Plum Lounge

I’ve been back a couple of times since my last review to try the Sicilian Steak Tenderloin, the Horseradish Crusted Filet, the Gnocchi, and the Crab Cakes.
The steak was perfectly seasoned and tender.
The crab cakes are unique in that the center has a mushy texture. Why? Because the chef chooses not to use fillers. He said it’s pretty much just crab and mayo. Once you get back the mushy textured center, you will enjoy the awesome flavors coming from the crab cakes. Don’t worry, the outside of the cakes still has a bread crumb coating.
The gnocchi? Well, I once said that I enjoy a dish that makes me ashamed that I ate it. This gnocchi gave me that feeling. It was very rich and delicious! Just a few ingredients that work together so well can really make a dish!
The chef is Adam Pawlak. The kitchen doesn’t have open flame capabilities, so he gets creative and keeps his dishes simple. Often times, less is more, and he finds ways to create really delicious dishes with 5 ingredients or less, most times!
I’ve probably mentioned this before, but Happy Hour is Monday through Friday from 4:00 — 8:00, and EVERYTHING is $ 2 off. You have to try the food here.
A new menu will be launched tonight. I expect the Bacon Popcorn to remain as a staple. GET the Bacon Popcorn, along with anything else that catches your eye.
Also be sure to try a craft cocktail. The bar manager, JC, creates new cocktails often. I still love the Watermelon Jalapeño Mojito and the Ginger Kick!

Decent place, drinks were good no complaints. Service was fast, staff was friendly. Crowd was a plus, will be back to try small plates!

Never have I felt so discriminated against as when I attempted to experience Plum with my husband and friends from out of state. After enjoying ourselves at Blu in Phister, we thought we’d check out Plum. Not only did the bouncer study our IDs after blatantly refraining from IDing the girls in front of us, but he then insisted that my husband was unable to enter because he was dressed inappropriately (he was wearing khakis and doctor recommended Nike street shoes). Nonetheless, we were able to walk down the street and were welcomed into another bar that boasted friendly service and and a classy atmosphere. Your loss, Plum; we’re awesome.

My two friends and I were very excited to take our Friday night out to Plum. We dressed our best, heels, cocktail dress; the whole shebang. We arrived and it was clear there was no dress code which I found surprising since it seemed to be an upscale lounge. There were ripped Jean shorts and plaid shirts; it wasn’t the atmosphere we were looking for, for the area let alone a lounge. My friends and I are all in the service industry so we had no problem waiting 15 minutes for service as you could tell the bartenders were overwhelmed with craft cocktails. The drinks were tasty, I picked one with blueberries in it. Once we had our drinks, we looked for a place to sit or even stand away from the bar. The VIP section, which was unoccupied, took up (I kid you not) half of the establishment alone. In fact, i am unsure where anyone would have been had it been bad whether as everyone was on the patio. We eventually sat at a table by the window. There was a vase with a dead and moldy rose in it. A man swung by and grabbed the empty glasses that were scattered on the table from the previous guests but failed to take the candy wrappers or wipe down the sticky and wet remains. We began to look around and discuss our disappointment in the establishment considering we thought it would be a nice lounge. We even found ourselves drinking our drinks rather fast so that we could leave to go somewhere cleaner and with a more professional crowd. As I left I wanted to take my glass up to the bar so that others could take our table with out the mess we had dealt with. It was not hard to find where Plum kept their dirty dish ware considering it was heaping right on the bar itself. I wish I had found a new Milwaukee hot spot that day, but my friends and I quickly left to The Whiskey Bar who never fails to provide the atmosphere we hope for on a Friday night downtown.

So, plum. I thought there’d be some sort of sake theme goin here with the name, but I’m pleased enough with the purple lights and watermelon jalapeño mojitos. Do you ever see purple lights and think you’ll be having a bad night? No, it just won’t happen.
The place truly feels like it embodies the title of «lounge» and not a «club,» which I view as a good thing. They serve fancy appropriate small plates, theres a «fire table» (literally) on the patio facing Jefferson, and djs and bottle service (if i ever stay up that late) later in the evening.
I’m on the fence here between four and five stars but we’ll stay with a solid 4.4 999 999 for the moment.
Well done.

The first thing someone told me about Plum Lounge is that they offer bottle service on the weekends. Wow. How upscale and swanky. The second thing I learned is it’s owned by the same people who own The Dogg Haus in Milwaukee. Wow. Now that’s a dichotomy — that I had to try out myself. I give it two thumbs up!
Plum Lounge — the newest addition to the Cathedral Square entertainment district — delivers an elegant vibe with its industrial chic and subdued twinkle lighting in a hue that’s — you guessed it — PLUM. My Unilocal friends Lisa A and Rick R and I gathered on a Thursday night before Jazz in the Park to sample some of their small plates. We met the chef who was cordial and welcoming. The bartender took good care of us.
I ordered the bacon popcorn and seared scallops. Bacon POPCORN? Mmmmm. I loved how the bacon snuck up on you. Bite into the fluffy popcorn. Enjoy it’s chewy texture. Then, the deliciousness of bacon fat hits you like a freight train. And with a few crispy, chewy smatterings of crumbled bacon strewn in for good measure, it is truly a fantastic taste voyage.
The scallops? Perfectly cooked, delicious and savory. Topped with a beautiful salad including hearts of palm, dried cranberries, mixed greens and a delicious dressing. I was perfectly happy with this choice. I am always happy to go somewhere where they are kind enough to serve me good food that’s beautifully presented and a joy to eat. My companions felt the size of the dish was too small for what we paid — we should have gotten at least one more scallop. Or larger scallops in general. Maybe a place that does bottle service can get away with smaller scallop servings. I don’t know!
Rick also generously shared his Pork Banh Mi sliders. The bread was toasty and grilled — delicious. There was a bit of heat from jalapeño, cooled down with crunchy cucumber and carrots. It looked like the meat was presliced, not pulled, but I enjoyed it.
Finally, Rick shared some ravioli that was handmade with pulled beef brisket. That started a conversation about making our own pasta, something all of us want to try. So delicious — accompanied by the salad. Again, it was just 3 ravioli. Again, we are in a place that does bottle service. Don’t ask why. Just try.
We will be back to enjoy the ambiance and intimate setting of Plum Lounge. And more delicious food!

Descriptive phrase: chic and cool lounge.
Cathedral Square is starting to get a monopoly on Milwaukee’s lounges, but Plum Lounge is certainly adding something a little different to that mix. Occupying a prime (though oddly long-​empty) spot on Jefferson, Plum stays true to their name with plenty of dark purples and greens used throughout a space of glass and mirrors. It’s unique and cool without being stuffy and uncomfortable.
I tried the Cherry Lime Rickey ($ 9) and the No-​Jito ($ 8), both of which were a bit too sweet for my taste. Quality and taste of the drinks varied from bartender to bartender, as well, though I’m sure they’ll work out those kinks.
Perhaps their main draw is the outdoor patio space, which is slightly-​raised from sidewalk level and features a table with fire in the middle. Quite neat.
Where Plum stands apart from neighbors, though, is its kitchen, which serves (even in a bar) on nice place settings. We split the Banh Mi Sliders (3x $ 12), which were decadent. All the other dishes we saw come out looked fantastic as well. Think small plates out of necessity in a bar, not to be «hip».
Plum Lounge isn’t going to be my every-​day bar, but it’s a perfect place for a fancy night out on the town.

I came here with my good teacher friend after listening to some jazz. She and I both ordered drinks off the menu but felt a bit lukewarm because they were rather sweet (not anyone’s fault-everyone’s got different tastes). Our bartender asked how the drinks were and sensed that something was amiss. She mixed up a few little things and had us try them instead. What great hospitality. She made sure we were completely happy with our drinks and took great care of us throughout the night. What was equally impressive was that the owner of Plum was visible and consistently chatting and serving guests. It has a relaxed atmosphere and was a good place to talk with my friend and enjoy drinks in a sophisticated setting.