Bartolotta
7616 W. State St., Milwaukee, WI, USA
Phone: 414/771-7910
Over $30
Milwaukee
Italian

On a quaint street in the village of Wauwatosa, five minutes by car from downtown, this place is known for its rustic Italian cuisine, especially fresh fish. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch weekends.

Boder's on the River
11919 N. River Rd. 43W, Mequon, WI, USA
Phone: 414/242-0335
$20 to $40
Mequon
American

With tieback curtains, fireplaces, and antiques, this family-owned and -operated restaurant in the suburban village of Mequon has a cheerful country look. Roast duckling and baked whitefish are a few of the Wisconsin specialties. Come for Sunday brunch or the Friday-night seafood buffet. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Mon.

Boulevard Inn
925 E. Wells St., Milwaukee, WI, USA
Phone: 414/765-1166
Over $30
Milwaukee
Continental

This elegant restaurant overlooking Lake Michigan serves Continental cuisine. Enjoy a Caesar salad or honey duck while listening to contemporary piano music. A sit-down brunch is served on Sunday. Reservations are recommended. AE, D, DC, MC, V.

Chip and Py's
1340 W. Town Square Rd., Mequon, WI, USA
Phone: 414/241-9589
$20 to $30
Mequon
Eclectic

In the northern suburbs of Mequon, this stylish restaurant has light gray dual-level dining rooms, a huge fireplace, and contemporary art. There's an eclectic menu and live jazz on weekends and Wednesday evening. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Mon. No lunch Sun.

Coquette Cafe
316 N. Milwaukee St., Milwaukee, WI, USA
Phone: 414/291-2655
Under $30
Milwaukee
Cafes, French

This French café is in a large, renovated warehouse in Milwaukee's trendy Third Ward district. Fine food is served in a casual atmosphere. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun.

De Marinis
N88 W15229 Main St., Menomonee Falls, WI, USA
Phone: 414/253-1568
Under $20
Menomonee Falls
Italian

These popular Italian-American restaurants have excellent pizza and pasta. The pesto-and-artichoke-packed garden pizza is one of the best. D, MC, V.

Elsa's on the Park
833 N. Jefferson St., Milwaukee, WI, USA
Phone: 414/765-0615
$20 to $30
Milwaukee
American/Casual

Across from Cathedral Square Park, this chic but casual restaurant has frequently changing art exhibits and serves big, juicy hamburgers and pork-chop sandwiches. AE, MC, V. No lunch weekends.

English Room
Phone: 414/390-3832
Over $30
Milwaukee
Contemporary

In the Pfister Hotel, Milwaukee's premier hotel restaurant has a formal atmosphere and plenty of original 19th-century paintings. Recommended dishes are rack of lamb, seared crab cakes, and lobster-and-shrimp bisque. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch.

Giovanni's
1683 N. Van Buren St., Milwaukee, WI, USA
Phone: 414/291-5600
$20 to $40
Milwaukee
Italian, Mediterranean

This bright eatery serves large portions of rich Sicilian food. Veal steak Giovanni is excellent, and pasta is a sure bet. AE, D, DC, MC, V. No lunch weekends.

Grenadier's
747 N. Broadway St., Milwaukee, WI, USA
Phone: 414/276-0747
Over $30
Milwaukee
Contemporary, Eclectic

Imaginative dishes such as tenderloin of veal with raspberry sauce combine French classics with Asian or Indian flavors and are served in the dining room and handsome, darkly furnished piano bar. Jacket required. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun. No lunch Sat.

Harold's
4747 S. Howell Ave., Milwaukee, WI, USA
Phone: 414/481-8000
$30 to $40
Milwaukee
Continental

Velvet-back booths, low lighting, etched glass, and rich greenery set a romantic, if slightly generic, mood at this restaurant in the Grand Milwaukee Hotel. Oysters Rockefeller and rack of lamb Provençal are typical of the traditional fare. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun. No lunch Sat.

Jake's
6030 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa, WI, USA
Phone: 414/771-0550
$20 to $40
Brookfield, Wauwatosa
American/Casual, Continental

There are two suburban locations for this longtime Milwaukee favorite that earned its reputation with perfectly prepared steaks and heaps of french-fried onion rings. Not to be missed are the fresh fish selections, escargot, roast duckling, and Bailey's chocolate-chip cheesecake. AE, DC, MC, V. No lunch.

Karl Ratzsch's Old World Restaurant
320 E. Mason St., Milwaukee, WI, USA
Phone: 414/276-2720
$30 to $40
Milwaukee
German

In the authentic German atmosphere of this family-owned restaurant, dirndl-clad waitresses serve schnitzel, roast duckling, and sauerbraten. The main dining room is decked out with murals, chandeliers made from antlers, and antique beer steins. Piano music on Friday and Saturday nights adds to the fun. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun. No lunch.

Sanford
1547 N. Jackson St., Milwaukee, WI, USA
Phone: 414/276-9608
Over $30
Milwaukee
American, Contemporary

Nationally acclaimed chef Sanford D'Amato serves contemporary American cuisine in this elegant restaurant occupying a remodeled grocery store on Milwaukee's east side. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun. No lunch.

Steven Wade's Cafe
17001 W. Greenfield Ave., New Berlin, WI, USA
Phone: 414/784-0774
$30 to $40
New Berlin
Contemporary

Creative dishes distinguish Steven Wade's: Try the marinated duck breasts pan-roasted with cranberry-pecan Chambord sauce, or seared steer tenderloin with coffee-cognac demi-glace and garlic-mashed potatoes. The café, once a residence, has a casual, intimate atmosphere with a small bar. AE, D, DC, MC, V. Closed Sun. No lunch Sat. and Mon.

Three Brothers
2414 S. St. Clair St., Milwaukee, WI, USA
Phone: 414/481-7530
Under $30
Milwaukee
Eastern European

Set in an 1887 tavern, one of Milwaukee's revered ethnic restaurants serves chicken paprikash (a stewed chicken dish with paprika), roast goose and duck, boneless leg of lamb stuffed with spinach and cheese, Serbian salad, and homemade desserts at old-style kitchen tables. It's about 10 minutes from downtown, on the near south side. No credit cards. Closed Mon. No lunch.

Watts Tea Shop
761 N. Jefferson St., Milwaukee, WI, USA
Phone: 414/291-5120
Under $20
Milwaukee
English, Tea

This genteel spot for breakfast, lunch, or tea with scones is above George Watts & Sons, Milwaukee's premier store for china, crystal, and silver. Indulge in freshly-squeezed juice and a custard-filled sunshine cake. AE, D, MC, V. Closed Sun. No dinner.