Goodkind — Restaurant in Milwaukee

Goodkind.... I wanted to like you so, so much. But I left more disappointed than I've ever left any restaurant I've dined at in Milwaukee thus far. This is definitely not an overexaggeration by any means. The ONLY positive things that I could say about this place is that they carry New Glarus Strawberry Rhubarb beer and that our server/bartender was friendly. I should've known after our first taste (Fromage Fort) that everything was going to be a slippery slope from there on out. It was overpowered by Gorgonzola (which I love, btw) followed by an intense slap in the face of a bitter unknown aftertaste, whatever the hell that could have possibly been. This was paired with a cold piece of baguette and a sad selection of raw veggies on the side. The Steam Bay Harbor Mussels lacked any kind of flavor that could've possibly been infused. The broth resembled canned chicken broth, the low sodium version. The chickpeas scattered all over in an insulting amount were undercooked and many of the actual mussels were missing from it's shell. We had to request lime and salt to make it the least bit edible. The Spicy Crab pasta was seriously one of the most disrespectful plates I've ever eaten. It wasn't spicy, not even to a toddler I would assume. It was served hot and cold in various parts of the dish. It lacked salt and love in an unforgiving way. The server said it was their best seller... to an audience with a bland palette, that is. I prayed to the food Gods that our final dish, The Hanger Steak, would somehow magically provide some hope for this horrific experience, but to our dismay, it just didn't. The pesto lacked any herb flavor that should've been released upon being blended. The WHOLE thing tasted like extra virgin olive oil. Nothing more, nothing less. The steak was dry and they had the audacity to place it upon what seemed to be their version of panzanella. I cringe just thinking about all of the raw elements on that plate that did not pair well with a steak dish. By this point, we were just ready to get the bill and leave this place as fast as our feet allowed. Goodkind, I've got two words for you. Bland and pathetic. To anyone reading this that has been blessed with a palette and an appreciation of delicious, quality food made with love... do yourself a favor and run the opposite direction. Take your $100 and spend it with dignity elsewhere. At least you'll leave happy and not sick with...

I love going to Goodkind. The food is always delicious, the atmosphere is cozy and cute but still definitely a great date night spot - not too casual. They have nice indoor seating options with a cute patio. On our latest visit the service was sadly a bit off, so I can't give it the five stars I'd like to. The service was pleasant, but not around much. After our food was dropped off, we didn't see anyone until the bill was provided. Unfortunately I'd maybe attribute this to being short staffed, so hopefully next time is better.

We started off with the Puffball mushroom. Definitely a fun thing to be able to try and it was tasty! Maybe a little over-fried but still good. I wish the portion size had been better for the price though. I had the Summer Sangria which was delicious, and we tried a few beers. Their beer selection is nice but the prices are too steep. They are definitely more expensive than at the breweries themselves. There is only one option under $8 - High Life. It would be nice if there was something like a $5 or $6 Spotted Cow.

For entrees, we went with the Tuesday night burger special which we had been really looking forward to trying, and the Wedge salad with caramelized onion & bacon pork sausage. The burger was good but I wish it had come out hotter, and was a little bigger. For the price point with no sides you definitely need to order an appetizer or another plate. The burger that day had chicken nuggets, beer battered french fries, American cheese, ranch, and BBQ sauce - a fun combo. The salad was delicious and definitely the star. The sausage was very nice but there was just something about the romaine, tomatoes, and dressing together that was magical.

Goodkind is a great spot for dinner and we are happy to have them in Bay View. They are always worth a visit. Don't sleep on the champagne battered oyster mushrooms - an...

There are many intriguing dishes to choose from, so it can be difficult to decide. Our party of four chose two orders of the chicken liver pate to share as an appetizer, and for entrees, 3 orders of leg of lamb and one pork belly. The chicken liver was good, but could have used a bit more of the pickled onion, which provided much needed acidity to the richness of the pâté. A satisfying start. I was one of the 3 that had the lavender and anchovy crusted leg of lamb with squash and butter beans. The unusual crust was delicious and something I never had before. The lamb was served off the bone and was mostly tender at a medium cook. Unfortunately, about a third of the meat on the plate had so much gristle, it was inedible. The portion of lamb was large, so I still had my fill amongst the edible meat. The stars of the plate for me were the butter beans, which were well seasoned and crispy, almost prepared like home fried potatoes. Our companion who ordered the pork belly was disappointed when all of our meals came to the table, as it appeared very small compared to the other entrees. He said although the flavor was great, the pork belly was too tough for his liking. He stated that he was still hungry after eating it all. Our excellent server was attentive, knowledgeable and friendly. The drinks were all well crafted and a bit strong, so no complaints there. The atmosphere is cozy and busy. Great for a date or a few friends. Overall I will definitely return to try other items on the menu, which changes daily, aside from some consistent favorites. It’s clear this restaurant has great aspirations and takes some risks. Even with a few disappointments in the dishes, I am excited to return, and that...