Sanford — Restaurant in Milwaukee

Update from December 2024 visit: Management contacted us shortly after our negative experience and offered us a gift certificate to try again. We did not expect this but appreciated it and made it back in December 2024. We had a much more positive experience with more friendly service. Given the high quality of this establishment, there is still room for improvement with the cocktail making and general knowledge of food intolerances/allergies, but overall, we were significantly more satisfied with this visit.

Original from December 2023 visit (3 stars): We were beyond excited to visit this place again. Even just making the reservation, they are welcoming and accommodating of food allergies.

After arriving, our server was friendly at the start and gave us some time to settle in, but that turned into nearly 45 minutes before we got our drinks - Manhattans, which we consider a classic cocktail, but they were made incorrectly the first time. We then had to wait for them to be remade, and they still came out wrong, but we just let it go this time around.

The food finally started to arrive - we chose the four-course tasting menu. We got our first dish after about an hour and a half. The food was very good, and they accommodated our allergies, but no one explained the meals to us. They would just set the dishes down and walk away, and our server hardly stopped by to check in. At one point, we were without water for about 10 minutes until we could finally request a refill from someone. For a place with such unique and high-end fair, we expected an overview of the dishes we ordered and more touch points.

We knew this was meant to be a slow dining experience, but our entire meal took about three hours, which is what they tell you to plan for the seven courses, and we only had four. Since we were nearing closing time, everyone was cleaning up around us. Our server seemed more concerned about replacing the tablecloths than checking in with us. This night was meant to be a treat, but it turned out to be an incredibly expensive...

I cant believe it took me this long to get here. I have heard such great things for so long about this place but never thought I would have the opportunity to try it. Boy was I missing out. A friend gave us a sizable gift card for a wedding present. We often spoke about food and how we wanted to try it for so long but could never afford it. I was able to make reservations for a saturday night two days prior. When we arrived I was taken back by how intimate and clean the restaurant was. We truly thought this was a once in a lifetime experience. I opened the menus and audibly gasped. This place was extremely affordable! The highest price plate was about $37 and our cocktails were $8-10 a piece (old fashioned and martini respectively) with our giftcard we were able to try a majority of the menus and loved each piece more than the last. We started with the cheese slate with the far, cow and name written out along with a card giving more detail of each. We moved on to elk, quail and smoked fish. All were mezmorizing. We then ordered the softshell crab to split, phenomenal but maybe a bit too acidic for my taste but I couldn't imagine a better presentation and prep. I ordered the beef tenderloin as my entree and as full as I was I would have felt worse if I left an ounce go to waste. Cooked and seasoned perfectly on top of truffle mashed potatoes and greens left nothing more to be desired. As I write this I truly wish I could remember what my wife ordered but honestly I dont think I came up for air during this course to even check... we finished with by far my favorite dessert I have ever had, "the drive in". Two separate toffee desserts one with a mousse and the other was an icecream toffee ball that in all honesty wish I could have for breakfast lunch and dinner. As great as the food was the service paralleled if not outshined 8t. I believe our servers name was abby but she was absolutely amazing. Timely with the firing quick witted and knowledgable. Sanford is my new go to for any occasion and just when I'm...

My family went to Sanford last night to celebrate my 40th birthday.. I have checked reviews before I booked, very disappointed I have to say ! The food was fixed 4 course menu, very average, is the food ok of course it’s a good if you don’t pay that much.. if you would go to any regular good restaurants I think you will get the same food instead . The first course out family ordered three different things we tried each one taste ok plating was not for upscale should be, the soup was the worst, then the beef tenderloin was good I did enjoy it.. the dessert was big and heavy, just over rated.. then let’s talk about wine,, what a ripoff, I have up load the picture as above, ok the first I thought I ordered 77 dollars bottle of wine , then I used my Vivino app to check the price, show me retail price is 10 Dollars per bottle.. I know they have to make money for the restaurant, but you don’t do 700 hundred percent over charge.. this is purely scam.. imagine how much the restaurant will pay for wholesale price for the wine.. the end when we pay I noticed our wine actually is 51 Dollars, ok that make me feel a little better then.. but still really 10 dollars wine you charge 51.. for this kind of restaurant just can’t believe.. well I know they probably doesn’t care if we would go back they have enough customers.. anyway just want speak my own voice how I feel that you think you would enjoy then you got the most disappointed feelings.. so frustrated!! I am rarely writing reviews like this, i just knew I have to!!! I rate 2 stars because the...