Three Three Five — Restaurant in Green Bay

Honestly I hate reviewing places I haven't actually eaten at, but in this case I think the information I'm providing has to be put out there.

A few years ago I talked to the chef of 335 about coming by. I was in Appleton for work and obviously he's frequently traveling so it didn't work out. Recently, I actually moved to Appleton and began the process of trying to reach back out, hoping I could finally give 335 a try.

I tried messaging on IG, leaving voice-mails on their phone, calling during businesses hours, emailing, heck I even asked a Google question if the place still existed. After a few months of that I never heard back.

I understand most people would be dissuaded and give up, but personally I live for eating out, that's why I started blogging. So I decided to just drive to Green Bay yesterday and take my chances at the only posted hours on Google, 5:30 to 11 each Wednesday.

Of course I arrived super early, I'm obviously pretty excited. The first thing I did was look for signs of life inside. I spotted a couple wait staff walking around, score! I decided to stand around outside for 45 minutes, if I was the first one in I'd have to be guaranteed a spot right?

At 5:30 there was no indication they'd opened, no staff unlocking the door. I thought someone would be like o man did you wait out there 45 minutes haha, that's crazy. So I just opened the door, which was unlocked, and parted the veil on the other side.

What greeted me was confusion, which in turn confused me. I've eaten at thousands of restaurants and I'll tell you I didn't like this vibe. The lady, I assume was a manager, didn't even say anything, just gave me some eye daggers. I said, "hello, are you guys open?" She gave some response like there was an event, like I should know better than to walk in a business during posted hours. The chef seemed nice, but at this point, with him trying to explain there was an event I was pretty over the place.

Here's something I'd like to see from you guys: update your website, it just doesn't really hold up to modern times in terms of what you even do. Everything posted by patrons is years old and honestly I'm not surprised. You have no return customers because essentially you don't exist to new patrons. I'm not sure if you're catering exclusively or what the deal is but I'm still heated. I'd be more than happy to help you fix your Google page, I wouldn't even state you operate set hours, just by appointment only.

There's a lot more I could say but out of respect I'm leaving it at that. Maybe Green Bay is a tight knit community, but from an outside perspective this operation makes little sense. If I were inquiring about an event I was throwing how would I even book you? Just something to think...

Absolutely the best Thanksgiving meal, hands down. While I’m a self-proclaimed foodie, and definitely not a critic, I will try and break it all down. Turkey Breast Ballotine: Turkey breast stuffed and rolled with a combination of herbs that delivered a punch of wonderful flavor while maintaining the flavor of the turkey and the desired moistness that melts in your mouth. Nobody wants dry turkey! Turkey Jus: Full of flavor accented by thyme and pepper. Maple Roasted Sweet Potato Puree with Coriander and Marshmallow: Silky smooth puree with a level of creaminess accented by the marshmallow. Sweetness of the marshmallow was well-balanced with the coriander. Smashed Yukon Gold Potatoes with Crème Fraiche: How do you possibly elevate the simple potato? Believe me, it can be done. The Crème Fraiche added a beautiful creaminess and it was seasoned perfectly. Caramelized Brussel Sprouts with Cherrywood Bacon and Aged Saba: Roasted to perfection, and the taste of the brussel sprout was accentuated by the bacon and saba Cranberry Relish with Kumquat and Pink Peppercorn: While cranberries and kumquats are know for being sour, this dish had just the right balance of sweet and sour, and the addition of the pink peppercorns added a nice kick. Aged Cheddar Buttermilk Biscuit with Whipped Maple Butter: The perfect combination of sweet and salty. Pumpkin Pie with Cinnamon Whipped Cream: While every dish was gluten-free and I have had a wide variety of pies, I have never come across a crust that was so amazingly buttery and flaky. Delicata Squash Soup: Beautifully creamy with a hint of heat, but not overpowering the mild flavor of the squash. Red Wine Poached Pear Salad with Maple Sherry Vinaigrette: Flawlessly poached to maintaining the texture and flavor with the chicory offering a slightly woody taste. Simple yet elegant vinaigrette that compliments very well. Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail: A whopping lb of shrimp marinated with citrus. A classic done just right. Maine Lobster Salad: ½ lb lobster full of flavor, perfectly balanced, indescribably terrific! Deviled Eggs: Another classic, but elevated to another level with horseradish, not overwhelming at all, pickled mustard seed, and ham. Must try! And finally, a bottle of Chardonnay! Once again, Chris and his crew have way...

I really like what Three Three Five is doing for the Green Bay area. Some items on the menu are stellar, such as the scallop, ham, and frozen milk, while others are more conventional. Everything has a distinctive Three Three Five touch, though, even the fries which shows an effort to elevate even familiar items.

I'm not even sure the menu we had will be there next week. Is this a pop-up restaurant? Is this a highlight end Friday fish fry place? I don't think they even know at this point. Stay tuned I guess.

The food is way above normal for Green Bay, and at Minneapolis or Chicago prices it should be; however, not everything succeeds at this price point. There are definitely some chef's favorites on this menu, but it's up to you to guess which ones.

Bar prices are a bit high for what you get. A flat $16 for every cocktail on the menu doesn't give an easy, cheaper option unless you switch to beer. I believe all cocktails are pre-mixed, which leaves much to be desired in terms of the experience of having a cocktail crafted by a skilled bartender, and for $16, I expect a bit of back-and-forth conversation and personalized attention you'd usually find at some higher-end establishments. I declined additional cocktails primarily due to the price, even though they tasted great and were worth another round otherwise.

On the subject of speed, the ambiance of Three Three Five is great. I love the coziness and layout of the place, with the small bar on one end, and the line being viewable from every seat in the house. But earlier in the night, this place feels like a rushed diner trying to turn over tables. Everything after sitting felt way too rushed and condensed.

One small remark about the menu, our waitress asked if we'd like to order appetizers. With everything on the menu looking like a small plate, this is a question that shouldn't be asked, or at a minimum, the staff should walk through the menu beforehand, which would make it clear.

Overall, event and menu depending, we will be coming back. I feel like I can expect everything on the food menu to be at a minimal level of good, with some dishes excelling. For drinks, I'd love to see them come down a bit, as I feel this would fit the overall bar...