Swig

I used to be obsessed with this place — I applied and actually worked here for a moment before becoming a corporate slave.
I am a loyal Black Bean Cake follower from here, the mix they make the patties out of is still so moist, and it stays together well. Topped with the salsa and fresh cream it is truly a refreshing, yet filling dish! I also love the chicken curry rolls — stuffed full of a super flavorful filling and deep fried to crispy perfection; these are heavy and very filling as well.
Swig is regularly changing up their menu. They have house-​infused liquor that they craft many of their inventive cocktails with, as well as wine, beer and bubbles. This time I tried all new items. We ordered all small plates: the short rib, the roasted red pepper hummus, and the bruschetta. The bruschetta came out first, with four baguette spears smothered in goat cheese and topped with halved cherry tomatoes. The spread on the bread was delicious, but I’d prefer to have the tomatoes more chopped for even distribution. Then came the red pepper hummus, this was a beautiful presentation. The hummus was topped with kalamata olives, fried crunchy chickpeas, feta cheese and peppadews. It was served with warm pita, and it was really great and very refreshing. Lastly we enjoyed the beef short rib, a $ 14 small plate. We were glad it came with two large chunks of beef, and lots of tasty grilled veggies. We were however, disappointed in how extremely fatty the beef was, it was embarrassing to have to keep taking chewy pieces out of our mouths and put it in full view on the plate. The flavors were great though.
Our server was very attentive without pestering, and overall we had an extremely enjoyable experience.

The food was good but I didn’t love it. The wine list was adequate and the prices were good. My cocktail was okay but tasted like it had 0 alcohol. Our food was good although the mussels tasted really fishy and they forgot to put avocado in my dish that clearly had avocado listed.
The server was really nice and attentive.
The host was sort of snobby. The place was empty but when we said we didn’t have a reservation, he acted like he wasn’t gonna be able to find us a table.

The food’s not bad, but it’s not great. I’d recommend coming here for cocktails (they have some delicious infused liquors that my table was verrrry into) and then going to Onesto for dinner, which is just next door, and also run by the same management company (Hospitality Democracy).
Our server was pleasant and prompt, but unfortunately recommended us the worst appetizer we tried (The salmon tower. Don’t do it.)
Apps we DID enjoy were the arugula cheese dip and goat cheese tower. They both come with a very yummy French bread. But Onesto also has amazing bread.
No one liked their entrée — tenderloins, ravioli, gnocchi. Like I said, come here for drinks, not food! Did I mention Onesto is just next door?!

I had Swig the other day for lunch and was very satisfied with my meal. Our table shared the hummus platter along with the black bean cakes which were delicious. For lunch I had the scallop and fruit salad which was delicious as well.
My only complaint that at noon, this place is dark as hell. Like a bat cave. It was 70 and sunny outside and when I walked out, I was straight up blinded by the light. I was trying to have mood lighting for my client meeting… turn up the dimmers people.

5 stars all around. Food is amazing, staff is kind and knowledge. Elliott is a great host/​server, ask for him if you stop in. He’ll make sure you find exactly what you want to drink and eat. His recommendations are stellar. The interior is also really sleek, with gorgeous art, that changes with the seasons, like the menu. This restaurant has time and time again shown off it’s crazy amazing customer service and knowledge of food and beverage pairing. This is the restaurant you go to if you want quality and consistency.

It’s Okay. Just in some ways I question their price point and I’m someone who lives in Chicago. Every thing tasted fine but nothing blew us away spectacularly. I had the teriyaki salmon with a side of carmelized mushrooms — decent but not worth $ 23.
My fiancée ordered off the small plates menu and got the lobster stuffed peppers and a side salad. The peppers were an absolute joke. Four measly slivers of red peppers topped with something white that supposedly resembled lobster — I couldn’t tell as it tasted like nothing to me. The salad was just your run of the mill garden salad.
I wouldn’t return personally. Way better options exist in the third ward.

Great location, interesting menu, and then things go down from there
The place is average and we ran into pretty mediocre service on a not-​even-​close-​to-​busy Monday night. The menu has some interesting things but nothing we ordered was overwhelming in the taste department. The place has real potential but with one server and unapologetic GM it just didn’t win a lot of stars.

I used to come to Swig at least once a month for either a work lunch or lunch with my husband. I loved a few things on the menu, and I loved that I could sub out fries or chips for salad or soup without an upcharge. Well we went in today and that has all changed.
There is a new menu with much a much smaller (and more expensive) sandwich section. No more ham and cheese; no more mediterranean chicken. The only chicken sandwich is fried chicken. The burger is $ 16 at lunch! To get a salad or soup, there is now an upcharge. One person in the group asked for ketchup and they weren’t sure if they had any because they don’t have fries anymore, but they still do have a burger and chips that are pretty much the same as fries. I found the food very disappointing and very small. I got a mozzarella panini and it had maybe one or two slices of mozzarella. Pretty much the whole thing was bread. For $ 11.75, I left hungry.
Also, over the lunch hour, they seemed to have only 2 or 3 servers. We had to wait about 15 minutes to order. One person in the group did not get his lemonade for the entire meal until we asked for it when the food finally came. I only had water, and the glass remained empty for the majority of the time we were there. No one came to offer drink refills or check on us. It was a very frustrating work lunch.
One other issue with the new menu – the menu is not pregnant-​lady friendly. Most sandwiches have cheese on that is inedible for those of us following the strict guidelines (brie, gorgonzola, feta, etc.) have limitations on the menu. I realize that the cheese is likely pasteurized, but there are so many on the menu that I didn’t want to ask the server about every single one.
I will not be going here again, whether for work or for fun.

Originally I was going to check out Coquette Café, but it was closed at 4pm on a Saturday. I had the Amish chicken which came with chive potatoes. Unfortunately the potatoes were not hot, more like warm and the chicken came in 2 small pieces (about 2 big bite sizes). It was good however (not complaining just wish it was hotter and more of it!) I had the Warm Manhattan Cosmo, which was not warm at all but delish! I would definitely return and enjoyed the ambience and friendly service!

Well this place used to be a go-​to spot for me for excellent small plates and salads with pricey but good signature cocktails…
The newest menu update has removed every item I simply loved and had me coming back. It seems the new menu is seeking higher prices and providing less food. Honestly a $ 30 appetizer?!
I ordered the Amish chicken for $ 16.50 which was two thinly sliced chicken cuts, two prices of asparagus and a cup of cold mashed potatoes. And then they tried to Bill me $ 18.50.
I’ll be nice and rate it two stars even though I probably won’t go back unless the menu changes back.

We used to come here for cocktails and salad. We loved the kale salad and the chicken caesar-​dijon salad. We came in tonight and tried the new menu.
Tonight I had a small green salad and a cup of the tomato-​basil. The green salad was fresh greens with a few small slivers of red onion, a chunk & a few crumbles of cheese, a few citrus slivers and a side of roasted red pepper purée. The salad was mostly greens (like 95%). The red pepper purée was tasty; but the salad itself was lacking. The cup of soup was good (very similar tasting to Panera’s tomato); but I wish it had a piece of bread or something with it.
Service: we came at a not so busy time (like we were the only table in the backside). Our table had a very sticky spot that I put my hand in (disgusting). Our waiter was helpful to check about a food allergy, but then, he had to double-​check after my food came because he «wasn’t sure.» He seemed a bit more interested in the world series.
The bill came and one of the entrees was charged at 18.50 instead of the 16.50 — (incidentally the amish chicken is two small pieces and two slices of asparagus sliced into four slices on top of mashed potatoes). It took them a few minutes to update it.
Bottomline: creative cocktail menu, but I’m not a fan of the new menu. Also, double check your bill.

Wish i could give zero stars. Very, very poor service. Food was worse! Went there for lunch today, waiter seemed very disinterested in his job. Poor welcome, no engagement in conversation. Took order, disappeared until he brought out the food. Place was not busy — not sure where he was.
I ordered the Grassfed hamburger. MEDIUM! With fries. I was told the fries were awesome.
Order arrived, he coldly asked if we needed anything else. I asked for two additional ketchup’s and a mustard for my burger. No response, just turned and left.
I started to eat my fries, with what little ketchup was in the little container. 8 minutes later, the waiter returned with ONE additional ketchup container and the mustard. I asked for the second container when he got a chance. They were still not busy.
At this time, i started to put the ketchup and mustard on my burger. took off the top bun, to find a piece of charcoal sitting underneath. That was not medium in my book.
A full 8 minutes later he returned with my second ketchup, at which time i showed him my well done burger. He took my plate, turned, and headed off to the kitchen. Again without saying a word. Never asked me what i would like to do.
About 6 minutes later (still not very busy), he returned and curtly informed me that the kitchen would be happy to remake it for me.
Seeing that i was now 45 minutes into my hour lunch, i asked if i could just skip it and have the burger taken off my bill. At least they did not charge me for the fries that i ate while waiting.
The waiter got one thing right — the fries were pretty good.
If restaurant management cares, you should note that i left a client meeting (located in Third Ward), told them where i was going, they asked for me to let them know how it was, as they’re always looking for new places to go.
You can imagine my advice to them. So, not only will i never go back. you just lost about 25 potential customers, located within walking distance.

In a real food city, this place would just be closed.
Most of the food was terrible. The chili shrimp was probably the worst dish I’ve had this year. Over cooked shrimp served on mashed potato in a bowl of white sauce that tasted literally like nothing. The salmon tower almost as bad. Most of the ravioli weren’t sealed so they were water logged and a tomato sauce was a bad choice for the dish.
Both the crab cakes and the black bean cakes were too dense and dry. The only thing good were the tempura peas.
The service wasn’t great for us either but really the food was just an absolute let down. There’s no excuse for it.

Three stellar things are noteworthy after a recent visit, so an update is a must do.
Bartender: Justin is a gem. He told me he’s recently been promoted to work at a sister restaurant, AJ Bombers. Congratulations Justin and I appreciated how well you took care of me and kept me company as I enjoyed my meal.
Non-​Alcoholic Drink: In my quest to sample and report on non-​alcoholic cocktails in the city, Justin made me a great one. I enjoyed an Arnie Palmer. The difference was however, the lemonade AND iced tea were scratch made, not out of a fountain. Oh. My. Gosh. It was incredibly delicious, not too sweet, and utterly refreshing. If the Long Island Iced Tea can be making a comeback on cocktail menus this summer, the Arnie Palmer deserves serious consideration.
My take on Friday Night Fish: I was jonesin’ for a different take on my typical Friday night fare, so I perused some third ward manus and got creative. Swig’s Tempura Sugar Snap Peas got me in the door. Deep fried in crunchy batter and served with a side of tarragon-​sour cream sauce to dip in, these babies were delicious. Owner Joe Sorge says they are addictive. He’s right. For my main course I enjoyed the seared scallop salad — marinated and seared scallops served atop a bountiful bed of salad with fresh fruit and vegetables. So delicious. The only thing I would do differently is have the snap peas served alongside my salad and eat as a meal rather than a course. I ate way too many of the generous portion served to me!

Came for downtown dining week after perusing their lunch specials online. It was easy to make reservations and lunch (1pm) was not busy. Their menu included a salad, an appetizer, and main.
The salads were a bit better than basic, with feta cheese, walnuts, and mandarin orange, and had a unique dressing. Our appetizer included the choice of black bean cakes or crab cakes. My party ordered the crab cakes and loved them-​they had a good amount of crab and just the right amount of breading. Due to a shellfish allergy, I ordered the black bean cakes and enjoyed them. If you like falafel, you will enjoy these. The dip was also really tasty. For our main, we all ordered the teriyaki ahi tuna burger. The ahi was big and the bun was soft and buttery. I liked the toppings as well, although it didn’t taste of teriyaki too much.
At the end of the meal, our server brought us all bags of donut holes from Holey Moley, a nearby donut shop that I’ve been meaning to try. It was a great touch! I will definitely be back.

This was my first time at Swig. I met up with a couple friends in town from Madison. It was no surprise that all the construction made getting around down here an adventure, but I lucked out with a parking spot right down the block.
It took a bit to be seated, but I really liked the way out table was essentially outside … but protected from the wind. The wall on our side of the restaurant rolls up entirely. Loved that. The place is clean, inviting and well lit. Love the modern décor. Lots of interesting texture and color use.
Our waitress was terrific! She was attentive, knowledgeable and so friendly. Our orders were almost all seafood. Everything was made so well. My seared tuna was just how I like it. Everything on each plate was surrounded by gorgeous, fresh greens. These presentation details make a difference.
Swig is in a pretty sweet location … down the road from the Market. We took a stroll down there after dinner for coffee.
It’s not inexpensive, but worth it for meeting up with someone special. We’ll be back.

Recently, some dear friends of ours held their wedding reception at Swig’s. They did a fantastic job with everything. The staff was very nice and made sure that things ran smoothly. The reception was held in a spacious upstairs room above the bar and restaurant.
Fun historical fact: Swig’s actually used to be a coffee mill. In fact, the chutes from the mill are still hanging from the ceiling in the upstairs room.
I will have to make a point of coming back here to check out the restaurant.

I expected more from the Hospitality Democracy group. Came for lunch on a Thursday afternoon. The restaurant was not busy so I have a hard time understanding slow service. The waitress was slow to greet the table and food was super slow to come out. On a weekday lunch I expect restaurants to be cognizant that people are probably in a bit of a time constraint.
I went with the Mediterranean chicken pita. No bad but not great either. My biggest complaint is the chicken was a bit dry and super boring. When they said Mediterranean chicken I expected it to have some Mediterranean seasoning to it. It was just a sad thin unseasoned piece of chicken.

As far as I can tell, as long as you sit inside it’s great. Outside, what service?; bar or near kitchen, no problems. I would prefer more beer choices, but they do have a large selection of seeping liquor for better than average cocktails. All of the two page single column menu is done well. So even though it’s manageable, I’ll narrow down the menu to the best parts for you. Not the best at anything in town, and none of the specials has ever knocked my socks off, yet great location for us.
Been here many times and starting with a snappy veggie covered rustic flatbread is always a treat. Hummus and bruschetta also never disappoint, yet get the flatbread first, and last.
For lunch there are a couple yummy pitas, a grassfed burger that represents well in Wisconsin (and obviously anywhere else), and a quinoa burger for healthy days.
I’d skip salads relative to other stuff, but if you want: the watermelon beet for the adventurous, the seared tuna for normal people, and the pan-​seared (I guess the pan must not be large enough for the tuna) scallops if you like scallops.
The entrée of choice is the Orange Chipotle Glazed Pork Loin Medallions. The incredibly long name describes it rather well. One grandma’s cooking had me swear off pork loin, after tasting this dish, I suspiciously will try elsewhere. Perhaps others’ feedback for the Wild Mushroom Gnocchi here inspired the restaurant group to open Onesto. I’m interested in seeing if it has been stepped up another notch since the sister place opened next door.

Let’s update. Sit at the bar. I always have a good experience here, plus you are nice and close to your loved one, if you want to hold hands, have an intimate conversation;) I was given a free dinner from my prior poor experience but still have that saved for another time.
To update: drinks: perfect. I want a large muddling display in my own kitchen please. Flatbread-​awesome. I really like the fresh sugar snap peas on top. Salmon today. Really quite good. Would absolutely try again. Whitefish also quite good, maybe a tad overcooked.

*nom*nom*nom*