Sanford

Penny Zens

3 weeks ago

The entire staff is beyond kind. Every person I encountered was super courteous. The food was so well prepared and presentation was incredible. It's the kind of food that even if it's not you thing, you can't help but appreciate it. The pastry chef needs a raise! The crust on anything was ridiculously good amd the dessert was, OMG!!!! They were accommodating with allergies and health issues and so good about answering questions. It was a grand experience. The first dish was the WI pear tart with walnuts and onion puree...my fav. Then I had the quail, the swordfish, and an apple tart.

Kenneth Cote-Dorantes

a month ago

I wish I could give more than 5 stars! Of all our dining experiences in every place we have traveled, Sanford is hands down the absolute best experience we have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. Every staff member in the front of the house was impressive, impeccable, polite, friendly and knowledgeable of every dish we enjoyed. Every course we tasted was beyond words. Every component of each course was carefully designed and plated for maximum tastebud overload and visual delight. Words alone cannot express how great everything was. Although we live out of town, we will travel back to Milwaukee just to experience Sanford again!

Hubert Bartosz

4 months ago

We celebrated our 33rd anniversary at Sanford, and for our first visit, it turned out to be an unforgettable surprise. The entire evening felt special from the moment we walked in. The food was a beautiful mix of flavors — creative, balanced, and thoughtfully prepared. Every course touched our senses in a different way, giving us so much to enjoy and talk about. It’s the kind of meal that stays with you long after the night is over. The staff were wonderful: warm, attentive, and genuinely friendly. They made us feel welcomed and taken care of without ever being intrusive. Sanford delivered an experience that was both intimate and memorable. We left with full hearts, full stomachs, and a shared feeling that this evening will be one we remember for years. A truly special place.

Daniel Silver

5 months ago

First of all, the service and ambiance were impeccable! They have a four course menu or a pre fixed tasting menu, and we decided to do the pre fixed tasting menu and the wine pairing. The wine with each course was excellent, and I especially enjoyed the Zinfandel which was my favorite of the night. For appetizers and mains, each dish brought something unique to the table. The venison pastrami was paired with a very sweet sauce. The swordfish was hearty and meaty, and I loved the creamy yogurt sauce under it alongside the citrus and spinach. The smoked salmon with dill, pickles, herring, and smoked salmon dip was a real stand‑out with many layers of flavor and texture. Another highlight was the venison cabbage roll, elevated by candied orange peel and a wonderfully deep sauce that tied it all together. The fennel dusted beef striploin had a bold peppery kick and was cooked beautifully with the maple mascarpone polenta and red wine reduction With our desserts, we got a walnut liquor that was thick and delicious! The chilled guava soup with coconut lime sorbet was good, though the cinnamon was too much for my liking. The olive oil cake paired with black currant jam and yogurt sauce was very tasty, especially with the amazing caramelized banana. However my favorite dessert of the night was the molten lava cake with hazelnut ice cream nestled in a caramelized crust. The molten lava cake was heavenly with the rich chocolate that was balanced byu the sweet and amazing hazelnut ice cream. It was one the best hazelnut ice cream I have had! The shortbread, chocolate pistachio biscotti, and gooey pecan bites to finish off made for a wonderfully sweet end to the evening.

Scott W

10 months ago

This was our second time eating at Sanford’s. The first time was literally decades ago. The restaurant is a small building the size of a small home (probably was at one time). If you cannot find a street spot to park, they offer valet parking for $10. We had reservations for four on Thursday night at 6:30. When we arrived, we got a friendly greeting from the host/server. We were seated at a round table (probably better suited for a table of six), but it was situated in the front corner, so it was quiet. There was an HVAC vent right overhead, which caused a bit of a draft. The server did a great job of getting us settled in. After some discussion about the menu, we decided that we would try the seven-course Chef’s Surprise Tasting Menu. We didn’t need the accompanying wine service and opted for a couple of cocktails and individual red and white wines. There was water and breadsticks with butter as we waited for the first course. Before any of the menu items came, we were offered an amuse-bouche. While I don’t recall exactly what it was, it did contain a little bit of gelatinous cucumber with some oil and seeds. I have to admit that, while I realize this may not represent the rest of the meal, the strangeness (flavor and mouthfeel) was a little anxiety-producing (have you seen The Menu?). The rest of the meal was superb. The savory courses consisted of Duck Basturma, Sea Scallops, Swordfish, Head Cheese, and Beef Striploin. I could talk about each of them separately, but you can check out the picture of the menu. I think the one menu item that really surprised us all was the Crisp Head Cheese. I myself had no hesitation, but a couple of the others did. It was delicious, with nice crispy edges — a real surprise. The entire evening was lovely. The whole team at Sanford’s works well together to make everything flow in a very organic way. We were there for three-plus hours, but it didn’t really seem that long. To be sure, it’s not inexpensive, but a real treat for a special night with good friends.