KEY Milwaukee - Featured Restaurant

THIRD STREET PIER

LOOKING FOR a place for a special Valentine’s Day dinner? Look no farther than the Third Street Pier in the heart of Milwaukee’s Old World 3rd St.

Owned by the Weissgerber family of Milwaukee restaurateurs, Third Street has long been popular with executives seeking to impress clients or prospects. But the quiet, elegantly appointed spot on the Milwaukee River also makes is ideal for individuals or couples out for an evening downtown.

High-quality service is what you notice from the time you arrive by car or on foot. Valet service ensures that you will not have to search for a parking spot, even on evenings when the nearby Bradley Center is active. Once inside, you can either relax in the Dockside Bar, which offers live jazz every Friday and Saturday, or go directly to a table and enjoy one of the best views of the Milwaukee River and downtown lights.

In the past, the Milwaukee River in winter has not been one of the city’s drawing cards. But with the development and illumination of the Riverwalk and the increasing amount of nightlife on both sides of the river, the view from Third Street Pier is delightful.

The restaurant is known for fresh seafood, flown in twice daily and prepared in unique ways by Executive Chef Dennis Stukel. Steaks, chops and a limited number of other non-fish specialties are on the menu, but finfish and shellfish dominate the offerings that change weekly. Even appetizers are largely seafood and, on a recent evening, included six different oysters, along with sampler plates that included one or two of all six.

The staff of Third Street is prepared to answer even the most basic questions about appetizers, the extensive wine list and entrees, often giving personal preferences and background that goes well beyond the basics. You learn that the tilapia served is a special variety, raised in the Rainforest Aqua Farms of Costa Rica. If that weren’t enough, the server adds that they are grown in cascading pools of fresh water. You’ll get just as complete an explanation of other entrees from around the world. Recently, those included Sterling turbot from Norway, Salmon from Chile, Blue Marlin from Florida, Black Halibut from Canada and Dover sole from Holland.
Entrees combine vegetables, rice, pasta and garlic mashed potatoes with the main feature in surprising ways. Presentations are typical of New York and Chicago restaurants, including filleting of Dover sole at tableside.

Third Street’s wine list is extensive, and again the staff is knowledgeable and happy to make suggestions. The dessert list hints at the German heritage of the Weissgerbers with such Milwaukee favorites like apple strudel and schaum torte. Adventuresome diners can order the cherries jubilee or bananas Foster, flamed tableside.

Third Street Pier extends the emphasis on service by offering shuttle service to all downtown hotels, theaters and attractions. The shuttle will be especially active this month as the restaurant offers special Valentine’s Day weekend packages that include dinner for two, one-night deluxe hotel accommodations and admission to attractions that include the Pabst Mansion, Milwaukee Art Museum, IMAX or Milwaukee Public Museum.

Third Street Pier at 1110 N. Old World 3rd St. is part of the Waterfront Entertainment Group that includes the Edelweiss dining cruises in the summer. The restaurant is open 5 p.m.-10 p.m. Mon.-Sat. and 4 p.m.-9 p.m. Sun. Serving continues in the adjacent Dockside Bar until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For reservations, call 272-0330. Additional details are available at www.wegmke.com.

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