Purslane: A Chef’s Table Experience in Milwaukee

Purslane is a bespoke restaurant in Milwaukee. It offers small plates and shareable entrees that are not only tasty but creatively served.

The Chef’s Table

When making the reservation we decided to opt for the chef’s table. These seats are along what looks like a bar counter and looks into the kitchen. It’s a great choice for a couples night. We could sit side by side and watch all of the food being prepared.

We were also close enough to ask a lot of questions. One interesting fact: we were impressed with the ceramic plates, dishes, and even some mugs. We didn’t see a brand on them. It turned out all were handmade by a local potter.

After we ordered our drinks, we decided to watch the kitchen for a bit. There was a lot of interesting plating. Many of the finishing touches, even for cocktails, were added with tweezers. Not only was it fun to watch, but by the time I opened the menu, I had an idea of what looked good. I ordered by sight and smell.

The Dishes

Deviled Eggs

The first dish that caught my eye was the deviled eggs. They were incredible. Lots of flavor and textures. There were even small amounts of fish roe on the top.

When we wanted something more we could order from any of the staff. All were very helpful and checked in on us as they passed by or worked in the kitchen. That made it easy to order the next item.

Cauliflower & Greens

When a cauliflower dish with a thick sauce underneath caught our eye we asked for that. It was refreshing after the rich deviled eggs.

Crispy Phyllo Wrapped Scallops

I found the scallops wrapped in crispy thin phyllo dough to be full of flavor and textures. It was by far the highlight of my trip. Not too spicy but enough to be exciting. While the description on the menu was accurate, it didn’t do the dish justice. It was much more impressive to see it being made and plated.

Desserts

We wrapped with two very different desserts, both amazing. Lots of sweetness with warm spices and floral notes. Fresh ingredients and laid out with care. One of the items I really appreciated was that the menu had a glossary of flavors. When there was a combination of unfamiliar spices it provided descriptions and examples. It even included a bit about the origin and culture.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the night, house-made candies arrived with the bill and were revealed in a flourish. I’d like to go back. But I’ll bring a few more friends to share with, to try more of the menu.