The Orville — Restaurant in West Bend

First time here. Came with another couple. We had 6:00 p.m. reservations. The building has been lovingly restored, with bar and dining areas on both the first and second floors.

We were seated right away on the second floor at a regular table. There are also some high-tops that were being used for parties of two. Our waitress did a great job getting us waters, menus, and our first drink order. She also let us know what the weekend specials were.

We started with the Spinach Artichoke Dip, which was very good. It came with a bunch of pieces of grilled sourdough bread, which complemented the dip nicely. Our drinks were good, though I felt the Golden Hour Paloma was a little underwhelming.

For entrées, we ordered the Grilled Salmon, the Orville Salad (with shrimp), the Filet Mignon, and I had the special, “Inferno” — a grilled tenderloin filet on top of a deep-fried portabella mushroom, served on spinach with a touch of sriracha. While waiting, the server came over to update and apologize for the delay. I only mention this because I really didn’t think the wait was unusually long (but I appreciated their attentiveness).

After a few more minutes, our food arrived, and it was excellent — served at good temperatures, with terrific flavors and generous portions. The special (filet on mushroom and spinach) was excellent. The filet was ordered medium rare but came out closer to medium; still, it was very good. The fried mushroom was crunchy on the outside and juicy on the inside. The sauces were an excellent complement and tied everything together. I would definitely order that again.

The noise level was good overall, though there were moments — when seating new tables or during the ordering process — when it got VERY loud. I wouldn’t have wanted that to last the whole time.

Throughout the evening, we were well attended to. Friendly, efficient service with great follow-through (thanks, Rachel).

The Orville goes on the “Must Come Back...

Very average meal at high prices. I was at Poplar for my first time on valentines day 2018. We arrived at 7:30 and where quickly seated. From looking at the menu i expected to get high quality and the best in West Bend.

With a small menu and high prices, they must work on these to make them perfect meals. How wrong was I!? I had the Fillet Mignon with mashed potatoes, girlfriend had the schnitzel. The steak was extremely average, Ive made better at home. The schnitzel had a terrible terrible taste! An over cooked pork chop covered in a sweet brown sauce that did not compliment it well at all!! Schnitzel is a favorite dish of mine usually but Poplar ruined it. Worst yet were the potatoes! Good potatoes are creamy and full of flavor, Poplar's mashed taters tasted like they came from a box. A tasteless puck of white that was neither creamy or flavorful, worst I have ever eaten.

Drinks were good.

We were seated downstairs next to the door which has a boring ambiance and got cold often. Our server was fine, but that's it. Kind of got a weird vibe from her though....

My experience has led me to say that I will not be going back to Poplar Inn. Food is better at a chain restaurant for 1/3...

We absolutely loved The Orville! Went to celebrate my husband's birthday and Valentine's Day, but decided to skip the hustle and bustle of V-Day. Sam was such a sweet and attentive waitress, couldn't ask for better service! We had the best artichoke dip I've ever had, I think it was the grilled toast that really did it, but the dip was amazing too! I had Lobster Mac & Cheese and my husband had a beautiful salmon dish...both perfect, and can't wait to have the leftovers from my Mac (huge chunks of lobster!). I had a lavender martini, simply lovely and delish! Tried my husband's old fashioned and yummmm to that too, had a cinnamon twist to it. We'll be back, hands down. And the ambience and lighting make for a very romantic time. Oh and they gave my husband a birthday card that everyone signed! Gave him a choice of dessert, just so sweet, no pun intended. It would be hard to find a better salted caramel creme brulee. Then since we had a late reservation Sam so kindly said we could take all of the remaining roses 🌹 🌹 🌹. They smell heavenly. Thank you all, we're so excited to have found you, when I heard it was the sister restaurant of The Norbert I knew it would be fantastic, but that's an...