Purslane

“I'm shocked that I haven't given Purslane a review yet so here it goes: They have a rotating seasonal menu, there is always something new to try on the menu but keep many mainstays to rely on. The selection is varied and concise as to not be overwhelming. A taste for every palate and diet, if you will. I have not had a bad bite of food here once. There are things that are different, there are things that are new, there are things that give me so many questions (what the hell is even a sunchoke?) But every single one has been delicious. The staff is excellent, you can feel that they care not only about their food, but about providing the utmost hospitality to their customers that is physically possible. There is no denying that they are their biggest critics and it shows from the moment you walk in the door. If you have not been by yet you are missing out. Favorites for recommendation: the Deviled Eggs, Snap Pea Salad, Harissa Chicken Wings, Beef Kebab, and for dessert the Persian Love Cake. Mary, Kyle, Maddie, Ian, Jo, and the rest of the crew deserve the highest praise. Five gold stars not to be taken lightly. *photos are an assortment over the last year/sixish visits*”

“I’m Turkish, and I’ve always wanted a truly good place where I could confidently bring my friends and family for flavors close to home. I’m so happy that Purslane has filled that gap. The atmosphere feels Turkish—warm, elegant, and inviting. The food represents the tastiest Middle Eastern and/ or Mediterranean gastronomy with authentic, well-balanced flavors, and everything we tried was delicious. The cocktails were amazing as well. We were also pleasantly surprised with complimentary tea and Turkish delight, which was such a thoughtful touch. The service truly reflects Turkish hospitality at its best—friendly, attentive, and welcoming. Milwaukee is very lucky to have this place.”

“Have heard people rave about this place and have wanted to come for some time now. So glad that we did! Food: Everything about the menu and food feels intentional. Just to get us settled in, we were given a couple of small glasses of warm Turkish apple cider. It had mild flavors and was a nice way to awaken the palate. For cocktails, we got the “Above the Terracotta” Manhattan and the “Mosaic Form” Old Fashioned. Both lived up to their descriptions, especially the smokiness of the Old Fashioned. After consulting with our server, we decided on a couple of small plates and one large one. The Meze Trio was a wonderful way to start. Each was delicious, with a distinct texture and flavor profile. We both agreed that the sweet potato was our favorite. The Fattoush Salad was fresh, with excellent flavors, and provided an abundance of complementary textures. The Juusto cheese squares are fried and lent a nice richness to the dish. We ended with the Ali Nazik Beef Kebab. (We learned that kebab without the shish simply means grilled food.) It was tender and flavorful and came out plenty hot. We loved all the accompanying ingredients, with one exception. It was my first time having bulgur pilav, and I just wasn’t impressed. Service: From the time we entered to the time we left, we felt like we were in a space where our presence mattered. Everyone did their very best to make our dinner special. We had lots of questions, and our server was more than happy to answer them and make suggestions. The pacing was perfect, never feeling like we were forgotten or rushed. So nice to be treated with kindness. Thank you, Kyle. Atmosphere: Maybe I should have known, but I was surprised by the size of the space. In the area where we dined, there were fewer than 10 small tables and 7 seats at the bar counter. It was a warm, intimate space with subdued lighting. There were only a few other people when we arrived, and it was quiet, which made for easy conversation. I had the impression of having dinner at a friend’s home. I don’t often mention the restrooms in restaurant reviews, but this place deserves bonus points. Even that space is a nice extension of the attention to design and comfort found in the dining area. Purslane gets excellent reviews and ratings. Now that we’ve dined here, I understand the attraction. Definitely planning to come back for a repeat performance.”

“A group of four, long time friends enjoyed Valentine’s Day at Purslane’s. First we enjoyed some interesting cocktails that the bartender brought to our table. I had the Color of Thought - an Old Fashioned made with cherry vanilla bitters and pomegranate seeds, -it was delicious! Next, we ordered small and large plates that we shared. Each one was creatively prepared and thoughtfully presented. The server brought one at a time to the table and each one was amazing. My personal favorite was the Meze Trio but we also enjoyed, Beef Cheeks - a savory very tender beef in a gravy type sauce. It was delicious with many unique spices. We also enjoyed Deviled Eggs, and Walleye Falafel- our favorites! The server, who was excellent and gave us her undivided attention, recommended a red wine by the glass that was awesome! Everyone worked as a team to make our experience extremely enjoyable. The owner and host came out to our table to talk with us about their restaurant. The atmosphere and plates at Purslane is Mediterranean inspired with a bohemian vibe. We loved everything and had so much fun together. Thank you for a fantastic dining experience!”

“We love everything! The location couldn’t get a better chef to be there. The food was tasty with lots of spices that we can’t find in any other restaurant. The staff were always welcoming and trying to get all Information to be a great place. Try their wine because you can’t find it anywhere or one of their unique cocktails.”