, and Lakeview Buffalo Farm. Kelly suspects that up to 70% of the food she serves at Meritage is sourced either locally or regionally -- even in the winter -- which is pretty fantastic, considering we live in Wisconsin (a lovely place, but not one known for its long growing season). We chatted for almost a half-hour as we sipped our locally roasted Alterra coffee. It was difficult not to feel utterly welcome -- as if we'd been invited into Kelly's living room for a visit. Of course, that might not be so far from the truth. In fact, our night ended with a hug from the Chef... and the feeling that we'd just done something pretty awesome.

    (4)

  • Mike P.

    PRE: I found Meritage via Yelp. My fiancée and I dined on a Saturday evening at 5 P.M. (when Meritage opens) without a reservation. We were seated without any problems by a friendly hostess. ORDERED: Scallop Cake - $9.00 (Viking Village scallops, panko crusted and served with Growing Power greens) and Spinach Fennel Soup - $5.50. Dining partner ordered New York Strip Steak - $24.00 (Grilled New York Strip steak, spring potato salad and avocado salsa) TASTE: One visit isn't enough to accurately summarize the food at Meritage. This review is for the three items that we ordered. The Scallop Cake was interesting as I've never seen multiple bay scallops bound together and fried. The side of cold salsa didn't jive well with the warm scallops. I felt rushed to eat it before it became cold. The bed of greens the cake was served on were delicious. The Spinach Fennel soup was tasty with potato flour rolls. It could have used freshly ground pepper but it wasn't offered by our waiter. Fresh vegetables in the hands of a creative chef can become creative soups and that is the case here. My dining partner was kind enough to offer a portion of her New York Strip Steak. The steak was juicy, tender and left me regretting not ordering an entrée. The potato salad left her raving but left none for me. LOCAL: It's great that Chef Kelly sources local ingredients but the menu could use a side bar stating where the producers are from. I'm not a native of Wisconsin so Growing Power, Yuppie Hill Farm, Wilson Farms don't mean anything to me. Why not a local cheese plate on the menu at Meritage? T.M.I.: There was a gentleman seated next to our table who explained in graphic detail how his ill dog vomited and defecated. Too much information sir.

    (4)

  • Ann G.

    I really want to like Meritage. I like the chef and I like what she stands for. However, I've been here four times over the last couple of years and each experience leaves something to be desired. It's a sweet little place with a lovely patio. The staff has been there forever---loyalty is good. However, while polite, the staff always leaves me feeling that they are surprised that I might need something. It's very puzzling. The hostess seemed surprised that we even wanted to be seated and her level of enthusiasm never rose. The menu changes and I applaud the chef for that. I tried the sweet potatoes tonight and I was a little surprised. Stacked with pulled pork with too much cumin or ??, the potatoes themselves were nice. I followed it with the grilled salmon. It was on a bed of lentils and a few greens. There were citrus "dots" on the plate. The salmon itself was perfection. But the lentils had too much crunch and I longed for more of the citrus. When we were done we waited and waited and could not get the check. I think the waitress, who was very lovely, also had tables on the patio. It was definitely a struggle. I saw similar actions with other diners. And I watched as a couple came in, seated themselves at the bar and could not get the bartender to tend to them. He was at the end of the bar shooting the breeze with waitresses. In the entire hour + that we dined they were the ONLY people who sat at the bar. They were not greeted in any sort of happy manner. What's going on here? Overall, I don't think it will be my first place to think of when dining out. It was by far not awful and I feel bad giving only two stars, I would give 2 1/2 if that was an option. I would like to say that Stephanie L's review of 6/10/12 is very much what I experienced service-wise. Honestly, I am disappointed but I have had the service issues each time I've come.

    (2)

  • Lou S.

    Took a party of 6 up Saturday night. From the host to bartender to server to owner, everyone and everything was exemplary. Awesome martinis, with my favorite blue cheese stuffed olives, and wines. The pork belly appetizer was to die for. The civeche spring rolls was a very clever and tasty dish. All six entrees we had were great, the best being the pork loin with gratin potatoes and spinach. The wine pairing with it was the best I've ever had, totally blew my mind. After the meal, the owner/chef came up to our table and we chatted for a long while. You can totally hear the passion in her voice that you taste in her food. Wonderful. Being from Chicago, I would have expected to pay double the price for the quality of the meal. It was the perfect meal for our final dinner of the trip. Go go go!

    (5)

  • Jennifer M.

    Went looking for a more intimate evening out for dinner, and this was a disappointment. The atmosphere isn't impressive or anything but a clutter of tables with barely any room to relax. Our chairs were almost butt up to the next table's chairs. I felt I had to whisper or each table around would hear me. I guess I expected a bit more privacy while we dined. I do admit the food was delicious and creative. I loved the tomato crostini! Simple, turned elegant and tasty! We opted out of desert any had gelato across the street :) 5 stars there!

    (3)

  • Kimberly B.

    Wonderful food, drinks and staff. My boyfriend and I enjoyed dinner and drinks here after a movie and everything was stellar. Service was attentive, food was delicious and drinks were supurb; and I'm picky about a good drink! We will definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Aaron F.

    I've been looking forward to eating here for a while and having finally gone I can fully admit that Meritage met my expectations. My group tried all different things and all of us really enjoyed our meals. We started with the meatballs and chicken and biscuits appetizers. The chicken and biscuits is a staple on the menu supposedly and was formerly an entree. I can see why patrons demanded that it stay on the ever-changing menu because it was outstanding. Everything else from the turkey-stuffed onion entree to the bison enchiladas satisfied us fully. Even the drinks we had were really good and everything was reasonably priced. The noise level was a bit high but it's an upbeat place and isn't overly elegant so it's to be expected.

    (5)

  • Lei L.

    We went to Meritage for dinner and found it to be a lovely little place. A small restaurant , feels intimate but not pretentious. The chief is clearly talented and has a lot of fun conjuring dishes. The most delicious thing we had that evening was a braised lamb belly dish that blew me away. Servers were very attentive. Maybe it was just this particular trip but it seemed like it was a slightly older crowd. This restaurant is not trying to be hip, it is just serving good innovative food which I can completely appreciate, will definitely return!

    (4)

  • Erica K.

    Had dinner sitting at the bar here last Saturdy night and it was a very pleasant, relaxing, and delicious experience. The bartender was excellent; he was an actual bartender that knew what he was serving, could make accurate recommendations and made the drinks well. I get annoyed when I get a bartender who just stands there and can barely pour a beer in a glass let open mix a good drink. The drink list is pretty large and has a range of favors. Wine list was also good. My husband and I both ordered a nightly special for dinner. I had rather macaroni and cheese with broccoli and onion that came with a side of kale served with housemade ranch dressing. It was delicious- creamy, rich, decadent with crisp veggies. I can't recall the types of cheese but obviously a step up from cheddar. My husband had a skirt steak thats cooked medium and served with guacamole and a starchy side. It was very pink, but also very tender and good. For dessert we had a apple purse with marscapone, cranberries and homemade whipped cream. It was well worth the 20 minutes it takes to make it. I also had a martini that is meant to taste like a tootsie roll and let me tell you, it honestly did. I'm not sure how they did it, but it was good. Service was excellent, ambiance is cozy and intimate. Like that there is no TV at the bar. We'm be back!

    (5)

  • Aaron S.

    We went for $4 Tapas night on a Tuesday. The food was fresh and wonderful. Figs and bleu cheese on toasted pita, homemade potato chips with vidalia onion dip, chicken wings with sweet fruit and BBQ breading with a side of potato salad. Like all good tapas, unpretentious and fresh ingredients used to full effect. Staff was friendly, the patio seating was busy but relaxed, indoors the A/C kept it nice and cool on a hot summer night.

    (5)

  • Dave J.

    Not much to say that hasn't already been said, I'm sure, but this place just deserves to be recognized. The food is fantastic, and the cocktails are as innovative as they are satisfying. The waitstaff are consummate professionals who can recite the specials as if through divine inspiration.

    (5)

  • Stephanie L.

    Rare is the restaurant find that provides dishes of beautiful kaleidoscope color and outstanding seasonal flavors AND stellar, repeat, STELLAR service a la Marie. She will recommend the perfect liquid start to a meal. I wanted a jammy red wine, and she gave me the best knowing my palette. Try the Shiraz Grenache blend, if you enjoy a subtly sweet red that can stand alone or pair with a great cheese.Whatever your beverage pleasure, Marie will be able to provide appropriate and tasty suggestions. I had one of my very best meals this evening at Meritage, and it was an unexpected combination that produced the fabulous results. I have tried many a magnificent dish at one of my top 3 restaurants, but I found myself wanting to go outside my comfort zone. I was also in the mood to do a little sampling of menu items. I, of course, default to Marie's recommendations. So, I conferred with her on two "starters" that I was feeling as my main entree. I asked about the Shrimp Sangrita, and she shared that the beet salad--if one wants a great choice with shrimp--would be a better substitute as part of an entree. She was absolutely right, and the salad just so happened to have one of my favorite ingredients: fennel. That said, if you are in love with this bulb as much as me, it is a MUST that you order this salad. The beets were unbelievably fresh and rich with flavor. There was the complement from the licorice-flavored veg and the tart Granny Smith apple. Top that off with plump and sweet, perfectly cooked shrimp and you have a dish that could rival any red meat-laden plate. I was full after my meal, but that was also thanks in part to the scallop cake that sat beside my salad. The jumbo, encrusted scallop will blow your mind. Crunch and caramelization combine to create some major flavor dimension. There is a tomato confit or relish along with micro-greens that pairs with the scallop to make an out of this world starter, but also a great side dish to an entree. My meal was presented beautifully and tasted so. It was another perfect dining experience from the first sip of wine to the last bite of green apple. I am grateful for such a 5-star gem in my neighborhood. For those that are seeking extraordinary eats like what is prepared at Meritage, know that you can traverse beyond the limits of downtown Milwaukee. Those extra 5-10 minutes will be made up in the pleasure you reap at the quaint food spot located on Vliet St.

    (5)

  • Jeff D.

    Don't get me wrong, there's high end food coming out of this place, but it wasn't quite to the level that I was expecting. Started out with the egg yolk and ricotta ravioli along with scallop cake. The ravioli was about as rich as i had expected and garnished with a fair amount of bacon - which is always a good thing - and it was delicious. The scallop cake was also done quite well with a generous portion of scallop to cake. For entrees we got the pork saltimbocca, new york strip, rice crusted trout, and the coq au vin. The pork was cooked skillfully and all the flavors on the plate complemented one another nicely. Overall it was a very tasty dish. The NY strip was done to the requested medium and the house made steak sauce was delicious with it. The only gripe with this plate is the cut itself came with an unusually large amount of fat. I like fat on my steak just as much as the next guy (maybe a bit more in fact) but this piece was about half the size of your fist. The trout was presented very nicely on the plate but it left something to be desired as far as overall taste. The coq au vin also looked great, though it was a bit underseasoned for my taste. The smoked onion spaetzle gratin that it came with was definitely one of the best things that was on our table that night. For dessert we ordered the coconut panacotta and the chocolate cake. The panacotta had a very subtle coconut flavor. Not sure if that was by design or not, but I would have liked more intensity in flavor. The chocolate cake was decadedent and rich just as expected. So overall it was a good meal, but I (and others at the table) didn't get that WOW we were looking for.

    (3)

  • Kris P.

    Went on a Tues or Wed and had their Fish Taco special and some tapas. Still underwhelming. Service was nice, but the food just isn't good enough to get us back again.

    (2)

  • Sarah B.

    I absolutely LOVE this restaurant! Their appetizers and duck are delicious. The prices are reasonable, and the service is good.

    (5)

  • Andrea A.

    Don't let the awning fool you. Meritage is for people who don't want to leave the suburbs, but who do want to imagine what life would be like outside the confines of their shrubbery. They went back in time and stole the glasses from my house circa 1995. In them, my boyfriend and I were served a very strong albeit totally underwhelming alcoholic beverage. Thankfully it desensitized us to the 'paintings' on the wall. The person who decorated this eatery took a one day interior decorating class at Michael's arts and crafts store. The only thing worse than blue paintings in a restaurant are really bad blue paintings in a restaurant hung improperly. If you are under the age of 43.5 years of age, you probably do not want to come here. If you do decide to chance it, just expect a lot of glares and general admonishment towards 'outsiders'. Milwaukee suffers from the general notion that vegetarians are actually just people that want to eat things made to taste like meat. Here we had our choice between eggplant parm or eggplant parm, so we left this establishment after our drinks, to the apparent delight of all (except the bartender, he was pretty devastated).

    (1)

  • Tom R.

    We just recently discoverd this jewel and liked it so much we've been back twice in the last two weeks. Its a quaint little restaurant with a very unique menu and great specials too. The menu gets somewhat reinvented seasonally as they try to focus on using locally available ingredients when possible (ie: yuppie hill chicken and pinn oaks farms lamb) The appetizers are incredibly original and the wine list by the glass would make me have to call the bar a wine bar. We tried the Duck filled Chili Relleno appetizer which was really good (they had duck confit with sausage on the menu as an entree and i asked and they use the same duck. They have another appetizer with what thay call a goat cheese firecracker, goat cheese with pinenuts folled and cooked in filo dough, exceptional. Our favorite dish wasn't on the menu it was a Lamb Ravioli that the server told us about. Very well done and with a delicate sauce that complimented the dish well. The server was very helpful and knowledgeable in pairing a really nice wine with our food. The location is a bit hard to find if your visiting from out of town and don't knwo the area but well worth the trip and its only 7-10 minutes out of Downtown. It is a great choice if you want innovative cuisine presented very nicely priced reasonably. The creativity,quality presentation and service in a cozy bistro like atmosphere were very refreshing. This is the really wonderful small restaurant where the chef owner cooks with her heart and it comes through in all areas of the dining experience.

    (5)

  • Christina K.

    Meritage has been able to strike a fine balance that allows the restaurant to feel like a neighborhood spot while the menu aligns with the offerings found at the most posh locations around town. They seem to take food - but not themselves - very seriously, providing unique and delicious dishes that surprise before they thrill, with zero pretension. Waitstaff is extremely knowledgeable and comfortable offering guidance and suggestions. After sharing details about the specials for the evening - which included a nice list of $4 tapas, our waiter, Peter helped us to decide on our menu. We started with a delicious goat cheese spread, baked with hearts of palm, romesco and pesto sauces. It was creamy and flavorful. This was followed by one of the tapas offered, a wonderful Thai noodle salad tossed with greens and a light (not spicy) peanut sauce. The flavor was fresh and green and not at all what we expected. We loved every bite. We couldn't resist trying the homemade nachos with braised AND barbecued pork and they were as savory good as they sound. We then shared a beautiful pasta primavera that was really wonderful; brimming with colorful vegetables and kissed with a light sauce, I could have licked the plate after enjoying this dish. We finished with a fantastic slice of some decadent chocolate creation that featured three layers of heaven. We drank as much as we ate at Meritage, where the wine list is varied and more than substantial. We enjoyed two of their Zinfandels. Their cocktail menu is worthy of mention as well, with Margaritas mixed with chipotle-infused peach puree, and something called a Wicked Cherry Limeade that I guarantee I will be back to try. In a nutshell, great service, a spectacular food and drink menu, and pleasant, approachable ambiance is what you will find at Meritage.

    (5)

  • Denise D.

    I met two girlfriends for Sunday brunch this week, and while we were there, the storms that plagued us most of the weekend picked back up. Our plan to eat on the patio was disrupted, sadly, but our server assured us that she was checking weather reports and that there was a huge basement. I hadn't been to Meritage for dinner yet, but after my brunch experience, I definitely will. I had been wanting to try it after reading about it in MKE ( mkeonline.com/story.asp?… ) and finally made it there. The brunch menu was small compared to some other places I've been to recently, but delicious. Carrie had the quiche of the day that she let me try, which was amazing. It had sundried tomato, mushrooms, and some other stuff. I had the vegetable benedict with vegan sausage. The Hollandaise was light and slightly lemony and the sauteed vegetables added a nice touch-- loved the green beans and mushrooms. Our server was sweet, helpful and quick. It wasn't busy, but I had a feeling our service would still have been swift if it were. I wish I'd been up for a drink, but it was 11 a.m. and even I have limits sometimes. I'll definitely be back in the evening to have dinner and drinks in a delicious smoke-free environment!

    (5)

  • Katie D.

    3.5 stars (I really need that 1/2 star!) I picked 3 instead of 4 because the food was ok but not surprising or amazing and the service was quite poor. I don't mind a slower pace, but when it comes to bringing out a bottle of wine or returning credit cards, there is no reason for the lengthy delays we encountered this evening. I dined with my husband and another couple. We sat on the patio which was nice, but the weeds surrounding the patio were a bit odd. The surrounding buildings were unattractive, leaving the ambiance a bit off. We ate... (the table) brie wrapped in phyllo with strawberry jam along with two very large crostini.... It was ok, but the crostini was a bit of an odd thing to put phyllo-wrapped brie on. (me) enchiladas-good, sweet, but nothing to write to mom about. I did not like the fresh parsley on top, instead, cilantro would have been much better. It was also topped with carrots which did not fit the taste pallet of the dish. I also should have gone with my gut instinct and ordered the vegetarian version... the buffalo was a bit too much. I ended up pulling most of it out and leaving it behind on my plate. (my husband) mahi mahi tacos he thought they were enjoyable, but very "one note." (our friends) Stuffed Pork Tenderloin-good except it was missing the pork belly--they delivered it out near the end of the meal after being asked. #2. Special vegetarian dish-gnochi--I think she liked it... she didn't say too much about it. (Dessert) My favorite dish of the night-flourless chocolate cake. It was very good. Great quality chocolate-rich and delicious. Overall, I was not impressed. If our friends invite us to go to Meritage again, we will probably go along, but we will not go out of our way to dine there again anytime soon.

    (3)

  • ning j.

    Wish I could give this place a 3.5, but it was the food that brought down the star ratings and that's what yelp should be about. Even though it looked kinda dinky from the outside, the decor inside was nice and the service was good. I had the bison and ravioli dish. I've never had bison before but the meat was kinda tough. And the ravioli was a little dry and tough as well on the edges. Overall the flavor of the entree was just ok. Maybe it's cause I'm accustomed to food from Chicago and CA or I'm not used to bison meat cause everyone else gave it 5 stars?

    (3)

  • Diane A.

    Treated a friend from Chicago to dinner at Meritage on Saturday night. We had dined there a few times in the past and enjoyed good food and an overall pleasant experience, both on weeknights and weekends so we thought this would be a nice place to share with her ----WRONG! We had made our reservation on the prior Wednesday morning and when we were shown to our table we found ourselves facing a wall with the table sandwiched in between two large seatings. When we requested another table we were informed that no other tables were available-- "this is it" we were informed. After moving the table away from the wall and putting a menu under a leg to keep it steady our "view" improved slightly, but the noise and intrusion from the other guests and wait staff did not. Our wait person had a very patronizing style and LOUD voice that is very obnoxious in a restaurant setting. We had experienced this person once before, but forgot about it until we saw her coming in our direction. Wonder why the owner would not have seen this problem? When our entrees arrived one was waaaay underdone and cold, one was cold, and one was acceptable. Luckily, it was our guest's entree that was acceptable -- or was she just trying to spare us? When the underdone entree was again presented it was waaaay overdone. By this point we'd had enough so we paid and left promptly. Whatever the reason for the poor experience the food isn't remarkable enough to risk another visit to Meritage. It's off our list --- permanently.

    (1)

  • Pete B.

    1.5 star This is the first time yelp has significantly failed me. I went with my sister on a Tuesday night. There were only 3 tapas to choose from, so we picked the goat cheese one which was just meh. I got the lamb entree while my sister got the seafood pasta e fagioli entree, which were, according to our server, two of his most favorite dishes. My food was very meh. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either. My sister's pasta was better, but it still wasn't good. Overall, the food left us very unimpressed. The real killer that made my dinner unenjoyable was the service. The restaurant was relatively empty, but our waiter was just plain bad. It took him a long time to come take our order. My glass was empty mostly throughout the meal, and my waiter was nowhere to be seen. I pretty much ate the whole meal without water which wasn't very enjoyable. The waiter walked pass us a couple of times, and I expected him to refill the water, but no, he did nothing even though my sister and I strategically placed our glasses right by the end of the table. After I asked for the check and everything, the waiter STILL didn't refill our water even though he hasn't refilled us water since our appetizer. A couple of times, another waiter walked right next to us with the water pitcher, but since it wasn't her table, she ignored us even though both of our glasses were empty. I understand that they probably get separate tips, but still, this kind of stuff shouldn't happen at a restaurant, especially not at a restaurant with a 4.5 yelp rating. I am also a waiter myself, and I find this service horrible. The food was so-so, the decor was just plain with the awkward red, blue, and white color scheme, and the service was bad. Why would I ever come back to this restaurant again?

    (2)

  • Mary D.

    Our new fave restaurant! The menu is seasonal and innovative, with something for everyone: steak, latin, vegetarian, fresh fish. I usually don't go vegetarian, but the eggplant dish intrigued me. The ragout of vegetables had just enough spice to make it really interesting. I had the beet salad to start: loved the presentation! The goat cheese and pine nut were hidden in a cute phyllo pastry. Jan Kelly has a great reputation in the city for utilizing seasonal ingredients in a creative menu, and that reputation is well-deserved. Our server was attentive and friendly. The wine list was great. And the best part was that the prices are completely reasonable! Unbelievable to have a meal of that caliber for $50 for two people. Overall, great experience and would highly recommend it! Enjoy!

    (5)

  • Christine B.

    The food was good, but it didn't 'Wow' me. The service was attentive and the waitress was nice, though she sounded like she was reciting the menu options. Maybe she was just new though. We tried it out since they were a participant in the CityTins for 2010 and I would probably go back for their Tuesday night tapas, but not for a full priced meal. I also found it odd that they advertised their Tuesday night $4 tapas, but didn't have any tapas on their regular menu at all.

    (3)

  • Joshua P.

    My current fav in MKE. The food is without exception great. Last time we where there, my table had the short ribs and the ahi tuna special, both were fantastic. The autumn/winter menu is about to go away, so wait a week and see whats new.

    (5)

  • Pinecone T.

    A date and I went to Meritage for drinks and dessert. We ordered the flourless chocolate cake which had a chocolate mousse filling and ganache on top. The dessert was obviously just removed from of the fridge and was so cold it was rigid and hard to prick with fork or cut with the knife. The cake part was lackluster, chocolatey for sure, but not like flourless chocolate cake I've had before. The mousse was fine, but the ganache was about a quarter inch thick (and remember it was cold). While dessert may not be their emphasis, I was quite disappointed with the food. As far as the rest of the experience, I sat facing the window and was distracted by the aluminum underside of the roofing near the window which was bent, buckling and unsightly. The service was adequate. I had heard so much about this restaurant and the reviews here are generally so positive I thought this place was a sure thing. I don't think I'll bother going back. And, that is too bad, since I'm new to the neighborhood and they are in walking distance.

    (2)

  • Adam D.

    Our third visit here was stellar once again. I have raved in the past about the staff, namely Marie, and on this trip we had the pleasure of being served by Peter. Without going on and on, let's just say I would immediately put him in the top 5% of all servers I've ever dealt with in my 20 years of going out to eat as an adult in the Milwaukee area. His friendly, funny, yet still professional demeanor is just spot-on, the kind of thing one is born with. Once again, the specialty drink I had did not disappoint--I would highly recommend the "Jake's Pumpkin.....(forgot the whole name)--delicious wintery drink. (Peter even engaged us with the interesting story behind the drink and it's name) As for dinner, my wife had the veg. special: pasta primavera with a light cream sauce.....sounds boring, i know, but the addition of fennel made this dish the highlight of our dinner! Can't recommend it enough. My only (minor) complaint was the veal special I ordered--more of a problem of expectations than taste. Described as "veal medallions", it was thinly sliced, then individually cooked veal slices, which, while tasty, was not what I had hoped for. Would prefer a single, more robust "medallion" instead. That being said, we'll be back in no time for a return visit! BTW: ask for the "clean plate club' card. My wife and I filled this punch card in just 3 visits, and now have a $20 gift certificate towards our next meal their! (we'd have been back anyways, but it's a nice gesture)

    (4)

  • Michael S.

    So, I am traveling to Milwaukee from CA and check out Yelp for help! Meritage sounds great but is this rating all locals? Who cares, as this place is fabulous. I had read about great salmon dish and was looking forward to it Not tonight. I decided to settle on trout. Normally I like it, never love it. Was I in for a treat as this dish prepared on a bed of "squash hash brown ?" in a glaze with grape garnish. Coupled with an exquisite baked pear dessert, I left the restaurant feeling completely satisfied and ecstatic about the great value and service. I came from So-Cal and drove from downtown Milwaukee to check-out this place. Don't miss this treat!

    (5)

  • David B.

    A gem of a restaurant in a cute neighborhood, I can't recommend Meritage strongly enough. The service is engaging and welcoming, remaining attentive throughout the meal even as the dining room fills up. Our server explained the menu and specials quite well and was very patient with us as we took our time deciding. The food was spectacular. All courses were balanced between flavor and texture, with not a hint of greasiness or heaviness. The veal special was perfectly seared and roasted, with a lovely basil Hollandaise sauce that was light and flavorful, not gloppy as so many of them are. My girlfriend's salmon was excellently seasoned and properly cooked to retain its moisture and flaked beautifully. The coconut creme and roasted plum crepes looked as beautiful on the plate and it tasted in the mouth. A lovely combination of mellow creme and tart plum reduction played nicely on the tongue, enhanced by a wonderful ruby port. For the quality of the food and service, the prices are very reasonable, especially considering this an independent establishment and not part of a national chain. Visit Meritage as soon as you can. You'll never be the same.

    (5)

  • Kit V.

    Meritage is an instant favorite! We'd heard good things, but this was our first visit. What a delight! We went early, because it was Saturday night, and we didn't have a reservation. No problem! We were greeted warmly, and seated immediately. Since we're over 43.5 years old, we were immediately comfortable with the pleasant vibe and the friendly, knowledgeable service. The wine and beer list was interesting, versatile and had many good, reasonably-priced options. Our waiter seemed to know every detail of how every dish was made. He was friendly, funny, attentive and very professional. All four of us started by splitting a brace of special entree salads, made of Bibb lettuce with house-made pickled vegetables. Delightful! Three of us opted for the evening's entree special, grilled marinated skirt steak, which was spicy and pungent. It was served over chorizo-sprinkled french fries which were really more like oven-baked potatoes. Unlike some chorizo dishes they were spicy without singeing your mouth. We agreed that the waiter-suggested Zinfandel was a perfect complement to the entree. Our fourth member had a stuffed chicken breast, which she pronounced delicious. The dessert menu was tempting, but we were lured away by the gelato shop across the street, a choice we certainly didn't regret. We'll try Meritage's desserts next time. We found an instant favorite that lived up to our high expectations. We'll definitely return, and will recommend the place to friends!

    (5)

  • Scott P.

    Meritage is everything I want in a restaurant, innovative food, fair prices, local produce & meats, nice ambiance, good service. well done!

    (5)

  • diana S.

    Jan Kelly, chef/proprietor, knows her stuff. Meritage is spectacular. The menu changes and never disappoints. The dining room is as comfortable as the bar - both are elegant enough to feel special for a date and casual enough to just pop in with a friend. The wait staff are attentive but not too familiar with their guests - unless that's what the diners want, then they pour on the friendliness.

    (5)

  • John D.

    This place is great. Really, it's all about the food. I had the Bison pot roast which was excellent. It is casual and gourmet all at the same time. I've had some odd service experiences here, but it is completely worth overlooking because the food is soooo good. I am sad that they stopped serving brunch. Some of the best I have ever had and some of the only brunch available on the near west side.

    (5)

  • Britney H.

    Great food

    (4)

  • Paul P.

    The food here is always delicious and the regularly updated menu keeps creating new reasons to go back and try something new and in season.

    (5)

  • Mark R.

    Went awhile back... very good

    (4)

  • Elaine E.

    Meritage is such a gem in Milwaukee. Myself and a friend had a fabulous dinner there last night (March 23rd, 2012). We enjoyed the excellent cocktails at the bar and relaxed in the warm, inviting atmosphere. Now on to the food...it's fantastic! We had the Scallop Cake as a starter and the 2 fish specials of the evening -- Rockfish with Mushroom Risotto and the Mahi Mahi Tostada. The appetizer and both entrees were to die for! Visually appealing and tasty, well-developed flavors, plus reasonably priced. My friend and I loved the Scallop Cake so much we might come back for wine and a few orders of those sometime! I also need to mention that the service was superb! Marie explained the specials in tasty detail and told us the prices which I really appreciate (I hate it when servers don't tell me the price of the specials). The meal was very well-paced, drinks and waters refilled...awesome! If you go be sure to request Marie. She is awesome! This place is perfect for a girls night out or a romantic date -- there are a few choice tables in the front window area. In the summer they have outdoor seating. I can't wait to come back for that, but I bet I will dine at Meritage again even before then!!

    (5)

  • Nick T.

    way to ruin the perfect star review john A, you jerk arse. Just kidding, but here is another 5 stars, just because this place rules.

    (5)

  • Beth J.

    Have been to Meritage many times and have always been very happy with the quality of the food and the service. Only reason I give 4 stars instead of 5 is because it is a somewhat small & limited menu. The trade off is that the menu is limited because this restaurant uses seasonal ingredients from local farmers & from Growing Power, which I absolutely love! The shellfish pasta e fagioli is incredible ($16) and the eggplant parmesan is yummy & a great value at only $14. They also have a wonderful wine list with reasonably priced options. Don't forget to join their "clean plate club". You will earn a $20 gift certificate after spending $200 (pre-tax & gratuity). There are not too many restaurants of this caliber where 2 people can go for a fabulous dinner, each have a glass of wine & share a dessert, all for under $50.

    (4)

  • Andrew M.

    Food was fantastic and service was thorough. All the other reviews hit it dead on. I recommend the dessert.

    (5)

  • Amanda B.

    Excellent customer service and food! We had a misunderstanding about a gift certificate and the manager was very accommodating and fixed the problem. Not only was the customer service excellent but the food was also outstanding. I loved the ravioli appetizer, and my spring phyllo dough was very tasty as well. We will definitely be returning again and again.

    (5)

  • Jessica O.

    I can't believe I forgot to write a review on my dining experience her a few weeks ago. I have terrible short term memory so I cannot recall all the details to the food. What I do remember is every thing, EVERYTHING from start to finish was superb! The staff was professional and top notch. The food, good gravy, the food was out of this world. Meritage is a beacon of light and hope to the Milwaukee dining scene.

    (5)

  • Christopher M.

    A unique take on a lot of dishes. We liked the scallop cake appetizer and the vegetable bastilla. The jerk iron steak was ok. Service is great!

    (4)

  • Nick B.

    What's not to like about this place. Nice Decor. Full Bar and a unique but not overwhelming menu. I enjoyed a scallop cake which I found to taste very much like a crab cake, hence the name. For the main course as the menu reads, "Bison Braciole - Bison sirloin stuffed with seasonal vegetables and ricotta cheese, with smoked tomato sauce and house made bison raviolis" The bison was fantastic, it's a crime that I have waited this long to try bison before but I will definitely be back for seconds next time I see it advertised some where. Very good food and the menu is deep enough for you to come back and find another favorite dish to your fancy. The service was solid and the food came out timely. The only irk I had was since the portions are not gigantic you may be hungry after a few hours.

    (5)

  • Amber S.

    We had a great experience at Meritage for my mother's birthday. Staff were incredibly friendly and low-key, and the food was delicious. I ordered the bison stacked enchilada which was wonderful. My mom had the vegetarian special and the seasoning on it was incredible. My husband had the NY strip and liked it a lot, only recommended the salsa on the side because it didn't need the flavor. Desert was a light lemon custard type dish, which we all adored. Would love to dine on the patio sometime in the future, too.

    (5)

  • Dan S.

    If you haven't tried it you really must visit Meritage. Creative food, generous portions without making you feel stuffed, professional yet friendly service and arguably the best small/fairly priced wine list in Milwaukee. Not giving it five stars because its not a five star kind of place but giving it 4 stars because it exceeds its 3 star trapings/pricing. Great Patio in the summer. Solid appetizer offering so if you are not ready to fully commit you can case the place a spend less than $30 ( 2pp) for generously sized small plates and even more generously sized wine pours (3 glasses to the bottle). Locally sourced ingredients, seasonal menu....enough said, try it, you will thank me later.

    (4)

  • Chalie N.

    One word to describe it... EXCELLENT

    (5)

  • David R.

    By far one of my favorite restaurants in Milwaukee. I live downtown, and don't often venture out to the suburbs for dining, but Meritage is one restaurant that I'm happy to make the drive to. In two recent visits I've eaten from their Summer and their Fall menu. From their summer menu we had the Goat Cheese appetizer which was delicious. For entrees we had the Honey Fried Chicken and the Skirt Steak. The chicken was crunchy on the outside and very juicy on the inside with just the right amount of honey drizzeled over the outside. The steak was suprisingly flavorful for the cut of meat, and it came with a corn pudding that was the perfect compliment. I also had a raspberry shortbread dessert that was great. From their fall menu we tried the Antipasto pizza for an appy which we loved. The pita bread was extremely fresh and the mortadella added so much flavor. For entrees we had the Manchamanteles Stew (which I didn't think I'd like but had just the right amount of heat and sweet, and the huge chunk of pork in the middle was as tender and flavorful as could be. Excellent!) and the Duck Confit & Sausage. This dish was a 10/10. There was a generous amount of perfectly cooked Duck confit, as good as I've had anywhere else. The creamed cabbage though was what really took me by surprise. The tender strips of cabbage combined perfectly with the cream sauce that had just a touch of mustard to it. I could have eaten a whole bowl of this alone. The sausage was obviously homemade, and was fresh without being too spicy. Service both times was very good. Professional, very unpretentious, and knowledgable. This place is pretty small and is packed most nights (yea, the secret's been out for a while on this place), so I'd recommend reservations. The quality of the food at Meritage relative to the prices (no item on the menu is more than $19) represents a value that is pretty much unequaled in the Milwaukee dining scene. I'm already planning my next visit.

    (5)

  • George O.

    Virgin visit last night. Food and service excellent. Comfortable neighborhood location. Relaxing ambience. A welcome oasis on A very hot evening.

    (5)

  • Sean L.

    Amazing food, service and ambience for the price. I don't know how they do it, but they do it very well and very inexpensively. I don't think there is a better restaurant at this price to be found in south east wisconsin.

    (4)

  • Bernard B.

    I really like this place and have been going there on nearly a weekly bases of late. I've yet to have a dish I didn't like. Marie is a great and friendly server. Dave will serve you some stiff drinks, especially if you sit at the bar. Go on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for $4 Tapas. Get there early, because sometimes they run out of things.

    (5)

  • Patrick H.

    I had heard of Meritage before and I was glad I had dinner there. Meritage is in an old neighborhood in Western Milwaukee and has a small, intimate dining room as well as a great bar. I was asked to eat at the bar, though the dining room never filled up, and was served by the bar keep. He was a skilled mixer making a great gin and tonic and just as good of a server. I recommend the sweet potato fries as a starter. they were thick cut and cooked just right so as to keep some soft sweet potato goodness. The mains I tried were were curried vegetables and a mushroom lasagna. Both were good and it was obvious they used fresh ingredients. The evening ended with a great cup of coffee. I'm sure that had I gotten a seat at a table, the experience would have been just as good if not better. Watch your step as you leave the restaurant, though. My mother left the building and wiped out breaking her wrist. Her body was able to use those nutrients from the food, however, and slowly repair her broken bone. Isn't the human body a wonder?

    (4)

  • rick r.

    I was truely disappointed. I wanted to love this place, but I can't !Food was ok not great and i know reading all the reviews we must of had a off night . We go out alot and this miss the mark! I will go back but i hope its better.

    (2)

  • Nancee V.

    Love Meritage. Close to my home so frequent it often. Food is always excellent and best of all it is smoke free so we can stop for a martini and not have to fumigate our clothing when we leave. Very friendly bartenders - watch out for the martini with the soaked pineapple - so good but so dangerous! Love the appetizers and the pasta.

    (5)

  • Amy S.

    Yum - my boss recommended this place for dinner. The St. Germain Cocktail is delish as is the plum galette with fresh whipped cream.

    (5)

  • Tonya C.

    This is the reincarnation of the much-missed Barossa... in the space of the now-defunct Indigo. The menu is slightly more diverse and includes some organic meat options as well as fish, duck, and vegetarian selections. Their appetizers are heavenly, and when we ate here a few weeks back, I thoroughly enjoyed my steer tenderloin. My husband had one of their specials of the day and was equally enthusiastic. With the switch in ownership, the space's ambiance shifted from dark and mysterious to open and friendly, though I am pretty sure I recognized one of our old servers. In any case the service was friendly and prompt and I loved the selection available, so we will definitely be returning.

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Tue

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : No
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : No
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Romantic
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : No
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Dogs Allowed : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Meritage

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