By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Feb 06, 2023 at 10:12 AM Photography: Kevin J. Miyazaki

EsterEv
360 E. Erie St., (414) 488-8036
esterev.com
New American
$$$$

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Who doesn't love an affordable chefs’ tasting menu with beautifully prepared, imaginative fare? That's exactly what you'll get when you dine at EsterEv, the tiny little restaurant-within-a-restaurant hidden inside of DanDan.

The restaurant provides a creative outlet for Chefs Daniel Jacobs and Dan Van Rite, who pull out all the stops with creative fine dining dishes infused with global flavors and seasonal local ingredients.  Their collective talents have earned them a variety of accolades, including honors as four-time James Beard semifinalists.

Despite the caliber of the dishes served, the beauty of Ester Ev is that it remains a comfortable spot with little to no pretense.  That’s something reflected in not only the atmosphere and mood, but also the pricing. A meal at EsterEv feels grand, but it's also one of the best finer dining deals in the city at less than $100 per person (more for beverage pairings). And no, you won’t go home feeling hungry.

Dinner at EsterEv is offered Friday and Saturday evenings at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Reservations are available online.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.