Balzac

Balzac has a very pleasant atmosphere. The servers are friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable. The ambience inside is cozy and intimate. On the patio, it is bright and airy. Their food is delicious and there is a good variety of dishes inspired by many cultures. I've tried several dishes in the couple times I've been here and they've all been delicious!

From the moment we entered, I loved the vibe of Balzac. The interior space was dimly lit and intimate while the outdoor patio was a perfect place to chat with friends on a late summer evening. The music was a perfect blend of hip hop and R&B. Wait staff were super friendly and helpful in selecting different items off the menu. We ordered a bottle of red wine to share between the table. Pro tips - all wine bottles are half off on Wednesdays! Also, if you ever really like the bottle you had in the restaurant, you can purchase it for the road at half off the listed price on the menu. The wine selection was extensive, so I look forward to coming back and trying a new bottle. The food, truthfully, was hit or miss. Most of the dishes are small plates so I'd recommend about 3-4 dishes to share between 2 people. I really enjoyed the sisig - it honestly was better than a lot of the sisig I've tried even at Filipino restaurants. The pork pappardelle had great textures but needed way more flavor. The carrots and parsnips were a huge letdown - the parsnips especially were far too fibrous, and the flavors of the honey and salsa did not come through at all. We split the chocolate mousse for dessert, which I overall enjoyed - it wasn't too rich and was beautifully presented. Overall, I had a great time and will definitely return on a Wednesday night to take advantage of the incredible wine deal, but might stick to just drinks next time.

Thank you for the kind service. Two thumbs up to Thomas. We tried the Proxies NA wine, Corn Fritters, Tuna Tartare, Mushroom Ragout, and Roasted Carrots and Parsnips. Delightfully decadent

Had a very enjoyable evening here! The prices on the drinks were fantastic for milwaukee. The atmosphere was casual and relaxed. The employees were incredibly pleasant and I can’t wait to go back.

Fantastic atmosphere super romantic and relaxing. I felt so welcome and taken care of. They have a great selection of wines and champagne! You must try the squid ink pasta and the salted Carmel Pot de Creme for dessert. Thank you BALZAC!!!

Start-to-finish, outstanding experience in wine, food, and service last night when we finally crossed Balzac off our "to-eat-and-drink" list. The atmosphere is warm and elegant, yet still come-as-you-are, and the staff couldn't be more pleasant, approachable, and professional. It's definitely a place you can grab just a drink and a bite, but we decided to treat ourselves and cozy up for the long-haul...well worth it! Our party of 4 started with a self-paced wine tasting, which included the full attention of the resident sommelier, Tom, and 5 excellent picks. Highly recommended for a group outing or a date night. Later in the meal, Tom really delivered in our request to select a perfect "surprise us" bottle. Use his passion and knowledge...he won't steer you wrong. Our server, Kristian, was attentive, kind, gave excellent recommendations, and coursed out our order with perfect timing...a feat that seems to be sadly unusual today, but is so appreciated when it happens. Do NOT skip the escargot...it's a presentation you've never had and it's to die for. Everything was delicious and cleverly made the whitefish was fabulous, the steak perfectly done... One of the biggest mistakes you could make, though, is not getting dessert-each of the 4 we tried were our "favorite!" so save some room, or make a special trip to try at least a few things and consider the wine pairings for those, again perfectly chosen. It was really lovely to have the chef and the pastry chef both stop by to say hello, answer questions, and offer recommendations for next time. It's clear that this is a very talented, enthusiastic, and passionate team that works so well together and has your total enjoyment in hand. We left feeling so cared for, and even though we really treated ourselves, it was one of Milwaukee's best values for the experience we had. Go, drink, eat, drink some more...and relax!

We enjoyed a bottle of wine on a half off a bottle night and got to try some good small plate dishes. It has a romantic atmosphere in this restaurant, great for a date.

Food was too salty and small in portion. Ahi tuna - 3 pieces with 4 blueberries Skirt steak - portion of okay but only had once piece as it was too salty. Wine and cocktail was good. Ambiance was good as well.

Balzac is a very unique atmospheric that includes an dining experience. With a decent wine à la carte i will add. However there’s much disconnect from the bar and the kitchen. I would like more synergy and confidence working together to provide a full scale service that I know they can provide! Edited: Dinner 07/30/21 Returned and you know what the food portions are straight disrespectful $21 New York strip with nothing but fat. Had to send back to kitchen waitress did the best she could of course. I can’t return here when every time I go home and order a pizza anyway! No it’s literally just pointless to come here!

I haven't been here in about 4 years, and I was excited to check out the updated menu after so long away. The service was very attentive a bit too much so, FYI — if you're sitting at the bar, be ready for aggressively positive vibes haha and every single dish was divine. The brussel sprouts, eggplant, mushrooms were especially fantastic. They also have an extensive wine list, which made it excitingly difficult for this notoriously indecisive drinker to pick just one.